We are very sad to announce that David Linford, a great friend to COTAC, a former Trustee, and generous benefactor, supporting conferences and other events, passed away on 9 March 2018.
David was chairman of the well-respected group of companies specialising in building conservation based in Lichfield that bear his name.
Always active and keen to improve the industry sector, he worked with other conservation contractors and encouragement from the then English Heritage, to form the Heritage Building Contractors Group (HBCG) with the aim of raising quality of those working on historic buildings. It set standards and requirements of members, including that they should have a predominant directly employed workforce of skilled crafts persons and offer apprenticeships and training to those recruited and employed. On the eventual winding up of HBCG, David instigated the transfer of residual funds to COTAC to be used for conservation educational purposes.
David was instrumental in the establishment of SPAB’s William Morris Craft Fellowship, a training programme designed to broaden the skills and experience of trained craftspeople involved in historic building repairs. The scheme was launched in 1986 by a group representing major conservation bodies, with David’s backing as a specialist conservation building contractor. The only programme of its kind for outstanding craftspeople, the programme was devised to meet a growing demand from those responsible for historic buildings for trained craftspeople who also have a highly developed sympathy for, and wide understanding of, traditional buildings and the range of skills needed to repair them. The programme is still running and is as relevant today as it was 30 years ago.
A keen hockey player and supporter David was a member of Cannock Hockey Club for over 60 years. Firstly as a player, described as a stylish full back and subsequently Life Member, President and Patron. The Club said recently that it much appreciated his immense contribution in terms of time, effort and financial support, which had allowed Cannock HC to develop the present facilities and world class pitches. They described him as a quiet but very determined man who always had the Club’s best interests at heart.
David had excellent contacts in the heritage sector around the UK and in Europe. Indeed his links with the Council of Europe and European Union led to COTAC’s involvement in a number of successful international training projects during the 1990s.
The shortage of skills in the Built Heritage sector, led David to work with COTAC and the CITB, to encourage English Heritage and Historic Scotland to support the founding of the National Heritage Training Group (NHTG). In 2002, with David becoming its first chairman. This resulted in a number of Traditional Building Crafts Skills Needs Analysis Reports the findings of which are still very relevant today. More recently, NHTG ran two very successful HLF funded bursary schemes to train crafts persons in traditional building skills through onsite placements.
Suffering poor health during the last few years, David stepped down as a trustee but continued to take an interest in COTAC through regular contact with the Hon Secretary John Taylor.
His funeral was held in the Lady Chapel of Lichfield Cathedral on 12th April 2018.
COTAC sends its deepest sympathy to his wife Barbara and the rest of David’s family.
Photo courtesy of Cannock Hockey Club