Withstanding change: twinning takes off

As we all know, the impacts of climate change are not constrained by national borders. That’s why it’s important that heritage organisations work together, to help each other identify potential impacts on our sites and inform how we can adapt.  

It’s important for future generations that we make our historic and beautiful places more resilient to the effects of climate change. 

For the next phase of the ‘Withstanding Change’ project, National Trust places have been twinned with the international project partners, to exchange best practice in climate adaptation.  

Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Society and Llŷn Peninsula/Penrhyn Castle, Wales 

The three coastal sites involved in this partnership are experiencing several impacts on buildings and landscapes associated with sea level rise and increased storm activity: flooding, water ingress, salt corrosion and increased relative humidity are all issues.  

The teams at Penrhyn Castle and the Llŷn Peninsula are learning together with Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Society about how to make appropriate adaptations while also respecting the unique architectural and historical significance of the buildings in their care – as well as about how to pass heritage building skills on to the next generation.  

Read a new blog from Dewi Davies from the NT Llŷn Peninsula, Ceri Williams from NT Penrhyn Castle, and Hoshil Dhanji and Makame Juma from Zanzibar Stone Town Heritage Society. 

Egyptian Heritage Rescue Foundation, Cairo and Blickling Estate, England 

The Egyptian Heritage Rescue Foundation are working to restore and adapt Bayt al-Razzaz, a late fifteenth-century private palace in the heart of historic. The site is particularly affected by intense rainfall and flash floods, which recently resulted in the collapse of a neighbouring building. Blickling have also been seeing the impact of increased rainfall on their site. 

Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda and Stourhead, England 

The Cross-Cultural Foundation of Uganda are working on the Semei Kakungulu Lwakirenzi heritage site, located near Mbale. The site includes the private residence of Semei Kakungulu, a statesman who played a key role in Uganda’s complex colonial history. The partnership with Stourhead will focus on managing soil erosion and flash flooding, as well as restoring the natural landscape.  

Heritage Watch Ethiopia and Mottisfont and Hinton Ampner, England 

Our partners at Heritage Watch Ethiopia (HWE) are restoring an historic rose garden, that was once part of the residence of crown prince Asfa Wossen. Mottisfont is home to the treasured National Collection of pre-1900 roses. Supported by experts from nearby Hinton Ampner, the Mottisfont team will engage in discussions with HWE about how to restore historic planting schemes while also planning for future climate impacts. 

Petra National Trust, Jordan and Mount Stewart, Northern Ireland 

The team at Petra National Trust (PNT) are working to restore Bayt al-Jaghbeer in As Salt (a recent addition to UNESCO’s World Heritage list), with the aim of using the space for climate engagement activities. An established expert in heritage education, PNT will be working closely with the team at Mount Stewart to develop climate workshops for young people. This partnership will include online exchanges between youth groups at both sites. 

All of these twinning partnerships will result not just in mutual learning but in engagement activities on both sides. Follow @intoheritage on social media to stay updated about what we’re doing.