It seems like only a moment since I was posting my Christmas message in December 2018. This year has flown by and has been full of fantastic projects, engaging and complex assessments and some great collaborations.  At the end of 2019 I look back with such gratitude to all those clients who use the conservation and preservation services I provide, and who continue to surprise me with wonderful projects, some exciting new challenges and fantastic company and inspiration on my travels around the UK.

I have worked extensively with other professionals to deliver some great results for collections and clients, including digital photographer Colin Dunn of Scriptura , Bridget Mitchell of Arca Preservation, the ever-wonderful Packaging and Delivery team at the Bodleian Library and Sara Stoll, a frames conservator and gilder.  I have travelled well over 10,000 miles, spent several weeks working in an underground missile silo, numerous days in castle towers and many hours in cathedral and college libraries. I have crawled under tables and shelving units, teetered on ladders with a hoover strapped to my back and driven several vans around the south east on collection runs. I have looked at hundreds of data logger graphs, dozens of grisly bug traps and have used the phrase ‘A light logger may be a good idea for here’ more often than I would like. I have spoken to groups up and down the country, have presented several conference papers and workshops and have spent many happy hours consolidating some good relationships and making many more. And it has all been great – thank you.

In the summer I spent two weeks in Italy, immersing myself in Renaissance art. Angels were everywhere, and although it was taken in the blazing heat of an Italian July here is my favourite for you this Christmas, courtesy of the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.

A very merry Christmas to all my clients, friends and colleagues, and best wishes for a  happy and peaceful new year.