The York Consortium for Conservation and Craftsmanship annual meeting in the Merchant Adveturers\' Hall on 29 May will be followed by the first annual lecture to honour the contribution made to conservation by Dr John Shannon.

Dr Shannon was secretary and, latterly, chairman of the York Civic Trust and it is at the invitation of the Trust that the Consortium has joined them in mounting an annual public lecture on a conservation topic.

The first such lecture will be given by Robert Adam, the architect who is currently secretary of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and whose contribution to the classical tradition is internationally acknowledged, both as a scholar and designer. He has lectured widely on classical architutre, among other topics, has written a book on classical design and a children\'s book on architecture.

The Consortium is also considering starting a series of hands-on masterclasses in the skills and techniques employed in conservation. There are issues to resolve - not least of cost and sponsorship - but members have been enthusiastic about the concept.