Are we at risk of losing the very elements that give a built environment its sense of place, asks Chris Heffernan of MPG

Michael Sheppard has been appointed executive director of Cathedrals' Workshop Fellowship (CWF), following the retirement of his predecessor, Frances Cambrook. For the past three years, Michael has served as deputy director and module leader of the Foundation degree in Applied Historic Building Conservation and Repair.

With a unique skillset restoring encaustic and geometric tiled floors Steve Sinnott is in demand across the world – but there’s still lots he’d like to achieve. We catch up with him for a chat.

Inigo Jones Slateworks based in North Wales is up for sale with an asking price of £750,000. The site spans around 2.9 acres and the listing includes a range of traditional workshops and stores, a modern showroom and visitor centre, café (tenanted until 2025) and farm shop, and benefits from extensive visitor car parking.

A book celebrating the beauty of Stamford, Lincolnshire has been created by Gary Curtis of Instagram’s @theoldbuilding account. Captured between 2018-2023, the 184-page hardback features original photography captured by the author.

A rare inscribed stone known as an ogham stone has been found in Coventry and is currently being displayed at the ‘Collecting Coventry’ exhibition at Herbert Art Gallery and Museum.

Jackie Molnar, chief operating officer of Salisbury Cathedral has stepped down from her role as Cathedral Workshop Fellowship (CWF) chair of trustees

Valentia Slate, a natural stone derived from Valentia Island in the Republic of Ireland has been officially recognised as a heritage stone. Awarded the status of 'International Union of Geological Sciences Heritage Stone', it has been used internationally, including on the floors and roofs of the House of Commons in London. The status is only given to stone that has a history of significant use and which is still available for conservation purposes today.

A new five-year plan has been launched to help tackle Scotland’s heritage skills gaps. Named The Skills Investment Plan (SIP) it will work on collective solutions that support the future of our historic environment and the communities across Scotland that rely on it.

The Garfield Weston Foundation has pledged £500,000 towards York Minster's Centre of Excellence for Heritage Skills and Estate Management. This grant is the largest philanthropic gift granted by a charitable foundation towards the Minster’s work to date.