Building trust in heritage conservation

For heritage and conservation specialists, the challenge is clear: how do you protect the integrity of historic places while keeping them relevant, understood and valued today?

At Rievaulx Abbey, Keymer and English Heritage show how that balance can be achieved in practice, combining technical expertise, traditional materials and meaningful community engagement.

It is a clear example of building for what’s next: protecting the past while creating new connections between materials, people and place.

The project reflects a long-standing relationship between Keymer and English Heritage, built on specialist manufacturing expertise and a shared commitment to safeguarding some of England’s most important historic sites.

For Nigel Dyer, Heritage Service Manager at Keymer, that relationship is defined by practical support, shared knowledge and a willingness to get involved beyond the supply of materials.

“We’ve built a strong relationship with English Heritage over the years. It’s not just about supplying materials, it’s about supporting conservation work, sharing knowledge, taking part in events and helping people understand the traditional crafts behind these historic places.” 

Rievaulx Abbey’s historic tannery vats show this partnership in action.

Working closely with English Heritage, Ian Martinson, Brand Ambassador and an integral part of the Keymer team helped develop an education and engagement programme that connected local communities with the restoration. Local schools were invited to take part in a design competition, encouraging pupils to create artwork inspired by the abbey and its history.

Around 300 children participated, exploring traditional clay techniques and developing designs that reflected their connection to the site. Three winning designs were selected and transformed into bespoke stamps before being incorporated into the tiles used in the restoration.

Nigel and Ian also supported workshops and clay activities, helping children understand the role traditional materials and craftsmanship play in protecting historic buildings.

For Nigel, this educational aspect is one of the most rewarding elements of the project:

“One of the best parts of projects like this is showing people how these materials are actually made. When children get the chance to work with clay, carve a design or see how a tile is formed, it makes the history feel real. They’re not just learning about a site – they’re becoming part of its story.”