TOM CUNLIFFE SEEING IN THE MIST

This is really a story about fog on the wild coast of Norfolk, but while musing on it, I realised that it made a wider point. A major issue for those of us who deal in heritage is how to embrace technical progress while managing to preserve the essence of what went before. The world admires a well turned-out classic. Bringing it to perfection and operating it in the way that was the norm in its heyday raises a number of challenges.

It’s mind-boggling to contemplate the levels of vernacular expertise available before the First World War, when 50ft working vessels were routinely built on the beach in three months with no electric tools. National Historic Ships (NHS) makes a strong argument for the importance of keeping traditional skills alive. Its initiative encourages builders and restorers who are