A Day in the Life of an Assistant Historic Environment Record Officer
Assistant Historic Environment Record Officer - Jasmine Regan Feldman
Working remote full time, my day always starts with a short commute from the kettle to my desk, where I set up a spreadsheet to plan the day by deciding which quarter-sheet in Uttlesford to begin with. This morning, I’m tackling Stansted Castle - a big HER record. The record is very detailed, but a bit disorganised as many different archaeological events have taken place over the years.
I begin by looking at the National Record of the Historic Environment (NRHE). A primary part of my role is transferring these older records into our database. Happily, the information is helpful and provides more context for Essex’s record. I read through the sources, rewriting as I go, reordering the events to be chronological, and incorporating the new NRHE information. Not all of the HER records take quite so long, but when dealing with a significant site, it’s worth spending the time.
The extensive excavations at Stansted Airport are an upcoming mini-project, and my biggest since starting at Essex a year ago. Before I begin, I meet with Alice, my project lead, to discuss the reports and set out a game-plan.
Later, I spend some time on Listed Buildings records. They’re for the most part quick and easy as they primarily involve making Historic England’s description digestible for the non-specialists. As a non-specialist, I read up on the difference between the diminished shoulder and the spurred soffit joint. A quick check of my trusty copy of Pevsner’s Essex is almost always necessary.
On a normal afternoon, I might move onto work on an extensive Iron Age fort or a sprawling Roman settlement, but today we’re venturing out to see some of the HER records in the flesh.
Our team are visiting Tendring, and so I drive over and meet up with Adrian and my colleagues Hannah and Abi to do a bit of exploring. We concentrate on the highlights of the coastline, so begin by taking in the might of Jaywick’s Napoleonic-era Martello tower and are treated to a tour of its history and significance. Continuing the theme, we travel up to Walton to climb the spiralling staircase of the 18th century Naze Tower, and just about avoid being blown off the top. The shrinking distance between the tower and the sea is alarming, and on the drive home I reflect on the importance of the HER to preserve a record of Essex’s archaeology.
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