About Us
Anna Forrest, BA (Hons), MA, MSt, FSA.
My work focuses on exploring, protecting and actively engaging people with heritage and history. I am qualified in Architectural History & Theory, Medieval Studies and Building History and I have worked in the heritage sector for over 20 years.
Previously, I held curatorial roles with the National Trust in the East of England, where my work was dedicated to the conservation, presentation and interpretation of vernacular buildings, country houses, collections and historic landscapes.
As project curator for the £6.5m NHLF-funded Raise the Roof project at Oxburgh Hall, I managed the research workstream, a component of which was nominated for the 2021 Current Archaeology Rescue Project of the Year Award, and I have worked on numerous complex interdisciplinary conservation and interpretation projects. These include the restoration of the Bury St Edmunds Theatre Royal, the Ickworth Lives project, and the re-presentation of Lavenham Guildhall.
I have considerable experience of working with designated heritage assets and museum collections, and collaborating with volunteers and external stakeholders. My particular interests are vernacular buildings, churches and almshouses, and using historical research to uncover and share significances and meaningful stories.
I am an elected Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and I sit on the committee of the Suffolk Historic Buildings Group.
For more information please visit: LinkedIn
Jess Johnston, BSc (Hons)
With over 15 years in the heritage sector, I have a background in community engagement, audience research and activity planning, interpretation, project management and historic building and collections research and conservation. I have worked with the National Trust at Blickling Hall, and Oxburgh Hall cataloguing collections, improving records, supporting conservation efforts, and delivering innovative interpretation and family activities.
I have provided leadership and support for several NLHF-funded initiatives, including overseeing audience, activity and interpretation plan development and delivery for the £12 million redevelopment of Lowestoft Town Hall, managing the £118,000 Norfolk Archaeological Trust Centenary Project, and developing child-focused interpretation and educational resources for the Airship Museum.
My work focuses on engaging diverse audiences in heritage through creative, practical activities that provide meaningful experiences for all ages and backgrounds.
As Covenants Officer for the National Trust (East of England), I led negotiations on proposed changes and advised on design and impact on historic buildings and landscapes.
Conserving historic buildings and ensuring their future is something that I care deeply about. I am a committee member of the Norfolk Historic Buildings Group, and I am currently pursuing a part-time MSt in Building History at the University of Cambridge to further formalise and expand career experience.
For more information see LinkedIn
Sarah E Woodcock BA (Hons), MSc, Dip. IHBC.
I am passionate about our heritage, culture and craftsmanship and the benefits they confer on our environment, wellbeing and community identity.
With over 30 years’ experience working with historic buildings, landscapes and collections, including 24 years with the National Trust (NT), as well as local authorities and museum services, I have worked on a wide variety of properties and collections, from country houses and their contents to modest vernacular houses and farm buildings. Among others, I led on the curatorial research and presentation of the NT’s Workhouse at Southwell, Nottinghamshire, regional vernacular building surveys in the Lake District and Midlands, and the re-presentation of Woolsthorpe Manor (Isaac Newton’s birthplace), Lincolnshire, and Sutton Hoo, Suffolk. I bring a pragmatic, informed approach to the care of heritage assets and to engaging communities with their stories.
I strongly believe that successful conservation relies upon living craft skills, which I promote through my work with buildings and collections, and as a maker, using traditional leather-working techniques. I am also a committee member and show organiser for the Suffolk Crafts Society. I understand the practical and therapeutic benefits of being a maker and the value of looking at collections and buildings from a maker’s perspective.
For further information please visit: LinkedIn