It is with deep and sincere sadness that the EAA has heard about the recent passing of Henry Cleere. Perhaps all the more poignant for us is that Henry leaves us on the eve of our Annual Meeting and at the start of our 25th Anniversary year. We were looking forward to being able to include him in the forthcoming celebrations, Henry being the unique raconteur that he was, in possession of a huge personal archive of experience, knowledge, memories and anecdotes. Henry’s diverse and inspirational career in heritage management included being Director of the Council for British Archaeology (1974-1991) and World Heritage Coordinator for the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS, 1992-2002). He was awarded an Honorary Professorship in Archaeological Cultural Management by University College London in 1998. For now we would especially like to remind you of his significance to the EAA.
Henry was one of the instrumental founding fathers of the Association, our first Secretary and thereafter for many years the Editor of The European Archaeologist. In 2002 Henry was the recipient of our European Archaeological Heritage Prize, in recognition of his contribution to the internationalisation and modernisation of archaeological heritage management in Europe over the previous 25 years. Until very recently, Henry continued to support and contribute to our Annual Meetings and play an important advisory role in the governance of the Association.
We would like to send our heartfelt condolences to his family at this difficult time, with the knowledge that Henry will be greatly missed by his long-standing EAA friends and colleagues. We shall all have the chance to raise a glass (or two) in his honour next week in Barcelona.
Henry preparing for the EAA AMBM in Santiago de Compostella in 1995