The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) is 125 years old this year and is planning a bumper calendar of events to mark the occasion.

Special events for the year include an exhibition of 12 drawings and paintings throughout February of buildings on the No11 bus route in London that SPAB have helped save - or in some cases have been unable to help with the result that they have been demolished.

The exhibition will appear on 41 bus shelters and poster sites along the route of the No11 bus. The pictures depict both the familiar (like St Paul\'s Cathedral) and the little known (like the 16th century statue of Queen Elizabeth I at St Dunstan\'s Church).

SPAB would like to develop this idea out across the country as they point out that only a small part of their work is in London. Whether they can do that or not will depend on the generosity of sponsors.

On the actual day of the anniversary, 22 March, a poetry competition will be launched at the Daily Mail Ideal Home Exhibition. The competition is called \'Beloved Buildings\' and to enter people are being asked to write a poetic love letter to a building for which they have a particular affinity.

Closing date for the poetry competition is 17 May, with the winners being announced on 6 July. The judges include Kevin McCloud from Channel Four\'s Grand Designs and Jonathan Glancey, the architectural correspondent of the Guardian.

In August there will be a 125th anniversary Picnic Week with walking talks, during which SPAB members will open their homes and gardens to the public and give guided walks through historic towns.

For building trades and professionals, SPAB courses this year include practical, hands-on no-nonsense training days on working with lime mortars and renders. They will be held throughout May and June in various parts of the country and cost just £40.

There are also two, week-long courses involving lectures and site visits to discuss the principles of repair and conservation, lime, timber, structural repair, stone and blockwork, plaster and render, ironwork and building regulations. They are in London and will run 13-19 May and 7-12 October. Price is £550.

In the autumn, SPAB have designated a week in November as National Maintenance Week, culminating on 29 November in National Gutters Day, the idea being to promote the notion that prevention is better than cure and that simple maintenance is the ultimate eco-tool in building.