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Heritage Roofing
Heritage roofing - maintaining our iconic buildings
The UK is home to some of the most iconic buildings in the world, from stunning churches and cathedrals to historic stately homes. Each and every one of these remarkable feats of architecture requires regular maintenance to ensure they remain in the very best condition, allowing them to be enjoyed for generations.
Cathedral Care
Restoration and upkeep of cathedrals
There are some 42 Anglican cathedrals in the UK, not to mention 20 or so Catholic cathedrals. Cathedrals form the most important collection of historic buildings in England. The largest and most ancient are internationally famous, the smallest are usually among the most significant buildings in their region and even the most recent are architectural masterpieces.
Master Craftsmen
Championing our heritage with modern craftsmanship
Twenty years ago, English Heritage (now Historic England) published its first-ever Register of Buildings at Risk across England, which featured nearly 2,000 buildings and monuments that were ‘neglected, broken and unloved’. Recently Historic England was delighted to announce that over two-thirds of those buildings were now safe, in both urban and rural areas right across the country.
Traditional Lime
Lime: it’s better for buildings – and for the environment
It is now fairly well known that cement is not good for old buildings and that lime mortar should be used. But why? What are the advantages and what are the disadvantages? In order to begin to answer those questions it is necessary to understand the nature of traditional building, the process by which buildings used to be built, and how it differs from modern construction, the process by which we build today.
Audio Visual
Audio visual equipment in church buildings
This guidance is issued by the Church Buildings Council under section 55(1)(d) of the Dioceses, Mission and Pastoral Measure 2007. As it is statutory guidance, it must be considered with great care. The standards of good practice set out in the guidance should not be departed from unless the departure is justified by reasons that are spelled out clearly, logically and convincingly.
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CRE Events
After the Midlands, onward to Milton Keynes
"CRE Midlands reminded me of the giddy days when it first began – the venue was packed with exhibitors and visitors and there was a busy atmosphere. The whole thing looked great."
Insurance
You need to ensure that reasonable precautions are in place at your church to keep it safe for those who use it. To do this, you need to think about what might cause harm to people.
You will then need to decide if the precautions already in place are adequate. If they are not, you may need to identify further action to prevent any danger. When done formally, this is known as a risk assessment.
Church Maintenance
Church maintenance and repair: Calendar of Care
Just as prevention is always better than cure, maintenance is preferable to major repairs. But, such repairs may not always be avoidable. Church Care offers a monthly guide in our coming issues Starting in Spring
We can help you understand the common problems and areas that need your special attention, and give you tips for regular maintenance schemes.
Pest Control
Michael Palin warns of pest threat to churches
Michael Palin is supporting the future of the UK’s historic churches and chapels with a voiceover for a new animated film. The 80 second animation, produced for the National Churches Trust, highlights why churches are some of the nation’s best loved buildings.
Town Halls
The history of the great Victorian Town Halls of Northern England
From industrial squalor to civic pride, the story behind some of the most impressive buildings of the North involve a unique mix of economics, grand designs and noble sentiments within communities.
Lead Roofing
Lead is one of the oldest materials in the roofing industry and is still commonly used throughout the world today.
Lead roofing is a traditional roofing method which has been used in the industry for hundreds of years, and is therefore proven to be extremely reliable. Lead roofing, and sand-cast lead, in particular is ideal for old buildings such as churches or historical renovations, whereas milled lead roofing is a mass-produced alternative, used for precision and accuracy in homes and commercial buildings alike.
Lightning Protection
When lightning strikes are you protected against this act of God?
The issue of lightning protection in churches is one that has exercised this publication for many years. In this four-part series of spotlights on the issue we will be revisiting various aspects of the subject, beginning with an overview of current thinking.
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Lime mortars give protection to Kent and Caen stone
All Saints’ Church in Laxfield is a classic Suffolk wool church, with a long, wide nave and a superb west tower dating from the mid 15th century. The tower is 100ft high and originally built of Caen stone dressings with fine flushwork flint panels – as you’d expect to see in East Anglia – and much more unusually with large expanses of Kentish ragstone ashlar.
Roof repairs correct century-old ‘mistakes’
The Cathedral of St John the Baptist on the outskirts of Norwich city centre is one of the best examples of the Victorian Gothic revival in the country. St John’s is the mother church of Roman Catholics in Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. It is the focus of many large diocesan occasions and, of course, the seat of the Bishops of East Anglia. Indeed, that is the origin of the word ‘cathedral’, which derives from the Latin cathedra, meaning chair or throne.
New Canterbury handmade clay tiles the perfect match for sensitive re-roofing project in Surrey
A complex and sensitive re-roofing project in Surrey is amongst the first to use the Canterbury handmade clay tile range from Marley Eternit, which was re-introduced to the market to help architects and contractors achieve a genuine handmade finish when creating traditional clay roofs.
Natural History Museum protected by Advanced Systems
The world-famous Natural History Museum in London,and its more than five million annual visitorsare being protected by intelligent fire panels from Advanced.
Often called the ‘Cathedral of Nature’ the Natural History Museum is renowned for its collections of dinosaurs and ornate architecture, andis widely recognised as the pre-eminent centre for natural history and related research. The Museum is the third most popular in the United Kingdom and its irreplaceable 80 million strong collection is of global importance and includes many collected by Charles Darwin.
SnapIT Aluminium Rainwater Range with NEW stylish ‘Swept’ offsets and bends
Rainclear Systems, the UK’s largest stockist and online retailer of metal rainwater systems, is pleased to introduce an innovative improvement to its already popular, contemporary, SnapIT extruded aluminium rainwater system.
All those who have seen and used SnapIT before have found its contemporary styling, simple ‘bolt-less’ joining guttering and swaged downpipe system an impressive finishing touch to their project. Now the system has been engineered to incorporate an even more stylish finish.
Missing waterwheel replaced at Dunster Watermill
Situated on the River Avill the present Dunster Watermill was built around 1780. Milling however has taken place on this site for over 900 years and is mentioned in the Domesday Book. The mill is powered by two overshot wheels and is still producing organic flour today. It is currently owned by the National Trust.
Dorothea Restorations started the replacement of the missing waterwheel at Dunster during the winter of 2014/2015. The English Oak staff was selected by hand and machined down to replicate the faceted profile allowing the wedging of the nave at either end.
Historic England helps Boston build on its past
By raising awareness of Boston's historic significance and encouraging investment in a series of conservation projects, Historic England has helped this Lincolnshire town to capitalise on its past.
Boston reached its zenith in the medieval period when it was the second busiest port in Britain, but decreasing wool exports led to its decline. Although enjoying a revival in the 18th and 19th centuries, by the 20th century the silting of the Haven and a shift in trade routes transformed Boston from international trading hub to remote coastal town.
Rosehill Furniture Group complete Three Peaks Challenge for charity
On June 10th, Cheshire based contract furniture specialists, Rosehill Furniture Group, set off to complete the Three Peaks Challenge. Eight courageous Rosehill team members took park in the challenge in aid of The Christie, and Action on Womb Cancer. The ultimate goal was to raise £3,000.
Norfolk Conservation aims to turn the tide at seaside town
Popular perceptions of Great Yarmouth are that of a one dimensional, kitsch and deprived seaside holiday resort. Images of low-value amusement parks, gaudy slot arcades, and penurious society are likely to surface. True, Great Yarmouth suffers from economic deprivation and hardship. One can see it in the buildings, street and faces. However, it is also fair to presume that this perception too is deprived and one-dimensional.
Edith Cavell's new grave dedicated at Norwich Cathedral
A poignant service was held at Norwich Cathedral on Sunday 15 May, when the new grave of executed First World War nurse, Edith Cavell, was blessed and dedicated.
Edith, who was born in Swardeston in Norfolk, was executed by a German firing squad on October 12, 1915, after helping Allied prisoners escape to Holland.
New company that saved Architectural Ceramics Skills scoops Business Award
Architectural terracotta and faience specialist, Darwen Terracotta has triumphed at the Hive Blackburn and Darwen Business Awards, winning the Newcomer Award. Finalists were joined by dignitaries, sponsors, judges and supporters at an exclusive black-tie event held at Blackburn Cathedral where the winners were announced and celebrated on stage.
Steve Allan, operations director at Darwen Terracotta, said, “This win is for the whole team and everyone who helped set up the business. It is a massive thank you to all 25 of our staff and their hard work over the last six months so we are really proud.”
North Cornwall chapel gets 55" Smart Screen and new sound system
South-West based Kernow Installations Limited have just completed an audio-visual installation in a renovated chapel in Wadebridge which has now become the new home for R.J. Bray Funeral Directors.
The installation required a stylish architecturally sensitive audio visual system for both the chapel used for services and the overflow room on the first floor. A 55″ Smart screen shows an HD quality image of service proceedings downstairs via a Dahua eyeball camera.
Traditional ironworker boosts sales through launch of online store
A traditional craft business which uses artisan tools and techniques dating back thousands of years has launched its own online shop.
Nigel Tyas Ironworks, which still fires and works metal following the same principles developed in the Iron Age, has embraced e-commerce and digital marketing to reach more customers and boost trade.
Electronic gates give extra security for church and heritage properties
Lancashire based TSB Ironcraft, who have been making quality wrought iron gates since 1990, can also install electronic systems for both swing gates and sliding gates to give extra security to church and heritage properties. All the systems they install come with a full two year warranty, subject to service.
The kits for swing gates come in two types. With the underground kit, the motor is fitted in a galvanized box and then concreted in and then the gate is welded to a shoe and hung from the top hinge. With the 'ARM' kit, you can have a normal pair of gates that have been hung in the usual way, then the arms are fixed behind the pillars and a bracket welded to the gate.
How to repair Cast Iron Guttering
Rainclear Systems has been in the business of providing customers with high quality Cast Iron Rainwater products and a high quality of advice and service for over 10 years and are often asked how to cut or drill Cast Iron Guttering.
Traditional Cast Iron Guttering was chosen for its durability as well as beauty. But this toughness, that makes it last 100+ years, does not make it hard to work with. The system is made of components so, though it is still often a two man job to install, the components can be replaced as needed, while others can often be renovated, restored and reinstated.
Victorian orangery at Holywell Park restored by Dorothea Restorations
Holywell Park dates back to medieval times and in 2013 Ipswich Council received a substantial grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the Park. Some of this was used to restore the Grade II listed Victorian orangery which had been boarded up for many years.
Dorothea Restorations undertook the restoration of all timberwork, wrought iron and the reinstatement of historic crown glass within the structure.
UK Roofing Awards 2016 - winners revealed
The winners of the UK Roofing Awards were announced at a ceremony hosted by BBC’s Steph McGovern at the Hilton London Metropole on Friday 13th May 2016.
The winners are:
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