Current Issue
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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Rainclear Systems’ Heritage Cast Aluminium Rainwater range – can it replace cast iron guttering?
Of course aluminium guttering will never completely replace cast iron. Cast iron is often obligatory on our oldest buildings - and with good reason, it offers an unmistakable appearance and has proven to last up to one hundred years with sensible maintenance. It is generally the more expensive system to purchase but still represents great lifetime value when you factor in longevity.
Geraint Jones, managing director of Rainclear Systems, the UK's leading stockist of metal guttering, is a huge fan of cast iron: "As well as its strength and efficiency, the wonderful thing about a modern cast iron system is that it's now available in a pre-painted factory applied finish. Ready to install, this removes all the hassle and concerns of onsite painting.
Cooke Plough restored to former glory
John Cooke & Son were noted manufacturers of horse drawn ploughs based in Lincoln. The Lincolnshire Museum of Rural Life has a number of ploughs attributed to Cooke in their collection. The Museum is based in the listed former barracks built for the Royal North Lincoln Militia. It houses a comprehensive social history collection celebrating the culture of Lincolnshire since 1750.
Church lighting - the next level of innovation on show at CRE Midlands
Innovative church lighting specialists Lighting Dynamics UK were one of the major exhibitors at CRE Midlands which took place from 7-8 October at Birmingham's NEC.
The company, based in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, continue their development as one of the UK's premier companies specialising in the interior and exterior illumination of cathedrals, churches and other places or worship throughout the UK and Ireland. Pictured is a recently completed project at St Giles RC Church in Cheadle.
The company is dedicated to offering a totally independent, creative, unbiased lighting design and consultancy service and as required, they can also supply of all the associated and specified lighting equipment.
Hat-trick heating heroes on show at CRE
The Stoke on Trent-based church heating specialists featured on the front cover of our latest issue were also exhibiting at CRE Midlands.
Mellor and Mottram don't believe in doing things in ones - or even twos. They seem to make a habit of installing trios of systems in churches in close proximity, often as a result of previous collaborations.
Such was the case when the company was approached by Rochdale architect Graham Holland to carry out a survey of the system at Holy Trinity in Littleborough - a Pennine village to the north of the town.
Lighting specialists promote their skills
Church lighting specialists Anthony J Smith (Glos) Ltd will be exhibiting at CRE Sandown. The company have been re-lighting churches of all sizes and denominations for well over 30 years including a recent project at St Matthew's in Winchester.
St Matthews church was originally built towards the end of the 12th century as a chapel for the farming district of Wyke, or Weeke as it is known today, near Winchester.
Traceability comes to the fore as metal theft figure begins to climb again
Research published recently by Vacant Property Specialists (VPS), a company specialising in the protection of premises that are temporarily void or vacant, shows that metal theft is on the rise again 'after a dip following new laws'. The article, using the headline Losing your Mettle: Is the Law failing to stand up to Metal Theft?, shows that incidence of metal thefts reported in the media is back to the same level as it was before the introduction of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.
New VMZINC roof for Grade 1-listed church on World heritage site
As one of the nation’s Victorian architectural gems on a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grade 1-listed Saltaire United Reformed Church is a unique example of Italianate religious architecture.
Restoration work on the mausoleum involved VMZINC craftsmen hand crafting a new ornamental, stamped natural zinc roof and hand-working of panels on site by restoration specialists Norman and Underwood Panels.
Zinc was authorised by English Heritage to remove the threat of lead theft, the result being a restoration which has brought the building back to a standard not seen for more than a century.
Old timber and old render
With the British weather against us, protecting timber surfaces outside can be challenging. The accepted wisdom is to use a more or less transparent oil or resin, but does this work well? Not really, as the oil becomes the problem - overcoating increases the opacity of the stain to a point where the veins are no longer seen. There can be flaking too, followed by a weary sanding job!
Daughter's memory kept alive as 30 years in business are marked
Ecclesiastical furniture specialists Paul and Ruth Fuller have marked the 30th anniversary of their company, Fullers Finer Furniture, by raising thousands of pounds for the local children's hospice in their home town of Weston-super-Mare.
The family-run company staged a fundraising tennis event at their local club in memory of their daughter Naomi, who suffered from the genetic disorder Trisomi 13, or Patau syndrome.
The fundraiser was the brainchild of their tennis player son Oliver and was dubbed Volley with Ollie. At the event Oliver, aged 14 played for eight hours against 19 opponents. Supporters could also test the speed of their serves and try out 'tennis skittles'.
NFRC celebrates impressive membership milestone
In September, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) reached 1000 trade members for the first time. The roofing contractor company who helped us to reach this milestone, DPM Industrial Roofing (UK) Limited based in Stoke-on-Trent, has followed in the footsteps of other like-minded companies who sought to join a reputable and established trade association.
Change in the Leadership of Neutrik AG
The Supervisory Board of Neutrik AG, Schaan is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Boeglin as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Neutrik AG. Peter Boeglin will assume full responsibility as CEO on January 1, 2016, succeeding Werner Bachmann who will pass on the leadership to Peter Boeglin after his own 40 successful years within the Neutrik group.
The Supervisory Board of Neutrik AG is confident that Peter Boeglin has the background and experience to lead Neutrik AG in the future, and to continue its successful company history.
40 Years and 1 billion connectors
Neutrik AG, recognized globally as the leading supplier of robust and reliable professional connectivity solutions for audio, video, and data, is pleased to announce its 40th Anniversary. What began 40 years ago as a two-man endeavor in the backyard of an old farm house in Schaan, Liechtenstein is today the leading provider of innovative electrical and electronic interconnection products and systems for the professional entertainment industry. Now, 40 years later, the company can proudly claim “Neutrik is setting standards!”.
Grundon funding helps boost The Spire
Work on transforming the former Church of St Peter's in Ufton Nervet, near Reading, into a vibrant community centre, is edging closer as fundraisers make a final push to secure the money needed to complete the project.
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.
The majority of Anglican churches now use audio visual equipment as part of regular services. The technical specification for any fixed installation is crucial and will depend on your building and usage.
Seek professional advice from an independent adviser, and make early contact with your DAC Secretary to discuss any new scheme. The technical details will be unique to each church, but there are some general principles to consider when looking at new installations which impact on the fabric and appearance of the church.
Tewkesbury Abbey steers towards RCF's VSA Digital Columns
Back in 2010, when the medieval Tewkesbury Abbey was considering the installation of a new LED environmental lighting system it simultaneously saw the opportunity to rectify the problems it had been having with its sound system — which was becoming unreliable and lacking in intelligibility — and at the same time take advantage of the new cabling infrastructure.
Northernmost lights - stained glass in Sweden
Stained glass and ecclesiastical buildings seem inseparable and have been for over a millennium. Archaeological excavations at the monastic sites at Monkwearmouth and Jarrow brought to light coloured, but unpainted, window glass from the Anglo-Saxon period. The Abbot of Monkwearmouth, Benedict Biscop, brought in 675 glaziers from Gaul to teach the Saxons how to make glass.
Lead thefts continue to plague churches across the nation
Thankfully, the rates of metal theft have reduced greatly from the levels of a couple of years ago, thanks mainly to the proactively of police forces up and down the country, and more recently to the Scrap Metal Dealers Act, (SMD Act) which was introduced in October 2013.
Unfortunately that will be of little comfort to the congregations of five churches, spread across the country, who have all recently fallen victim to this horrendous crime.
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