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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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Rainclear Systems’ SnapIT, a boltless aluminium range, – the secret is out
SnapIT is a premium quality aluminium gutter system, which simply clicks together without the need of nuts, bolts and washers saving significant time and reducing the fuss and hassle involved in fitting.
The standard stock range comprises of Beaded Half Round gutter in 115 or 125mm and Victorian Moulded Ogee gutter in 125x100mm, with a complementary swaged downpipe system in 65 & 75mm round.
Illuminating - another stunning church project from Lighting Dynamics
Lighting Dynamics UK (incorporating Ecclesiastical Lighting), 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 of worship.
The company is dedicated to offering a totally independent, creative and unbiased lighting design and consultancy service and, where required, they can supply all of the associated specified lighting equipment.
Advanced protection for Magna Carta
One of the most famous historical documents in Britain, if not the western world, is being protected by extinguishing and fire alarm panels from Advanced with installation by Reflex Systems.
Sealed by King John at Runnymede in 1215, Magna Carta is celebrating its 800th anniversary (the actual anniversary is 15 June). It is the first example of an absolute monarch surrendering some of his powers, the beginning of a process that led eventually to our current system of government and the prototype for democratic government all over the world.
Choosing a contractor in Wales
There may be occasions when you need help to maintain your building. Cadw, the Welsh Government's historic environment service works for an accessible and well-protected historic environment for Wales, but is unable to recommend contractors - so here are a few simple tips to help you choose the right professional advisor, builder or craftsperson.
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.
Here, James Simpson OBE Hon DSc FRIAS, chairman of the Building Limes Forum, discusses the differences between traditional and modern building techniques.
£280,000 to protect Wales’ ancient monuments
Precious ancient monuments and war memorials across Wales are being awarded a share of almost £287,000 of Welsh Government funding to restore and protect them for future generations.
Many of Wales’ ancient monuments are on privately owned land. These grants provide an incentive for landowners and occupiers to carry out repair work that may otherwise be left ignored, resulting in the loss of important parts of our heritage which help tell the story of our past.
Lincoln College gets newly carved organ case
A newly carved organ case, made of English oak from the New Forest, has been installed in the chapel of Lincoln College, Oxford. The beautiful new organ case was made by Devon-based wood carver and cabinet maker Laurent Robert who carved the pipe shades in the style of the chapel. The magnificent organ was originally built by William Drake Ltd and was installed in the chapel in 2010.
Minsteracres Retreat Centre benefits from specialist support
Minsteracres Retreat Centre, County Durham, is benefiting from the good will of Stanley-based building and roofing specialist, Hodgson Sayers.
Leicester company wins prestigious national award
A Leicester company has received a prestigious national award for the specialist work carried out on historic buildings.
Norman and Underwood Ltd were presented with the top award at the 2015 UK Roofing Awards held at the Hilton Metropole in London in recognition of the copper roof installation installed at the Northumberland Observatory at the University of Cambridge built in 1838.
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.
Rainclear Systems Ltd – Heritage, Quality and Expertise – we care about the detail
Rainclear Systems is well known as an online retailer, and the UK’s leading distributor of metal guttering and downpipe products, so you might be surprised to discover there’s a team of experienced, knowledgeable personnel at the end of the phone too.
Firex International returns to London for 2015
FIREX International 2015 will open its doors from 16-18 June 2015 at London’s ExCeL, offering fire and security professionals unparalleled access to leading global technology, solutions and knowledge with the aim of promoting expertise in life safety.
England’s very own Far East has a rich and varied heritage
The fenland and broads of the East of England conceal within their mists a history that extends as far as Roman times. Here it was that Essex girl Boudica of the Iceni waged war against the Roman invaders and it was in the fenlands of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk that the Saxons of East Anglia fought the Danes.
It is in the Middle Ages, however, following the Norman Conquest, that the flat marches and fens became the sites of some of the most impressive ecclesiastical architecture, followed a few centuries later by the soaring towers and spires of Cambridge itself, culminating in Henry VI’s magnificent chapel at King’s College.
Throughout all that period, from the 12th century right up to a few years ago, the people of Suffolk were patiently building and extending their own mighty church at Bury St Edmund’s, in preparation it seems now for the creation of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich in 1914.
Award winning project reflects workers' heritage training
Winners in the Sustainable Roofs (Shingles & Shakes) category at this year's Roofing Awards were Eastbourne based Clarke Roofing Southern Ltd for the restoration of the damaged spire at Wadhurst Church in East Sussex.
A storm on St Jude’s day in October 2013 had caused severe damage - not only had the shingles been removed but the entire structure to one facet was ripped away including tennoned rafters and braces leaving a gaping hole in the side of the spire.
UK Roofing Awards 2015 - the winners revealed
The winners of the tenth UK Roofing Awards were announced at a ceremony hosted by BBC’s Louise Minchin and NFRC CEO Ray Horwood at the Hilton London Metropole on Friday 15th May 2015.
UK metal marking company joins call for a Swedish 'peace industry' to fight the illegal arms trade
The world is faced with a seemingly intractable crisis of an uncontrolled armaments trade, together with vast numbers of unexploded ordinance scattered across the globe. As well as the massive number of casualties – many of them children – there is a tendency for an increase in the availability of weaponry to devalue human life.
That situation has prompted a UK firm that specialises in the application of technology to prevent metal theft from churches and heritage buildings to join in a Swedish-based campaign to apply experience on weaponry to combatting that growth.
What do 'Game of Thrones' and 'Emmerdale' have in common?
Nigel Tyas ironwork, that's what!
The company are delighted to have recently supplied curtain poles to the popular Sky television series and their 'Swaine' wall lights sit proudly in the Woolpack on Emmerdale.
The team from Yorkshire Television felt that the company's original and still 'officially most popular' small wall light suited the traditional surroundings of a rural country inn.
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