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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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Hetton Methodist Church - Insulead Frameless Double Glazing
Built in 1859 Hetton Methodist church comes under the control of North Yorkshire Moors National Park. A Grade Two listed building it is a traditionally constructed small stone chapel on one level with stone and mullion type windows. Originally glazed with obscured glass diamond quarries, the glazing had been replaced by single glazed ‘Arctic’ type glass that was now in poor repair, having cracked with the expansion and contraction of the stone work – the glass had been split into horizontal panes using steel T section steel bar.
York Art Gallery to reopen in summer 2015 following an £8 million transformation
York Art Gallery will reopen on Saturday 1 August 2015, also Yorkshire Day, after an £8 million development by international architects Ushida Findlay in partnership with leading conservation specialists Simpson & Brown, which will increase exhibition space by 60 per cent and see the launch of the Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA). The development of the 19th century Grade 2* listed building will create a new cultural destination and artistic hub for the region, firmly establishing York Art Gallery as a must-see destination and one of the best regional galleries in the country.
Award winning masonry firm offer a range of services
Skipton based Heritage Masonry are experienced and highly skilled stone masons, covering all aspects of stone masonry, stone walling and cladding nationwide. The company has years of experience in the industry and has worked hard to build up a first class reputation for the quality of the work and service provided.
York Handmade plays pivotal role in art gallery redevelopment
The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company has played an important role in the £8 million redevelopment of York City Art Gallery.
York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, supplied a selection of handmade and machine-made bricks to ensure the late-Victorian exterior of the art gallery was maintained.
York Art Gallery reopens on August 1 this year after an £8 million development which has increased exhibition space by 60 per cent and led to the establishment of the Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA).
Victorian columns restored at York Art Gallery
A team of expert, traditional plasterers working at York Art Gallery have restored two ornate Victorian columns back to their former glory as part of the ongoing refurbishment project at the venue.
The previously hidden columns, which date back to the buildings construction in 1879, have been given a new lease of life by craftsmen from Pudsey-based Ornate Interiors.
Faithful replication of historic wall tiles ensures seamless restoration of Grade 2 college building
Craven Dunnill Jackfield has successfully completed the replacement and restoration of hand glazed, historic wall tiles for the Grade 2, former East Ham College. The project involved the origination of accurate models for 39 unique designs and the formulation of several metal oxide glazes, which were fired and applied seamlessly to match the original tiles of the 1903 building.
The 500 Welsh Longbowmen of Agincourt
In 1415, Henry V defeated the overwhelmingly superior French army in one of the most famous battles in British history. Massively outnumbered, Henry V overcame incredible odds to win the battle, thanks in part to the pin-point precision and undeniable skill of his longbowmen, including 500 Welsh archers.
The 500 Welsh Longbowmen of Agincourt
In 1415, Henry V defeated the overwhelmingly superior French army in one of the most famous battles in British history.
Massively outnumbered, Henry V overcame incredible odds to win the battle, thanks in part to the pin-point precision and undeniable skill of his longbowmen, including 500 Welsh archers.
But the Welsh connection doesn’t end there, and the Welsh Government is highlighting the important role our country played in this historic event in honour of its 600th anniversary.
25 years of glorious brick
Prominent member of the YCCC, York Handmade, recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary and proprietor David Armitage had this to say to their customers:
"We thought we would celebrate with a little history of our life and times at Alne since 1988. It was then that the capital of the York Handmade Brick Company (previously the Alne Brick Co.) was acquired by myself and Tim Bristow.
"A few years later I became the sole owner of York Handmade and was later joined by my son Guy who is now a director of the company.
"The progress we have made in the last 25 years would not have been possible without the loyal service and dedicated expertise of York Handmade’s management team, which has now been in place for almost all of the 25 years and we owe the team a great deal.
"In addition to this excellent team, York Handmade is lucky to have some loyal and skilled employees in the factory. For loyalty, hard work and dedication to the task in hand, you couldn’t ask for a better team and this is the foundation upon which the company rests.
"On the sales side, it is also very important to mention the services of our sales team. Again, the service which they offer has been one of the hallmarks of our success.
"It is our steadfast aim to provide a first-class service at all times that makes us stand out against our competitors. When we started in 1988, we inherited a derelict factory.
"In fact, the factory was not even making bricks at all but was primarily engaged in the production of drainage tiles for agricultural purposes. Now, over £2m investment later, we have a dedicated modern handmade brick factory.
"The plant installed in 1988 still stands and serves us very well, enabling us to produce up to 5 million handmade bricks a year, but it has been augmented by a £750,000 specials plant which has played a major part in the success of recent prestigious contracts.
"Finally, I should just add that no brickworks can operate without a good supply of clay going forward. We are very pleased to have secured an option on a field next to our present factory, which will give us another 40 years clay supply so that we can expect a great many more millions of York Handmade’s famous bricks to come rolling off the production line.
"I would like to finish by thanking our customers, who range from the very smallest extension builder or floor tile user to the contractors and developers for their loyal support."
Here are just a few examples of the fine restoration projects that York Handmade have made possible.
For more information about this YCCC member company visit www.yorkhandmade.co.uk
About lime in restoration from the Building Limes Forum
Building limes have been used as binders in mortars and plasters for thousands of years; the earliest surviving example dates from around 8000 BC in a floor in Turkey.
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.
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