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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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Stained glass restoration by Classic Glass Studios
Stained glass window restoration is a four step process that involves the removal, disassemble, reassemble, and installation of the window. During this process the stone mullions are checked for possible damage or need for repair. The average window size would take about two weeks for a restoration.
A new life for Welsh chapels?
Judith Alfrey, head of conservation and policy at Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, explains how the physical survival of the Welsh chapel is as important for today’s society and future generations as it was for communities in the past. But, sometimes, for different reasons…
In Wales, you will never be very far from a chapel: they stud our towns and are often the focal points of remote upland settlements. These instantly recognisable nonconformist places of worship are a distinctive and familiar feature of the landscape.
Grants for the conservation of clocks by ChurchCare
All mechanical clocks in anglican churches in England are eligible, including early electro-mechanical clocks.
The project must involve overhaul and repair of the movement and/or dial motionwork. Repair and redecoration of the dial itself is only considered when the dial is ancient and of historical interest and the treatment is conservation-based.
Purcell completes Tower Bridge high level walkways
Tower Bridge has unveiled two new glass floors across its high-level walkways, enabling visitors to view a bridge lift from a wholly new and unique perspective. Purcell were the architects responsible for introducing the glass floors into the Grade I listed structure and improve the accessibility of Tower Bridge.
The £1m scheme, spearheaded by Bridge House Estates and the City of London Corporation, coincides with the 120th birthday year of the opening of Tower Bridge. The Tower Bridge exhibition first opened in 1982, and the project has enabled its refurbishment, while the new glass floors provide an exciting addition to a remarkable historic landmark.
Historic Cumbrian church roof protected by ballistics-inspired anti-theft technology
An historic Cumbrian church which has been the target of lead thieves to its roof is now being “guarded” by ballistics-inspired technology.
St Michael and All Angels Church, in Beetham, has turned to Trace-in-Metal to help shield its lead roof and flashings from criminals, because its Grade 1 Listed status makes it difficult to protect due to strict planning controls.
George II Walnut Bachelor's Chest restored to former glory
When a client bought this lovely George II Walnut Bachelor's Chest in to the workshop of Somerset based Pye Antiques Restoration, it was in desperate need of restoration to its original glory.
The chest suffered from many problems. The top substructure was comprehensively split with bubbles and missing veneer. It was also off-kilter when open.
How drones can help heritage
Any regular traveller on the East Coast main line or the A1 will be familiar with the dramatic sight of the spire of St. Peter’s Church, Yaxley, sitting on top of its hill, visible for many miles across the flat landscapes of the fens – even more so at night when it is floodlight, writes Peter Slinger RIBA, CA of Cambridge UAV. Early last year, I was invited to become the quinquenial architect for St. Peter’s and together with the Churchwardens, started planning for the forthcoming inspection.
DRU Kamara wall heaters provide comfort and efficiency to rural village church
St Peter’s Anglican church is in the picturesque rural village of Stoke Lyne, near Bicester, Oxfordshire. It dates back to Norman times and still has several 12th century features. These include a priest’s doorway in the chancel, a chancel arch, three small lancet windows and the main south doorway.
Scotland rules the Murdoch Awards
Coming hot on the heels of the Referendum Vote, Scotland was once more the focus of attention at the Gala Dinner which traditionally concludes the Annual Conference of the Lead Contractors Association.
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the winners of the Murdoch Award and Murdoch Sponsors Award, the ultimate accolade for those engaged in the historic craft of working with lead, whose skills remain so much in demand today.
Northcot Brick launches the 'Old Scotch Common'
Northcot Brick, one of the UK’s independent brick manufacturers, has launched the ‘Old Scotch Common’, a new line of traditional wire cut bricks, which replicates the appearance of the old ‘Giscol’ Scotch Common.
Widely used in industrial towns in the North of England, the original Giscol common brick, which was made from shale clays, was well known for its rough-cast hard burnt appearance, perforated surface and colour variation.
Northcot Brick is awarded 'Certificate of Quality' by the Guild of Master Craftsmen
Northcot Brick, one of the UK’s independent brick manufacturers, has been awarded membership of the Guild of Master Craftsmen in recognition of its skill and excellence in traditional brickmaking.
Seeking award-winning heritage roofs
Entries are now being accepted for the UK Roofing Awards 2015. The awards, which recognise and reward outstanding levels of workmanship and safety among competent roofing contractors, are open to those companies who are members of one of the supporting trade associations, including the National Federation of Roofing Contractors. Submissions from manufacturers, architects and specifiers are also welcome.
Arguably one of the most prestigious categories, and always hotly contested, is that for Heritage Roofing.
Hi-tech deterrent means churches can now be 'shot' of lead thieves
Instances of metal theft - in particular theft of lead from churches - have seen a reduction from the levels of only a couple of years ago, thanks in great part to the combination of more proactive policing across the country and the introduction of the Scrap Metal Dealers (SMD) Act in October last year.
Unfortunately, that will be of little comfort to the congregations and PCCs of churches across the country who have recently fallen victim to the crime, which seems to happen in clusters.
What can still look great after working hard for a hundred years?
If you’re looking for the very best quality and longest lasting guttering system on the market, cast iron is the ultimate material for rainwater disposal.
Ideal and often obligatory on our oldest buildings, a cast iron system should last fifty to one hundred years with sensible maintenance. Although it will be the most expensive system to purchase, it still represents great life time value when you factor in longevity.
Midlands firm warms the hearts of the church and ancient fabric of Wales
When it comes to the installation of church heating systems, few companies can claim a better pedigree than Stoke-on-Trent firm Mellor and Mottram. In recent years they have figured in a roll call of projects in Wales – from small village churches to the ancient cathedrals the early Celtic church became famous for.
Two Bronze Medals and recognition as Master Blacksmiths
North Yorkshire based architectural metalworkers Topp & Co. are proud to announce that two of their blacksmiths, Baptiste Deleau (left) and Arek Kropidlowski (right), have been awarded Bronze Medals from the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.
They are both now officially recognised as Master Blacksmiths.
MOLA finds new digs at DeepStore
MOLA, Museum of London Archaeology, has awarded DeepStore Records Management a five-year contract to store many of its important and environmentally sensitive artefacts.
The Winsford-based storage company, whose staff have had specialist training in the handling of archaeological and related material, is transferring 5200 boxes of objects from MOLA's collections to its climate-controlled vaults in Britain’s largest salt mine. The successful uplift of items will be completed by January 2015.
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