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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.
Read more: Tewkesbury Abbey steers towards RCF's VSA Digital Columns
Restoration Sector Yorkshire - Martin-Brooks
Nick Brooks is a director at Sheffield-based roofing specialists, Martin-Brooks. The firm is a member of the NFRC’s heritage register and works on numerous town and country churches, as well as some of the UK’s most historic properties, including Sheffield, Bradford and Wakefield Cathedrals.
Heritage roofers have a unique view of our architectural legacy – both literally and figuratively.
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.
Church Heating Installation Yorkshire
For several years Byfield Heating Ltd has felt proud and privileged to work closely with heating advisors on the York, Wakefield and Bradford Diocesan Advisory Committees.
On 9 October 2013 the Reorganisation Scheme was approved by an Order in Council - Her Majesty The Queen – who said yes to a new single diocese for West Yorkshire and the Dales to replace the three existing dioceses of Bradford, Wakefield, Ripon and Leeds. Being involved with these bodies and having a positive input into important decisions that affect their heritage is a constant source of satisfaction and pride to Byfield Heating.
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.
Read more: Lead thefts continue to plague churches across the nation
Leeds based company fit for a Queen
The Scagliola Company is a Leeds based company who are solely devoted to the manufacture, installation and restoration of Scagliola artefacts operating in the UK, Europe and worldwide.
It is a highly specialised organisation employing diverse personnel for specific projects that range from private interiors, luxury hotels, stately homes and super yachts.
The world’s foremost purveyor of fine ecclesiastical designs celebrates 140th anniversary
Watts & Co is the world’s foremost purveyor of fine ecclesiastical designs, textiles, furnishings and accessories. Its long and rich history is a narrative of refined taste, historic grandeur, and cutting edge style.
The Founders
Read more: The world’s foremost purveyor of fine ecclesiastical designs celebrates 140th anniversary
Manningham Library - Replicating Original Glazing
Built in the late 19th century Manningham Library building comes under the control of Bradford Metropolitan Council. The library, was to be refurbished and extended to celebrate its Centenary, creating a more family friendly space. A listed building, it is stone built on two levels with mullion type windows. It was originally glazed with sheet glass (clear) leaded lights in a square pattern. The glazing had been replaced over the years with a mixture of polycarbonate sheet, surface leaded glass and plain glass that was now in poor repair. Bradford Council Libraries received a grant of £1,499,000 from the Big Lottery to redevelop the library.
Read more: Manningham Library - Replicating Original Glazing
York Consortium for Conservation and Craftsmanship scores a double century
With a 2,000 year history and a wonderfully preserved stock of fine buildings, York has for generations been a thriving centre for what we now think of as heritage skills. York Minster and the many medieval churches in the city have long stimulated a demand for masons, carvers, ironworkers, carpenters and stained-glass experts.
Read more: York Consortium for Conservation and Craftsmanship scores a double century
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.
Read more: Hetton Methodist Church - Insulead Frameless Double Glazing
Woodsbuild Heritage Ltd, YCCC member and traditional builder
Woodsbuild Heritage Ltd are an old and listed building specialist. Managing director, Kevin Wood, took time out recently to tell Ecclesiastical & Heritage World a little more about his company.
“We are based in Barnoldswick, eight miles from Skipton on the Yorkshire-Lancashire border. Most of our work is done in the local area on old properties, but we do work further afield when required.
Read more: Woodsbuild Heritage Ltd, YCCC member and traditional builder
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.
Read more: York Art Gallery to reopen in summer 2015 following an £8 million transformation
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