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Whitechapel wins £1.4 million Heritage Lottery regeneration boost

Whitechapel Road is to be given a major makeover, thanks to a grant of almost £1.4 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), it was announced today.

This Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) will become part of a wider £10m regeneration scheme named ‘High Street 2012’ that also plans to provide public realm improvements, community, art and heritage events as it rejuvenates the area.

Opportunities to join our Scotland and Wales Committees

We are recruiting two Member vacancies on our Committee for Scotland and three Member vacancies on our Committee for Wales. Committees take decisions on all requests between £50,000 and £1million and provide a crucial country perspective to the HLF Board on larger grants, targeted initiatives and on regional priorities.

These posts present an exciting and challenging opportunity for individuals with a strong commitment to, and enthusiasm for the UK's diverse heritage.

National Heritage Roofing Contractors Register identifies quality

NFRC officially launched the development of a National heritage roofing contractor’s register in January 2008 and it is constantly updated. The register aims to identify reliable and suitably qualified heritage roofing specialists who have a good track record in carrying out roofing work to historic buildings.

Click HERE to find a selection of specialist heritage NFRC Members

Town centres win £14m Heritage Lottery regeneration boost

Eleven town centres across the UK are to receive a much-needed boost of £14m, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) announced today. The earmarked¹ money will help fund vital community regeneration schemes in these currently neglected areas.

This investment is part of the HLF’s Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) which has invested nearly £200m since 1998 into regenerating towns that have suffered serious social and economic decline.

Carole Souter, Chief Executive of the HLF, said:

Palace project contracts awarded

York company plays key role in scottish palace recreation

Historic Scotland is delighted to announce the award of a series of specialist contracts for its ongoing Stirling Castle Palace Project.

The contracts are part of a £12 million scheme, which will see the royal palace of James V returned to how it may have looked in its mid-16th century heyday. Among the successful bidders is Chris Topp & Co, of North Yorkshire, which will create metalwork for the palace, including fire irons of the type that would have been essential in helping keep the palace warm for the royal family and courtiers.

To find out more about Chris Topp click HERE and view their entry in our online directory

World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre

Planning permission granted by Camden Council

The Trustees of the British Museum are delighted that Camden Council has given planning permission for the World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre. The building will ensure the British Museum can meet its fundamental obligations of preserving, researching, displaying and lending this unparalleled collection for future generations. The building will ensure the British Museum remains one of the world’s leading museums, a civic space serving a local, national and international audience.

The British Quarry that Stands the Test of Time

Ecclesiastical & Heritage World Ladycross Quarry

Ladycross Quarry, situated in the middle of Slaley Forest, is one of the few remaining quarries in England where the stone is won by hand. The layers are separated by very level bedding planes. This means that the stone can be worked by hammer and wedge as it is used throughout the ages, and no explosives are used.

RAR Ceramics create the model home

Ecclesiastical & Heritage World RAR Ceramics

Real properties owned by people who take pride in their homes and gardens are captured in the handcrafted and unique ceramic models made by Nottinghamshire based artist Richard Rogers of RAR Ceramics.

With over 30 years experience in art and ceramics, his business now takes him all over the UK from Scotland to Sussex, South Wales to Norfolk, making models of a rich variety of homes. These have included converted stable blocks, rectories and other listed buildings, some dating back to the 1400’s, and also a number of modern properties.

Electronic Enhancement for Traditional Worship

Ecclesiastical & Heritage World Random Sounds St Bartholemews

Bob Dunbar of Random Sounds has a history of over twenty- four years of developing specialist installations in places of religious worship embracing a wide range of amplification techniques.

The varied styles of worship in the modern world demand a wide range of systems.

Planning Policy Statement 5 (PPS5): Planning For The Historic Environment

Published by the Department of Communities and Local Government on 23 March 2010

(Note prepared by Tony Allen, DMH Stallard)

PPS5 replaces Planning Policy Guidance Note 15 and will apply to all planning decisions affecting “Heritage Assets” taken after 23 March 2010. English Heritage have published simultaneously their “Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide”.

Police Leadership College gets Ellis & Co treatment

Ecclesiastical & Heritage World Bramshill

In August 2008, Ellis & Co. of Shepton Mallet, Somerset commenced masonry & roofing works to Bramshill Mansion, a Grade I listed building and Grade II* listed landscape, which is currently The National College of Police Leadership. Works continue with Ellis supplying a team of Masons/Conservators working both on site and in their banker shop to conserve and where necessary replace masonry and brickwork and Carpenters, Tilers and Leadworkers working on the building’s roofs.

Think about it; it’s probably there. Asbestos: hidden killer

by PETER AUSTIN, manager of ACAD, the Asbestos Control and Abatement Division of the Thermal Insulation Contractors’ Association (TICA)

As I travel around the UK I often look and marvel at our churches and cathedrals. I am impressed by their beauty and design and I am in awe of the skills of the craftsman who built those magnificent buildings. I also often wonder at the spiritual meaning of the buildings and if other people who have lived, worked and worshipped in them were moved as I am by their reassuringly constant presence in our communities.

Click HERE to view a selection of asbestos specialists in our online directory

Finding a craftsman

Finding a reliable and honest tradesman these days can be a minefield. It’s difficult enough just avoiding the cowboys for jobs around the house let alone for specialist jobs for heritage and ecclesiastical work where high levels of skill and competence are needed. The Guild of Master Craftsmen only accepts members who can prove their skill and integrity which is why they are always in demand.

Click HERE to see Guild members’ profiles

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