Ecclesiastical Insurance and Ecclesiastical and Heritage World spread the word

Following the latest successful front cover story, Ecclesiastical Insurance are continuing their marketing campaign with us in future issues.

Pictured here is Father Warren, of the successfully restored Church of the Ascension, Salford, as featured on the front cover sponsored by Ecclesiastical Insurance. He was delighted with the coverage and the additional copies of the magazine received from Ecclesiastical and Heritage World’s Richard Shepherd, helping to spread the word. 

Read more: Ecclesiastical Insurance and Ecclesiastical and Heritage World spread the word

Conservation work reveals town hall’s decorative glories

Manchester Town Hall, designed by Alfred Waterhouse and constructed between 1868-1877, is a neo-Gothic, Grade One-listed masterpiece, lying at the geographical and civic heart of the city and providing a focal point for its people in times of both celebration and despair. At the centre of the Town Hall is the Great Hall, described by Ruskin as ‘the most truly magnificent Gothic apartment in Europe’. The vast chamber was designed to celebrate 19th-century Manchester’s global success in trade and commerce. 

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State of the art – plans put forward for Touchstones investment

Redevelopment of Touchstones, the borough’s arts and heritage venue is progressing, with a planning application now submitted. 

The building is set to be transformed into a creative and cultural hub with new flexible performance and production spaces for artists, improved areas for training, live events and exhibitions. The plans also include a new dining space integrating the borough’s collections on the theme of food heritage, co-created with Rochdale’s diverse communities. There will be vital works to improve accessibility and sustainability. If approved, work is due to commence at the beginning of 2024.

Read more: State of the art – plans put forward for Touchstones investment

Recycled board makes archive boxes as strong as elephant hide

CONSERVATION BY DESIGN – CXD are manufacturers of archival storage boxes, folders and envelopes from its exclusive range of acid-free papers and boards. In addition to a number of stock sizes, the company has a huge collection of box, folder and envelope cutting dies designed to meet customers’ specific requirements and to which they are continuously adding.

The Premier Duo Archival Boxboard and Premier Archival Paper developed by the founder of CXD, Stuart Welch, has become the benchmark for quality when making acid-free paper-based products.

Read more: Recycled board makes archive boxes as strong as elephant hide

61% of heritage organisations lack awareness of forthcoming Martyn’s Law, new research finds

New research commissioned by specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical has revealed three in five (61%) heritage organisations lack awareness of Martyn’s Law, the forthcoming Protect Duty legislation.

In response to the Manchester Arena attack, Martyn’s Law, named after Martyn Hett, who was killed alongside 21 other victims, is designed to keep people safe by reducing the risk to the public from terrorist attacks at public venues.

Read more: 61% of heritage organisations lack awareness of forthcoming Martyn’s Law, new research finds

Old Library takes next step in return to former glory

The revamp of Oldham’s Old Library continues to take shape, with the main scaffolding structure now removed to reveal the beautiful stonework and restored roof.

Once complete, the Old Library will house facilities for the community to use; a new Council Chamber; council offices and spaces for public meetings; as well as a new home for Oldham Theatre Workshop.

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Enriching Suffolk's proud heritage for a decade

Suffolk-based Rickards Period Plastering Ltd reaches its tenth anniversary this year, although director Mike Rickards has been restoring properties since the mid 1980s and since 1999 he has have been the driving force behind two other local and respected lime contractors in this area, establishing RPP Ltd 11 years ago in April 2012. 

Now it has an extensive background catalogue of plastering work using lime, clay and eco renders throughout the East Anglia region.

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When it comes to church lighting, experience matters

When Anthony J Smith (Glos) Ltd was formed in 1976, it was initially as a general electrical contracting company carrying out work in domestic, commercial and industrial properties.

Anthony’s first foray into church lighting was when his own church, St Peter’s Catholic Parish Church in Gloucester, suffered from an arson attack and as part of the Fabric Committee – he is now chairman, and has been for many years – he was allowed to carry out lighting tests and trials.

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Giant cistern is master leadworker’s latest achievement

The latest bespoke creation from traditional leadworker Brian Turner is a large cistern created for a historic house in west Norfolk. Cisterns are large vessels, made popular in the Georgian era, used to store rainwater for use in irrigation of a garden.

The particular cistern was commissioned for the rear of the house. The front elevation of the house, dating from the early 16th century, is depicted on the central panel of the cistern, together with design details of the building.

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Rick Wakeman to open CRE Midlands 23

Legendary rock star Rick Wakeman will open the Christian Resources Exhibition at Cranmore Park in Solihull, near Birmingham (10am, Wed 8 Nov).

Wakeman, famous for his piano arrangement of the Eleanor Farjeon hymn ‘Morning Has Broken’, was baptised at South Harrow Baptist Church. He then became a Sunday School teacher before attending the Royal College of Music in the 1960s, where he studied piano, modern music, clarinet and orchestration.

Read more: Rick Wakeman to open CRE Midlands 23

Repurposing project features in clutch of brickmaker’s RIBA winners

The bringing back into use of a heritage site is one of five winners of this year’s RIBA Regional Awards that have featured products from traditional brickmaker Michelmersh.

For more than 180 years the RIBA Awards have been commemorating exceptional accomplishments. Its esteemed awards and prizes are seen as a symbol of excellence worldwide, honouring first-class architecture, architects, research and students. This year, Michelmersh was proud to see a wide range of its products used by five Regional RIBA Award winners.

Read more: Repurposing project features in clutch of brickmaker’s RIBA winners

Training provider looks forward to another year of SAP delivery

Since June of last year, specialist lead and hard metals training provider National Construction Training Services (NCTS) has been delivering the Specialist Applied Programmes (SAP) for three disciplines within the sector: Lead and Hard Metals Level 2, Heritage Lead and Hard Metals Level 3 and Heritage Roof Slating & Tiling Level 3.

Read more: Training provider looks forward to another year of SAP delivery