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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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Union Chapel launches free heritage workshops
Union Chapel, one of Islington’s most cherished historic venues, is excited to announce the launch of monthly Heritage Building Workshops as part of its Sunday School Stories Project. This new initiative invites 18-year-old plus participants to learn practical conservation skills while celebrating the unique heritage of the Chapel's Grade I and II* listed architecture.
Starting this November, these free taster workshops will provide hands-on training in carpentry, roofing, brickwork, and plastering to understand the craft of restoration and renovation. Delivered in collaboration with Fullers Builders, who are currently working on the conservation and retrofit of the Chapel’s Sunday School Hall, the sessions aim to inspire and upskill DIY fans as well as beginners or those who may not have previously considered heritage or building industries, as well as underrepresented communities with limited access to the heritage and the arts scenes in Islington.
Royton Town Hall restoration uncovers hidden treasures as community welcomes transformation
In September, Royton Town Hall re-opened its doors following a complete restoration. The community has welcomed the transformation, which has included a new-look library, community space and a new garden area.
Bringing the much-loved landmark back to its original glory was at the heart of the project. The town hall's many Victorian features now have pride of place, including some which came as a brilliant surprise...
Painstaking effort reveals vibrancy of murals
During the 1950s the sanctuary of the Grade Two-listed Oratory Church of St Aloysius Gonzaga was reconfigured, the high altar was simplified and moved forward and all the polychrome decoration was over-painted. To restore its lost beauty, two large murals by Gabriel Pippet have now been uncovered. Polly Westlake, conservator at Cliveden Conservation, explains more about the project.
The Grade Two-listed Oratory Church of St Aloysius Gonzaga was built in 1875 by architect Joseph Hansom and uses beauty to raise hearts and minds to God, faithful to the traditions of St Philip Neri and St John Henry Newman. The Fathers of the Oratory plan to return this beauty to the public by restoring the original plan of the sanctuary ahead of the church’s 150th celebrations in 2025. That will include installing a beautiful new high altar, restoring the nave and extending the church.
Hinowa spider boom ‘vital’ for conserving ancient cathedral for future generations
A cathedral that dates back almost 1,000 years is being maintained in a condition that promises to see it thrive as a place of worship for centuries to come with the help of a Hinowa spider lift.
Expert teams dedicated to conserving Winchester Cathedral, in Hampshire, are using the Hinowa Lightlift 14.70 IIIS for multiple maintenance tasks inside and outside the ancient building.
Which screen solution is best for you?
Rob Alvis of Creative Audio-Visual Solutions (CAVS) looks at the latest developments
In the past there have been numerous articles where comparisons have been made between projection and TV-style displays. Now that there has been a number of notable technology developments within all sectors, it seems a good time to revisit the subject.
St Leonard's Church gets clear sound throughout - for those with and without hearing aids
Nestled in a picturesque Somerset village, St. Leonard’s is a charming rural parish church commanding beautiful views over the surrounding countryside. The site and some parts of the structure are believed to date back to the 14th century. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II-listed building.
As part of a project to modernise and conserve the building, it was decided to upgrade the existing public announcement (PA) system and install an induction loop system.
Mosaics restoration at St Thomas Church, Isle of Man
Liverpool-based Heritage Tiling & Restoration Co were contacted by the Reverend Sid Mourant BD of St Thomas Church in the Diocese of Sodor & Man (IOM) in 1995 to undertake restoration of the Grade One-listed church's mosaics. Company owner Steve Sinnott takes up the story:
"The main focus of our restoration contract was the full size figure of St Thomas, depicted holding a representation of the church in his arms. The figure's face had been obliterated, to stop further damage, and the face area had been filled in with car body filler, white plaster and polyfiller! Unfortunately not one photograph of the Saint could be found, so I worked out the general look of the Saint's face based on the hundreds I had seen and depicted him as being somewhat mournful as that is the typical expression of most Saints' faces I have seen - not seen a happy or smiling one as yet!
New partnership with SIG Roofing expands training provision
National Construction Training Services (NCTS) has now partnered with SIG Roofing to provide even greater UK coverage of its courses and qualifications. On offer will be a five-day lead welding and bossing course and technical seminars. The initial programme will be delivered from SIG’s Cardiff, Dudley and Dundee branches.
The technical seminars are aimed at those supervising the installation of leadwork or those responsible for specifying. The seminars will include a theoretical session combined with hands-on practical appreciation in the workshop.
It’s a hat-trick! York Handmade secures three National Trust commissions
The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company has landed a hat-trick of prestigious commissions from the National Trust.
York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, is suppling bricks for Little Moreton Hall in Congleton, Cheshire, Dunham Massey in Altrincham and Goddards in Tadcaster Road, York.
The three Trust properties are currently being renovated.
Follow safety advice when using ladders – or you could descend into chaos
When working with ladders in churches or old buildings – which often have high ceilings and hard-to-reach places – it’s essential to follow safety guidelines, to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of those involved. There are some key points to consider.
York Handmade Brick praised for 'magnificent' role in York Racecourse development
The pivotal role played by York Handmade Brick in the stunning transformation of the southern end of York Racecourse has been highlighted by the racecourse’s Chief Executive.
William Derby praised the award-winning York Handmade for the company’s “magnificent contribution” to the multi-million-pound project, which comprised a significant upgrade to the 1913 Bustardthorpe Stand and the brand-new Roberto Pavilion.
Creating a ‘church without walls’
St Hilary’s Church in Killay, Swansea has seen its services transformed by technology thanks to the expertise of audio-visual integrator, Vaughan Sound.
The worship venue is located around three miles west of Swansea city centre and forms part of the Gower Ministry Area – a community of 20 Anglican churches in the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon.
Vaughan Sound was approached by the parish as they sought a new live streaming solution for St. Hilary’s Church that would be ‘very simple to operate’. The primary goal was to broadcast services on their new YouTube channel, to bolster a core aim of the parish in creating a ‘church without walls’.
Now you can have the aesthetic of clay within a cladding system
FabSpeed, a Michelmersh Group brand, has introduced its CMS40 façade system, in collaboration with fellow industry leaders Cladmate Façade Systems.
CMS40 is a lightweight, easy-to-install, cost-effective system that integrates mechanically fixed, non-combustible brick slips into façades to offer the beautiful clay aesthetic that we all know and love. It is suitable for a range of construction projects – from volume high or low-rise or single new build projects to retrofit applications – and can be applied to both indoor and outdoor façades. By seamlessly blending traditional brickwork aesthetics with advanced rainscreen cladding solutions, CMS40 sets a new standard in architectural versatility and performance.
Churches and Chapels across Yorkshire throwing open their doors for ‘Yorkshire Churches Day’
Hundreds of places of worship across the region are gearing up to welcome visitors for Yorkshire Churches Day, taking place on Saturday 14 September. Yorkshire’s churches are treasure troves full of amazing history and heritage and Yorkshire Churches Day is a chance encourage visitors both new and old to discover what’s behind their doors.
Churches from all corners of the County will be opening up, offering tours, refreshments, music, exhibitions and treasure hunts for visitors to enjoy. Many are joining together to put on trails between a number of churches for those looking for a fun day out.
Listed church connects old to new with glass link
Grade II listed, the church of St John the Evangelist in Manthorpe has been transformed with the addition of a new community hall. An innovative full height glass link connects the church to the new hall, interfacing with a glass rooflight that extends the full length of the building, flooding the space below with natural daylight.
Like all our bespoke glass installations the result is deceptively simple, with minimal fixings and a flawless result with no indication of the technical challenges involved.
Heritage-friendly basement waterproofing: what the Romans did for us
The heritage-friendly waterproofing of basements and cellars sited partially or fully underground, and subject to on-going moisture problems, can come with significant technical challenges. The primary challenge is how to keep water out of the building without causing long-term damage to the building fabric.
Why video surveillance on scaffolding matters
Churches are more than just places of worship: they often serve as community centres, historical landmarks and even home to valuable artwork and artifacts. When scaffolding is erected for maintenance or restoration projects, the vulnerable structures require an extra layer of security. That is where having a video surveillance system monitoring the scaffolding and the building becomes an important deterrent to crime.
There have been some high-profile examples of scaffolding being used to access churches for vandalism:
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