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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
Exhibitors enthuse over the CRE experience
By 4pm on the first day of CRE 24 at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, exhibitors Chris and Kim Dunphy had already had so many helpful and detailed conversations with visitors that they were “completely talked out”.
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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The 1st engraved zinc on the market: Azengar, illuminating zinc!
VMZINC® is launching AZENGAR®, the 1st engraved zinc to come on the market, an exclusive new aspect confirming its pioneering approach and its position as leader in surface aspect treatment.
This original expressive material breaks with the traditional aspect of preweathered products and “transcends” the image of zinc by giving it a new appearance. It is eco-designed using a brand new industrial process and is the most matte and lightest shade of zinc on the market. It stands out with its rugged uneven surface, which catches natural light and gives projects a timeless appearance.
Lighting Dynamics complete another stunning church lighting project
Lighting Dynamics UK, based in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, has recently designed and completed the installation of yet another stunning lighting project for the magnificent and sumptuous interior of St Augustine of Hippo Church in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
St Augustine's, a Grade II* building, has been a splendid Victorian landmark at the centre of the Conservation Area that bears its name since the church was first consecrated in 1868.
Conserving and restoring church hatchments
The churches and chapels of the United Kingdom are home to countless symbols of religion, wealth, power and history. None, however, are quite as distinctive and yet as little known as the hatchment. As a record of a church’s past parishioners, hatchments are as significant as inscribed plaques or gravestones, but they can also give a far deeper insight into the history of a parish.
CPS transform derelict church in to imposing hall for the Hallé!
Doncaster based CPS is a leading manufacturer and supplier of seating and staging systems which have been professionally designed, developed, tried and tested. They have recently completed some prestigious projects in both these areas – including one for the world famous Hallé Orchestra.
Give secondary glazing a second thought
Although probably not top of the list for most people now the sun is shining, this time of year is the perfect time to think about secondary glazing.
As we all know, the warm weather doesn’t stick around forever so taking measures to reduce window draughts and rattles before the winter months is not such a bad idea.
DRU Centro 100 gas fire wins ‘Gas Appliance of the Year’ award at Hearth & Home 2014
DRU Fires has capped a successful return to the Hearth & Home fireplace trade show by winning ‘Gas Appliance of the Year’ with its revolutionary Centro 100 balanced flue gas fire.
The 1 metre wide Centro can be installed at floor level or raised up the wall. It offers a choice of realistic logs or grey coke fire beds, along with mirrored Ceraglass, smooth black, rib cast or chunky beam interiors.
Ballistic Technology used to infuse nickel micro-dots into sheet lead
Trace-in-Metal is a unique comprehensive property marking system, which significantly raises the risk of arrest of anyone dealing in stolen metal and those who are stealing it.
Trace-in-Metal is different from other property marking systems as it has been designed to be detected throughout the metal recycling ‘food chain’.
Golcar vicarage recieves vital revamp
The sodden sash windows at Golcar Vicarage have crucially been replaced by period window specialist Ventrolla.
The property, occupied by the local vicar and his wife, sits within the grounds of the Golcar parish, West Yorkshire. Following an inspection of the late 19th century building the windows were deemed too rotten for repair.
Four centuries of windows go on public display from 7th June
The Brooking National Collection is heading to Italy for la Biennale di Venezia to take part in the world famous architecture exhibition which runs from 7th June to 23rd November 2014. The Surrey-based charity, which holds a unique collection of architectural artefacts, is showcasing some of their most precious details, telling the story of windows across four centuries.
Bradford sites restored to former glory
Two landmark buildings in Bradford city centre have been given a new lease of life following months of work carried out by building conservation specialists William Anelay Ltd.
William Anelay, founded in 1747, has now completed phase one of repair work to the chimney stacks, a variety of stonework and to the Channing Way elevation at Bradford City Hall whilst the nearby Britannia House has undergone emergency repairs to the building fabric, stone repairs and repointing as well as repair work to the iconic copper dome.
Purcell completes National Museum of the Royal Navy Scheme
The Babcock Galleries at The National Museum of the Royal Navy at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard have opened to the public following a £4.5 million renovation led by architects Purcell and project managers Artelia.
The opening coincides with the centenary of the First World War. The Galleries house a major new permanent exhibition; ‘Hear My Story’, which tells 100 years of life in the Navy and covers the personal stories from those who served at sea.
Responsible sourcing is key to survival of the UK lighting industry
These days many of us try to be more informed about how the food we eat has been produced and the clothes we wear have been manufactured, according to Jeremy Quantrill, joint managing director of Dernier & Hamlyn. "But can the same be said of the way that lighting is specified and purchased? If you have responsibility for procuring or designing lighting do you think about where it has been produced and what that means for the people involved and for the wider UK economy?" he said.
"As a lighting manufacturer, which has been around since 1888, we are clearly keen to promote the 'buy British' message. Obviously we would prefer that all lighting was made here and we welcome anyone to visit our factory.
The Roofing Awards - winners revealed
On Friday 16th May, the 9th annual Roofing Awards took place at the Hilton Metropole in central London. A record 700 guests arrived at the Hilton to be a part of this prestigious industry event, which was jointly hosted by TV presenter and interior designer Linda Barker and NFRC chief executive Ray Horwood.
In the Heritage Category the overall winner was Claude N Smith Ltd for The Laurels (pictured), a private dwelling in Stilton, Peterborough.
The LSA lead sheet manual: a traditional material goes into cyberspace
Most people are familiar with the use of lead sheet as a traditional building material, for roofing and many other decorative purposes. For those active in the construction industry, however, the material is very much an up-to-date sustainable product. The technical elements of the production, specification and installation of lead sheet are the province of the Lead Sheet Association (LSA), whose Rolled Lead Sheet – The Complete Manual has set the technical standards for the industry for many years and is the essential reference point for leadworkers, architects and specifiers.
New windows create authentifc appearance for Ilkley home
The owner of a terraced home in Ilkley has achieved her goal of creating an authentic looking property, thanks to the installation of sliding sash style windows, from Ilkley Windows and Conservatories.
Homeowner Liz Foster set about transforming the two bedroom property, after moving in with her dog Nellie, a Labrador-cross. The home featured heavy-framed windows that were not in keeping with the rest of the property, or the style of others in the area.
Gopak furniture adding comfort and style to church community
Wesley Methodist Church requires furniture that can be used by all members of the public for the activities it hosts in its community rooms. The church’s existing chairs had started to deteriorate and users were finding their existing chairs too low for their needs. The Methodist Church contacted Gopak who offered a cost effective furniture solution.
Gopak Comfort upholstered folding chairs and Capel easy chairs gave the community areas of the church a new lease of life. All members of the community use the folding chairs so it is important the furniture suited young and old.
Seven times a day I shall sing praise to you, and I shall rise at night to sing your praise
This resolve from the psalms, taken from the sixth century rule of St Benedict, means that Benedictine nuns - such as those at St Cecilia's Abbey on the Isle of Wight - certainly need good lighting in church. When this lighting was in urgent need of replacing they turned to church lighting specialists Anthony J Smith (Glos) Ltd.
Bursar Sr Eustochium explains: "Our church was built in 1907 and we still relied on gas lighting until the 1950's. The original electric lights were apparently OK if you were fortunate enough to sit directly below them, and the fluorescent tubes installed in the 1970's were seen as a great improvement. The strip lights lit up the nuns' choir stalls but anyone declaiming the Word in the centre of choir had to struggle to see the text.
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