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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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County Durham firm’s Royal appointment
Darlington-based Stone Technical Services is carrying out emergency work on the official residence of Her Majesty the Queen.
Windsor Castle is the oldest and largest inhabited castle in the world with a history spanning over 1000 years and Stone has been engaged to complete a full survey of the masonry on the castle’s terrace.
Historic local hospital to be given a facelift
Part of a hospital and former mental asylum is to be completely revamped by historic conservation company, Stone Edge.
The historic site at St James’ Hospital in Milton, Portsmouth, is to be preserved through extensive conservation work.
Studio MB to tell Newcastle’s story
Edinburgh based design firm Studio MB have been appointed by Newcastle’s Heart of the City Partnership to develop new interpretive design across a number of key historical sites in the city.
Arboretum gets £2.85m grant for centre of remembrance
Plans for a centre for remembrance at the National Memorial Arboretum have been boosted by a £2.85m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.
The £12m scheme includes building a pavilion for special events and a remembrance learning centre.
Sapper sculpture installed in HQ
A British Army regiment has marked its move into a new home with a 6ft (1.8m) tall sculpture of one of its rank.
The Royal Engineers Sapper was carved from the trunk of a beech tree by a sculptor in Lancashire's Ribble Valley.
Derelict Pioneer House returning to its former glory
Pioneer House has dominated the skyline in Dewsbury, Yorkshire, since 1878. But the building was neglected and unoccupied for years after it was bought by a company in 2005.
The company’s project never took off and the listed building’s condition deteriorated rapidly.
“At the going down of the sun…”: Bomber Command memorial unveil by The Queen
On 28 June HM The Queen unveiled a memorial in London’s Green Park to the aircrew of RAF Bomber Command who lost their lives serving their country. The completion of the memorial was the culmination of a long campaign to mark the sacrifice of the 55,573 aircrew who died during World War Two, and whose contribution to the allied victory had not, many felt, been adequately remembered.
The restoration of St Andrew’s Church, Blunsdon
The Church of St Andrew in Blunsdon St Andrew is a fine example of an English historic church which has been sensitively restored to its former state, using old and new materials and combining modern construction methods with traditional craftsmanship.
Archaeological Exhumation with Respect for Funeral Traditions
Surprising Discoveries during Exhumations Of A Post Medieval London Cemetery
Church buildings are often found to be sites of hidden historical and archaeological interest writes Mark Toop, who has made a number of unusual and significant discoveries in his role as Exhumations Director at Rowland Brothers Funeral Directors. Here he reminisces over such instances during a lifelong career.
Mark Toop has worked alongside architects and archaeologists throughout his professional life. Arguably, one of the most important discoveries in which he was involved, was that of the grave of evangelist Rev Charles Wesley and his family.
Heritage site goes green
An iconic Northumberland heritage site cared for by the National Trust is set to go green thanks to solar power.
Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island has had 48 solar panels fitted on the roof in order to generate electricity, the Castle’s only source of power.
Listed Buildings and VAT
By Les Howard of vatadvice.org
At Stand A16 CRE Manchester from 10th October
The Chancellor was unique in being booed during the Olympics. He has also been booed in a number of business and charity sectors as a result of his Budget earlier this year. In his attempt to clarify anomalies (his words), he has further burdened hot food retailers, self storage operators, and, most significantly, owners of Listed Buildings, including numerous churches.
Major changes take effect from 1 October 2012 and transitional rules until 30 Sept 2015. In common with VAT regulations generally, they are not straightforward.
Thorp Perrow to host a week of heritage craft courses and demonstrations
Heritage Craft Alliance is opening its training centre at Thorp Perrow in the Yorkshire Dales for a full week of demonstrations, training courses and advice sessions relating to conserving, maintaining and restoring older and historic buildings.
Anyone who owns or has interest in older properties would benefit from visiting the centre and even taking part in one or more of the short training courses.
Halfway through the York Minster Apocalypse
Conservators working on the restoration of the Great East Window at York Minster have completed the conservation of half of the panels in the stunning medieval window depicting the story of the Apocalypse.
York Minster's Great East Window contains the largest expanse of medieval stained glass in Britain, and was designed by one of the stained glass master John Thornton of Coventry. Started in 1405 and completed in 1408, the main part of the window depicts the Apocalypse, and is recognised around the world as being some of the finest medieval stained glass still in existence. The restoration of half of the Apocalypse panels is now complete thanks to the tireless work of the York Glaziers Trust.
From Humble Roots to International Distinction - J&M Sewing Service Ltd
In the beginning
Joyce Davison and Maureen Waterston first met late in 1979, when (with many years of individual experience in different areas within “the Rag-Trade”) they both applied for jobs at a local Theatre, making and mending Costumes for the 8-week Pantomime Season. When those time-limited jobs came to an end, the Theatre Manager suggested that they should set up in business together.
Gas engineers’ training school selects DRU Kamara heater to keep students warm
RF Training owns and operates its own City and Guilds accredited training centres in Birmingham and Manchester. The company delivers plumbing courses, electrician training, and gas courses, specialising in foundation courses for new entrants to the trades and those upgrading their skills, such as Gas Safe accreditation.
Work on historic Whalley Abbey Choir pits completed
Stone Edge has completed a building conservation project on one of the last remaining choir pits in the country.
The conservation works to Whalley Abbey Choir Pits, near Clitheroe, which lasted from May until July, saw the repair and consolidation of the low level ruins.
City church restored for its 300th anniversary
July saw the 300th anniversary of one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings: St Ann’s Church the centre of the city.
When St Ann’s was opened in 1712, Manchester was on the point of becoming the world’s first industrial city. It was to be the church of the wealthy ‘new Mancunians’: the non-Jacobite, non-high church Protestants.
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