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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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Ventrolla step in to save Cheshire church windows
Ventrolla Lancashire has successfully completed a renovation project at St Vincent de Paul's church in Altrincham, Cheshire.
Two casement bay windows and 32 sash windows were restored at the presbytery, home to the church's three priests and the main location for the running of the parish.
The bay windows of the Cheshire church building were suffering from wet rot and Ventrolla used its expertise to repair the wood ensuring the original aesthetics of the windows were not lost.
Govt to increase VAT on alterations to listed buildings
On 21 March, the Government announced in its 2012 Budget that it intends to remove the zero rate of VAT for approved alterations to listed buildings. This means that from 1 October 2012 the standard rate of VAT will apply to the alteration of a listed building.
The Government has published draft legislation designed to introduce this change to the current VAT system and is seeking views from interested parties. The consultation is open until Friday 4 May and the details of how to respond are available online here.
As members of the Cut the VAT Coalition The Tile Association believe that VAT on all home repair, maintenance and improvement work should be reduced from 20% to 5%. This targeted VAT cut would bring with it a huge number of economic, social and environmental benefits.
Purcell Miller Tritton completes work on new Lewis Carroll Centre in Daresbury
Purcell Miller Tritton has recently completed work on a new Lewis Carroll Centre for Daresbury Church, which opens on 25th March 2012, following a competition win by the practice to develop a new design for the centre, subsequent to an initial scheme for the site.
In keeping with the main church’s Lewis Carroll memorial windows and other nearby interventions, including the monument of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in nearby Warrington, the centre is themed on Carroll’s connection with Daresbury, where he was born in 1832.
Purcell Miller Tritton completes work on Wallace Collection Phase IV: The East Wing Galleries
Working with John O’Connell Architects of Dublin, Purcell Miller Tritton has recently completed work on the Phase IV representation of The Wallace Collection’s East Wing Galleries, which re-opened to the public on 20th March 2012, creating a stunning backdrop for works by the Dutch Masters, including Rembrandt.
The extensive reconstruction project, which began in October 2010, has allowed the Wallace Collection to reinstate the original height of the Galleries, taking inspiration from their appearance in Sir Richard Wallace’s day and to introduce daylight from above to illuminate the space.
New international conference considers value of cultural heritage
Does cultural heritage really matter? Can it help improve towns and cities, and does it have a social impact on its citizens? What counts as cultural heritage tomorrow, and how will new technologies play a role in the visitor experience? A new international conference examining these key issues will be held in Norwich, UK in November 2012, bringing hundreds of international delegates from the cultural heritage sector to the historic city.
The conference, Culture Matters 2012, is being organised by the Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART) and will take place over 14 – 16 November at venues across the historic city, including the iconic Norwich 12 buildings.
New 2012 Tree Preservation Order regulations
They come into force on 06 April 2012 - are you prepared? A short course to bring you up to date is available.
Following an extensive consultation exercise the Government has finally produced new Tree Preservation Order (TPO) Regulations. The Regulations were;
Made on 28 February 2012;
Laid before Parliament on 05 March 2012; and
Come into Force on 06 April 2012.
The new regulations apply to England only and aim to simplify the TPO system and they apply to all TPOs made since 1947. There are significant changes and the implications of these are serious for Local Planning Authorities.
This short course, 2 hours including a Q&A session is available online for just £95 + VAT from BASE UK. It is an interactive tutorial session delivered over the web. The tutor is Dr Dealga O’Callaghan FICFor., F.Arbor.A. who has extensive experience in this area of tree law.
Trends in Lighting for Period Houses - by Christopher Hyde the classical lighting expert
The vogue for decorating houses in the style and furnishings of a previous era was not always thought important by our ancestors.
Until the advent of mass production lighting in the Victorian period, most homes were still lit with
rush lamps. Decorative candle lights, such as chandeliers and wall sconces, were only to be found in the homes of the aristocracy and rich merchant classes. As these items were very expensive they were handed down from one generation to the next: even when the architecture of the house was altered in line with current fashion. When electricity was widely introduced into homes in the 1920’s, many of the existing fittings were simply adapted.
Left: the Ghent chandelier based on the original Dutch and Flemish style of chandelier in the 17th century.
Hence, a Regency house could have a Baroque chandelier and Chinoiserie table lamps, and a Victorian villa could boast French Empire styled chandeliers complete with military motifs or Egyptian sphinxes. I advocate a similar approach today, and recommend lighting is chosen as much to suit the furniture and soft furnishings, as the age of the property.
Heating that's in keeping from Electrical Heating Solutions
Electric Heating Solutions of Bournemouth has recently completed one of the largest church heating and lighting installations since it was established over five-years ago,
The family-run business began trading in 2006 and has enjoyed an increase in business over the years, which reflects an impressive average of 250% improvement in turnover annually!
Electric Heating Solutions specialises in electric heating solutions for churches and chapels, and has created a series of ‘chandelier’ style infrared heaters that are integrated with a wonderful and ambient lighting system as well.
New gargoyle for the Chapter House
Matt Barton, one of Salisbury Cathedral’s skilled stonemasons, has been given the rare opportunity to carve a new gargoyle for the Chapter House, replacing one which is badly weather damaged and no longer fit for service.
Matt said “It’s a great honour to have been asked to carve the new gargoyle, not many people get to do this. It’s a really interesting project, and I’m looking forward to going through the process and seeing the new gargoyle emerge from the stone.”
The original gargoyle has now been removed from the Chapter House and, in the first instance, will be mended so it can be used for reference. The new gargoyle will be modelled on it but with an improved design so it can better fulfil its purpose and achieve maximum long term survival.
Gradus Provides Wetherby Methodist Church with a Divine Flooring Solution
Gradus has supplied Genus carpet and Boulevard 6000 secondary barrier matting to Wetherby Methodist Church, as part of a refurbishment project.
Wetherby Methodist Church is located in the centre of Wetherby town and is used by the local community for church services, activities and functions. In June 2011, the church completed a major refurbishment to its entrance area, main congregation area and staircases.
Gradus’ Genus carpet and Boulevard 6000 secondary barrier matting were installed in the newly refurbished church, helping to create a fresh and contemporary environment for visitors.
Top Ten College Demands the Best in Architectural Metalwork
Holy Cross Sixth Form College, Bury, rated among the best in the country, demands the best even when it comes to its restoration work. Ken Brogden Ltd and its owner Jason Steinbach were called back in to carry out restoration fabrication work including the following:
New Balustrade to Sunken Garden.
The retaining wall to the sunken garden was beyond repair and the college had instructed a building firm to rebuild it.
Florence Institute reaches new heights
Liverpool’s Florence Institute looks is set to draw a crowd of dignitaries at its official ‘Topping Out’ Ceremony on Wednesday 23rd November at 11.00am.
The event highlights the culmination of ten years of work by Purcell Miller Tritton to restore the ‘Florrie’ to multi-functional community use, providing valuable recreational facilities for the city and reinstating the Institute’s external structure, which survived the Second World War but was badly damaged by arson some years ago and has since remained unoccupied.
The Restoration of St. Andrew’s Church, West Dereham, Norfolk
St. Andrew’s is considered by English Heritage to be one of the finest Medieval churches in England.
The round tower, for which it is noted, dates from Saxon times and is built from ironstone conglomerate masonry which is characteristic of the East Anglian region. The octagonal brick belfry on top of the tower was added in the 16th century. The church’s nave and chancel are largely unchanged since the perpendicular windows were fitted in the 15th century.
Stationers Hall
Restoration, Conservation and preservation are intrinsically linked and it is not often the 3 are employed separately.
Faced with a broken piece of stained glass can involve several methods of treatment:-
• To retain as much of the original glass as possible (conservation)
• To replace any missing fragments that are either too many and too small to make viable repairs with or to replace the entire piece (restoration)
• To protect from future harm all the collected fragments once a cohesive piece has been made from them (preservation)
A set of 5 stunning windows made by Mayer & Co. of London and Munich in the 1860’s had suffered some damage, but mostly a thick coating of soot from a fire in a nearby wooden screen. The windows depict the relevant greats of the age such as Tyndale and William Shakespeare; the main window depicting Caxton presenting his new printing press to the King.
A missing fragment requires replacement
Restoration begins on historic gates at Canterbury Cathedral
HISTORIC gates that have stood at the entrance to Canterbury Cathedral for more than 300 years have been removed.
Expert craftsmen will now spend months restoring the heavy oak ChristChurch gates, which date back to the Restoration of King Charles II.
Canterbury: Christchurch Gate old oak gates removed from Canterbury Cathedral for renovation
The gates have provided a welcome sight for tourists and pilgrims but have been battered by the elements.
Cathedral spokesman Sheena Daly said: "The need to conserve the gates was pressing, as there was a lot of damage, especially at the bottom, and water could get it which could make them rot."
Engineers from Canterbury-based Artful Logisticshttp://www.artfullogistics.com/ had the huge task of removing the heavy gates on Tuesday, October 11.
Dr Manon Williams appointed to Board of Heritage Lottery Fund and National Heritage Memorial Fund
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF) today welcomed the announcement that Dr Manon Williams will join the Board as Deputy Chair and Chair of the Committee for Wales from January 2012.
She takes over from Dan Clayton Jones who steps down after seven years.
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