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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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New faces grace Chapter House restoration
The future of one of London’s oldest buildings, the Chapter House at Westminster Abbey, has been secured following a major English Heritage-led repair and conservation project. Over the past 18 months a team of 20 master carvers and stonemasons has painstakingly cleaned, repaired and conserved the badly weathered gargoyles, stone floral friezes, flying buttresses and stained glass windows. The colossal scaffolding has now come down to reveal the majestic exterior completely refreshed, revived and weather-tight.Experts reveal the face of Stirling’s medieval knight after 650 years
Historic Scotland announces new research into castle’s skeletons following BBC show.A dramatic reconstruction has revealed the face of a medieval knight whose skeleton was discovered at Stirling Castle.
This Thursday, BBC Two’s History Cold Case series will attempt to discover the identity of the warrior who may have been killed during Scotland’s Wars of Independence with England in the late 13th and 14th centuries.
New galleries reveal the story of modern London
On 28 May 2010 the Museum of London will unveil the Galleries of Modern London, a spectacular £20million redevelopment of the Museum’s galleries, which will tell the story of London and its inhabitants from the Great Fire of London in 1666 to the present day. Supported by an £11.5 million Heritage Lottery Fund grant, the new galleries provide an inspiring vision of the world’s greatest city, and place the Museum at the heart of London ahead of the 2012 Olympics.
The electrical contract was carried out by SI Electrical - Specialist Installations who can be found in our on line directory HERE
Greenough & Sons NFRC Award Winners 2010
Greenough & Sons were proud double winners at the 2010 NFRC Awards last month in London.The recent heritage project Chester Town Hall, for which the company acted as Main Contractor and specialist roofers, beat excellent competition to the crown of the UK’s best slating and tiling project of 2009.
Glasgow students create models of Historic Scotland sites
Students at Glasgow Metropolitan College have created models of Inchmahome Priory and Edinburgh Castle as part of their HND course in 3D Model Making.
The models were officially handed over to Historic Scotland today, Friday 14th May, at Glasgow Metropolitan College on North Hanover Street, Glasgow. They will be used at Edinburgh Castle and Inchmahome Priory as part of educational activities organised by Historic Scotland to support pupils’ learning.
Expert reveal the face of Stirling's medieval knight after 650 years
A dramatic reconstruction has revealed the face of a medieval knight whose skeleton was discovered at Stirling Castle.
This Thursday, BBC Two’s History Cold Case series will attempt to discover the identity of the warrior who may have been killed during Scotland’s Wars of Independence with England in the late 13th and 14th centuries.
Leeds' Kirkgate wins £1 million Heritage Lottery regeneration boost
Lower Kirkgate in Leeds – an area integral to the regeneration of the city – is to be given a major makeover thanks to £1million awarded under the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) scheme the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced today.
Welsh town centres win £2.5m Heritage Lottery regeneration boost
Two Welsh towns are to receive a much-needed boost of £2.5m, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) announced today (14 May, 2010). The money has been earmarked for Pontmorlais and Cefn Mawr and will help fund vital regeneration schemes.
Whitechapel wins £1.4 million Heritage Lottery regeneration boost
Whitechapel Road is to be given a major makeover, thanks to a grant of almost £1.4 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), it was announced today.
This Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) will become part of a wider £10m regeneration scheme named ‘High Street 2012’ that also plans to provide public realm improvements, community, art and heritage events as it rejuvenates the area.
Opportunities to join our Scotland and Wales Committees
We are recruiting two Member vacancies on our Committee for Scotland and three Member vacancies on our Committee for Wales. Committees take decisions on all requests between £50,000 and £1million and provide a crucial country perspective to the HLF Board on larger grants, targeted initiatives and on regional priorities.
These posts present an exciting and challenging opportunity for individuals with a strong commitment to, and enthusiasm for the UK's diverse heritage.
Town centres win £14m Heritage Lottery regeneration boost
Eleven town centres across the UK are to receive a much-needed boost of £14m, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) announced today. The earmarked¹ money will help fund vital community regeneration schemes in these currently neglected areas.
This investment is part of the HLF’s Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) which has invested nearly £200m since 1998 into regenerating towns that have suffered serious social and economic decline.
Carole Souter, Chief Executive of the HLF, said:
World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre
Planning permission granted by Camden Council
The Trustees of the British Museum are delighted that Camden Council has given planning permission for the World Conservation and Exhibitions Centre. The building will ensure the British Museum can meet its fundamental obligations of preserving, researching, displaying and lending this unparalleled collection for future generations. The building will ensure the British Museum remains one of the world’s leading museums, a civic space serving a local, national and international audience.
RAR Ceramics create the model home
Real properties owned by people who take pride in their homes and gardens are captured in the handcrafted and unique ceramic models made by Nottinghamshire based artist Richard Rogers of RAR Ceramics. With over 30 years experience in art and ceramics, his business now takes him all over the UK from Scotland to Sussex, South Wales to Norfolk, making models of a rich variety of homes. These have included converted stable blocks, rectories and other listed buildings, some dating back to the 1400’s, and also a number of modern properties.
Planning Policy Statement 5 (PPS5): Planning For The Historic Environment
Published by the Department of Communities and Local Government on 23 March 2010(Note prepared by Tony Allen, DMH Stallard)
PPS5 replaces Planning Policy Guidance Note 15 and will apply to all planning decisions affecting “Heritage Assets” taken after 23 March 2010. English Heritage have published simultaneously their “Historic Environment Planning Practice Guide”.
Think about it; it’s probably there. Asbestos: hidden killer
by PETER AUSTIN, manager of ACAD, the Asbestos Control and Abatement Division of the Thermal Insulation Contractors’ Association (TICA)As I travel around the UK I often look and marvel at our churches and cathedrals. I am impressed by their beauty and design and I am in awe of the skills of the craftsman who built those magnificent buildings. I also often wonder at the spiritual meaning of the buildings and if other people who have lived, worked and worshipped in them were moved as I am by their reassuringly constant presence in our communities.
Click HERE to view a selection of asbestos specialists in our online directory
National Heritage Roofing Contractors Register identifies quality
NFRC officially launched the development of a National heritage roofing contractor’s register in January 2008 and it is constantly updated. The register aims to identify reliable and suitably qualified heritage roofing specialists who have a good track record in carrying out roofing work to historic buildings.Click HERE to find a selection of specialist heritage NFRC Members
Palace project contracts awarded
York company plays key role in scottish palace recreationHistoric Scotland is delighted to announce the award of a series of specialist contracts for its ongoing Stirling Castle Palace Project.
The contracts are part of a £12 million scheme, which will see the royal palace of James V returned to how it may have looked in its mid-16th century heyday. Among the successful bidders is Chris Topp & Co, of North Yorkshire, which will create metalwork for the palace, including fire irons of the type that would have been essential in helping keep the palace warm for the royal family and courtiers.
To find out more about Chris Topp click HERE and view their entry in our online directory
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