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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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Cathedral's new window reflects theme of hope for Manchester's youth
The installation of the new Hope Window at Manchester Cathedral is now complete. In December 2016, the new Hope Window was dedicated at the east end of the Cathedral, where the Humphrey Chetham statue sits.
It is a modern design, by Alan Davis, in-keeping with the existing Antony Hollaway, Margaret Traherne and Linda Walton windows. The concept for the new east window revolves around the themes of hope and new life.
Top 10 mistakes that roofing contractors make
Mr Dan O’Sullivan, NFRC Heritage Roof Master explains:
Roofing is a specialist industry, though unfortunately its all too common among non-professionals and some roofing contractors that mistakes are made and this can lead to costly problems. With over 19 years of experience we know that small errors can cause leaks, structural damage, and serious repairs and therefore particularly with conservation and heritage projects, you just can’t afford for such mistakes to be made.
Midland Lead to announce new 25-year sandcast lead guarantee at Ecobuild
Leading British lead sheet manufacturer Midland Lead is set to announce a newly awarded 25-year guarantee on its sandcast lead from the Lead Contractors Association (LCA), at this year’s Ecobuild.
The company will be on stand C129 to discuss the new guarantee throughout the event, running from 7-9 March at Excel London.
Thanks to the new guarantee, Midland Lead – the UK’s only lead manufacturer to offer a complete range of lead sheet options, including sandcast, machine cast and rolled lead – is now able to offer a guarantee across all three of its lead sheet types.
A window of both function and style
Sash windows can really make a home stand out from the exterior but if you don’t take the proper steps to maintain them they can cause big problems. Over time, just like everything else, they can degrade and start to suffer in terms of functionality, performance, and style. If left for long enough, restoration shall no longer be possible and a replacement will be necessary.
As soon as you notice any problems developing, it's recommended you call someone to rectify the issue. David Humble excel at sash window restoration in Northumberland and understand exactly what is needed to preserve the windows and retain the property.
Over £50m available for church repair and restoration
Every year and sometimes bi-annually, grants are made available for churches and listed buildings. The funding is available for restoration and repair.
Your church may require funding for repair and restoration of such things as:
Rainclear listened and added to their Galvanised Steel Rainwater Range
Rainclear pride themselves on offering the very best customer service and a wider choice of sizes, profiles and colours with Next Day delivery - so they have not only increased their stock ranges considerably over the past 12 months but have also, in response to requests, added a few useful accessories to the stylish and affordable Galvanised Steel Rainwater range, for example: -
St Wilfrid's in Scrooby gets 100 year old clock back on time
Yorkshire-based Bygone Times, who specialise in antique clock restoration and repairs, recently undertook a repair project at the Grade II listed St Wilfrid's Church in Scrooby, Northamptonshire.
Grants for the conservation of books and manuscripts
The next closing date for ChurchCare Grants for the conservation of books and manuscripts is Monday 22 May 2017 and applications will be considered from anglican churches in England.
Historical books and manuscripts, when in the care of the parish, are eligible for grant aid. Modern printed books cannot be considered.
Crompton & Shaw War Memorial, Oldham
The Crompton & Shaw Memorial was commissioned by the Crompton War Memorial Committee in 1919 and the bronze statue was made to a design by Richard Reginald Goulden. It sits on a granite plinth and depicts a male figure protecting children from marauding creatures. Today the Memorial is Grade II Listed.
Heritage Project Contracts was appointed by Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council to undertake conservation work to the Memorial. It had been previously restored in the 1970’s when the original dark patina had been removed by abrasive means during treatment. The previous work was beginning to fail with corrosion occurring to the bronze beneath.
Rainclear Rainwater Systems January Sale
Rainclear Systems, the UK’s leading online retailer and stockist of metal rainwater systems would like to wish everyone a happy new year in 2017 with an extra 10% off all its rainwater systems.
Rainclear already offer to help with a take-off service from your architect drawings, ensuring you purchase all the right components at the right capacity for your home and the level of rainfall in your location.
The Leadworker Register - putting skills at the heart of the industry
The Lead Sheet Association has been developing and running successful training and qualification initiatives for many years to help ensure that standards of leadwork are high across the construction industry.
As well as delivering courses at its Training Centre in East Peckham, Kent, the LSA has also been working in collaboration with the Lead Contractors’ Association to set up the Leadworker Register.
Why create a Register?
One of the reasons the LSA felt the creation of the Leadworker Register was important was for many years it has been asked by a range of people to provide details of competent leadworkers. It felt the fairest way to do this was through a Register which is transparent and allows contractors, specifiers, architects and others in the construction industry to find the level of skills needed for the job in hand.
Michelmersh wins the Architect’s Choice Award for Whitty Theatre
On November 10th the Brick Development Association hosted the prestigious 40th Brick Awards ceremony which entailed a special accent of glamour for the ruby celebration that rewards exemplary brick design and construction. Michelmersh had yet another successful year, grasping the accolade of Architect’s Choice award for the Whitty Theatre designed by van Heyningen and Haward Architects.
Niamh Cronin, Project Architect at van Heyningen and Haward Architects, said: “The volume of the auditorium at the Whitty Theatre is expressed in brick both externally and internally. We looked at dozens of bricks to find the right colour and texture appropriate for the heritage setting of the School’s grade II listed house as well as a brick that would create a warm and intimate atmosphere within the theatre auditorium. As we could not find a standard brick to meet our requirements, a bespoke Luckley mix from the Freshfield Lane Synthesis range was created especially for the project. The building sits elegantly within its context, and creates a state of the art theatre for students and the local community. It has been a fantastic project to work on, and winning a brick award for the project is an honour to be proud of.”
The York Handmade Brick Company wins prestigious health and safety award
The York Handmade Brick Company, based at Alne, near Easingwold has won a prestigious award for its outstanding health and safety record.
The award, presented by the British Ceramic Confederation, recognises the crucial work that The York Handmade Brick Company has done in enhancing workplace safety over the years.
For the last two decades the family-run company has been fully committed to ‘The Ceramic Industry Health and Safety Pledge’, a bold industry wide promise to engage in a process of continuous improvement in health and safety.
Award sponsors have taken the lead in battery recycling
The front cover of our latest issue shows the roof of the London Oratory, the magnificent Roman Catholic Church in the Diocese of Westminster. The project to reroof the building was the winner of the Lead Contractors Association’s prestigious Murdoch Award in 2013.
Martin UK Roofing Systems Ltd, who carried out the commission, used BS EN 12588 rolled lead from ALM, part of the 2iM Group, which again sponsored this year’s Murdoch Awards to recognise the UK’s very best in leadwork contracting. As a niche competition open only to specialist contractors, the awards highlight restorations on some of the country’s most iconic buildings, and also some of the smaller, less fashionable, but no less detailed projects.
ALM’s rolled lead sheet is now produced using material recovered from car batteries by another 2iM Group company, Envirowales. The group also includes Jamestown Metals Glasgow, Jamestown Resources Dublin and Royston Lead Barnsley.
Another busy year sees heating specialists in action across the country
Christmas worship will be a more comfortable experience for the congregation at St Mary’s Without-the-Walls in Handbridge, Chester. Stoke-on-Trent heating specialists Mellor and Mottram completed the installation of a new system in the 19th-century building at the beginning of November, allowing worshippers time to get used to the new-found warmth before Advent.
The church was built in 1887 to replace the original St Mary’s On-the-Hill, which is now a heritage centre inside the city walls.
The new system comprises two gas boilers from Rinnai, the award-winning manufacturer based in nearby Runcorn. The boilers feed radiators from the Jaga range, featuring low surface temperature for added safety of the congregation.
Christmas entertaining – be prepared with a Mogo folding table!
At this time of year, you may well be thinking about upcoming gatherings of friends and family, especially if you plan to host a party yourself and cater to a lot more people than you usually would. It’s great to be surrounded by people at Christmas, but how can you possibly get everyone round the dinner table?
Mogo Direct has the perfect solution for you. They offer a range of brilliant value, premium quality folding tables which are ideal for welcoming more guests than usual, at home or at your event venue. Their main range covers plastic, wooden and metal folding tables in all shapes and sizes. Round, square and rectangular designs are available with centre-folding, adjustable legs and other handy features available.
Alternative choices for music accompaniment in today’s church
Many churches are finding it increasingly difficult to obtain the services of competent, reliable musicians to accompany congregational singing, yet for a huge number of church denominations communal singing forms an ongoing, popular and significant part of their service format. Anyone who has been to a service where the congregation hesitantly sings unaccompanied will be aware of the importance of a good musical accompaniment.
In recent years new styles of contemporary worship music have achieved popularity. While it is true that some churches now only sing contemporary songs (often accompanied by a worship band), most choose a middle path, adding favourite modern songs to their traditional hymn repertoire. However, the musical skills and instrument(s) required to effectively accompany contemporary music are often quite different to those for traditional church music, thereby exacerbating the problem of finding suitably skilled musicians.
What factors are important?
In order to evaluate accompaniment options objectively, it is important first to understand the musical requirements specific to the successful accompaniment of congregational singing. Unlike the passive task of listening to music, several variables have to be right in order to promote enthusiastic, confident singing in church. For any given tune, the speed, pitch, number of verses – even the length of the pause between verses – will need to be as close as possible to how your congregation is accustomed (or wants) to sing it. An often overlooked fact is that each congregation develops their own “style” over time, so suddenly demanding they sing everything differently from now on is rarely successful!
What options are available?
Essentially there are three categories of product: audio recordings, midi files or a portable church music player unit. These are discussed below:
Audio recordings (audio CDs and mp3 files)
The use of audio recordings is nothing new. Poor-quality tape recordings of hymn tunes were a feature of many crematoria as far back as the 1960s. Although better than nothing, audio formats were (and still are) generally unable to offer the flexibility needed for effective accompaniment of congregational singing. Advances in digital recording techniques now afford a much better quality of sound, but the lack of key requirements as outlined above, coupled with the inherent clumsiness in manipulating multiple audio tracks during a church service, have prevented widespread popularity of the use of audio CDs and mp3 files.
Other problems associated with audio format recordings are lack of adequate repertoire, the often unwanted presence of the recorded local acoustic, and the inevitable performance preferences of the musicians involved, e.g. tempo, “artistic interpretation” of the words etc. In other words, the chances of an audio recording matching how a particular congregation usually sings that tune are slim.
Midi files
A purely digital recording format, the midi file, opened other avenues in the 1980s. Again however, many of the same drawbacks and inflexibility in playback as are associated with audio formats could not easily be overcome. Self-contained midi file players became available, as did collections of hymn tunes in various midi formats. For non-technically minded end users the difficulties of changing the number of verses and orchestration remained while,since midi file players were never designed for church use, they often didn’t have any usable pipe organ sounds for playing traditional hymn tunes and Christmas carols. Another fundamental in the lack of success of this format was, again, lack of sufficient repertoire to fully cover a typical church year.
Church music players
Various companies have attempted to provide a solution in the form of a dedicated midi-based player unit, pre-loaded with a fixed selection of hymn tune recordings, ever since the 1980s. Most were little more than a midi file player with some midi files built in, and all lacked flexibility. Although of some use to missionaries etc, the limited repertoire of tunes and poor sound quality of these early attempts meant they fell far short of providing an effective solution for a church.
Responding to this unsatisfactory situation, Hymn Technology Ltd took on the challenge of designing a completely new portable system, purpose-built for the accompaniment of congregational singing, which could successfully substitute in the absence of a good musician and/or instrument. The result, the ground-breaking Hymnal Plus, offers tremendous versatility coupled with unmatched ease of use and a huge, open-ended repertoire.
What’s different about the Hymnal Plus?
Ease of use
Operation of the Hymnal Plus is very intuitive using the large touch screen display, and users need no musical or technical knowledge. Essential variables such as speed, pitch, number of verses and length of pause between verses can all be altered with simple, dedicated + and – buttons, so playback can easily be adjusted to suit the congregation. The Playlist feature enables storage (and naming) of all the music for services in advance, for playback whenever required. Personal customisations (adjustments to speed, pitch etc) are all stored with each tune in a playlist, so button-pushing during a service is reduced to pressing the Start button at the appropriate times.
Other unique features include a hymn search facility and on-screen display of first line of words and tune name. An infra-red remote control handset is included for added accessibility.
Repertoire
Pre-loaded with a broad-based repertoire of at least 2,750 tunes*, both traditional and contemporary (including a collection of popular incidental music and music for weddings and funerals), the Hymnal Plusis easily upgradeable over time and owners are able to purchase additional repertoire as needed.
* Actual number varies by region
Sound quality
The Hymnal Plus enables the user to choose the orchestration for any particular choice of tune. The internal sound engine has been custom designed specifically for church use, offering a stunning range of realistic pipe and electronic organs and orchestral voices. Over 200 preset orchestrations make sound selection child’s play. A drum rhythm backing can also be added to any orchestration when appropriate.
Flexibility
For complete convenience the Hymnal Plus also plays user-supplied midi and mp3 files, which are stored on its compact flash memory card. These files can also be included as items in playlists.
Options
Optional features include:
- Video output for lyrics and text display via projector or TV monitor (with auto-advance of lyrics)
- Qwerty keyboard for direct text entry
- Soft carry case
- Rechargeable NiMH battery pack
- Psalm Player, for interactive accompaniment of psalms etc
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