Current Issue
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.
Read More...
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.
SEARCH OUR DIRECTORY
Conservation of delicate silk paintings
Nicole Wall of Southampton based picture framers We Frame It has just completed a major project involving a series of four silk paintings that arrived in a perished condition. Liaison with a textile conservator resulted in the silk being consolidated and finally framed.
Nicole takes up the story: "Four silks depicting the seasons arrived in my studio in a very delicate state having already been shipped back from New Zealand. I was able to offer advice to the customer concerning their conservation before I could frame them.
"One had been disturbed and broken away along the top edge. The others were in good condition but very delicate. Each one was fastened behind the matt along the top edge only, thankfully, with a strip of double sided Sellotape, now beyond easy removal with a solvent.
Martin-Brooks makes no bones about heritage skills
You wouldn’t expect an archaeological dig to form part of a roofing project, but for Sheffield-based Martin-Brooks, it is all part of the service.
While working on St Michael and All Angels church in the Derbyshire village of Taddington, the heritage specialists needed help to uncover the past and cure a soggy problem.
As land to rear of the grade I listed church was prone to waterlogging, Martin-Brooks was asked to extend its remit to improve drainage across the site. The churchyard is known to contain unmarked graves of orphans who worked at nearby Litton Mill in the 1800s, so expert assistance was called in to monitor the excavations and record anything of archaeological interest that was encountered.
Brighton College terra cotta tower completed
MBH PLC’s Hathern Terra Cotta brand is the UK’s leading manufacturer of traditional hand pressed architectural terra cotta and faience, with a highly skilful team and unsurpassed customer service. Due to its accomplished craftsmen and unrivalled reputation, HTC were selected to accurately re-create over 1650 individual handmade pieces for Brighton College, complementing the site’s previous designs by the highly acclaimed Sir George Gilbert Scott and Sir Thomas Graham Jackson’s design in 1887. The original plans for the front façade included an impressive Tudor style, central bell tower which was never completed due to lack of funding, left as a truncated stub.
Virtus Contracts Ltd were appointed as Main Contractor, working in conjunction with Richard Griffiths Architects, who were tasked to orchestrate and re-create the bespoke tower to match the infamous original 19th century designs.
Rhuddlan Castle: Conservation of Castle River Dock
The impressive Rhuddlan Castle stands today as a dominant, yet ruinous, feature alongside a once strategic crossing point of the river Clwyd in Denbighshire, North Wales. The castle can be seen on the approach to the town, lending an enchantment to the view and awakening the imagination, of a time long past, and of the stories behind its existence. Now, Cadw and a team of skilled masons are helping to preserve this historic site for present and future generations.
First look at Salisbury Plain Heritage Centre
Purcell has been appointed to lead the design team on the Salisbury Plain Heritage Centre project in Larkhill, Wiltshire. The ambition of the centre is to create a sustainable new home to share the heritage of Salisbury Plain and display internationally significant collections. The new image shows Purcell’s proposed design in context.
Architectural ceramics skills saved by experienced team
Jon Wilson and Steve Allen, both former employees of a specialist clay building products manufacturer, have set up Darwen Terracotta Limited and in the process been able to re-employ 25 skilled and experienced craftspeople in the new business. Their former employer, Shaws of Darwen, closed its terracotta and faience business to concentrate on their domestic sink range, leading to skills that could have been lost forever.
Jon explains, “Steve and I have over 50 years combined experience in this industry having worked on some of the most prestigious building projects in both the UK and USA. All of our people have spent most of their working lives in this trade and preserving these skills is vital. We are a close knit team with a strong commitment by everyone to support the business and succeed together.”
Cathedral Centenary War Repair Fund helps conserve Chester Cathedral
Essential conservation work has begun on the fabric of the ancient Chester Cathedral.
In 2014, Chester Cathedral became one of 31 English cathedrals to be awarded a grant as part of the £8.3 million First World War Centenary Cathedral Repairs Fund.
This award provided a once in a generation opportunity to re-lay the Cloister Roof and to reset the decorative pinnacles added to the cathedral by the esteemed cathedral architect Sir George Gilbert Scott.
Cabinet makers maintain the highest standards
Set within the heart of Devon, Colin Layzell Cabinet Makers pride themselves in maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship in all projects undertaken. Their reputation has been established through traditional values and by working with the finest materials - and never compromising cost over quality.
The company are a dedicated team of skilled craftsmen with a wealth of experience and knowledge across all aspects of their trade. They pride themselves in offering the highest standards across all of their work and love the challenges each new project brings.
Ancient Highland seat prepares for new occupants
A three-year restoration programme is reaching its conclusion at the historic Mingary Castle on the west coast of Scotland.
Mingary Castle stands by the sea a mile or so to the east of the village of Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan peninsula – the most westerly village on Great Britain. It is a castle with a long and rich history, the seat of the Clan MacIain, a sept of Clan MacDonald and once one of the most powerful clans along the western coast of Scotland.
Building made better with bimbricks.com
MBH PLC remains at the forefront of industry innovation, by continuing to invest and evolve its manufacturing processes. At the same time, it leads the way in offering intuitive, informative and supportive product data through the most up-to-date construction technology procedures. Acting rapidly on the Government's Construction Strategy, published in May 2011, MBH PLC responded with its first range of clay products files. As the first brick manufacturer to introduce Building Information Modelling (BIM) files in the UK, it is now delighted to see a surge in industry support, acceptance and participation.
ISCE announces seminar programme for ISCEx2016
ISCE has announced dates for this year’s ISCEx2016 exhibition, along with details of its seminar programme.
The two-day event is returning to the picturesque rural location of Coombe Abbey, outside Coventry (March 8-9) and will bring consultants, specifiers, installers and manufacturers together under one roof. The Institute’s AGM during the afternoon of March 8 will be followed by a networking dinner and entertainment in the evening.
More and more roofers are raising the competence standard
Competent Roofer Ltd is the leading Competent Persons scheme for roof refurbishment in the UK.
Launched in 2010 with backing from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG), Competent Roofer has enjoyed great success in raising the profile of the roofing sector over the past five years.
In that time it has signed up over 500 members, issued over 26,000 job notifications and saved millions of pounds in Building Regulation Compliance Certificates (BRCC) charges.
ATLAS launches awards to celebrate 70th anniversary
The Association of Technical Lightning and Access Specialists (ATLAS) has launched a series of new industry awards to mark its 70th anniversary.
The ATLAS Awards 2016 mark 70 years of excellence within the lightning protection and steeplejack industry and will promote the high quality and scale of work of Specialist Contractors within the sector. The winners will be revealed at the ATLAS Gala Dinner in London next May.
Public and private works make up an enviable portfolio
Based in the evocatively named village of Cringles, near Silsden in West Yorkshire, is the team of highly-skilled stonemasons that make up Heritage Masonry and Conservation Ltd. Between them they cover all types of masonry, stone walling and cladding, operating across the country. The company has many years of experience in the industry and has worked hard to build up a first-class reputation for the quality of the work and service it provides.
Over recent years the company has been involved in a number of projects in both the private and heritage sectors, some of national importance.
How revitalisation of Caernarfon Castle has brought the town to life
This summer saw the first ever live performance of songs from a Welsh television rock opera, Melltithar y Nyth, as part of the GŵylArall arts festival, one of several community events held at Caernarfon Castle.
Community involvement is one element in a multi-million-pound scheme to revitalise the castle and parts of the historic town.
Another vital component is the new interpretation and the new entrance to the castle itself — a £780,000 investment through Cadw and the Welsh Government’s Heritage Tourism Project, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
Cupola installed in period 1920's property
Glasgow-based Verrier Art Glass Designers have recently completed the installation of a Cupola for a client who had purchased a house built in the early 1920’s. The original cupola had become ugly over the years through exposure to nicotine and general dirtiness.
Rather than trying to clean it, the client decided to replace it with something in keeping with the period of construction that would allow light through into the hallway, but also obscure the view of the roof.
A brief history of stained glass
The origins of the first stained glass windows are lost in history. The technique probably came from jewelry making, cloisonné and mosaics. Stained glass windows as we know them, seemed to arise when substantial church building began.
By the 10th century, depictions of Christ and biblical scenes were found in French and German churches and decorative designs found in England.
There is a mystery to glass: It is a form of matter with gas, liquid and solid state properties. Glass is most like a super-cooled liquid. It captures light and glows from within. It is a jewel like substance made from the most ordinary materials: sand transformed by fire.
VISIT OUR ASSOCIATED SITES
