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.
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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.
SEARCH OUR DIRECTORY
Fire breaks out at Clandon Park in Surrey
We are saddened to say that a fire broke out on Wednesday 29 April at Clandon Park in Surrey.
Speaking from the site of the blaze, our Director General, Helen Ghosh, said:
'The fire is now out but the scale of the damage to the mansion has been devastating. The house is now essentially a shell, most of the roof, ceiling and floors have collapsed into the bottom of the building.
Developing the North East’s young talent
On 23 April the Hardwick Hall Hotel in Sedgefield witnessed the presentation of the 2015 North East Business Awards. The winner of the Apprenticeship category was Co Durham-based Hodgson Sayers.
Managing director John Sayers expressed his delight at the award. 'This is a tremendous accolade for the business,' he said, 'as we have always had a commitment to ensuring we source the very best youngsters and provide them with the skills to bridge the gap in the construction industry.
Tudor introduces new clay roof tile for heritage properties
Tudor Roof Tile Co Ltd, Britain's foremost independent handmade clay roof tile manufacturer, has introduced a mellow earth tone into its standard range of peg and plain tiles.
Known as ‘Weathered Earth’, this subtle shade has a depth, which is ideally suited to restoration and heritage styled projects as it helps re-create the mature and time-worn appearance of clay tiles that have naturally darkened with age.
How accessible is your church?
Have you considered how disability friendly your church is? Surrey-based DP Consulting (Disability Equality Services) Ltd work with different churches to assist them in achieving best practice standards of accessibility.
Church congregations across England have been fluctuating over the last 20 years. Regular church attendance has been in decline since 1998 (English Church Census, 2005), but we are now seeing a rise in the number of new churches, offering services that help tackle this issue.
John Moore Museum regenerates important 15th century building with Heritage Lottery Fund investment.
The John Moore Museum in Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire has received a grant of £189,500 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), it was announced today. Alongside other funds that have already been raised and pledged,the grant will enable the museum to refurbish the Old Baptist Chapel, a Grade II* listed building which is believed to be the earliest Baptist meeting house in the UK.The project, which will cost £250,000 in total, starts in April and is due to run until May 2018.
Tudor urges the importance of using sympathetic roof tiles
Tudor Roof Tiles, manufacturer of genuine handmade clay peg and plain tiles with a traditional sand-faced rustic look, is encouraging the use of historically sympathetic clay tiles for the repair and restoration of church roofs.
In its latest downloadable information leaflet, “Chapels to Cathedrals” the company sets out some of the key issues involved when considering replacement peg and plain tiles in older ecclesiastical properties.
Building a workforce of the future as nine new apprentices come on board
The foundations for a solid career have been set, as building and roofing specialist, Hodgson Sayers, welcomes nine new apprentices to its team.
The Stanley-based company is committed to developing the next generation of its team and to making apprentices 10% of its workforce. The company has more than achieved this with a total of 16 apprentices making up the 100 headcount.
Newcastle’s Swing Bridge undergoes specialist make over
There may have been fog on the Tyne when building and roofing specialist, Hodgson Sayers, undertook work on Newcastle landmark, the Swing Bridge, but the project was music to the ears of the team involved.
Standing impressively over the River Tyne, the bridge first carried road traffic in 1876 before it was opened for river vessels the following year.
Roofing for listed buildings - Windsor firm holds the key to success
Through years of experience in the roofing industry, Windsor-based Keay Roofing has earned it’s reputation as a trusted roofing contractor for many homes and businesses across the Thames Valley.
As specialists in working with listed buildings and in conservation areas, they hold an in-depth knowledge on using traditional roofing materials such as lead, copper and slate.
Disabled Access in church and listed building restoration. The cost of defective design.
Good design is important regardless of the property, the product or the people using it. The additional factor when designing to accommodate access for disabled people is that you may face the costs of fixing any errors – and of any dealing with any discrimination claims which may result.
That can leave you facing a triple whammy of paying for improved design, loss of business and customer compensation, and it underlines the importance of getting the design right at the outset.
Dernier & Hamlyn calls time on outdated lighting design
JD Wetherspoon’s latest pub to open is The Twelve Tellers in Preston named because the site was formerly a bank back in the 1930s. KD Paine & Associates was responsible for the building’s redesign and refurbishment and, while they were keen to make it a contemporary environment, they wanted to give due regard to the building’s history. When it came to the lighting they used historic photography of the building’s former incarnation to influence the styling of the pub’s chandeliers and wall lights and called on Dernier & Hamlyn to design and manufacture lighting to suit their interior design.
UK Roofing Awards 2015 shortlist
The call for entries for the 10th UK Roofing Awards went out in September 2014 and closed in January of this year and, at the end of February, a panel of judges whittled down entries from across the UK to 48 finalists across 12 categories.
Claude N Smith shortlisted for the NFRC Roofing Awards for 12th century Round Church
Most churches in Western Europe are cross-shaped in their floor plan and in England there are only four other round churches like this one.
DMBR - a one stop shop restoration company covering the south of England
With a combined experience of over 200 years between the four senior, hands on consultants, the newly named restoration specialists, DMBR, offer a range of experience and skills in every aspect of restoration building.
With a range of fine examples of completed projects and testimonials from satisfied customers, the Hampshire based company offers their expertise in all aspects of restoration building work.
Securing a future for the past
Manchester based, specialist contractor, Aura Conservation Ltd has secured the 18 month contract worth £1.5million to restore the intricately detailed terracotta facades and complex roof domes of the flamboyant and beautiful, luxury retail shopping arcade, Victoria Quarter, Briggate in Leeds.
Ecclesiastical and heritage venues come together for Disabled Access Day
The first Disabled Access Day - a new initiative aimed at encouraging disabled people, their friends and families to access a visitor attraction - took place on 17 January. Over 200 companies and venues across the UK gave their support to the initiative, including VisitEngland, VisitScotland, Visit Wales, Standard Life, BT and the Museums Association.
Lead Sheet Association Manual – updated 2015 edition available now
The LSA’s Rolled Lead Sheet Manual sets the technical standards for the industry and is the essential reference point for leadworkers, architects and specifiers.
The newly updated version of both the e-Book and hard copy are now available to purchase.
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