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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
After the Midlands, onward to Milton Keynes
"CRE Midlands reminded me of the giddy days when it first began – the venue was packed with exhibitors and visitors and there was a busy atmosphere. The whole thing looked great."
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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Advice from NE building experts amid winter weather worries
North East general and specialist maintenance experts, Stone Technical Services, are warning business and home owners to ensure any weather damage is repaired promptly, after a surge in demand for their services.
The Winter Warmth and Light of Candles is not Just for Churches
The weather has that chill in the air. The days are shorter. What we need in our homes right now is more warmth and more light. Candles are one of the best ways to give us what we need.
Relocation of Canterbury Cathedral Doors for Restoration Work
The skills of Canterbury based Artful Logistics are often used in other industries and below you can see one example of their work, removing the ancient oak gates from the Christchuch entrance to Canterbury Cathedral, ready for restoration by Houghtons of York. (Please see video below)
The book on restoring furniture
From Billy Cook of W.J.Cook & Sons of BAFRA
It had long been obvious that there was not a comprehensive book on the subject of antique furniture restoration that had both been photographed and written by a commercial workshop.
County Durham business motors on by cutting costs and going green
A fast-growing Darlington-based business, which operates all over the UK, has invested thousands of pounds in its fleet of vehicles to help it become more environmentally-friendly and fuel efficient.
New apprenticeship opportunities in heritage construction
Would your business benefit from employing a conservation, maintenance and repair apprentice?
For the first time in the UK, North Yorkshire based Heritage Craft Alliance Ltd can offer level 3 qualifications which meet the specific needs of the built heritage sector.
From Medieval Magnificence to Henry Moore
The timeless art of weaving tapestries
The Fleming Collection
17 April – 1 June 2013
13 Berkeley Street, Mayfair, London W1J 8DU
An exhibition celebrating the timeless skills of tapestry weavers from the medieval era to modern times by focusing on one of Britain’s most important royal refurbishment projects is to be held at The Fleming Collection in London from 17 April to 1 June 2013.
Wudu ablution washing station joins specialist portfolio
Wudu literally means cleaning oneself in preparation for prayer. The communal act of washing before prayer is directed by the holy Quran.
NE experts start year on a high
County Durham high level and general maintenance firm, Stone Technical Services, has started 2013 with further growth in the London and south region.
The Darlington-based company, which experienced better than predicted expansion throughout 2012, has secured new contracts working for prominent organisations.
Ventrolla safeguards history in the heart of Cheltenham
A grandiose Georgian property boasting 8 bedrooms has been given a bright new outlook, thanks to the experts at Ventrolla Wessex.
Glebe House, in the idyllic village of Bourton-on-the-Water, was suffering from rotten sash windows that had allowed damp to seep in while others were painted shut.
Listed Property Show returns to Olympia, London
Olympia London – 16th and 17th February 2013
The FREE ADMISSION Listed Property Show returns to Olympia, London and it looks set to be the biggest and best yet!
The exhibition, which is organised by the Listed Property Owners’ Club (LPOC), provides practical advice, tips and information for homeowners looking to maintain or refurbish their properties.
Rugby School lights up its chapel
A stunning lighting scheme has been completed by dpa lighting consultants for Rugby School chapel. The lighting scheme followed on from a £500,000 project to repair the ornate ceiling of this Grade 1 listed Victorian Gothic building.
The Clive Engine House, North Wales
The Clive Engine House is one of the few remaining such buildings in Wales. It was built to Cornish standards in 1862 but stands on ground that is thought to have been mined since Roman times. The Talargoch Mine produced copper, silver and calamine, but was best known for the extraction of lead ore.
Natural stone awards for Buckingham Palace and York Minster
Natural stone projects at Buckingham Palace and York Minister are among those to win top honours in the 2012 Natural Stone Awards organised by Stone Federation Great Britain.
The awards are held every two years and are “a celebration of the use of natural stone as a traditional, yet vitally modern building material.”
Ancient North East monuments get the Stone treatment
Darlington company Stone Technical Services has secured a range of contracts to complete conservation work on historic and ancient structures around the North East and North Yorkshire.
High rise experts top of their game with new North East contracts
Darlington-based Stone Technical Services has secured a number of major industrial and heritage contracts across the North East thanks to its reputation as one of the leading high-level maintenance and repair companies in the UK.
Winter weather warning following surge in demand for Darlington company’s services
North East specialist maintenance experts, Stone Technical Services, are advising organisations to take action now to prevent costly repair bills over the winter months, after a surge in enquiries following the recent spate of severe weather across the North East.
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