Current Issue
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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Stained Glass
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.
Back Issues
Natural Stone
Identifying and sourcing stone for repair
England is fortunate to have such a wide variety of historic and older stone buildings. However, there has been a marked decline in the range of natural stones that are being actively quarried.
Pest Control
Call in professionals if nesting birds pose a problem
Birds can cause a range of issues during nesting season, but interfering with wild birds, their eggs or nests could lead to prosecution, a national trade body has warned.
CRE Events
Thousands set to descend on Sandown
The next incarnation of Christian Resources Exhibition will be CRE National 2022 – taking place at Sandown Park in Esher, Surrey, on 11-13 October.
Sandown Park is a great venue for Europe’s leading annual exhibition of Christian resources. Just 15 miles from central London, the venue is easily accessible by rail (25 minutes from London Waterloo to Esher) and road (M25 and A3). Parking is free for exhibitors and visitors.
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.
Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency and Historic Buildings
Historic England supports the Government’s aims to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings through Part L of the Building Regulations. Many improvements can be carried out, often at a relatively low cost, significantly enhancing the comfort of the building for its users, as well as providing savings on fuel bills and helping to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
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.
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.
Church Lighting
Light up your place of worship
The design of a lighting scheme and the light fittings themselves can have a positive impact on the way your building looks as well as being functional.
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Mansell Wins £2.8m Contract
Mansell has won a £2.8 million contract to repair and restore a Grade I Listed Monument, Hadlow Tower in Kent for Vivat Trust.
The contract requires work to the existing octagonal and square towers which together form Hadlow Tower. It includes the reinstatement of render and missing precast and moulded decoration and the reconstruction of the dismantled lantern at the top of the octagonal tower. A new steel support structure will replace the existing timber frame on several levels.
Didsbury Library Set For Overhaul
Didsbury's Grade ll listed library will undergo a renovation programme following consultation with a specialist heritage officer.
The work will include some re-plastering, painting the interior and replacing carpets. A heritage officer from the council's planning team will be consulted throughout the renovations to ensure they reflect the building's history. The interior of the building will be painted in similar colours to what it would have been in 1915 when it was built.
Shapps Moves To Stop Bulldozers Demolishing Ringo Starr's Birthplace
Housing Minister Grant Shapps has called for a temporary reprieve to the demolition of Ringo Starr's birthplace to ensure the people of Liverpool have a chance to have their say in what happens to what many consider to be a culturally important building.
Mr Shapps has written to Liverpool City Council asking them to halt the planned demolition to give the local community and other interested organisations an opportunity to put forward alternative viable preservation options.
Recreating the historic Kent Peg Tile
by Paul Lythgoe, Managing Director of Tudor Roof Tile Co LtdKent Peg Tiles hold a special place in the English architectural landscape – particularly in the South East of England, where they were once seen on nearly every town house, country residence, barn, oast house, church and farm property.
Dating back as far as the 12th and 13th centuries, the name ‘peg tile’, originally came from the softwood pegs, which were driven through two square holes in the top edge of the tiles, attaching them to the laths or battens.
Chester Castle
Recclesia Ltd at Chester Castle
Recclesia Ltd, historic building conservation specialists based in Chester, have been awarded Phase VI of conservation work at Chester Castle for English Heritage. The contract started this week and will see the Half Moon Tower and Frobisher’s Workshop consolidated, conserved and repaired.
Bees, Boats and Trains projects scoop three Lottery awards
Three projects funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) won first prize at the National Lottery Awards. The winners were announced at a special star-studded event, broadcast live on BBC One from London's Roundhouse.Park Life: ‘Rollerbladers’ photo wins Lottery competition
Today, Mat Ricardo’s eye-catching photo taken in Battersea Park, London, has been chosen as the winner of the UK-wide ‘Postcards from the Park’ photo competition. The competition has been organised by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) in partnership with parks charity GreenSpace.
HymnQuest
HymnQuest is a unique software program developed by ThePratt Green Trust, a charity devoted to the advancement of hymnody and music in worship.
LIGHTNING PROTECTION TESTING & INSPECTIONS.
LIGHTNING PROTECTION TESTING & INSPECTIONS.My name is Christopher J Barsby of Barsby Lightning Protection Leicester;
It would appear that there is a considerable amount of confusion regarding the Testing of Lightning Protection Systems.
Renaissance Palace at Stirling Castle
ARTTUS and the Stirling Castle Palace Project - Renaissance Palace at Stirling Castle
When commissioned ARTTUS involve the client in each stage of the design process and with one of their experienced designers work towards confirming the concept and agreeing a detailed brief. With enthusiasm and energy they bring a dynamic design vision to each project.
Ecclesiastical reveals plans for Gloucester Docks move
A specialist insurance company has announced plans to move to new multi-million pound headquarters at Gloucester Docks.
Ecclesiastical Group Insurance agreed the deal with the South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA), which owns the land at Southgate Moorings.
90-year-old Shropshire war veteran receives his page in history
In an era of celebrity autobiographies, competition to find the life story of an ordinary Briton truly worthy of preservation reaches its climax.
How many of us would like our lives enshrined in print for future generations and our families? That’s the prize a 90-year-old war veteran from Shropshire received today after winning a national competition run by specialist insurer Ecclesiastical to find a life story worthy of preserving in a book.
Ecclesiastical announces 2010 interim results
Key figures:
• Gross written premium of £250.3m (8.8% increase on 2009)
2010 on track to be second highest year for metal theft, says Ecclesiastical
WEDDING INSURANCE SPECIALIST ECCLESIASTICAL, RESPONDS TO NEWS ABOUT WEDDING SUPPLIER CONFETTI GOING INTO ADMINISTRATION
Modern Look To Sinktops For V&A
Durable stainless steel sinktops, made to measure by GEC Anderson, have earned a place in history as part of the major facilities upgrade recently completed at the V&A Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green, London.Design Team To Revitalise Historic Town
The design team behind the Bristol waterfront development Temple Quay 2 are set to breathe new life in to the heart of a historic Stoke-on-Trent town.Greenwich Park Ground Preparation Work Begins
Work will begin this week at Greenwich Park to make it ready to host the Olympic Equestrian competition in 2012.VISIT OUR ASSOCIATED SITES
