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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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Heart of England Building Restoration & Refurbishment 40 years of service from pre-purchase to completed project
John Haws management and staff are widely recognised for their many years of experience in the building industry. John A G Haws, founder of jh Building Restoration & Refurbishment, has been involved in building restoration for the past 40 years.
They have assisted many property owners, both private and commercial, over the years with their restoration and refurbishment projects, many of whom have used them on more than one occasion and recommended us to their family, friends and colleagues.
Questions to ask a roofing contractor - JTC has the answers
As the main thing protecting your building against the elements, your roof will no doubt at some point either need repairs or even a replacement. When the time comes that you need to call in the workmen for the job, it can be rather daunting knowing which one to choose.
Although it may be tempting to go with the one who gives the cheapest quote, it’s always best to delve a little deeper and try to find out exactly what work you will be getting for your money, before you sign on the dotted line!
Oxford Ironmongery helps exciting restoration project to take off
At what was formerly an airfield going back to 1911, a 348 acre site that is now owned by Bicester Heritage is Britain’s first heritage motor and aviation specialist business campus, which is creating a centre of excellence for all the services and support required by vehicle and plane owners and enthusiasts.
Understanding religion’s pulling power: Welsh faith tourism enjoys boost
With more than 600,000 people visiting Wales’s religious sites each year, it would appear the concept of ‘faith tourism’ in the region is undergoing somewhat of a renaissance.
Indeed, Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, has reported a year-on-year growth in visits to religious sites like Tintern Abbey.
Sound system control - keeping it simple
The first digital sound mixer was introduced over 25 years ago. 10 years later, major sound rental companies embraced the technology and digital consoles began to replace their analogue counterparts on the larger touring shows. Progressively, extensive software and hardware developments have found their way into smaller, low cost mixers that are highly suited to church installations.
St Phillips Church, Tunbridge Wells
St Phillips in Tunbridge Wells is a modern church, not just in its architecture but also its internal spirit. Each time Isobel Brunsdon, of East Sussex based Labyrinth Stained Glass, visited the church she felt there was a vibrancy and energy about the place and wanted to reflect this in the design of the windows she was commissioned to create.
Fire doors, escape doors and the legal obligations
Since 2013 when the first pioneer FDIS Certificated Fire Door Inspectors qualified and started to offer their services to building operators there has been a marked increase in demand for the services of qualified fire door inspectors, installers, repairers and maintainers. This has in-turn led to increased demand for education and training and of course is a positive step in helping to make buildings safer in the event of a fire. Here, Neil Ashdown, general manager of the Fire Door Inspection Scheme, looks at fire safety law, the issues around fire doors in public buildings and the useful resources available to help building owners and operators meet their legal obligations.
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.
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