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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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Northcot Brick is awarded 'Certificate of Quality' by the Guild of Master Craftsmen
Northcot Brick, one of the UK’s independent brick manufacturers, has been awarded membership of the Guild of Master Craftsmen in recognition of its skill and excellence in traditional brickmaking.
Seeking award-winning heritage roofs
Entries are now being accepted for the UK Roofing Awards 2015. The awards, which recognise and reward outstanding levels of workmanship and safety among competent roofing contractors, are open to those companies who are members of one of the supporting trade associations, including the National Federation of Roofing Contractors. Submissions from manufacturers, architects and specifiers are also welcome.
Arguably one of the most prestigious categories, and always hotly contested, is that for Heritage Roofing.
Hi-tech deterrent means churches can now be 'shot' of lead thieves
Instances of metal theft - in particular theft of lead from churches - have seen a reduction from the levels of only a couple of years ago, thanks in great part to the combination of more proactive policing across the country and the introduction of the Scrap Metal Dealers (SMD) Act in October last year.
Unfortunately, that will be of little comfort to the congregations and PCCs of churches across the country who have recently fallen victim to the crime, which seems to happen in clusters.
What can still look great after working hard for a hundred years?
If you’re looking for the very best quality and longest lasting guttering system on the market, cast iron is the ultimate material for rainwater disposal.
Ideal and often obligatory on our oldest buildings, a cast iron system should last fifty to one hundred years with sensible maintenance. Although it will be the most expensive system to purchase, it still represents great life time value when you factor in longevity.
Midlands firm warms the hearts of the church and ancient fabric of Wales
When it comes to the installation of church heating systems, few companies can claim a better pedigree than Stoke-on-Trent firm Mellor and Mottram. In recent years they have figured in a roll call of projects in Wales – from small village churches to the ancient cathedrals the early Celtic church became famous for.
Two Bronze Medals and recognition as Master Blacksmiths
North Yorkshire based architectural metalworkers Topp & Co. are proud to announce that two of their blacksmiths, Baptiste Deleau (left) and Arek Kropidlowski (right), have been awarded Bronze Medals from the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths.
They are both now officially recognised as Master Blacksmiths.
MOLA finds new digs at DeepStore
MOLA, Museum of London Archaeology, has awarded DeepStore Records Management a five-year contract to store many of its important and environmentally sensitive artefacts.
The Winsford-based storage company, whose staff have had specialist training in the handling of archaeological and related material, is transferring 5200 boxes of objects from MOLA's collections to its climate-controlled vaults in Britain’s largest salt mine. The successful uplift of items will be completed by January 2015.
Murdoch Awards 2014 - showcasing the very best in leadwork
The 2014 Murdoch Awards for quality in leadwork saw the continued sponsorship by ALM and another increase in the number of entries over the previous year. Overall winner was John Fulton (Plumbers) who took the accolade for 6-9 Water Row, in Greater Govan and Glasgow Harbour.
The impressive B-listed, red sandstone tenement building (pictured right) occupies a prominent site in the heart of Govan’s Conservation Area, having been built for the YMCA in 1897.
New lease of life for historic Folk Hall
The historic Folk Hall in New Earswick has recently undergone a £250,000 refurbishment carried out by the small works division of York-based building restoration specialists William Anelay Ltd.
The grade 1 Listed building (and grade 2 in parts), based on Haxby Road, is an important community hub that opened its doors in 1907 as part of the Rowntree familys model village. The hall, extended in 1935, is still owned by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and serves as a facility for many local community groups and organisations.
Agrell Architectural Carving: Bespoke Architectural Woodcarving
Founded by Master Carver, Ian Agrell and recognised as one of the foremost architectural carving companies in the world, we specialise in classical design and hand carving for private residences, commercial buildings and ecclesiastical structures. Using the same methods and tools used by the generations of wood carvers before us our superior hand carving includes decorative moulding, capitals, brackets, carved paneling, Gothic screens and hand carved furniture.
Two churches get new heating systems for the coming winter
St. John the Baptist Anglican church in Meols, Wirral was consecrated nearly 100 years ago in 1913. The heating system recently needed replacing. This involved the removal of a large, inefficient boiler, cast iron radiators and pipe work to be replaced by a more modern and economical arrangement. After taking advice from a church consultant heating engineer, the church committee elected HeatinGlobal the church heating company to install the new DRU gas wall heaters.
The London Oratory speaks volumes for quality lead workmanship
Popularly known as the London (or Brompton) Oratory, the Oratory of St. Phillip Neri and the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, is a celebrated London landmark just down the road from Harrods and next to the Victoria and Albert Museum. It is a large church comparable in size to many cathedrals.
Italian Baroque in style, it is made more memorable by the great dome crowning the composition. The dome had been created in 1895 as the crowning glory of the second largest Roman Catholic church in London.
Africa House provides shop window for ALM heritage leadwork
Associated Lead Mills’ involvement in the £22m remodelling and enlargement of Africa House in London’s Kingsway entailed supply of lead for the creation of a new two storey lead and slate mansard roof. JM Architects, led by Michael Ashenheim, specified the materials as a consequence of local planning requirements.
Lead dormer windows, corner finials and a wealth of detail work were fabricated by ALM for the Grade 2 Listed building. Due to their size, decorative panels, corner finials, rose and ribbon hip details had to be handmade in the company’s workshop for delivery in sections to site. Work therefore included provision of CAD details prior to the creation of patterns for casting.
Chancel Decorative Scheme at The Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin
Founded in 1998 by David Everingham, the company has become established as one of the leading private conservation businesses in the north of England. The conservation of easel paintings in the Harrogate-based studio remains the core activity with clients including local authority museums and collections and privately owned paintings. The company has become increasingly involved in large scale projects in churches and historic building.
George III Carved Giltwood Armchair by W Thomas Restorations Ltd
This is one of a pair of George III Carved Giltwood Armchairs, in the manner of Thomas Chippendale, Circa 1765.
The chairs are closely related to plate XVIII in the first edition of Thomas Chippendale's The Gentleman & Cabinet-Maker's Director published in 1753. Described as French Chairs, Chippendale notes that this and the following three plates are 'Eight Designs of French Chairs which may be executed to advantage.
St Nicholas' Church, Burton in Wirral gets new audio system
St Nicholas' Church, Burton in Wirral, is located in the village of Burton, Ellesmere Port and Neston, Cheshire. It is designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building. It is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Chester and the deanery of Wirral South.
In the church is a hatchment bearing the arms of the Congreve family and other memorials to this family.
The memorial to Richard Congreve who died in 1820 is by S. Gibson and includes a weeping putto. The parish registers start in 1538.
The parochial church council’s brief to Richard King Systems was for the upgrading and modernisation of the audio system, for the reproduction of both speech and live performances. The system was designed to include the installation and commissioning of replacement loudspeakers, amplification, control desk, microphones and audio socket provision.
Admiral Beatty’s Union Jack cleaned and re-displayed by The Landi Company
The flag had been hanging vertically for many years against a wall in the church which was damp. Dirt and mould had taken their toll and earlier out-door use had shortened it by about 20cm.
Otherwise the condition of the cloth was strong except for a few tears and loss from moth.
The project was to clean and re-display the flag in a different position within the church, at the same time turning it to fly horizontally so as to be out of the way.
The site chosen was over the arch leading to the base of the tower at the west end and above the font.
The aim was to hang it in such a way as to minimise the weight to be hung and disguise the presence of the framework which supported the flag.
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