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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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About Access is the safe solution for historic castles and dragons’ dens
About Access is drawing on its increasing experience of historic buildings to warn owners and occupiers of their responsibilities in terms of the law and good business sense.
The History of Alfred Groves & Sons
In 1660 William Groves (Stone Mason) set up in business in Milton-Under-Wychwood due to the proximity of stone quarries at Upton, Taynton and Burford.
William Groves, master mason, was invited by Christopher Kempster, assistant to Sir Christopher Wren’s master mason Thomas Strong, to join Wren’s team of masons on the rebuilding of St. Paul’s Cathedral.
Ecclesiastical architect is remembered with bespoke restoration project
The unusual roof of a Byzantine-style church built in Sheffield by renowned ecclesiastical architect Adrian Gilbert Scott (1882-1963) has been restored in a painstaking project requiring all the tiles to be specially made by hand.
As a Grade II listed building of great historical and aesthetic significance, it was important that the roof, which had fallen into a state of disrepair, be restored to the curious specifications laid down by Gilbert Scott himself in 1932.
Plenty more in store as firm reaches 2m+ milestone
One of the UK's best known storage providers, DeepStore Records Management, is celebrating a milestone having reached over 2 million boxes of assets, which are stored within Britain’s largest salt mine.
The company, which is part of the Compass Minerals group, set up in Winsford, Cheshire, in 1998, is now aiming to increase the number of boxes it stores to 3.5 million in the next 12 months. It already operates vault space the size of 700 football pitches with items under current management equating to 3.25 million cubic feet.
Dunoon Pier by Sandtoft
Dunoon Pier dates back over 100 years and is the only remaining working Victorian pier on the Clyde. Owned by Argyll and Bute Council and under the protection of Historic Scotland, it is a landmark of the River Clyde estuary, with the pier’s building listed as Grade B.
Today, Dunoon Pier still receives a connecting ferry with Gourock and provides a vital link to the mainland which supports the local economy.
Grade I listed school falls prey to low grade theft - lead strippers threaten our heritage
Police are on high alert after lead strippers stole irreplaceable lead from a unique 17th Century building in Appleby Magna.
The Sir John Moore Foundation was constructed between 1693 and 1697, based on an original design by Sir Christopher Wren and Sir William Wilson. It was established and financed by Sir John Moore, the younger son of the local squire who became Lord Mayor and Alderman of London. The school occupies an elevated position to the south of the village and sits in its own walled, landscaped grounds totaling just over 3.5 acres. The main school building is Grade I listed whilst the gates, gate piers, wall and outbuildings are all Grade II listed.
Lime mortars in traditional buildings
Historic Scotland publish a short guide on lime mortars which is aimed at building professionals who deal with issues relating to the maintenance and repair of traditional and historic buildings and structures. However, it will equally be of use to contractors, home owners and students with an interest in lime mortars and finishes, traditional materials and historic building maintenance strategies.
The 1st engraved zinc on the market: Azengar, illuminating zinc!
VMZINC® is launching AZENGAR®, the 1st engraved zinc to come on the market, an exclusive new aspect confirming its pioneering approach and its position as leader in surface aspect treatment.
This original expressive material breaks with the traditional aspect of preweathered products and “transcends” the image of zinc by giving it a new appearance. It is eco-designed using a brand new industrial process and is the most matte and lightest shade of zinc on the market. It stands out with its rugged uneven surface, which catches natural light and gives projects a timeless appearance.
Lighting Dynamics complete another stunning church lighting project
Lighting Dynamics UK, based in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, has recently designed and completed the installation of yet another stunning lighting project for the magnificent and sumptuous interior of St Augustine of Hippo Church in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
St Augustine's, a Grade II* building, has been a splendid Victorian landmark at the centre of the Conservation Area that bears its name since the church was first consecrated in 1868.
Conserving and restoring church hatchments
The churches and chapels of the United Kingdom are home to countless symbols of religion, wealth, power and history. None, however, are quite as distinctive and yet as little known as the hatchment. As a record of a church’s past parishioners, hatchments are as significant as inscribed plaques or gravestones, but they can also give a far deeper insight into the history of a parish.
CPS transform derelict church in to imposing hall for the Hallé!
Doncaster based CPS is a leading manufacturer and supplier of seating and staging systems which have been professionally designed, developed, tried and tested. They have recently completed some prestigious projects in both these areas – including one for the world famous Hallé Orchestra.
Give secondary glazing a second thought
Although probably not top of the list for most people now the sun is shining, this time of year is the perfect time to think about secondary glazing.
As we all know, the warm weather doesn’t stick around forever so taking measures to reduce window draughts and rattles before the winter months is not such a bad idea.
Ballistic Technology used to infuse nickel micro-dots into sheet lead
Trace-in-Metal is a unique comprehensive property marking system, which significantly raises the risk of arrest of anyone dealing in stolen metal and those who are stealing it.
Trace-in-Metal is different from other property marking systems as it has been designed to be detected throughout the metal recycling ‘food chain’.
DRU Centro 100 gas fire wins ‘Gas Appliance of the Year’ award at Hearth & Home 2014
DRU Fires has capped a successful return to the Hearth & Home fireplace trade show by winning ‘Gas Appliance of the Year’ with its revolutionary Centro 100 balanced flue gas fire.
The 1 metre wide Centro can be installed at floor level or raised up the wall. It offers a choice of realistic logs or grey coke fire beds, along with mirrored Ceraglass, smooth black, rib cast or chunky beam interiors.
Golcar vicarage recieves vital revamp
The sodden sash windows at Golcar Vicarage have crucially been replaced by period window specialist Ventrolla.
The property, occupied by the local vicar and his wife, sits within the grounds of the Golcar parish, West Yorkshire. Following an inspection of the late 19th century building the windows were deemed too rotten for repair.
Four centuries of windows go on public display from 7th June
The Brooking National Collection is heading to Italy for la Biennale di Venezia to take part in the world famous architecture exhibition which runs from 7th June to 23rd November 2014. The Surrey-based charity, which holds a unique collection of architectural artefacts, is showcasing some of their most precious details, telling the story of windows across four centuries.
Bradford sites restored to former glory
Two landmark buildings in Bradford city centre have been given a new lease of life following months of work carried out by building conservation specialists William Anelay Ltd.
William Anelay, founded in 1747, has now completed phase one of repair work to the chimney stacks, a variety of stonework and to the Channing Way elevation at Bradford City Hall whilst the nearby Britannia House has undergone emergency repairs to the building fabric, stone repairs and repointing as well as repair work to the iconic copper dome.
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