Current Issue
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
Exhibitors enthuse over the CRE experience
By 4pm on the first day of CRE 24 at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, exhibitors Chris and Kim Dunphy had already had so many helpful and detailed conversations with visitors that they were “completely talked out”.
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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Decorative Leadwork - Reflecting the skill of early craftsmen
Beaten, twisted, cut or cast, ornate designs bear out the skill and artistry of early craftsmen. And surviving examples are under threat. Douglas Kent, SPAB Technical Secretary, elaborates and answers some FAQ's.
American white oak brings serenity to the Chapel of St Albert the Great
The new chapel is a peaceful and warm structure that brings students, staff and local residents together.
The Chapel of Saint Albert the Great, which has been serving students and staff, and the wider community since 1931, is situated on George Square at the University of Edinburgh. The chapel, designed by Simpson & Brown Architects was completed in late 2012 and aims to provide a modern space for worship but also to increase capacity and improve accessibility.
New Bristol based plaster company Thompson Lewis Ltd opens
This new company is made up of Conrad Thompson, Sculptor and designer, and Bob Lewis ex-Technical Director of the Bristol plaster firm Hayles and Howe Ltd.
Bob Lewis has been plastering for 35 years, many of those years at Hayles and Howe where he helped devise many of their techniques.
Restoration of Historic Ornamental Lead
Pictured here is a lead bowl in a very sorry state. The second of the 2 pictures is one that Lawrence Weaver used in the 1909 book English Leadwork, its Art and History Ornamental lead craftsman, Brian Turner has been commissioned to repair restore and conserve this challenging work of art.
The Plumber that made this bowl was A B Laidler; it was made by bossing it out of a 6 foot 6 inches code 10 sheet of lead.
Fire devastated church receives Fullers Finer treatment
After a devastating fire at Trinity Methodist Church in Kidderminster, Fullers Finer Furniture were commissioned to undertake the work of producing new sanctuary furniture. All the pieces were crafted from Ash and American Black Walnut.
Art House, Crouch End - coming soon off Broadway
ARTHOUSE, Crouch End’s unique new cultural venue is set to open at the end of 2013. ARTHOUSE is working in partnership with CURZON CINEMAS (London’s leading art house cinema chain), combining cinema, theatre, dance, music, comedy and its own bar/café. ARTHOUSE offers unlimited opportunities for enjoyment and participation in the arts for Crouch End and beyond - welcoming both local and international productions, cinema and performers.
Local roofing company has the West Country covered
The front cover of this issue shows the impressive re-roofing project at the central Post Office in Bath. The project, including the intricate leadwork on the skylight, was carried out by local firm Young's Roofing Ltd. It is just one example of the impressive scope of roofing work the company accomplishes.
Vulcana returns to St Aidan’s to install new church heating system
St Aidan’s Church in Leicester unfortunately fell victim to the theft of external copper piping, leaving the congregation cold in the pews without a gas supply to its church heaters.
Vulcana was contacted by St Aidan’s to carry out the replacement work, having built up a good working relationship during a previous job.
Roofer does the double at Scottish awards
On 25 October Margaret McCulloch MSP, a member of the Shadow Cabinet and Scottish Labour MSP for Central Scotland, presented the National Federation of Roofing Contractors Scottish Roofing Contractor of the Year Awards at Our Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh. The entries included some breath taking projects that demonstrated technical excellence as well as aesthetic qualities.
Award winners for Roof Slating
Kingsford Estates selected Edinburgh based Traditional Roofing and Building Limited to carry out a complete roof restoration of a unique property in South St. Andrew's Square in the centre of Edinburgh. The project won the company first prize in the Roof Slating category at this year's Scottish Roofing Contractor Awards.
Lead Sheet Association launches two new online initiatives
The LSA has launched two new ways to help those working in construction access the information it provides. An electronic version of the LSA’s renowned Technical Manual and a range of new e-learning training courses are now available online.
The pinnacle of zinc craftsmanship
The quality of their workmanship has been recognised throughout Western Europe for over 175 years, but VMZINC craftsmen are now establishing a similar reputation in the UK.
Commissions for Harrods, Eton College and the Wallace Collection have raised the profile of handmade zinc ornaments, re-awakening demand for the time-honoured metalworking skills used to produce them.
New Surveyor of the Fabric appointed at Canterbury Cathedral
Jonathan Deeming has been appointed by the Dean and Chapter of Canterbury as the new Surveyor of the Fabric of Canterbury Cathedral.
Developing standards for cultural heritage buildings, monuments and objects
Cultural heritage might seem an unusual area for the development of standards given the uniqueness and individuality of many historic buildings, monuments, structures and objects but over the last few years it has become a very active area.
From famous buildings to prison porticos- no ‘Stone’ un-turned for NE experts
County Durham high level, historic and general maintenance specialists, Stone Technical Services, have secured a range of new contracts all over the country worth in the region of £250,000 to the business.
As the company continues to grow around the UK, Stone has been appointed to carry out a variety of projects around Yorkshire and across the south of England.
From Riots to Renovation in North Wales
The historic Tyddyn Street Church, in Mold, Flintshire North Wales has been transformed in a renovation that has turned it into a community and arts centre as well as a church.
Built in the early 1860’s as the Free Church, an independent Congregationalist church, it was the scene of the Mold Riots in 1869 when there was a confrontation between local miners and soldiers of the Kings Own Chester Regiment.
Seminar will offer illumination on the lighting of churches
On 7 November St Paul’s Cathedral will host Lighting in Churches and Cathedrals, an event that will bring together up-to-date knowledge and experience of lighting design and installation, energy-efficient lighting solutions and effective controls.
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