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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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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.Work Begins On £48m University Development
Preparations are underway for work on a £48 million development at Durham University.Liverpool Celebrates £50m Library Refit
One of the biggest library redevelopments in the UK has been given the green light.Patton Scoops Liverpool Fit Out Management
A Co Antrim-based construction group has won a major contract in Liverpool to oversee the fit out a new museum.Alexandra Park In Line For £2m Improvements
Alexandra Park in Whalley Range is in line to receive £2 million from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for its restoration.Planning 'Red Tape' To Be Cut
It's not just the economy that is being cut-back as there's to be less fuss and 'red tape' around planning applications across the UK.Hargreaves' Lock Gates
Hargreaves’ lock gates contract helping keep the Cam a punting paradise
Waterways restoration experts Hargreaves Lock Gates have installed new lock gates for a Grade ll listed lock on
The Jesus Green lock lies in a conservation area and forms a major gateway to the river’s “middle” section. Known as the College Backs, this section is world renowned as a “punting paradise” and is synonymous with the
Want to know how old your building structure really is?
Dendrochronology
Dendrochronology (tree-ring dating) has, in recent years, become a standard procedure in the investigation and interpretation of ecclesiastical properties. InEnglandthis is largely the result of such studies being funded by English Heritage, most often as part of their grant-aided support of repairs and renovations to parish churches and associated properties, and to some of our magnificent cathedrals.
Chicksgrove Quarry
Welcome to Chicksgrove Quarry – Proud Suppliers of Chilmark Stone to Salisbury Cathedral
Chicksgrove Quarry Ltd is the only source of Chilmark Stone, a cream coloured Limestone nationally renowned as one of the country’s finest building stones.
Ghostsigns: saving our hand painted advertising
Sam Roberts
They once covered walls across the country with brightly coloured advertising and promotions. Their demise, which continues to this day, has been profound but an army of photographers have been working to create a lasting record of these signs of old, commonly known as ‘ghostsigns’.
The Major Repair Programme at Salisbury Cathedral
It was in 1986 that the then Clerk of Works at Salisbury Cathedral,
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