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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Award Winning Lightning Protection Systems
Central High Rise offer a wide range of lightning protection products and services from the test and inspection of lightning protection systems to the design and installation of a full faraday cage system or the supply and installation of early streamer emission systems to new builds or retro fits.
They have a team of ATLAS accredited designers who will carry out a risk assessment to determine exactly what level of protection will be required. This is supported by a fully trained team of operatives for the installation of the system to the highest standard ensuring safety at all times.
Harrods choose Good Directions to manufacture Big Ben replica for new signature room
Good Directions was excited to receive an enquiry to manufacture a replica of Big Ben for Harrods prestigious London themed signature room, which was designed and recently installed by Prop Studios.
Eight parks given a new lease of life thanks to £15.9m Lottery investment
Today, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has awarded confirmed funding¹ of £12.4m to six parks in London, Felixstowe, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Merseyside and Dunbarton.
The National Maritime Museum’s Sammy Ofer Wing opens
This July the National Maritime Museum opens the Sammy Ofer Wing, a transformative £36.5m capital project which sets a new strategic direction for the museum.
Opening on 14 July 2011, the £36.5million wing is the largest development in the National Maritime Museum’s history and a catalyst for the organisation to change completely the way it presents its galleries, exhibitions and visitor facilities. This major project has been made possible through a generous donation of £20m from international shipping magnate and philanthropist Sammy Ofer and an award of £5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).
£20million Lottery money to boost heritage philanthropy
Today the Heritage Lottery Fund announced a £20million commitment to Catalyst, a joint funding initiative with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and Arts Council England, to help build the long-term financial resilience of cultural organisations
£8m vital funding for England’s places of worship
Today, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) announced more than £8million of Lottery funding to support urgent repairs to 67 of England’s most important Grade II listed churches, chapels and synagogues.
Heritage Construction, Access To Training
Focus on the issues
Recently In an article for the Independent. John Edwards of English heritage, stated that from a known number of practitioners in the heritage sector currently working on historic properties, his estimation was that only 30% are “properly qualified skilled craftspeople” We should take that as from the horse’s mouth and act accordingly. (Excerpt from The independent 25/3/2011)
Stonehenge funding package unveiled
The on-off saga of sorting out the roads around Stonehenge and building a proper visitor centre seems to be back on track after ministers announced two important measures which could mean work finally starting as early as next year.
Work to create new visitor centre and make road improvements could start next year after financial announcements by ministers
The closeness of the A344 to the stones near Salisbury, as well as the visitor facilities described by the public accounts committee in 1993 as a "national disgrace", have long been a problem in need of fixing. Government funding for the latest project was axed as part of £73m of savings announced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sports in June.
£20m station overhaul by BDP includes a new transparent roof
BDP has revealed designs for its £20m proposed overhaul of Manchester Victoria rail station.
The plans include a new transparent roof made of ETFE – the same material used on the Eden Project.
The revamp will also includes refurbishment and renewal of the grade II listed station building.
Historic Scotland brings medieval construction to Glasgow Science Festival
Historic Scotland is joining forces with Glasgow Science Festival for the first time to present the past, present and future of construction at this year’s Glasgow Science Festival.
On Sunday 12th June, families can come along to Glasgow Cathedral and St Mungo’s Museum to take part in a range of free activities that highlight the science and technology behind medieval and modern engineering, from tower building to renewable energy. The event starts at 11am and runs until 4pm.
Mansell Lands £3m Project To Restore Historic Tynemouth Station
Mansell has landed a £3 million contract to restore Grade II listed Tynemouth Station in North Shields for Station Developments Ltd.
The structural work includes preservation of the existing cast iron canopy structure and replacement of the roof glazing alongside repairs to stonework, lead work, gutters and platforms.
INNOVATIVE ROMAN LEARNING EXPERIENCES PROVE A HIT WITH TEACHERS
Teachers are finding it easier than ever to give children an interactive experience of life in Roman Britain, thanks to a unique new teaching resource inspired by Wroxeter Roman City and the new Roman Town House which has been built there.
A trip to Roman site can bring the subject alive like nothing else, especially when supported by the landmark new resource - a ten minute film created by students for younger students following the primary curriculum.
Seven city and town centres set to benefit from £10m regeneration boost
Today, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced earmarked support¹ totalling £10m for the regeneration of seven city and town centres stretching County Antrim in Northern Ireland to Margate in Kent.
HLF’s investment comes through its Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI)² programme which fosters effective partnerships between local organisations enabling repairs and other essential works in historic but often run-down areas bringing high streets back to life. The funding, integral to wider conservation and regeneration strategies, will also help provide employment and training opportunities.
Today, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced confirmed funding¹ of £11m for five heritage sites across the UK.
Middlesbrough’s landmark Transporter Bridge; World War II submarine HMS Alliance in Gosport; 19th-century Penarth Pier and Pavilion on the South Glamorgan coast; Grade I listed Wakefield Cathedral, West Yorkshire; and one of the last surviving ‘winter gardens’, Wentworth Castle Conservatory in Barnsley, will all benefit from the financial boost.
Initial HLF support² was also awarded to four projects enabling them to develop plans to apply for a full grant at a later date. These include support for a ‘saloon-style’ Music Hall in London and a new home for the National Horseracing Museum.
CHESTER LEADS THE HERITAGE FIELD
Chester Civic Trust New Year’s Honours 2011 AWARD For Gary Drostle
Home of a Goddess, Named after a King, Gift of a Duke
A three dimensional mosaic story stone unveiled this Autumn in Edgar’s Field Park in Chester formed the focal feature of the award winning playground refurbishment.
This unusual three dimensional mosaic sits surrounded by a haiku in bronze mosaic lettering. The project commissioned by Cheshire West and Chester Council, aims to highlight the rich heritage of the park.
Award Winning Plaza at the regional RICS Awards
The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) awarded their top awards to the Plaza Super Cinema and Variety Theatre on the evening of Monday 16th May in a glittering event focusing on the achievements of regional heritage, restoration and building projects.The RICS was founded in 1868 and granted a royal charter by Queen Victoria in 1881 which required the institution "to maintain and promote the usefulness of the profession for the public advantage".
Modern Training with a History
We can trace our roots back over 100 years, but we were officially founded in 1919. Since the early days we have offered distance learning courses, initially through correspondence courses and most recently using our state-of-the-art virtual learning environment.
Since 1967 we have delivered our courses only through distance learning. We remain an entirely independent self-funded charity.
CEM milestones
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