Current Issue
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.
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.
CRE Events
CRE gets the message across – At Home
When Christian Resources Exhibitions (CRE) announced in June that this year’s CRE National at Sandown would not be taking place because of COVID-19 restrictions, they had already decided that it would not be the end of the matter. If people could not come to CRE, CRE would go to the people: CRE At Home 2020 was already being planned.
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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Stained Glass
A brief history of stained glass
The origins of the first stained glass windows are lost in history. The technique probably came from jewelry making, cloisonné and mosaics. Stained glass windows as we know them, seemed to arise when substantial church building began.
By the 10th century, depictions of Christ and biblical scenes were found in French and German churches and decorative designs found in England.
Back Issues
Church Lighting
Light up your place of worship
The design of a lighting scheme and the light fittings themselves can have a positive impact on the way your building looks as well as being functional.
War Memorials
War Memorials Trust works to protect and conserve war memorials in the UK. The charity provides free advice to anyone as well as running grant schemes to support repair and conservation projects. You can find a range of resources on the website http://www.warmemorials.org/ to help you engage with our unique war memorial heritage. The Trust is a charity so if you support our work please consider making a donation.
UK Roofing Awards
UK Roofing Awards 2020 finalists announced
The finalists for this year's The UK Roofing Awards 2020 have been announced. The NFRC will be reopening nominations later in the year for projects completed during 2020 and additional shortlisted projects will be added to create the full list of finalists for the combined 2020/21 awards event.
Live Streaming
Why live stream is now mainstream
The restrictions around the COVID-19 pandemic have led to many churches venturing into the online world in a much more comprehensive way than before. While most churches have had some kind of online presence and the Church of England has it’s a Church Near You site, the live streaming of services has become much more common. And modern AV equipment is perfectly suited to communicating via the internet.
Lead Contractors
Members offer 25 years peace of mind
The trade body that represents the leadworking industry – and guarantees quality in that industry – is the Lead Contractors’ Association (LCA). The LCA was formed in 1984 to promote quality standards in leadwork and now comprises over 70 specialist contractors committed, supported by 15 associate members who supply materials and ancillary services.
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Decorative Leadwork
Saving the artistry 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.
Heritage Roofing
Heritage Roofing Register - a helping hand for architects
A unique register of heritage roofing specialists is providing much needed help and assurance for architects and specifiers when working on heritage projects. The Register is the brainchild of the UK’s largest roofing trade association, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC).
Promotional Videos
Watch the latest videos from the church & heritage sector here
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.
Lead Training
Training at the Lead Sheet Training Academy
The Lead Sheet Training Academy is at the forefront of training for those using lead or hard metals in the construction industry.
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‘Capability’ Brown lead fountain dedicated
A fountain in Westminster Abbey’s cloister garth to commemorate the tercentenary of the great 18th century landscape gardener Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown was dedicated last year.
The fountain was made in lead by Brian Turner, who is a veteran exhibitor at the Chelsea Flower show and prominent committee member of the Lead Contractors Association.
Cast aluminium ornamental hoppers – in 'textured black' with next day delivery
Rainclear Systems, the UK’s leading stockist and online retailer of metal rainwater systems, has recently broadened the range of cast aluminium ornate hoppers it offers from stock for next day delivery in 'textured black' – the most frequently requested colour and finish.
They have seen a slow decline in demand for cast iron rainwater systems and an equivalent increase in demand for cast aluminium for restoration and refurb projects – being easier to install, less expensive and requiring very little ongoing maintenance.
Spotlight on church and heritage work in Bath
Founded by the Romans as a thermal spa, Bath became an important centre of the wool industry in the Middle Ages. In the 18th century, under George III, it developed into an elegant town with neoclassical Palladian buildings, which blend harmoniously with the Roman baths.
There is a World Heritage Site Management Plan (2010) for the site and a World Heritage Site coordinator is responsible for implementing the objectives and action plan.
Five new awards and £100,000 in six years
The Castles Studies Trust are excited to announce five grants totalling a record £27,000 that will advance our understanding of castles. These awards mean they have reached the landmark of giving away £100,000 in grants. It has taken six years to do that, during which time the Trust has doubled the maximum amount they can award to £10,000.
Druminnor, Aberdeenshire – Using GPR for an investigation of the 15th century core of the castle – presently under a hardcore car park. This was the original caput of the lords of Forbes. During the 15th century they were amongst the most powerful families in the North-east of Scotland.
Metal theft is threatening Britain's heritage - 37 thefts every month from churches alone
A survey of reported metal thefts from heritage sites across the UK indicates that the country is seeing an alarming rising trend in metal theft, leaving hundreds of historical buildings with repair bills they cannot meet.
On the eve of the first major conference on metal crime by the British Transport Police (BTP) and the National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC), the survey, conducted by VPS Security Services, found 100's of reports of church roofs being stripped of lead in the 12 months leading up to April this year, averaging 37 incidents a month.
Serial award winners have many talents
Ayrshire-based family run Glenbuild Roofing Contracts scooped the Roof of the Month award from the Confederation of Roofing Contractors in January of this year. This follows a similar award in June last year which on that occasion lead to the firm being entered into a further competition for Roof of the Year in which they came first runner up - pictured right.
Director John Stewart has over 40 years experience in the roofing trade and the company boasts a team of roofing specialists holding the LSTA qualifications as well as experienced plumbers, electricians, joiners, bricklayers, plasterers and roughcasters, enabling them to successfully carry out major contracts throughout Scotland and the UK.
The company has been honoured and privileged to work on various Historic Scotland sites and The Great Steward of Scotland's Dumfries House Trust projects such as Kelburn Castle in Largs and New Cumnock Town Hall.
CAVS install new AV system 'seamlessly' at St James Church, Trowbridge
Creative Audio-Visual Solutions (CAVS) are a dedicated church audio and visual supplier working throughout the UK.
The Hertfordshire-based company were recently commissioned to install a new audio and visual system into the Parish Church of St James in Trowbridge. The brief was to ensure that that all new equipment fitted seamlessly into the environment whilst providing the latest technologies for full range worship and advanced multimedia display.
Grade II Listed Georgian Cottage by Broadstairs Roofing
This cottage was badly blighted with a modern concrete tile and a dormer cladded in white UPVC, giving the cottage a dated and depressing appearance. Broadstairs Roofing removed the concrete tiles and replaced them with Kent peg tiles. The dormer was leaded, the clients were delighted with the new look of their roof.
Pineapple fountain with copper Leaves by Turners Ornamental Leadwork
An original lead and copper design by Brian Turner inspired by the texture of the pineapple.
This design is ideal for use as a fountain centrepiece, as the surface texture has been specially crafted to work against the water to create a beautiful sound.
Ripley Castle revisited – testing the performance of a Trace-in-Metal installation four and a half years on
Ripley Castle, the Grade I listed 14th century house near Harrogate in North Yorkshire, has been the hotspot for historically significant events and to this was added the first installation of the Trace-in-Metal marking system in April 2014.
The current owner and custodian of the Castle, Sir Thomas Ingilby, Bt, contacted Trace-in-Metal with the intention to have the metal marking system installed to protect lead on his buildings. Sir Thomas, who runs the Stately Home Hotline monitoring burglaries at 2,000 historic buildings (Historic Houses Association), was keen to try this innovative technique to reduce the constant concern over lead theft owners of historic building have.
Votive Candelabra at Weybourne Church, North Norfolk
The candelabra stand at Weybourne Church is located in the north aisle, originally the Saxon nave, which is one of the oldest parts of the priory church still in use. The votive stand was commissioned in 2013 by Maggie Broad, in memory of her husband Peter and with the approval of the Parochial Church Council and the Chancellor of the Diocese.
Brian Turner of Turners Ornamental Leadwork was approached by Tuecer Wilson, who was the designer, and is one of the country's leading stone carvers. Brian takes up the story: "My brief was to make a steel globe, two meters in diameter, incorporating the art of Peter Broad, a successful professional architect and a keen artist, using one of Peter's paintings of water lilies to incorporate it into the globe.
"This globe was a challenge as I wanted to make it with the minimum of welding. I started with rolled flat steel and round bar shaped to the diameter required. Then the central column with the help of Ian Ridgeways, the local blacksmiths, helping to make the scrolls in his forge on the central steel column.
"The next job was to make all the copper candle holders and the other copper parts I planned to make, banishing them to shape in a previously made wooden block taken from a nearby woodpile.
"Then from some aged 1/8” (3mm) thick copper plate I made some other copper components, then gradually prepared the other part and drilled out the rolled flat bar ready to fit the rolled round bar. These were then fitted with copper pipe in each section then fitted to a copper ring one top and one at the bottom, slowly building the globe, threading the rolled round bar through the flat bar, this was a challenging fun part trying to keep everything together. Once all the round bar was fitted and all equally spaced the round bar was welded together.
"Now I had to make the brackets to support the copper candle holders to make by heating and swaging the steel to the shape and thickness needed at the ends of the brackets which would allow drilling and tapping. Once they were all made, I made the copper cap to go on to the top and rivet to the rolled flat bar.
"This done the globe was lifted onto the column, then a 3mm thick copper thick dish was made and fitted at the base of the globe. The globe was now secured to the column. Now to do a test run with the copper Lillie leaves, looked good so carried on and fitted the remainder - happy with them.
"Now they had to all come off and be patinated and sealed. Next stage was to complete cancel holders that had a few stages to go through where they were silver soldered together. Strengthening washers were cut out and silver soldered to the underside of the small copper dishes, this was to allow the swaged arms to be fitted to the copper. Copper lids were made so you could just see the flame.
"Now all the arms had to be made at various lengths with both ends drilled and taped with small threads fitted into to allow the bowls to be fixed to the arms and to the column with some bespoke fixings. Under the top I put a surprise for the client - a small copper cross gold leafed so only the client knew it was there, you had to look for it to find it.
"Eventually all the copper candle holders are fitted - have to excuse the light as pictures were taken in the dark bleak mid winter with snow outside and freezing cold inside.
"Now to fit all the lilies and a candle holder on top to take a large candle. My part is all done and now it just needs the stone base and wood base fitted."
To find out more about Brian and his hard and soft metal skills visit www.turners-lead-collection.co.uk
Saving the artistry 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.
Award winning design using lime
Lancashire-based James Stone Masonry were contracted to fix the precast units to Gabbie House - a prestigious development in Hale Barn Cheshire. The balcony units were fixed to a steel frame using s/s brackets and dowels.
The company installed Jura Limestone panels on the project. The stone panels were supported on corbel plates and restrained back to the block work with brackets and dowels. The finish on the stone panels was a sand blasted finish, the cills were highly polished.
Home restoration with successful handicapped bathroom refurbishment
Unlike normal remodelling, when you start planning a bathroom refurbishment for the use of a handicapped individual, you need to start thinking a little bit differently. What needs to be taken into account is that the whole world changes when you live it through a wheelchair and bathroom access can often be especially frustrating when you have to deal with smaller entry doors, tiny interiors and sometimes times features that can be downright unwelcoming.
Mike Woodford of Oxford-based Inspire Building Specialists Ltd explains: "One of the first things that should be taken into account when conducting your bathroom refurbishment is how to make it more accessible for the user so the first thing to consider is naturally the entrance door.
Conservation work reveals original wording on Framilode plaque
St Peter’s Church in Framilode was built by public subscription and by a Church Commissioners’ grant in 1854. It was one of many Commissioners churches built with money voted by Parliament as a result of the Church Building Act of 1814 and related further Acts.
The money was either used to pay for the cost of a church in full or as a grant to cover part of the cost. St Peter’s Church was awarded a grant of £200 and this was recorded on a cast iron plaque originally erected in the porch of the church. The main condition attached to these grants was a requirement for a number of seats to be reserved for the use of poor parishioners.
Leadworker of the Year 2019 - winner announced
Shane White of SW Leadworks has been crowned Leadworker of the Year 2019. The competition, now in its eighth year, is sponsored by the Lead Sheet Training Academy, which specialises in training those using lead or hard metals in the construction industry. It was open to both self-employed leadworkers and those working for contractors.
Competitors were required to send in a portfolio showcasing their work before seven talented finalists were invited to attend a two-day practical assessment at the LSTA’s Training Centre in East Peckham, Kent. The competitors were required to complete a series of tasks over identical model roof sections, all under the watchful eye of a panel of expert judges.
Training at the Lead Sheet Training Academy
The Lead Sheet Training Academy is at the forefront of training for those using lead or hard metals in the construction industry. To deliver this training the LSTA operates from a state of the art, purpose-built training facility in East Peckham, Kent which is open six-days a week for most of the year.
