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 postpones Sandown show – but you can still take part at home
Despite the gradual easing of lockdown, it is still unlikely that large-scale indoor events will be permitted in the autumn. CRE National at Sandown Park, Esher, has therefore been postponed for 12 months – until 12-14 October 2021.
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
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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Dreadnought Tiles wins major roofing industry award
Dreadnought Roof Tiles, one of the UK’s oldest and well-established manufacturers of traditional clay roof tiles, has won the heritage category in the first ever ‘Pitched Roofing Awards’.
Organised by RCI magazine, these national awards showcase excellence in the roofing sector, highlighting successful partnerships between manufacturers and contractors and recognising commitment to quality.
Lightning strike causes structural damage to lighthouse
Over one weekend in August last year it was reported that a staggering 90,000 lightning strikes hit the UK. The Old Hunstanton Lighthouse in Norfolk was a victim of one those strikes and the photograph shows the severity of structural damage that can occur as a result of direct lightning strike.
The structural damage caused to the lighthouse, and the subsequent risk the falling brickwork and masonry posed to the residents and members of the public, emphasises the importance of having an up to date and certified lightning protection system fitted to your building to prevent costly structural damage, or worse, loss of human life.
Historic restoration of 19th century organ
Recent work carried out by the Ipswich branch of Bishop & Son Organ Builders has included a historic restoration of the 1876 Bishop organ in the Church of the Holy Angels, Hoar Cross, Staffordshire.
The organ was returned to as near as possible the original specification dispensing with later additions and alterations by the firm of Conacher Sheffield in 1934. The organ contains pipes from the Samuel Green organ made for Bangor Cathedral in 1799.
Tudor Roof Tiles scoops a win in the Pitched Roofing Awards
Tudor Roof Tiles Co Ltd, Britain's foremost independent handmade clay roof tile manufacturer, has scooped a win in the first ever national Pitched Roofing Awards.
King’s College Music School, Wimbledon, was proclaimed outright winner in the best ‘Commercial Property Application using Roof Tiles’ category using Tudor Roof Tiles working with Avonside Roofing Group.
SLPTG announces winners of Apprentice Awards 2019
The Steeplejack and Lightning Protection Training Group (SLPTG) recently celebrated National Apprenticeship Week (4 - 8 March 2019) by hosting its annual Apprentice Awards ceremony.
Members of SLPTG gathered on 7 March 2019 at the Park Plaza Nottingham to celebrate the success and outstanding achievements of apprentices within both the steeplejack and lightning protection industries. SLPTG are proud to announce the winners of the Apprentice Awards 2019.
In-spiring roofing for Sheffield church
What it lacks in height, the spire at St Augustine’s Church in the Endcliffe area of Sheffield certainly makes up for in distinction.
Clad in an unusual red tile, the octagonal 35 metre spire – or spirelette as it is officially called – makes a curious landmark on the city skyline, drawing the eye to what lies beneath and announcing its presence among the plethora of grey roofs and chimney pots nearby.
Apprentices restore historic clock for the new Museum of Making
Apprentices at Smith of Derby have been busy restoring Derby’s historic Harrison clock for installation in the new Museum of Making when it re-opens to the public in 2020.
First installed at Derby Guildhall in 1842, the Harrison turret clock dates back to the same period. Its movement was designed by clockmaker, James Harrison of Hull (1792-1875), the great-grand nephew of John (Longitude) Harrison (1693-1776) who famously invented the marine chronometer to calculate longitude at sea.
Charterhouse Memorial Chapel gets major upgrade to sound system
Scanaudio have carried out a major upgrade to the sound reinforcement and induction systems in the Memorial Chapel at Charterhouse during the Easter Holiday. The chapel was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott and consecrated in June 1927. It is the largest war memorial in England and dedicated to the Carthusians who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars.
New bells for Cheshire church
An order has been placed by the PCC of St Wilfrid's Parish Church in Grappenhall, Cheshire for their ring of eight bells (tenor 11 cwts) to be removed from the tower, together with its bell frame and all fittings. A new ring of ten bells, with a similar weight tenor bell, will be cast, tuned and hung in a newly constructed bell frame with all new fittings by Loughborough-based James Taylor & Co - some of the existing Taylor 'H' side frames will be re-used.
Four of their existing bells (3, 4, 6 & 7) were cast by Henry II Bagley in 1700 and are listed for preservation. These bells will be conserved, and rehung for chiming above the new ring of ten.
Metal theft is costing the UK £770m a year
An estimated 18.7% of all listed buildings were physically affected by crime in 2017 - that is over 70,000 listed buildings. The biggest single threat is metal theft and the most threatened type of building is a church. Around 3 in 8 churches or other religious buildings were damaged by crime last year. Panthera Security is the UK’s first ever NACOSS Gold Accredited installer of NCP115 Compliant scaffold alarms and they are specialists in the installation of alarm and CCTV systems to listed and religious buildings whilst repair works are being carried out.
Part of Panthera Group, the company has been a leader and innovator of the scaffold alarm industry since 2003, when managing director Neal James recognised that there was a need for regulations and standards within this niche sector of the security market. In 2012 Panthera collaborated with the National Security Inspectorate (NSI) to develop the industry’s first ever code of practice.
The beauty of glass - work by Ann Sotheran FMGP
Having designed and made stained glass for many different situations including private houses, churches, public houses, exhibitions and galleries, Ann Sotheran derives the most pleasure from working in close consultation with the client or donor in the initial stages of the design.
She explains:
I like to explore, with them, their reasons for commissioning a piece of work in order that I can develop images which will most closely reflect their feelings and aspirations and evoke a positive response to the finished piece.
Collaboration brings stunning results
Nestling in the heart of the historic Norfolk market town of Swaffham, the beautiful Grade Two-listed Methodist Church has recently been renovated to offer state-of-the-art resources to people of all ages and interests in a bright and welcoming building.
The transformation has been accomplished in no small part through the collaboration of two specialist church suppliers – Cunnings Recording Associates and Fullers Finer Furniture – in conjunction with the building contractor H Smith and Sons of Honingham.
Walk into Swaffham Methodist Church today and you enter a contemporary and flexible space, exquisitely modernised to blend the best of old and new, through bespoke furniture and restoration work provided by Fullers and a quality audio-visual system installed by Cunnings.
Lighting specialist looks forward to a welcome return
One of the companies that had reason to be glad they exhibited at the last CRE in Manchester five years ago is Anthony J Smith (Glos) Ltd. They have a long history of designing and installing bespoke lighting systems within churches and since that last show they have been fortunate to have been involved in a number of church projects in the North West – including at Standish, Ecclestone, Preston and Oldham. They also have a small number of other projects in the region at the planning stage.
That being the case, the company felt that, when CRE decided to return to the North West in March, they should do the same, and they are looking forward to discussing potential new projects with visitors to the show who may be looking either for lighting improvements or for a full design, rewire and installation service.
Church heating specialist spans the Midlands
The Parish Church of St John the Baptist in the village of Somersham, near Huntingdon, stands on a site which is thought to have been used for Christian worship since the second half of the 7th century.
The current building itself dates from the latter part of the 13th century and was probably built by one of the bishops who lived in the Bishops Palace, which was sited only a few hundred yards from where the church now stands but has sadly disappeared.
The benefits of 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.
Walthamstow Wetlands wins Best Refurbishment in the 2018 Brick Awards
Walthamstow Wetlands is a series of 10 reservoirs, located in the Lea Valley Special Protection Area, providing drinking water to 3.5 million Londoners. The 211-hectare site is an area of Special Scientific Interest, which has been transformed into one of Europe’s largest urban Wetland nature reserves.
A collaboration between Thames Water, the London Borough of Waltham Forest and London Wildlife Trust, the aim was to conserve the heritage and identity of the site, whilst allowing free public access to this unique landscape of water, woods and marshland.
New audio system for St Nicholas’ Church, Burton in Wirral
St Nicholas’ Church, Burton in Wirral, is located in the village of Burton, Ellesmere Port and Neston, Cheshire. It is designated by English Heritage as a Grade II* listed building and is an active Anglican parish church in the diocese of Chester, the archdeaconry of Chester and the deanery of Wirral South.
Inside the church is a hatchment bearing the arms of the Congreve family along with other memorials to the family. The memorial to Richard Congreve who died in 1820 is by S. Gibson and includes a weeping putto. The parish registers start in 1538.
