Current Issue
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 South West at Westpoint, Exeter now rescheduled for February 23-24 2022
With a ban on large public gatherings in place for the foreseeable future, Christian Resources Exhibition have postponed CRE South West until early next year - the new dates are February 23-24 2022.
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
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.
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.
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.
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Lightning protection for historic properties
Lightning protection for historical buildings is particularly important in order to protect and preserve the heritage of the building. However, as Adrian Brown of Nottingham-based Lightning Strike Ltd explains, historic buildings weren’t constructed with lightning protection as a consideration, so it’s important that the appearance of the system doesn’t appear out of character and intrusive.
What makes better outdoor seating than…an oast cowl?
Did you know that oast cowl specialists Dude and Arnette also do bespoke features? That’s right; every so often they get requests from clients to build something unique for them and it’s always great fun for the team. It not only allows them to put their tried-and-tested skills to good use, but also to flex their creative muscles to bring ideas to life.
D-Tech supply Eltek wireless telemetry and remote monitoring to RAF Museum
On April 1st 2018 the RAF celebrated its 100th birthday. To mark the occasion a wide range of events were organised across the country. Additionally, the RAF museum in London and Cosford created four new exhibits which reflect the changing roles and capability of the RAF.
Curo Construction enters final phase of refurbishment work at the British Museum
Curo Construction, a privately-owned construction company predominately operating in Central London, has been selected as Principal Contractor to embark on essential refurbishments of the South Colonnade at the British Museum, a Grade I Listed estate. Essential refurbishment and building conservation works are being undertaken, which include the replacement of the copper roof finish to the South Colonnade.
An introduction to the Mastic Asphalt Council (MAC)
The Mastic Asphalt Council (MAC) is the trade association for the UK mastic asphalt industry. MAC represents more than 90 companies - including mastic asphalt manufacturers, the contractors responsible for its installation, and associated suppliers of equipment and services.
Top quality products, design and workmanship are fundamental to the Mastic Asphalt Council. MAC membership is only open to those manufacturers and contractors that can satisfy the stringent quality requirements. These strict membership requirements enable MAC to justifiably claim that it represents the UK’s top 70 mastic asphalt contractors, as well as leading manufacturers.
Derby’s best-known family business clocks up triple awards success
There was A triple celebration at the Family Business of the Year Awards for Smith of Derby Ltd, who scooped no fewer than three awards – including the top award.
The awards are a celebration of British family-owned businesses across the UK, recognising the contribution they make to the economy, as well as the thousands of jobs they support. This year a virtual awards ceremony was held live across the internet.
Ruling in favour of GRP rainwater goods on 600 year old church
The theft of lead roofing materials from churches, community halls and the like has become an increasing problem within the ecclesiastical fraternity, amounting to money being wasted in continual replacement of goods.
One church which experienced such theft after having installed replacement lead, under the guidance of the Diocesan Advisory Commission (DAC), was Knowle Parish Church situated in the village of Knowle, Solihull. It was after the latest theft that the church decided to fight back and press for the acceptance of a system that had the look of lead so to be in keeping with the heritage of the church but ultimately wasn’t and so of no interest to thieves.
First choice for restoration of Historic England's York HQ
CG Building and Restoration Ltd is a trusted and highly skilled building contractor with a strong track record in the delivery of residential, commercial and restoration projects.
Founded by Vernon Carter in 2013, they have grown to become a leading building contractor with a professional and experienced team equipped with the perfect combination of skills. With offices based both in York and Ryedale, they are able to provide services throughout Yorkshire. CG were recently the first choice to restore Historic England's Headquarters in York.
‘You gotta move..!’ New dates for CRE South West are 23-24 June 2021
The Bible brims over with people told to move. Abraham was sent out, not knowing where he was going. Moses led an entire nation on that long and winding road out of Egypt. Jonah, via a rather large fish, reluctantly returned to Nineveh. Not forgetting the apostles of the New Testament. Or, as Revd Gary Davis sang in his classic \African-American spiritual: ‘When God get ready… you gotta move.’
Churches extend a warm welcome to their communities
As more and more churches undertake projects to extend their facilities to the wider communities and to parishioners with disabilities, so the need to upgrade and extend their heating systems becomes apparent.
One such church is St Margaret’s in Wrenbury, Cheshire. The church, a Grade Two*-listed 15th century sandstone building with unique box pews, is benefitting from an extension to allow it to better serve the local community.
Ark Stained Glass complete Titanic memorial window and Queens Jubilee Tower
In April last year, members of the British Titanic Society and visitors to their 30th annual convention were the first to view the design for a memorial window, to be installed in St Mary’s Church in Southampton.
Designed by stained glass artist Louise Hemmings of Hereford-based Ark Stained Glass Ltd, the design was originally part of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers’ Stevens Competition for 2016. The brief was to design a window for St Mary’s to commemorate the crew of The Titanic, most of who came from Southampton.
The church was the venue for a memorial service for those who died in the disaster, held shortly after the sinking. Louise Hemmings’s design was chosen by the church for the window. The installation has been funded by a special fundraising campaign led by John Creamer of the British Titanic Society.
Niche clerical shirt company for sale - the way to independence
Due to retirement, Alan Buckwell is looking to sell his online clerical shirt and collar business and describes the opportunity available to potential buyers.
B&H Shirts and Collars was established in 1999 and has gained over the years a very good reputation, it is a niche business selling clergy shirts and collars globally. B&H Shirts and Collars is expandable. It sells on it’s own online platform, on Amazon and eBay. It is an online company that would start earning money from day one.
Giving old books a new lease of life
York Bookbinding owner Philip Winskill has been binding books from the day he started his apprenticeship 44 years ago.
He started at York University on 2nd September 1975 and bound, mostly periodicals, for the next 25 years. In January 2000 he was made redundant from the university but had already had his own bindery built by the side of his house in York.
ISCVE announces revised dates for ISCVEx 2021
Having considered the impact of Covid-19 on businesses in the UK and particularly exhibitions and events, the Institute of Sound, Communications and Visual Engineers has announced it is to reschedule dates for its annual seminar and exhibition event ISCVEx in 2021, now scheduled to take place on 28-29th September 2021 rather than 9-10th March 2021.
Memorial gun restored as tribute to VC’s valour
In the centre of Chepstow in Monmouthshire, sited next to the town’s War Memorial, is a second memorial that commemorates the bravery of local seaman William Charles Williams at the Battle of Gallipoli during World War One. The memorial is a captured gun from the German U-boat UB91 and was donated to the town by King George V in Williams’s memory.
William Charles Williams VC was born in September 1880 in Shropshire and raised in Chepstow. He became an Able Seaman in 1901 and was commended for bravery during the Second Boer War whilst serving on board HMS Terrible off the coast of South Africa, and later during the Boxer Uprising in China.
Residential conversion is a Roofing Award contender
One of the shortlisted projects in the Lead Roofing category of the 2020 Roofing Awards was a listed residential property at 53 Barton Mill Road in the historic centre of Canterbury.
The Barton Mill complex was the only surviving medieval mill in the city of Canterbury, but it was damaged by fire early this century. 53 Barton Mill Road is a mid-terrace property: timber framed with later 18th-century red brick and stone elevations under a Kent peg tile roof. The building was used as offices for the mill complex and converted to a dwelling in 2005.
Desert memorial merits its place on shortlist
It is unusual for the shortlist of the Roofing Awards to contain an overseas project, but the inclusion of the El Alamein War Cemetery in the Reinforced Bitumen Membranes category of the 2020 Awards was an honourable exception. The reroofing project was carried out by The Complete Roofing Company (TCRC) and will be carried over to the combined 2020/21 awards with the other shortlisted entries.
The El Alamein War Cemetery is the largest Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) cemetery in Egypt. Unveiled in 1954 by Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery, the cemetery contains more than 7,200 Commonwealth burials from World War Two, of which more than 800 are unidentified.
