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CRE Events
Thousands set to descend on Sandown
The next incarnation of Christian Resources Exhibition will be CRE National 2022 – taking place at Sandown Park in Esher, Surrey, on 11-13 October.
Sandown Park is a great venue for Europe’s leading annual exhibition of Christian resources. Just 15 miles from central London, the venue is easily accessible by rail (25 minutes from London Waterloo to Esher) and road (M25 and A3). Parking is free for exhibitors and visitors.
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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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
Natural Stone
Identifying and sourcing stone for repair
England is fortunate to have such a wide variety of historic and older stone buildings. However, there has been a marked decline in the range of natural stones that are being actively quarried.
Pest Control
Call in professionals if nesting birds pose a problem
Birds can cause a range of issues during nesting season, but interfering with wild birds, their eggs or nests could lead to prosecution, a national trade body has warned.
Energy Efficiency
Energy Efficiency and Historic Buildings
Historic England supports the Government’s aims to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings through Part L of the Building Regulations. Many improvements can be carried out, often at a relatively low cost, significantly enhancing the comfort of the building for its users, as well as providing savings on fuel bills and helping to meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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Scanaudio provide induction loop at Temple Farm
Temple Farm is a new 84-acre UK headquarters for the International Bible Students Association (IBSA) located near Chelmsford, Essex. The site has up to 1,000 volunteer workers per day alongside a small number of outside sub-contractors and is professionally managed and run by the organisation.
To provide equal access to sound for people with hearing loss and fulfil the requirements of IEC 60118-4 in a multipurpose auditorium, the Jehovah’s Witnesses organisation approached assistive listening system manufacturer Ampetronic to help.
Don’t neglect your heating system
With news of the lifting of COVID restrictions in England and Scotland at least, churches are looking forward to returning to some kind of normality. It is still winter, however, and the church heating system will be shouldering its normal load – possibly after being on a frost-free setting for some time. It’s time for some maintenance.
In some cases maintenance is a legal obligation, such as in the case of oil tanks. The regulations governing the storage of oil are the control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations for England, Scotland and Wales respectively.
Michelmersh products are now on NBS Source
Michelmersh products are now on NBS Source, offering detailed information and BIM files to architects.
Michelmersh is happy to announce its collaboration with NBS Source. This venture allows architects to browse Michelmersh products, BIM files and product specs on the NBS site. The RIBA CPD-approved site offers global leading technology, combining content and connectivity for the design, supply, and construction industry.
If you’re renovating a heritage building, having the right insurance is a must
Leigh Ide, business development executive at Trinitas Church Insurance Services, shares some useful guidance on insurance and contract works for heritage buildings.
Providing advice and guidance on the insurance aspects of building works to existing Trinitas clients is a regular part of my role. Those works can be very wide ranging. Most of the buildings we insure are listed as they are Church of England parish churches, and there is often an extra dimension to the advice and guidance required.
Ensuring rights of access to heritage sites
In 2010 the Equality Act came into force requiring all buildings to have disabled access. The access requirements go further than just the obvious as they also cover people who are visiting and/or working in the building. Heritage sites must ensure equal access for every user or visitor into all parts, including the historical part of the building. Richard Williams, divisional director of the Assent Group and Oculus Building Consultancy, explains.
Part M of the Building Regulations provides designers with guidance on access to and use of buildings but there are so many intricacies involved with historical sites that to meet every requirement can often be challenging or difficult. This may be due to the building’s layout or the strict planning controls that affect any alterations or works to these types of building.
Co-operation and collaboration – working for the future
The amalgamation of two churches in Harwood, near Bolton, paved the way for a major redevelopment project, involving demolition of the church hall and former manse to make way for the new building. Opened in July, the facilities at the new Harwood Methodist Church comprise a worship area, activity hall, meeting rooms, kitchen and café. All-in-all, it is a busy social hub with a variety of activities catering for all age groups.
During the redevelopment the church engaged Fullers Finer Furniture to design and build furniture for their beautiful new state-of-the-art building. Fullers Finer Furniture are a multi award-winning bespoke furniture manufacturer, with over 30 years’ experience in crafting furniture for places of worship. Equally happy in a new building, an ancient building or anything in between, they were delighted to work with the church on the project.
Repairs secure St Mary's Church, Aylesbury for the next century
Two contracts at St Mary’s, Aylesbury, were undertaken together as a single project. The works included stonework repairs, repointing, leadwork repairs, window restoration and introduction of isothermal glazing, furniture and flooring repairs as well as renewal of the boiler flue and various other sundry works. The architect for the project was Daniel Benson of Ablett Architects.
The works were coordinated with great care, using experienced craftsmen and specialist firms to undertake the technically challenging and highly artisan-based works. They demonstrate the care and commitment brought to this project which has secured the building into the next century.
The Grade 1 listed church of St Mary’s, Aylesbury, is a nationally important church. The ancient edifice has Saxon origins and has undergone many visible periods of growth, alterations and restoration resulting in the characterful and imposing church we see today. This large church dominates the town centre of Aylesbury and is situated in a walled churchyard ringed by historic buildings which, in effect, creates a setting akin to a Cathedral close.
UK's first 10m LGMG diesel scissor lifts go underground
Rental specialist PG Platforms has taken delivery of the first LGMG SR818D diesel scissor lifts to be sold in the UK and has sent them straight out on a highway tunnel maintenance project.
Company Managing Director Steve Cutting said he was impressed with the build quality, easy operation and specification of the Chinese-made self-propelled scissor lifts, which made them ideal for working at height in tunnels.
Belton visitors help Martin-Brooks repair boathouse
Heritage roofing specialists, Martin-Brooks, have played an integral role in the preservation of a key architectural feature in the grounds of Lincolnshire’s grade I listed Belton House.
The Sheffield-based firm has reroofed the Grantham estate’s boathouse, one of only two surviving structures of its type in the UK, helping return it to its former glory.
Historic metalwork specialists repair the Maclagan Crozier
When the Crozier head on Lichfield Cathedral's Maclagan Crozier had broken away from the central stem, as a result of the screw thread being overtightened, the cathedral's treasurer appointed Shropshire-based Historic Metalwork Conservation Company (HMCC Ltd) to carry out the repair.
The company provide conservation advice to all those charged with the care, management and preservation of historic metalwork in all its various forms, but with a particular emphasis on historic ironwork.
Mastic asphalt used to restore historic Glasgow landmark to its former glory
Camphill Gate is a five-storey tenement building, designed in an art nouveau style and located on the edge of Queens Park, in the Southside of Glasgow. The category B listed building houses 24 residential apartments and is home to 12 businesses.
Built in 1906 by the prolific architect John Nisbet and builder John McTaggart, Camphill Gate has a unique communal roof garden. It featured in a special edition of the Builder’s Journal in 1906 entitled ‘New Buildings in Glasgow’, in which it was asserted that the building was ‘the first of its kind to be erected in Glasgow’.
Why use hard metal roofing in traditional church and heritage buildings?
The problem of lead theft can be a huge source of distress and damage but there are alternatives. Over the long-term, metal roofing is the most cost effective - a typical metal roof can last over 100 years whereas other roofing materials need to be replaced, sometimes more than once, during that time.
Minimum maintenance
A properly installed copper, stainless steel or zinc roof is a once-and-once-only job, with little or no maintenance required. Copper and zinc gradually develop a durable patina, which reforms if damaged, while stainless steel is inherently resistant to corrosion. No chemicals are needed – the roof is resistant to decay and naturally fire proof.
Michelmersh releases 2021 Sustainability Report - Shaping Genuine Sustainability
The Michelmersh Group is proud to release its 2021 Sustainability Report. The Report offers an insightful and detailed account of Michelmersh’s established sustainable practices and its plans for achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Michelmersh is determined to continue being the sustainable face of clay brick manufacturing and with the support of its Chief Executives, its dedicated Sustainability Group and Net Zero Steering Group, it has already undertaken numerous projects to minimise its environmental impact and increase its already efficient production methods with state-of-the-art technology, reporting systems and quality standards.
ISCVE publish and launch new Guide for Training Microphone Users
The Institute of Sound, Communications and Visual Engineers (ISCVE) is delighted to announce the launch of its new publication, ‘A Guide for Training Microphone Users of Sound Systems and other Communication Systems’.
The new guide is designed to help users learn how to best use their microphone to promote clear communication, which is especially important when used for emergency situations. Important messages, such as safety announcements, evacuation messages or even train departure announcements are often difficult to understand in public spaces. Representing best practice covering topics, such as choosing the right microphone, adjusting microphone settings and effective speaking techniques, the new guide is perfect for first-time microphone users or experienced users looking to improve their skills.
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.
NCTS announce return of popular 5-day leadwork course at TRAIN4ALL Taunton
National Construction Training Services (NCTS) have announced the return of their popular 5-day leadwork course 'Essential Lead Welding and Bossing' which will be held at TRAIN4ALL Taunton on 28 March 2022.
Grade II listed miners' institute gets state-of-the-art AV facilities
Llay Miners' Welfare Institute, a grade II listed building, in Wrexham North Wales, has been at the centre of recreation for the local area for over eighty years since the official opening in the summer of 1931. Originally miners covered the running costs of the institute by contributing a penny a week from their own wages.
Eighty years later in 2011, following major structural works, the opportunity to refurbish and improve the facilities of the first-floor function room was realised.
