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.
Traditional Windows
Why is repair better than replacement?
Traditional windows can often be simply and economically repaired, usually at a cost significantly less than replacement. For timber windows this is largely due to the high quality and durability of the timber that was used in the past (generally pre-1919) to make windows. Properly maintained, old timber windows can enjoy extremely long lives.
Back Issues
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.
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.
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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Hinowa platforms spearhead hirer's sustainability revolution
Pioneering sustainable access provider 4Hire has taken delivery of a second lithium electric Hinowa spider platform as it powers ahead with plans to create one of the UK's most eco-friendly plant and machinery fleets.
A lithium Hinowa Lightlift 15.70 Performance IIIS was the first machine on the order book two years ago as 4Hire pledged to make itself one of the most sustainable plant hire specialists in the UK.
New mixer adds to upgraded Zooming capacity
An upgrade to the sound reinforcement system at First Church Christ Scientist, London, has recently been completed by Redhill-based Scanaudio. The upgrade provides a fully-interactive Zoom meeting experience for those members unable to attend church.
The church took the opportunity to change the old audio mixer for a flexible QSC Core 110f processor to provide comprehensive control of the audio system, with echo cancellation for far-end Zoom participants and audio relayed over the local church loudspeakers.
Zoom into 2021 with ease – and MW mixers from KORG
Last year saw great changes in the way people communicate and interact. The speed at which the changes emerged is unprecedented and has transformed everyday life for many. Before April 2020, the meaning of the onomatopoeic word ‘Zoom’ meant nothing more than getting a move on; but since then, when anyone mentions ‘Zooming’ it’s most often associated with online video communication.
It’s “All Aboard!” for a project with a difference
In January last year Fullers Finer Furniture were approached in connection with a unique project. All Aboard is an exciting collaboration between Edinburgh charity People Know How and Polwarth Parish Church in the city, aimed at running a canal boat from Polwarth Pontoon. The project is designed to benefit the local community in a variety of ways. Polwarth Church is located adjacent to the Union Canal, which runs from Edinburgh to Falkirk.
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.
CRE owner Steve Goddard said: "The impressive roll out of the vaccination programme is making things look more hopeful for us all. However, we think it will be a while yet before large-scale indoor events will be sanctioned."
Sustainable energy source for Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
The installation of the new ground-source heat pump system at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings has begun this week.
This commitment to a low-carbon energy source by site owners Historic England marks an exciting innovation for the project.
Built in 1797, the Flaxmill Maltings had two centuries of use, first as a flax mill, then a maltings and also as a training centre and barracks during World War II. The ground-source heat pump is an important part of the effort to sustainably restore this historic site. It demonstrates that centuries-old buildings can also adapt to use sustainable energy sources and play their part in efforts to tackle climate change.
Important ironwork set for conservation programme
St Peter’s Church in Daylesford, Gloucestershire – close to Stow-on-the-Wold – is a Grade One-listed building and is now redundant, coming under the care of St Peter’s Daylesford Charitable Trust.
The present church building was designed by John Loughborough Pearson, a Gothic Revival architect, in 1859 and completed in 1863. Pearson had a long association with church architecture and was responsible for designing a large number of church buildings, including Truro Cathedral in 1880.
Latest installation ensures everyone can participate – whether in church or not
A recent commission saw Creative Audio-Visual Solutions (CAVS) install a new AV system into Holy Trinity Church at Frogmore in St Albans. The new installation not only ensures the highest quality audio-visual solution for the church, but also provides a flexible and expandable visual streaming and recording system, to ensure those not able to meet at the church can continue to participate actively in services.
CAVS are a dedicated church technology supplier working throughout the UK to provide the latest audio, visual, streaming and lighting requirements for the modern church. They are committed to ensuring churches can keep communicating with their congregation and the wider world, and a well-designed system will allow the church to be ever-present when fellowship and togetherness are perhaps more important than ever.
Where there’s a window there’s a way: scaffolders’ ingenuity gets the job done
Long-established Hertfordshire company Rodells has been providing steeplejacking, lightning protection and other specialist access services since 1898.
The company now encompasses a large scaffolding department, fully equipped to gain access to buildings of all sizes and functions, together with a specialist church and conservation department.
Award-winning project proves the value of mastic asphalt
Back in 2018 an impressive roof refurbishment project was completed at the Church of St Mary and All Saints in Fotheringhay, Peterborough – a magnificent 15th-century, Grade One-listed building.
The project was carried out during one of the coldest winters on record by contractors BCC Asphalt – who are members of the Mastic Asphalt Council (MAC) – and was completed in just 14 days. The project was named the winner of the Challenge Trophy Award in the MAC 2018 Awards, presented at the Royal Horseguards Hotel in London.
St Gwrst’s Church, Llanrwst, North Wales gets specialist audio system
Originally built in 1170, St Grwst’s, a Grade 1- listed building, is reported to be the only church dedicated to the Saint. After being partially destroyed during Owain Glyndwr’s uprising in the 1400s it was fully demolished during the War of the Roses in 1468. The building that stands today was constructed in 1470, with further alterations and additions made over the following centuries.
In 2018 St Grwst’s was awarded a National Lottery grant to upgrade the building and enable it to remain as a place of worship, while also serving a dual purpose as a heritage and tourist attraction, bringing visitors and the local community together.
Historic England lead by example and specify Stella Rooflight
Historic England (formerly known as English Heritage) has specified and installed a Stella bespoke conservation rooflight at their York Regional Office.
As part of a programme of works, which included several fire safety improvements throughout the building, Stella was approached by specialist heritage surveyors, Smith & Garratt to design a bespoke conservation rooflight. The design of which would need to provide suitable ventilation for the building’s communal stairwell.
Training centre of excellence for roofers opens in Salford
At the end of a challenging year for many of us, there is at last some great news for the roofing industry. A state-of-the-art training facility in the North West of England is opening its doors to the first of many trainees keen to further their knowledge and skills in the roofing sector.
Tree surgeon invests in new Hinowa spider platform - and gets free rainbow
It must be a candidate for access platform picture of the year - and 2021 has only just begun.
Tree surgeon Ian McClelland had been trimming fir trees from the basket of his Hinowa Lightlift 26.14 Performance IIIS spider platform when a rainbow appeared immediately behind him.
Fortunately, his customer could spot a picture opportunity when he saw it and took a series of snaps before the rainbow faded away.
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.
