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
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.
SEARCH OUR DIRECTORY
Are you safe working at height compliant?
The working at height regulations cover all occupations and places of work, placing duties on the employers, employees, self-employed and persons who control the work of others.They apply to every work place and all occupations, including volunteers who offer their services at ecclesiastical and heritage sites, stately homes, castles and even zoo’s.
The regulations clearly state that works must be planned, organised and carried out by a competent person.
A Dickens of a job for York Handmade
The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company has played a significant role in a £1 million restoration project with a strong connection to Charles Dickens.
York Handmade have been working in conjunction with York Conservation Trust to renovate 69-71 Micklegate in the city.
The building was once the office of 19th century railway engineer John Birkinshaw, whose clerk Richard Chicken was a famous eccentric regarded by many, including respected York historian Hugh Murray, as the inspiration for Mr Micawber.
Traditional Joining and Repair Techniques
Heritage Ironwork CPD Webinar
Wednesday 9th June 2021
12:00-1:30pm
What is this event about?
This webinar will help you identify and understand the various types of joining techniques found in historic ironwork, including:
- Different types of fire-weld
- Rivets: cold-set, hot-set and pneumatic
- Mortises, tenons and sockets
- Halving joints
- Collars: wrapped, screwed and fire-welded
- Nuts & bolts with a focus on threads
- Square-headed fixings from the period 1850s-1920s
- Appropriate use of replica fixings
By the end of the session, you should be able to appreciate what is involved in construction and how best to approach repair. The presentation will include case studies and short video clips demonstrating key techniques.
Who is it for?
The webinar is aimed mainly at general conservation professionals, for whom ironwork falls within their remit but is not a specialism. It will also be suitable for blacksmith students and metalworkers unfamiliar with historic material or keen to learn more.
Who is leading it?
Blacksmith Rowan Taylor completed the NHIG Bursary scheme in 2013 and has since established a strong reputation in conservation and restoration work, specialising in bridges and canal-side ironwork.
Ticket Prices: £10-25
Click here for more information about the day and to book tickets
Site Dismantling and Fixing
Heritage Ironwork CPD Webinar
Wednesday 12th May 2021
12:00-1:30pm
What is this event about?
Removing and reinstating ironwork will always have an impact, but how can we minimise that impact, act responsibly and safely, and avoid further complications? This webinar will look at the issues involved in dismantling ironwork on site and fixing it back in again, giving an overview of potential approaches, tackling typical problems and offering some solutions, including:
- Methods of removing iron from stonework
- Options for fixing ironwork into stone
- Safe practice working with lead
- Using heat on site
Who is it for?
This day is aimed at anyone wanting to get a better understanding of the ironwork in their care: owner/custodian, specifier or practitioner.
Who is leading it?
David James is a highly skilled blacksmith with extensive experience of conservation work at many of the country’s most important heritage sites.
Ticket Prices: £10-25
Click here for more information about the day and to book.
Grade 2 Listed accommodation - Coventry
Rafferty Lightning Protection have been appointed to deliver a brand new BSEN 62305 Lightning protection system to a Grade II Listed former Hospital complex which is being converted into Student accommodation.
The site, which has stood empty for more than a decade now has permission to be built on. The hospital first closed 11 years ago and has been left empty ever since. All other post-war buildings on the site have since been demolished and the area has been used as a car park. However, the former nurses’ home and outpatients clinic remain due to being listed.
Construction Workers Family Crisis Appeal
We hope you are all keeping safe and well during these difficult and testing times. As a result of the pandemic our event schedule for the year both nationally and regionally has been virtually wiped out and this will have a huge impact on our income and our ability to fund our charitable work.
All this comes at a time when our Construction Industry Helpline is receiving an unprecedented volume of calls from construction workers and their families seeking our help.
Martin-Brooks begins landmark castle project
Sheffield roofing specialists, Martin-Brooks, are playing a pivotal role in one of the UK’s most significant heritage regeneration projects of recent years.
The firm has secured a contract to undertake the largescale refurbishment of Nottingham Castle’s roof, as part of a £30 million scheme to regenerate the entire site.
York Handmade's "excellent year" helps to tackle the challenges of Coronavirus
The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company has enjoyed the most successful 12 months in its 30-year history.
Based at Alne, near Easingwold, York Handmade is the leading independent brickmaker in the north of England.
Chairman David Armitage, commented: “The last 12 months have proved to be excellent for us, despite all the political uncertainty surrounding Brexit. We have flourished, with some prestigious commissions in London, Cambridge and, of course, Yorkshire.
Building dehydration system at Legerwood Kirk, Berwickshire
Legerwood Kirk is an ancient and historic Church of Scotland church in the former county of Berwickshire, Scotland, dating back to year 1127. It is situated half a mile east of the hamlet of Legerwood and 6.5 miles (10.5 km) south east of Lauder in the Scottish Borders.
The building has been suffering from dampness issues for a number of years. Being a Grade A listed building, invasive dehydration technologies were not an option. Upon a detailed inspection of the building several sources of moisture has been identified, including rising damp, condensation and sideways penetrating damp.
Do you really need a new sound system?
Our first contact from the team at Blyth Central Methodist Church was a phone call that we’ve had many times before explained Paul Dougherty of Blaydon Communications Ltd 'Our sound system isn’t working, it’s all crackly and we just need a new one'.
"In some circumstances, this could be true", said Paul, "audio equipment does degrade, and eventually, it will need to be replaced, but sometimes things just need a good overhaul and a bit of a spruce up. Our first recommended action was to have us attend the church and assess what equipment had been installed. This also allows us to get talking to the people that use the system to find out the real problems first-hand.
2020 is Year of Cathedrals, Year of Pilgrimage
2020 has been designated Year of Cathedrals, Year of Pilgrimage as it brings together a remarkable number of individual English cathedral anniversaries that help tell Britain’s story and will also see a host of new pilgrimage routes opened.
Many cathedrals are already planning major celebrations – Canterbury, Peterborough, Portsmouth are all remembering Thomas Becket, Lincoln Cathedral celebrates 800 years of St Hugh, Salisbury commemorates the 800th anniversary of the founding of its city and its iconic cathedral, St Edmundsbury celebrates 1,000 years anniversary of the Abbey, and Coventry Cathedral will remember the 80th anniversary of the bombing of the old cathedral during the Blitz.
SLPTG Apprentice Awards 2020 – winners revealed!
The Steeplejack and Lightning Protection Group (SLPTG) recently held its annual Apprentice Awards, which celebrate apprenticeships within the Steeplejack and Lightning Protection industries. This year the awards were held at DoubleTree by Hilton Manchester Piccadilly on Thursday 5 March.
Churches embracing new technology
The needs of a church sound system are quite simple in so much as they want intelligible audio to reach all the congregation including those with hearing impairments. Although this requirement has probably been the same for many years there is now a plethora equipment that can be used and this is when the world of sound can become a mine field.
How to protect your listed property and deter thieves
Gaining consent to make alterations can be challenging if the measures proposed permanently alter the fabric of the building. There are many reversible and inconspicuous measures you can take to improve the security of your listed building which balance the needs of home owners and the authorities.
When speaking to your broker about the right insurance for listed buildings, insurers may take into account your security measures.
Devotion to heritage ironwork is recognised by unique award
For 35 years Chris Topp – along with his colleagues – has devoted his time to increasing his and others’ expertise in the preservation and restoration of the heritage of ancient iron.
Chris’s interest in traditional blacksmithing skills began in 1967 when he had a summer job in Bolton that was within walking distance of the Atlas Forge. At that time, Atlas Forge manufactured puddled wrought iron, as well as re-rolling wrought-iron axles.
Furniture makes its way across the sea
This summer saw West Country-based Fullers Finer Furniture complete a number of deliveries across the water in Northern Ireland. The first was to the Salvation Army’s new premises in Larne, County Antrim – just a short distance from the ferry port. The order was placed following introductions at the Christian Resources Exhibition in Manchester. It was for the company’s trademark York lectern, a Holiness Table and, more unusually, three flag stands.
The furniture was completed in a natural oak finish. The York lectern was fitted with a mic socket and tablet lip, ready to facilitate the latest technology. The lectern bears the Salvation Army crest, hand-crafted in a complementary wood.
St Bart’s goes digital
The parish church of St Bartholomew in Horley, a parish covering Horley town and Gatwick Airport, is a Grade One-listed building, mainly of 14th century origin, although a church has been on the site since the middle of the 12th century.
The building was significantly restored in the early 1880s, with the south aisle added in the early 1900s. Its most notable external feature is its narrow wood-shingled bell turret and spire. More recently, in 1991, two upper rooms were added next to the bell tower which are used for Sunday children’s work, prayer groups and meetings.
