Current Issue
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.
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.
Read More...
CRE Events
Exhibitors enthuse over the CRE experience
By 4pm on the first day of CRE 24 at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, exhibitors Chris and Kim Dunphy had already had so many helpful and detailed conversations with visitors that they were “completely talked out”.
Insurance
You need to ensure that reasonable precautions are in place at your church to keep it safe for those who use it. To do this, you need to think about what might cause harm to people.
You will then need to decide if the precautions already in place are adequate. If they are not, you may need to identify further action to prevent any danger. When done formally, this is known as a risk assessment.
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.
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.
Home
Euxton Hall in Lancashire
Recently restored and ready for residence
A beautiful Victorian gothic Chapel designed by the Architect E.W.Pugin has recently been painstaking restored and sympathetically converted into a luxury home.
Set within the grounds of Euxton Hall in Lancashire, Euxton Hall Chapel has been described as an architectural gem. Both English Heritage and the Ancient Monuments Society acknowledge that it is one of the important works of this nationally famous Architect and The Victorian Society has also been quick to recognise the buildings’ attractiveness and national importance.
Built in 1866, the same year as Gorton Monastery, and sharing the same renowned designer, it incorporates many Pugin features and is thought to be the only example of his work ever to have been converted to a private residence.
The exterior of the Chapel is almost entirely Pugin. The South front has three pairs of lancet windows, a typical medieval feature, with each arch having a pair of intricate detailed head carvings. The beautiful ‘fishtailed’ Penryn slate tiles on the roof of the Chapel also form geometric patterning, a feature also associated with the work of Pugin.
Looking at the interior of Euxton Hall Chapel, you cannot fail to experience its gothic appearance.The intricate architrave and nave ceiling represents an upturned boat, another favorite design of Pugin. Angels faces, or ‘corbels’, support the outer edges of the window arches, and the beautiful gothic arch-framed stained glass windows’ vibrant colours and detailing are exquisite. The window was actually manufactured by the Birmingham firm of John Hardman & Co. The Hardmans worked closely with the Pugins to create some of the greatest decorative art of the Neo-Gothic period
The centre aisle is tiled with original Encaustic floor tiles designed by Pugin and Minton. These have been positively identified as being the same as those in The Palace of Westminster
Renovation and conversion work on the chapel has taken over 4 years to complete and has resulted in a quality transformation that that tastefully combines gothic revival style with contemporary modern day living. Wherever appropriate, the property has however been decorated to fully compliment the characteristic features of this unique Grade II listed building.
For more information visit: www.euxtonhallchapel.com. NOTE. Euxton hall Chapel is currently on the property market with Savill’s International: http://residentialsearch.savills.co.uk/property-detail/244960/list/property-for-sale/england/lancashire/euxton/pr7/0/0/16000000/5.0/hi/gbp/1
VISIT OUR ASSOCIATED SITES
