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.
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
Churches are coming under starter’s orders for CRE 25
Churches across the nation are beginning to make preparations for their visit to Christian Resources Exhibition’s CRE 25.
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.
LPOW Grants
£23 million government package to support restoration of thousands of listed places of worship
Heritage Minister Sir Chris Bryant has announced that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme will be extended into the next financial year, providing £23 million so that thousands of historical buildings, including churches, synagogues, mosques and temples, can carry out restoration work.
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.
Home
ALM shares in Brompton Oratory success
Following signs of fixing fatigue, crystallisation and small areas of underside corrosion it was decided to replace the 117-year old lead on the dome of the London Oratory. Using Code 6 on the ribs and Code 7 on the main body of the dome, ALM supplied over 57 tonnes of rolled lead sheet to the project.
To comply with current Standards, sheets and detailing required some alterations, most notably to include high level ventilation. Work was undertaken by craftsmen from Martin (UK) who are approved to Heritage Leadworker status, with the project announced as winner of the Murdoch Awards, the ultimate accolade for leadwork.








Associated Lead Mills’ involvement in the £22m remodelling and enlargement of Africa House in London’s Kingsway entailed supply of lead for the creation of a new two storey lead and slate mansard roof. JM Architects, led by Michael Ashenheim, specified the materials as a consequence of local planning requirements.
The INTBAU College of Traditional Practitioners is an elite international professional body for practitioners in traditional urban design, architecture and the building arts who have a sustained output of traditional work.
Smith & Garratt were delighted to be selected as surveyors to coordinate works at Bughtrig near Coldstream, home to the Ramsay family. This A-Listed house, built around 1785 and several times extended, was last reworked at the turn of the 20th century. Art entrepreneur William, succeeding his father, Major General Charles Ramsay, chose to address structural defects, remodel interiors and upgrade heating services and fittings to make a sustainable family home that will endure without major cost for many years.

