Wales to host first one-day CRE on the Road

CRE’s first visit to Wales for many years will also be the inaugural ‘CRE on the Road’: a one-day extravaganza of the very best resources to equip and empower the churches of Wales for 2014 and beyond.

CRE Wales, at the All Nations Centre on 26 March, features 50 exhibitors offering everything from heating to healing, films to furniture and stages to schools work.

There will be a large shop stocking Bibles, Christian books and DVDs to resource every church for the year ahead. Lunchtime and teatime worship sessions with live music, prayer and bite-sized Bible nuggets will complement the seminars, workshops and talks by top speakers – all experts in their field.

The whole thing will be packed into five hours in Cardiff that no church can afford to miss!

Exhibitors will include many familiar faces and there will also be representatives from the churches in Wales – the UK’s longest-established Christian community. That representation will be in the form of the Bible College of Wales and the Welsh Christian Party.

In addition there will be experts on hand to help with church accounts, insurance, office equipment and even a relaxing cup of coffee!

• For more information, and to register online, visit www.creonline.co.uk/visitors/cre-wales-2014-visitors.

A lighting requirement? One church's perspective

Considerations other than cost need to be made when engaging a contractor for a church lighting project.

Anthony J Smith (Gloucester) Ltd has recently completed a project to install new lighting throughout Great Malvern Priory which is part of the Greater Churches Network. The priory is a Grade I listed building and is a focal point both in Malvern and in the Diocese of Worcester.

The priory receives over 30,000 visitors each year and has a large worshipping congregation. Services are held every day of the year and the building is extensively used by the local community. The challenge was to replace the 1960's lighting with a new energy efficient, low maintenance lighting installation, suitable for the many and varied activities that take place in the building, while minimising the disruption during the installation period.

A wide-ranging exercise was carried out by the Priory's Lighting Project Group to determine the requirements for the new lighting, including visiting several other churches with new lighting installations. The result was the production of a Design Brief that specified the various lighting requirements, and ensured that the primary purpose of the building as a place of worship was not lost in a desire to illuminate the features of the building.

The group considered employing separate lighting design consultants and installation contractors, but chose instead to seek a company that was capable of handling the whole process including both design and installation.

Proposals based on the Design Brief were received from three companies who offer a lighting design and installation service, and Anthony J Smith (Gloucester) Ltd was subsequently appointed. Anthony J Smith was formed in 1972 and specialises in lighting church and ecclesiastical buildings.

The new lighting installation was designed by Neil Blake, director of Anthony J Smith, and incorporated energy efficient, high performance, low maintenance equipment. The design followed the Design Brief and provided for the different uses of the building including highlighting various building features for visitors, lighting for performances in various locations, and an all-important, even, non-directional layer of light through the building for services and other activities.

Neil was also involved in many detailed discussions with the Lighting Project Group and the approving authorities including the Diocesan Advisory Committee, English Heritage and the priory architect. As the design was refined, Anthony J Smith offered technical support and demonstrations of the effects available by using different types of light fitting.

The installation was completed by Anthony J Smith's own experienced and qualified engineers in a series of localised areas which allowed normal Ôchurch life to continue with the minimum of disturbance. Working hours and break-times were varied to suit the services, weddings and funerals scheduled for each week, and the installation was carried out with considerable attention to detail and care in concealing the cables.

The new priory lighting has been received with great excitement by both the regular congregation, who can now clearly see their hymn books, and by visitors who marvel at the ceilings and other features that had not previously been visible.

Michael Angling, the priory project manager, commented: "This was an excellent example of the contractor and client being flexible to the needs of each other which allowed the project to be brought to a very satisfactory conclusion".

 

Church furniture specialists provide a Finer product 

Fullers Finer Furniture is based in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset and was established in 1985. From humble beginnings they now design and manufacture church furniture on a national basis. Although they offer furniture both commercially and for the home, it is church furniture that they specialise in. From bespoke items to the award winning gas height adjustable Canterbury Lectern, right through to restoration work and complete reordering of church furniture, Fullers provide a high quality comprehensive service with distinctive attention to detail.

The award winning Canterbury Lectern and its big brother The York Lectern are gas height adjustable to suit the needs of any congregation. With its stylish design it comes in a number of finishes including oak, ash, beech, mahogany 

and maple. Fitted with microphone sockets and the option of an LCD video monitor these fine portable lecterns will fit perfectly into any type of church building.  

They are also able to design and make to order communion tables, fonts, A/V cabinets, table top lecterns, choir frontals, communion rails, flower stands and much more.

 You can see a video demonstration of the Canterbury and York Lectern's by clicking here.

www.fullersfinerfurniture.co.uk 

 

Church Signage, Noticeboards & Postercases

BEP Signs have been manufacturing bespoke Church Noticeboards for all denominations for over 20 years and these can be manufacture to any shape or size.

They also supply the highest quality aluminium Postercases which are weathersealed for exterior use, come lockable and have a magnetic backing for attaching your notices too. These can be purchased on their own or as part of a Noticeboard and the name of your church can also be applied to the postercases.

Other products supplied to churches are: Commemorative Boards - Memorial Boards – Welcome signs – Etched Window graphics and a new product on offer at BEP Signs is an alternative to stained glass windows where they use their speciality coloured vinyl films which give the effect of stained glass but at a fraction of the cost.

For further information on the best way of creating the perfect signage solution to suit your budget visit www.bepsigns.co.uk

 

Lighting Dynamics complete another stunning church lighting project

Lighting Dynamics UK, based in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, has recently designed and completed the installation of yet another stunning lighting project for the magnificent and sumptuous interior of St Augustine of Hippo Church in Edgbaston, Birmingham.

St Augustine's, a Grade II* building, has been a splendid Victorian landmark at the centre of the Conservation Area that bears its name since the church was first consecrated in 1868.

Gerry Browne of Lighting Dynamics said: 'The interior lighting upgrade at St Augustine's provided a real challenge, especially in terms of the correct type and levels of illumination for both the church's magnificent architectural and ecclesiastical features.'

Working closely with key members of the PCC, the DAC, the Church Architect, English Heritage and Birmingham Victorian Society, Gerry worked through all of the details and a final lighting design solution evolved.

The final lighting design included a variety of all modern, long life and energy saving light sources including LEDs, ceramic metal halide and low voltage tungsten, all of which are linked to a unique and bespoke dimming / lighting controls system.

These light sources are linked to a quality range of appropriate architectural light fittings all with the correct optics and the ability to take a complete range of lighting accessories, such as anti glare louvres, spread lenses, etc.

The client and all of the project team are delighted with the final result and a grand opening ceremony by the Lord Mayor of Birmingham has already taken place.

Lighting Dynamics continue to offer a totally independent, creative, unbiased lighting design and consultancy service and, where required, the supply of all associated/specified lighting equipment.

The company can also provide a complete electrical installation service via a dedicated team of NIC EIC registered electricians.

They have a number of very prestigious church lighting projects currently in progress with a further significant number at advanced stages of planning and design.

Gerry Browne believes that this is a very exciting time in the further development of church lighting, especially with such a great and diverse range of modern light sources now coming on stream.

He has found that customers are increasingly looking for someone with the flair and experience to provide a quality lighting design, whilst also specifying top grade lighting equipment and controls that will provide longevity and reliability for their particular project.

For more from this company visit www.lighting-dynamics.co.uk

New improved lighting at St John the Baptist

WHEN the Parishioners of St John the Baptist Parish Church in Longbridge decided that the existing lighting was in need of rejuvenation, church lighting design and installation specialists Anthony J Smith (Gloucester) Ltd were invited to discuss the needs and requirements for this vibrant community church.

The original lighting system was becoming increasingly difficult to maintain and a greater degree of energy efficiency and increased lighting levels, together with a flexible switching arrangement were needed for the various liturgical and community activities that take place within the church.

A number of solutions were discussed with and demonstrated to the PCC and a bespoke borosilicate glass pendant was developed and manufactured.

The compact fluorescent lamps within the pendant are controlled through high frequency electronic dimmable control gear which allows them to be smoothly dimmed down to 10 per cent of their maximum output, whilst providing an expected life of 15,000 hours which equates to 15 years should the lighting be used for 20 hours per week.

The pendants combined with additional nave uplighting, new lighting for the Chancel, increased lighting levels for performances at the front of the nave and with all the switches located in one position, now allow for maximum flexibility in both lighting levels and ambiance.

Gordon Mills, the buildings fabric officer writes: “On behalf of the Parochial Church Council, we are very pleased with the new lighting system. The nave uplighting has introduced a new dimension into the Church which is appreciated by the congregation as is the enhanced lighting within the sanctuary. The work to install the new system was carried out in a very neat and professional manner”

For more information visit www.anthonyjsmith.co.uk

 

Autosave - New BIGGER, BETTER, EASIER website launched

Autosave, your trusted Christian car retailer with over 30 years’ experience have got some great news for car buyers. We are pleased to announce the launch of the brand new BIGGER, BETTER and EASIER TO USE website... www.autosave.co.uk.

“I’m really excited by our new website, it’s been a huge investment in both time and money, but it’s really paid off in terms of the massive improvement in not only the choice of vehicles available to view, but also in how much easier it is to interact with and use the website to find exactly what you are looking for, giving our customers the online experience they deserve”. Richard May, Operations Director, Autosave.

Start your search for your next car today. There are up to 4,000 vehicles available to view and compare and we check EVERY price, EVERY day (except Sunday) to ensure you pay the lowest price possible. Every vehicle available online has over thirty clear photographs, and the majority have a full 360º Video, allowing you to see exactly what’s on offer.

Of course, some things never change. The quality, service and benefits our Christian customers have come to expect are all still in place. Every vehicle is thoroughly checked and is fully guaranteed and has a comprehensive warranty. We’ll give you a fair price for your part-exchange and can arrange some of the best finance deals available. All this, and we still deliver the car to your door, it couldn’t be easier.

If you’re looking for a brand new car, Autosave can supply any make or any model, all at very competitive prices, take a look on our new website to find out more.

So, all that’s left to say is, come and check out our new site for yourself. If you’ve visited us before, prepare to be amazed at how far we’ve come to bring you a massively improved online experience. And, if you’re new to our site, then we’d like to welcome you into a Christian car buying experience, only Autosave can offer.

Autosave will be exhibiting at CRE Midlands on Stand D12 / D13.

Ancient and modern: hi-tech AV company returns to Sandown

The unique blend of ancient buildings and the latest technology that epitomises the modern church will be in evidence once more at the International Christian Resources Exhibition at Sandown Park in May in the persons of audio-visual specialists DM Music and installation division DM Installation Projects.

The company will be presenting some of the latest audio-visual technologies particularly suited to church use, which this year will include iPad touch screen control systems from Crestron that allow complete wireless control of audio, including level control in different zones, remote audio playback and recording. Primarily, the systems allow for very simple operation of complex systems; but they also offer huge flexibility and lots of possibilities for system expansion in the future.

It’s not just audio, either; the systems can control electric screens, projectors, lighting, heating – you name it. Simple accessible control is just a fingertip away, anywhere in the church building.

As well as an installation in Wakefield Cathedral, DM recently completed a full sound system at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin in Oxford: part of a £5.5m restoration of the historic church which saw the final sermon of Thomas Cranmer prior to his burning at the stake in 1556 and the launch of the 19th-century Oxford Movement by John Henry, later Cardinal, Newman.

The system includes a number of very discreet K-Array speakers and complete iPad control via a Crestron System. Such a success was the installation that the director of DM Music and DM Installation Projects were invited to the official re-opening service on 8 March.

For more information visit www.dmmusic.com/dmip/st-marys-oxford

 

Accepting the challenge at All Saints, Ockham

When ChurchPA.co.uk were approached by Martin Heijne of bch architects to help with a problematic church, they were glad to accept the challenge.

The problem was that All Saints at Ockham is an 11th century parish church, grade one listed, that needed its first sound system installation.

The brief was for a simple voice reinforcement system, with two tie clip microphones, a fixed lectern microphone plus MP3 record and replay facilities, and the ability to raise the volume of the small choir from the chancel area.

They were able to help with an exceptionally discreet system, where all the speakers are hidden at high level, black speakers on dark timber woodwork, and by using radio microphones and a fantastic wireless remote controlled mixer, they didn’t need to take any cables into the nave area.

The dual power amplifiers allowed a separate mix to go to the nave and chancel areas, allowing the choir to be “lifted” in the nave, without causing feedback from the chancel monitor speaker. The radio remote mixer is the hub of the system, giving 8 inputs, with remote bass treble and volume controls for each input, and individual mute controls.

Regrettably Martin Heijne did not live to see the completed installation, but the client is extremely happy with an effective, yet extremely discreet, system that saved considerably on the costs of alternatives, without needing any cables down to the rear of the church.

For further details visit www.ChurchPA.co.uk on 0845 430 9486 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Illuminating

Lighting Dynamics UK (incorporating Ecclesiastical Lighting), based in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, continue their development as one of the UK’s premier companies specialising in the interior and exterior illumination of cathedrals, churches and other places of worship.

The company is dedicated to offering a totally independent, creative and unbiased lighting design and consultancy service and, where required, they can supply all of the associated specified lighting equipment.

Lighting Dynamics has a long established reputation for creating practical and architecturally sympathetic lighting schemes. Wherever possible, discreet lighting equipment is specified and installed to produce suitable levels of task and ambient illumination and to highlight both ecclesiastical features and any special architectural details.

Their comprehensive range of modern, energy saving, long life lighting equipment is manufactured from the highest quality materials and takes into consideration many important factors such as reliability, durability, optical performance, overall efficiency, size, style and ease of maintenance, to name but a few.

The company is just about to launch a brand new family of the very latest bespoke LED fittings, specially designed for all types of ecclesiastical lighting tasks. This range of products has been under development for some considerable time and takes their overall lighting portfolio to the next level of technical innovation.

Lighting Dynamics also has an unrivalled knowledge and expertise of all modern intelligent dimming and lighting control systems.

Lighting Dynamics has a significant number of very prestigious church lighting projects currently in progress with a large number at advanced stages of planning and design.

Company founder, Gerry Browne commented: “This is a very exciting time in the further development of church lighting, especially with such a great and diverse range of modern light sources now coming on stream.”

He has found that customers are increasingly looking for a company with the flair and experience to provide a quality lighting design, whilst also specifying top grade lighting equipment and controls that will give longevity, reliability and overall flexibility for their ecclesiastical projects.

Gerry continued: “In the main, clients no longer wish to see their church lighting project looking like an extension of somebody else’s lighting showroom or lit with industrial style floodlights to resemble a railway marshalling yard. It can be a dedicated process which involves advising, informing and demonstrating what can be achieved.”

Lighting Dynamics has, if required, a fully qualified team of NIC EIC registered electricians able to carry out the installation of interior and exterior lighting systems to current electrical standards and regulations.
The company covers all of the UK and Ireland and provides a bespoke service for each individual church lighting project, from initial meeting right through to final focusing and commissioning. In Gerry’s words “Lighting Dynamics UK can provide the ultimate lighting service.”

Recently completed lighting design and supply projects include:

• St Wulfram’s Church, Grantham – one of the finest magnificent medieval churches in England.
A phased interior lighting upgrade including the latest ceramic halide and low volt tungsten light sources linked to analogue lighting control systems.

• All Saints Church, Daresbury – a beautiful parish church set deep in the Cheshire countryside only a few minutes from Warrington. The church is well known for its connection with the Alice in Wonderland author Lewis Carroll.
As well as the complete interior lighting upgrade, the stained glass Lewis Carroll Memorial Windows (a must for visitors) have also been feature illuminated by new externally placed luminaires. A comprehensive lighting control / dimming system allows maximum flexibility.

• St George’s Church, Poynton, Cheshire – located between Stockport and Macclesfield, St George’s is positioned at the heart of the village and was built in the Victorian Gothic style.
Complete interior lighting upgrade incorporating colour change LED light sources linked to a DMX lighting control system.

•  St Augustine of Hippo Church, Edgbaston, Birmingham – The building in a geometric Gothic style has numerous stone carvings and a striking painted chancel ceiling and is an outstanding Victorian landmark.
Complete interior lighting upgrade including the latest ceramic halide, LED and low volt tungsten light sources linked to analogue lighting control systems.

•  St Michael and All Angels Church, Penkridge – A collegiate parish church set in a beautiful Staffordshire village.
Complete interior lighting upgrade including the latest ceramic halide and low volt tungsten light sources linked to analogue lighting control systems.

• St Agnes Church, Moseley, Birmingham – Sited on an island location in the heart of the beautiful conservation area of Moseley.
Exterior lighting upgrade of tower and four main elevations of the building utilising the latest ceramic halide and tungsten light sources housed in modern IP 68 rated in-ground recessed luminaires.

•  Holy Trinity RC Church, Sutton Coldfield – A more modern style building with high arched windows and a beautiful wooden ceiling reminiscent of the ceiling depicted in Leonardo Da Vinci’s The Last Supper.
Interior and exterior lighting upgrade linked to complete lighting control.

Electrical installation of all of the above projects has been carried out by the Birmingham based NIC EIC registered electrical contractors A J Electrics (Coleshill) Ltd.

• For further information about Lighting Dynamics UK please visit www.lighting-dynamics.co.uk




From Humble Roots to International Distinction - J&M Sewing Service Ltd (stand number S103 / S103a)

In the beginning

Joyce Davison and Maureen Waterston first met late in 1979, when (with many years of individual experience in different areas within “the Rag-Trade”) they both applied for jobs at a local Theatre, making and mending Costumes for the 8-week Pantomime Season. When those time-limited jobs came to an end, the Theatre Manager suggested that they should set up in business together.

So they did – renting a room from the Local Authority in a building on Newcastle Quayside, in January 1980, without specifically thinking of creating a business specialising in anything. The idea was simply to establish a general sewing service – and it was only because a number of early customers happened to be in the Church, that Joyce and Maureen began to make items for them and so began to gain expertise in the area of making Church Robes.

Little work was turned away – and very soon the two Partners were creating their own patterns and designs, to accommodate requests they received. This was where their philosophy of providing the best possible personal attention was born, and this philosophy – of striving to provide excellent personal service – of course continues.

 Joyce and Maureen's work began to expand to the extent that they had to take on staff to maintain production at the levels being demanded, but the number of staff taken on was at first limited – and a move of premises in 1990 saw the Partnership established in the present location at Charlotte Square in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Where we’ve got to

Further business expansion over the years led to the introduction of further staff and also a certain level of computerisation in terms of administration and embroidery.

In the early days, it was some time before any visits to Colleges were arranged, and then it was only on a small scale. However, regular visits are now made (wherever possible) to Theological Colleges, Diocesan Conferences and Christian Resources Exhibitions throughout the country.

In 2004 the business became incorporated, with Joyce and Maureen being joined by two new Directors – Theresa Tiffin who had been J&M’s Workroom Supervisor, and ex-Bank-Manager Stephen Wroe who had been running J&M’s Office.

The Business currently provides employment in Newcastle for 21 people, all at the same location in Charlotte Square – and with the assistance of electronic communications, especially the firm’s web-site and e-mail correspondence over the Internet, the total Customer Base has now reached over 34,000 worldwide (including Individuals, Churches, Cathedrals, and well over 500 Choirs in some 41 Countries).  

In 2007 the Company was awarded the Royal Warrant, in view of the garments we make on a regular basis for Chaplains to HM The Queen, and for the Choristers and Clergy of the Chapels Royal.

Sadly, having been retired from the Business for only 6 years, Joyce passed away in October 2010 after a long illness – and so Maureen is now the only surviving original Partner.

What we do

We manufacture a wide range of reasonably priced, but high quality items, in our Workroom in Newcastle upon Tyne. All the items we make are made only to order, and our range includes a wide variety of garments for Bishops, Clergy, Lay-Ministers, Choirs, Servers, Vergers etc – plus Altar Linen and Soft Furnishings for Churches, such as Frontals, Falls and Banners.

As well as Cassocks, Surplices, Cottas, Albs, Cassock-Albs, Gowns, Cloaks, Clerical Shirts and Clerical Blouses – we manufacture a full range Vestments with a comprehensive choice of fabric possibilities, and with many different Embroidery Designs available. It is also possible for Customers’ own designs to be incorporated into Vestments etc – on enquiry.

Fabric samples, and our separate printed Price List, can be sent by post on request, without charge.

Although we welcome Customers to our Office/Showroom, we do not need to maintain an expensive “High Street” premises, as most of our Orders come into to us by “mail-order” or via our website – and so our overheads are lower then some other Clerical-Wear Manufacturers, enabling us to keep our prices as low as reasonably possible for the quality we provide.

In fact we only actually see a very small number of our Customers (only about 6% in fact, with the rest being really too far away to visit us) – and so we have become very experienced at dealing with Customers “at a distance” – giving guidance (where necessary, on measurements, styles and fabrics) by telephone or post, or these days “more often than not” by e-mail.

We manage to provide well-fitting garments for all these different Customers because of the attention and care that has gone into the design and manufacture of the range of garments we produce, and the efforts we make to maintain value for money and high levels of Customer Service.

Individual requirements (e.g. for people with physical disabilities) can usually be accommodated,because all the items we make are cut and sewn individually – and there are numerous comments from satisfied Customers posted as “Testimonials” on our website. http://www.jandmsewing.com.
Many of our new Customers come to us on the recommendation of friends and colleagues who have been satisfied with items we have supplied for them.

We usually provide the material for the items we make – but it is possible for Customers to provide their own fabric.

We are sometimes able to offer a refurbishment service, particularly for items of our own manufacture, and we have successfully “given new life” to articles dating back as far as 1939.


• Find out more about us at  http://www.jandmsewing.com. Visit us at the CRE Sandown on stand S103 / S103a

Church seating that’s timeless, elegant & versatile

A well planned Church or Church hall helps you to get the very most from your space. The ability to change and adapt seating layouts allows you to cater for a whole range of activities: different services aimed at different groups of people, community events within the Church and wider community events.

Mogo Direct’s range of chairs is designed to be versatile, space-efficient, durable and easy to handle, from their comprehensive range of folding chairs and storage trolleys, to a selection of stacking chairs to suit all budgets and settings.

Launched at CRE Sandown 2011, the premium quality Jasper chair has since proved a popular choice with both Churches and architects. Admired for its contemporary yet timeless design that complements both traditional and modern Churches, as well as its stackability and range of options. Tested to BS EN 15373:2007 for strength and stability and backed by a 10 year guarantee, the Jasper has been designed and built to last.

You can see the Jasper chair on the Mogo Direct stand at the Christian Resources Exhibition in Sandown this May, as well as the rest of their range of stacking and folding furniture. If you can’t wait until then, get in touch with them for further information or to request a sample.

Stand S23-24
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.mogodirect.co.uk
t: 08456 447 955

 

Streams of Mercy

A small charity started in 2006, working in Uganda, Kenya, Zambia and DR Congo. 11 ministry trips have been undertaken, preaching the Gospel in prisons, teaching in schools, Sunday schools, and churches, and leading seminars for youth, elderly, leaders and other groups and over 3000 people, mainly prisoners, have made professions of faith. We also give financial and material aid to groups caring for HIV/AIDS families, orphans and other vulnerable people, as well as to those engaged in prison ministry, and have paid shipping for Sunday School materials and tools for vocational training.

Stand number: SS5
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://www.streamsofmercy.org.uk/
t: 01277 376 239