These Shropshire folk’s sound knowledge travels far and wide

The design, installation and support of complete audio, lighting and control systems is the specialism of Richard King Systems, who provide solutions to churches and other public buildings across the Midlands, North West and Wales.

Founded in 1977 and based at Oswestry in Shropshire, the company has a proven track record of successfully completed projects, including installations in many different environments – from Grade One-listed churches to new build projects.

The ethos of teamwork and co-operation espoused by the team pays dividends in the ability to respond to clients’ needs and interpret their requirements to create bespoke yet cost-effective solutions.

In its Mission Statement the company declares: “We strive to utilise our expertise in delivering first-class, efficient and cost-effective solutions for our clients. In addition, we aim to foster and maintain long-term mutually beneficial relationships with both our clients and our suppliers.”

Its Quality Statement, meanwhile, commits the company to: “…working to recognised industry standards and the highest possible levels of safety,” while the Environmental Statement says: “We are mindful of the impact our activities may have on the environment. We aim to provide long-term system solutions for our clients and therefore reduce waste. We recycle whenever possible, disposing of waste responsibly.”

The installation of loop systems is a particular specialism of Richard King Systems, whose main engineers are all members of the Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers and are listed as approved loop system assessors. They provide a full site survey, evaluation and testing, including the issuing of a test certificate.

• For more information please visit www.richardkingsystems.co.uk

Case Study: St Nicholas’s Church, Burton-in-Wirral, Cheshire

The parish church of St Nicholas is located in Burton, a village in the south of the Wirral peninsula. A Grade Two*-listed building in the diocese of Chester, which is home to an active Anglican community.

The brief from the parochial church council was for the upgrading and modernisation of the audio system to cater for the reproduction of both speech and live musical performances. The system was designed to include the installation and commissioning of replacement loudspeakers, amplification, control desk, microphones and audio socket provision.

The incorporation of such an extensive system into the church required a high degree of expertise to minimise the visual impact while achieving top-quality audio performance. Full system design plans and specifications were provided by Richard King Systems to the Diocese Advisory Committee for it to consider the proposals for the approval of a faculty.

The completed sound system has been described by the PCC as ‘superb and working extremely well’. In use every week, and sometimes several times a week, the system is used for services as well as for different concerts and gigs that take place in the church. The sound quality is considered to be excellent – certainly up to and probably beyond what the PCC had expected.

According to the PCC, the system is: “…absolutely marvellous and the church has had lots of positive feedback from the congregation, as well as from musicians and others who participate in services generally.”

In short, it is another successful house of worship project completed by Richard King Systems.