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Ecclesiastical & Heritage World Nimrod

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Ecclesistical & Heritage World No. 102

Demolition threat to Victorian landmark building removed

The application to demolish the historic Ancoats Dispensary has been withdrawn by the owner Urban Splash.

The Grade II-listed building has been the focus of an intense campaign of local people, led by the Save Ancoats Dispensary Group, to resist demolition. An application to knock it down had been brought before Manchester City Council’s Planning Committee but this has now been withdrawn.

Read more: Demolition threat to Victorian landmark building removed

Re-ordering reveals Victorian splendour - with a 17th century centrepiece

When the Victorian middle class spread into the suburbs and villages they built an impressive number of churches, many of which have been celebrating their 150th anniversary.

St Michael's at Tilehurst, in Reading, was one of these, having been remodelled and enlarged by George Edmund Street in 1855.

Read more: Re-ordering reveals Victorian splendour - with a 17th century centrepiece

SLPTG Celebrates Apprentices at Annual Awards

The Steeplejack and Lightning Protection Training Group (SLPTG) Apprentice Awards which recognise the achievements of apprentices in the sector were presented at the National Construction College (NCC) - East on 12 December 2013. There were 12 awards chosen by NCC instructors, including Best Academic Achievement, Best Technical Application (Lightning Conductor) and Highest Attention to Safety (Steeplejack), for those apprentices who excelled during their 2-year training.

Read more: SLPTG Celebrates Apprentices at Annual Awards

18th century church restored to its former glory in Manchester

An 18th Century church in Manchester has recently undergone extensive repairs to its roof, which included reintroducing leadwork as originally designed.

The main roof had been problematical for a number of years. The roof, at 16 degrees, was too shallow and never intended for a slate finish. The parapet gutters and lead covered apse roof had bays of lead that were excessive in length with step joints averaging only 20mm. The church had been experiencing leaks for a number of years.

Read more: 18th century church restored to its former glory in Manchester

Prussian regal legacy honours innovative church repair project

King of Prussia awardIn November it was announced that the King of Prussia’s Gold Medal for 2013 has been awarded to John Bailey of Thomas Ford & Partners, for the project to preserve and repair All Saints’ Church at Westbere in Kent.

Read more: Prussian regal legacy honours innovative church repair project

Concorde and aerospace centre project takes off for Focus Consultants and Purcell architects

Focus Consultants and architects, Purcell have been appointed to draw up designs for a multi-million pound heritage museum and learning centre dedicated to aerospace.

The Bristol Aerospace Centre will create a permanent home for Concorde and will also feature refurbished, listed World War One aircraft hangars, which will be transformed into a first-class heritage museum, learning suites, archives and workshops.

Read more: Concorde and aerospace centre project takes off for Focus Consultants and Purcell architects

County Durham company scales new NE heights winning more work

A Darlington specialist repair and maintenance business has secured in the region of £200,000 worth of new contracts around the North East.

Stone Technical Services, experts in the fields of high level, historic and general maintenance, is working on a variety of contracts across its home region.

Read more: County Durham company scales new NE heights winning more work

Historic church provides a happy ending for young couple

The Churches Conservation Trust are pleased to have helped a young couple in the Lake District to find and purchase a church that they will turn into their home in one of the most expensive property hot spots in England.

The CCT have owned St John the Baptist since 1993. The church is unlisted so they decided to seek an alternative use for it to help secure its future. In collaboration with locals, the Regeneration Taskforce identified the lack of housing for young people as a key issue in the area. High house prices coupled with a lack of suitable land on which to build affordable housing has led to many young people leaving the area.

Read more: Historic church provides a happy ending for young couple

Firs House - The restoration of a historic listed property

The renovation of a historic period house can be a challenging and rewarding, but also a heartbreaking experience, particularly when you see your ‘labour of love’ burn down and have to start the whole restoration process again.

Read more: Firs House - The restoration of a historic listed property

A pane-staking restoration in South Yorkshire

A stunning Victorian conservatory at Wentworth Castle in Stainborough near Barnsley, one of the finest examples of its kind anywhere, has been painstakingly and faithfully restored to its former glory.

William Anelay Ltd, a building firm established in 1747, was charged with the task of delivering a complex 12 month project, in conjunction with architects Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams that involved the complete restoration of the conservatory and the construction of an adjoining new build extension with visitor area, shop and cafe facilities.

Read more: A pane-staking restoration in South Yorkshire

What the Beck? Historic home heated by river heat pump

A stunning waterside property in the village of Crakehall near Bedale, North Yorkshire, has been fitted with an innovative water source heat pump system which generates its energy from Bedale Beck.

Read more: What the Beck? Historic home heated by river heat pump

DRU wood fires and stoves division re-branded as DG Fires in the UK

DRU Verwarming BV, which is a leading European manufacturer of contemporary gas and wood burning fires, has announced that its wood fires and stoves have been re-branded as DG Fires in the UK.

DRU acquired the famous Dutch wood stove company Dik Geurts back in 2007. Since then, the production of all Dik Geurts products has been moved to DRU’s central factory at Duiven in the Netherlands, including the development of new models specially designed for the UK fireplace market.

Read more: DRU wood fires and stoves division re-branded as DG Fires in the UK

York Minster 'Upcycles'

The new stands, are each over two metres high, were designed by Chris Topp & Co Architectural Metalworks at Tholthorpe near York, they were made to replace old wooden stands which had been used to hold candles for night-time services. They used metal from the Skidmore altar railing, which had sat in storage at York Minster for many years after being removed from use.

Read more: York Minster 'Upcycles'

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