Current Issue
Work on historic Whalley Abbey Choir pits completed
Stone Edge has completed a building conservation project on one of the last remaining choir pits in the country.
The conservation works to Whalley Abbey Choir Pits, near Clitheroe, which lasted from May until July, saw the repair and consolidation of the low level ruins.
Read more: Work on historic Whalley Abbey Choir pits completed
City church restored for its 300th anniversary
July saw the 300th anniversary of one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings: St Ann’s Church the centre of the city.
When St Ann’s was opened in 1712, Manchester was on the point of becoming the world’s first industrial city. It was to be the church of the wealthy ‘new Mancunians’: the non-Jacobite, non-high church Protestants.
Covenanter’s Oak – Dalzell Estate, North Lanarkshire
In August 2008, after heavy rain, a large wound was torn in the main stem as one of three major scaffold limbs collapsed. In addition to this large wound the tree had an open crack from ground level to circa 2m running across the whole diameter of the main stem and predisposing the remaining scaffold limbs to separate above the root collar in adverse weather.
Read more: Covenanter’s Oak – Dalzell Estate, North Lanarkshire
Lights coming back on at Christopher Wray
One of Birmingham’s most interesting disused historic buildings is set to be restored following a deal between its owner and local developer Linford C-Zero.
The former Christopher Wray Lighting Factory on Bartholomew Row is something of a local cause célèbre. The site, which was once valued at over £2m for residential development, has had a dogged planning history culminating in an application for demolition last year.
St Cuthbert’s memorial window restoration
An important facet of Wayne Ricketts Stained Glass’ stained glass studios work concerns the upkeep of their stained glass heritage; whether it be the in situ replacement of individual pieces of a damaged window, the removal and complete restoration of part or all of a window, or the conservation of the fabric of a stained glass window (the lead camb and the glass) in it’s entirety.
To be heard but not seen
Oxford University gave this brief because a Grade I listed building needed refurbishing with a sound system. The Sheldonian Theatre is the second work of Sir Christopher Wren. Because its design resembles that of a Roman theatre, it is called a theatre even though plays are not performed in it. During the last two years re-ordering included cleaning, repairing and painting the ceiling.
One cog in a very big machine
The construction of a ‘silver sundial’ in the Olympic Park has been a tiny cog in the huge machine that has been working away since 2008 to build the Olympic venues and surrounding facilities in east London. The project has demonstrated in miniature the kind of co-operation between different companies – offering different skills, expertise and experience – that has characterised the way the enterprise as a whole has developed.
Local 18 year old is new Apprentice Stonemason at Salisbury Cathedral
Christian Sullivan (18) from Salisbury has been chosen from over forty candidates to be Salisbury Cathedral’s new full-time Apprentice Stonemason and begins his four year apprenticeship at the Cathedral this week.
Read more: Local 18 year old is new Apprentice Stonemason at Salisbury Cathedral
Solar power helps Waterloo Church to victory over energy bills
A Church built to celebrate the British victory at the Battle of Waterloo is now generating its own power thanks to solar panels.
St Andrew’s Church was built in the 1830s as one of the famous Waterloo Churches – built using money granted by the Government to mark the defeat of Napoleon.
Read more: Solar power helps Waterloo Church to victory over energy bills
Heritage Trees
by Paul Hanson, Chairman of The Scottish Arboricultural Association
Older, mature, native and exotic trees often have the potential to be described as ‘Veteran’ or ‘Heritage’. Veteran describes those trees of extraordinary age for their species whilst Heritage alludes to some human, cultural connection e.g. folklore, religious or commemorative.
About Access is building a history of helping properties to operate safely
About Access is now established as the perfect partner for organisations who want to make sure their historic sites don’t become tourist traps.
Based in Yorkshire and operating nationwide, the company has developed an impressive portfolio of work with churches, castles, stately homes and other heritage properties to help them look after their visitors and staff – and to make sure they keep within the law.
Read more: About Access is building a history of helping properties to operate safely
Raising the roof!
Consultant Timber Technologist and historic woodwork specialist Jim Coulson, of TFT Woodexperts, looks back on 35 years of investigations into old roofs: many of which have been in ecclesiastical buildings; and he composes a “Hymn of Praise” to the timber roof.
I’ve been inside a lot of cathedrals, churches and chapels in my time: not because I'm especially religious, but because there was usually something going on with the roof that needed looking at.
The Collegiate Church of The Holy Cross and the Mother of Him Who Hung Thereon, Crediton
The Collegiate Church of the Holy cross and the Mother of Him Who Hung Thereon in Crediton is a building on a scale befitting what was (much earlier) a cathedral town and the birth-place of St. Boniface. The present building is mainly 15th century; a collegiate church of cruciform plan with a central tower. After neglect and degradation in the 18th century it was repaired an d restored in the 19th century by John Hayward who was one of the leading regional Victorian architects.
Read more: The Collegiate Church of The Holy Cross and the Mother of Him Who Hung Thereon, Crediton
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