Current Issue
The refurbishment of Marston's historic chimney
Marston’s brewery in Burton-on-Trent, is very much the spiritual home of British beer. Still brewing in the traditional way, this historic brewery was established in 1834, using the unique spring water from the Trent Valley that gives its ales the famous sulphurous aroma known as the ‘Burton snatch’.
The Victorian brewhouse, which stands in the town centre, boasts an impressive grade II listed industrial chimney, which is a well-known local landmark.
Tudor Roof Tiles offer a link to the past
Britain's foremost independent manufacturer of genuine handmade Kent Peg tiles and Plain tiles. Traditionally made using local materials, then baked to exacting standards, Tudor's roof tiles suit both historic and modern constructions, from new build or restoration.
Tudor Roof Tile Co Limited is proud to be a 100% British company and is now the largest independant manufacturer of handmade only roof tiles. They are particularly suited to architecturally sensitive churches and old building.
Lighting specialists promote their skills
Church lighting specialists Anthony J Smith (Glos) Ltd will be exhibiting at CRE Sandown. The company have been re-lighting churches of all sizes and denominations for well over 30 years including a recent project at St Matthew's in Winchester.
St Matthews church was originally built towards the end of the 12th century as a chapel for the farming district of Wyke, or Weeke as it is known today, near Winchester.
Sound Space Design RIBA Awards success 2015
Sound Space Design are proud to have been acting as acoustic consultant on two RIBA award winning projects this year. Island Pavilion and Bridge, Wormsley with Robin Snell and Partners won in the south region category and follows in the success of the 2012 RIBA award winning Garsington Opera Pavilion also on the Wormsley Estate and in association with Robin Snell and Associates.
Traceability comes to the fore as metal theft figure begins to climb again
Research published recently by Vacant Property Specialists (VPS), a company specialising in the protection of premises that are temporarily void or vacant, shows that metal theft is on the rise again 'after a dip following new laws'. The article, using the headline Losing your Mettle: Is the Law failing to stand up to Metal Theft?, shows that incidence of metal thefts reported in the media is back to the same level as it was before the introduction of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.
Read more: Traceability comes to the fore as metal theft figure begins to climb again
Rainclear Systems’ Heritage Cast Aluminium Rainwater range – can it replace cast iron guttering?
Of course aluminium guttering will never completely replace cast iron. Cast iron is often obligatory on our oldest buildings - and with good reason, it offers an unmistakable appearance and has proven to last up to one hundred years with sensible maintenance. It is generally the more expensive system to purchase but still represents great lifetime value when you factor in longevity.
Geraint Jones, managing director of Rainclear Systems, the UK's leading stockist of metal guttering, is a huge fan of cast iron: "As well as its strength and efficiency, the wonderful thing about a modern cast iron system is that it's now available in a pre-painted factory applied finish. Ready to install, this removes all the hassle and concerns of onsite painting.
New VMZINC roof for Grade 1-listed church on World heritage site
As one of the nation’s Victorian architectural gems on a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grade 1-listed Saltaire United Reformed Church is a unique example of Italianate religious architecture.
Restoration work on the mausoleum involved VMZINC craftsmen hand crafting a new ornamental, stamped natural zinc roof and hand-working of panels on site by restoration specialists Norman and Underwood Panels.
Zinc was authorised by English Heritage to remove the threat of lead theft, the result being a restoration which has brought the building back to a standard not seen for more than a century.
Cooke Plough restored to former glory
John Cooke & Son were noted manufacturers of horse drawn ploughs based in Lincoln. The Lincolnshire Museum of Rural Life has a number of ploughs attributed to Cooke in their collection. The Museum is based in the listed former barracks built for the Royal North Lincoln Militia. It houses a comprehensive social history collection celebrating the culture of Lincolnshire since 1750.
Old timber and old render
With the British weather against us, protecting timber surfaces outside can be challenging. The accepted wisdom is to use a more or less transparent oil or resin, but does this work well? Not really, as the oil becomes the problem - overcoating increases the opacity of the stain to a point where the veins are no longer seen. There can be flaking too, followed by a weary sanding job!
Church lighting - the next level of innovation on show at CRE Midlands
Innovative church lighting specialists Lighting Dynamics UK were one of the major exhibitors at CRE Midlands which took place from 7-8 October at Birmingham's NEC.
The company, 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 or worship throughout the UK and Ireland. Pictured is a recently completed project at St Giles RC Church in Cheadle.
The company is dedicated to offering a totally independent, creative, unbiased lighting design and consultancy service and as required, they can also supply of all the associated and specified lighting equipment.
Read more: Church lighting - the next level of innovation on show at CRE Midlands
Daughter's memory kept alive as 30 years in business are marked
Ecclesiastical furniture specialists Paul and Ruth Fuller have marked the 30th anniversary of their company, Fullers Finer Furniture, by raising thousands of pounds for the local children's hospice in their home town of Weston-super-Mare.
The family-run company staged a fundraising tennis event at their local club in memory of their daughter Naomi, who suffered from the genetic disorder Trisomi 13, or Patau syndrome.
The fundraiser was the brainchild of their tennis player son Oliver and was dubbed Volley with Ollie. At the event Oliver, aged 14 played for eight hours against 19 opponents. Supporters could also test the speed of their serves and try out 'tennis skittles'.
Read more: Daughter's memory kept alive as 30 years in business are marked
Hat-trick heating heroes on show at CRE
The Stoke on Trent-based church heating specialists featured on the front cover of our latest issue were also exhibiting at CRE Midlands.
Mellor and Mottram don't believe in doing things in ones - or even twos. They seem to make a habit of installing trios of systems in churches in close proximity, often as a result of previous collaborations.
Such was the case when the company was approached by Rochdale architect Graham Holland to carry out a survey of the system at Holy Trinity in Littleborough - a Pennine village to the north of the town.
NFRC celebrates impressive membership milestone
In September, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) reached 1000 trade members for the first time. The roofing contractor company who helped us to reach this milestone, DPM Industrial Roofing (UK) Limited based in Stoke-on-Trent, has followed in the footsteps of other like-minded companies who sought to join a reputable and established trade association.
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