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Ecclesiastical & Heritage World Nimrod

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Ecclesistical & Heritage World No. 102

First step towards saving historic Derbyshire church

The historic church of St. Mary, Marston-on-Dove, Derbyshire, has been awarded a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) in response to its appeal to save the church tower from imminent collapse.

HLF has earmarked £156,300 towards the project and awarded an upfront development grant of £20,300. This will be used to progress plans in order to apply for the full award at a later date.

Read more: First step towards saving historic Derbyshire church

SWA member helps to restore WW2 codebreaker building at Bletchley Park

Home to the World War Two codebreakers, Bletchley Park has this year completed an £8-million Heritage Lottery Fund financed restoration project to create a world-class heritage site. This has seen the transformation of the formerly derelict Block C codebreaking building into a vibrant visitor centre, a process that involved Steel Window Association member, Mike Honour Windows, renovating over 100 original window units.

Mike Honour Windows worked with Fairhurst Ward Abbotts, the specialist conservation contractor, carefully to remove the windows, many of which were large and made up of multiple units. This process involved numbering and labeling each window so that it could later be reinstalled into exactly the same position.

Read more: SWA member helps to restore WW2 codebreaker building at Bletchley Park

What to consider when buying church chairs

Chairs are of the utmost importance to any church and will quite often see much heavier use than in most comparable environments. As such, it's in the best interests of any church to think carefully before investing in any chairs for public use, as the right folding chairs and furniture have the potential to last a lifetime.

Read more: What to consider when buying church chairs

Revealing the roofs other surveys cannot reach

Tuffin Ferraby Taylor (TFT), a leading independent property and construction consultancy, has used an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in a roof inspection survey of two historic buildings in Windsor for the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead.

TFT faced the challenge of providing a comprehensive roof survey of the listed Guildhall and Theatre Royal but roof access was limited by normal means. With the Changing of the Guard parade for close-by Windsor Castle passing the buildings daily, closing the road to allow access for a hydraulic platform to view the roofs was not possible in the timescale and inspection from roof hatches was limited.

Read more: Revealing the roofs other surveys cannot reach

Stained glass restoration by Classic Glass Studios

Stained glass window restoration is a four step process that involves the removal, disassemble, reassemble, and installation of the window. During this process the stone mullions are checked for possible damage or need for repair. The average window size would take about two weeks for a restoration.

Read more: Stained glass restoration by Classic Glass Studios

Tudor wins "Best Roofing Product" award 2014

Tudor Roof Tiles Co Ltd, Britain's foremost independent handmade clay roof tile manufacturer, has won the prestigious 2014 ‘Build It Award’ in the category of ‘Best Roofing Product’.

The company received this accolade for its historically authentic range of handmade peg and plain clay tiles,which add value to new build projectsas well ascomplementing older styled or period properties in conservation areas.

Read more: Tudor wins "Best Roofing Product" award 2014

A new life for Welsh chapels?

Judith Alfrey, head of conservation and policy at Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, explains how the physical survival of the Welsh chapel is as important for today’s society and future generations as it was for communities in the past. But, sometimes, for different reasons…

In Wales, you will never be very far from a chapel: they stud our towns and are often the focal points of remote upland settlements. These instantly recognisable nonconformist places of worship are a distinctive and familiar feature of the landscape.

Read more: A new life for Welsh chapels?

Hidden 200 year-old Swiss Garden reveals its rare Regency treasures

A little-known Swiss Garden created in the heart of Bedfordshire in the early 1800s has been saved from decay thanks to a £2.8m Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant, which has funded vital restoration to its crumbling fairytale-style landscape and buildings.

Looking as though it has stepped off the pages of a European children's storybook, its quirky buildings, bridges and ornamental structures, act as focal points on a magical journey along woodland paths, through grassy glades and past tumbling water. Its makeover has transported the nine-acre garden back to its Regency appearance, when its creator, Lord Robert Henley Ongley dropped this 'alpine' landscape into its unlikely Bedfordshire setting close to Biggleswade.

Read more: Hidden 200 year-old Swiss Garden reveals its rare Regency treasures

Grants for the conservation of clocks by ChurchCare

All mechanical clocks in anglican churches in England are eligible, including early electro-mechanical clocks.

The project must involve overhaul and repair of the movement and/or dial motionwork. Repair and redecoration of the dial itself is only considered when the dial is ancient and of historical interest and the treatment is conservation-based.

Read more: Grants for the conservation of clocks by ChurchCare

A 'magical' project by Sebastian Wakefield

This room was Georgian addition to a much earlier priory, the client had added dado panelling. They had used mdf and tulip wood, both cheap. Sebastian Wakefield was then employed to grain all the woodwork.

The room was furnished with the client's collection of Beidermeier furniture.

Read more: A 'magical' project by Sebastian Wakefield

Purcell completes Tower Bridge high level walkways

Tower Bridge has unveiled two new glass floors across its high-level walkways, enabling visitors to view a bridge lift from a wholly new and unique perspective. Purcell were the architects responsible for introducing the glass floors into the Grade I listed structure and improve the accessibility of Tower Bridge.

The £1m scheme, spearheaded by Bridge House Estates and the City of London Corporation, coincides with the 120th birthday year of the opening of Tower Bridge. The Tower Bridge exhibition first opened in 1982, and the project has enabled its refurbishment, while the new glass floors provide an exciting addition to a remarkable historic landmark.

Read more: Purcell completes Tower Bridge high level walkways

Busy heating installer is awarded multiple commissions

Back in 2012 Holy Trinity Church in Knaresborough, North Yorkshire (pictured), was in need of a replacement for its central heating system. After the job had been put out to tender, church heating specialists Mellor and Mottram of Stoke-on-Trent were appointed to carry out the installation. The job went well and the new heating system has proven to be a reliable and efficient system for the church and its parishioners.

Read more: Busy heating installer is awarded multiple commissions

Historic Cumbrian church roof protected by ballistics-inspired anti-theft technology

An historic Cumbrian church which has been the target of lead thieves to its roof is now being “guarded” by ballistics-inspired technology.

St Michael and All Angels Church, in Beetham, has turned to Trace-in-Metal to help shield its lead roof and flashings from criminals, because its Grade 1 Listed status makes it difficult to protect due to strict planning controls.

Read more: Historic Cumbrian church roof protected by ballistics-inspired anti-theft technology

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