Current Issue
How to protect your listed property and deter thieves
Gaining consent to make alterations can be challenging if the measures proposed permanently alter the fabric of the building. There are many reversible and inconspicuous measures you can take to improve the security of your listed building which balance the needs of home owners and the authorities.
When speaking to your broker about the right insurance for listed buildings, insurers may take into account your security measures.
Read more: How to protect your listed property and deter thieves
Devotion to heritage ironwork is recognised by unique award
For 35 years Chris Topp – along with his colleagues – has devoted his time to increasing his and others’ expertise in the preservation and restoration of the heritage of ancient iron.
Chris’s interest in traditional blacksmithing skills began in 1967 when he had a summer job in Bolton that was within walking distance of the Atlas Forge. At that time, Atlas Forge manufactured puddled wrought iron, as well as re-rolling wrought-iron axles.
Read more: Devotion to heritage ironwork is recognised by unique award
Thames-side lions roar again
Last year saw the opportunity taken to restore historic bronze mooring points on the Thames Embankment between Westminster and Blackfriars bridges. The work was carried out by Dorothea Restorations and included repair of decorative bronze lions.
Most of the lions had suffered some kind of impact damage, ranging from surface dents to sectional loss or complete loss, where components had fallen into the river. Dorothea Restorations cast some new sections; however nearly all of the components were able to be repaired.
Furniture makes its way across the sea
This summer saw West Country-based Fullers Finer Furniture complete a number of deliveries across the water in Northern Ireland. The first was to the Salvation Army’s new premises in Larne, County Antrim – just a short distance from the ferry port. The order was placed following introductions at the Christian Resources Exhibition in Manchester. It was for the company’s trademark York lectern, a Holiness Table and, more unusually, three flag stands.
The furniture was completed in a natural oak finish. The York lectern was fitted with a mic socket and tablet lip, ready to facilitate the latest technology. The lectern bears the Salvation Army crest, hand-crafted in a complementary wood.
Van Gogh’s London home takes on new life
In August 1873, Vincent van Gogh – then 20 years old – took lodgings at 87 Hackford Road in south west London. Although he was only a tenant there for one year, his time at Hackford Road left a lasting legacy that the house’s current owners seek to celebrate today.
Following a meticulous conservation project that was completed last spring, the Van Gogh House has been brought back to life and hosts a dynamic programme of events, anchored in the artist’s practice and local heritage.
St Bart’s goes digital
The parish church of St Bartholomew in Horley, a parish covering Horley town and Gatwick Airport, is a Grade One-listed building, mainly of 14th century origin, although a church has been on the site since the middle of the 12th century.
The building was significantly restored in the early 1880s, with the south aisle added in the early 1900s. Its most notable external feature is its narrow wood-shingled bell turret and spire. More recently, in 1991, two upper rooms were added next to the bell tower which are used for Sunday children’s work, prayer groups and meetings.
Walking in the footsteps of giants
Masons’ marks high up on pillars at medieval cathedrals and churches tell the story of the master masons who crossed the whole country – and, indeed, the continent of Europe – to oversee the building of those masterpieces of the builder’s art.
Later, the 18th and 19th centuries saw Methodist ministers and non-conformist preachers treading the same paths as they spread the word of the new ministries.
Secondary glazing provides divine solution for church windows
Feature windows have played a crucial role in church architecture throughout the ages, with shapes and styles changing to fit the trends of the times. Works of art in themselves, they contribute to a church’s majesty, and the ambience they create adds an extra dimension to the experience of worship within.
These often centuries-old features hold us in awe, and the fact that they still stand intact is incredible in itself. Time does take its toll, however, and churches have to find ways of protecting and preserving their windows. Secondary glazing can play an important role in this.
Read more: Secondary glazing provides divine solution for church windows
Cathedral’s development plan boosted by Wolfson grant
The development plan for Exeter Cathedral has received a major boost in the form of a £400,000 award from the Wolfson Foundation. Launched in 2020 with The Prince of Wales as Patron, the appeal aims to raise funds for a programme of heritage conservation, building work and improvements.
The award is the latest in a series of good news stories for the cathedral’s development effort, which includes the construction of a new cloister to replace one torn down during the Civil War more than 400 years ago. Plans for that design by architects Acanthus Clews (pictured below) were approved by Exeter City Council just before Christmas. Earlier last year the project was awarded development funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Read more: Cathedral’s development plan boosted by Wolfson grant
Church maintenance and repair: Calendar of Care
Just as prevention is always better than cure, maintenance is preferable to major repairs. But, such repairs may not always be avoidable. Church Care offers a monthly guide in our coming issues Starting in Spring
We can help you understand the common problems and areas that need your special attention, and give you tips for regular maintenance schemes.
Starting in April
1. The Annual Parochial Church Meeting will normally be held in April. At this meeting the churchwardens will present the report on the state of the building and of the progress of any necessary work. Will a fundraising effort be necessary this year to pay for building repairs? The parish meeting is a good time to plan this.
2. If there has been a change of churchwarden at the annual meeting, the outgoing churchwardens should run through the duties with the new ones.
3. Respond to the Articles of Enquiry sent by the archdeacon prior to the visitation. 4. The spring clean that was planned in February can take place in April. Ensure all areas of the church are cleaned but remember that old furnishings, monuments, floors and windows may be damaged by cleaning and that no chemicals should be used on them. For advice on how to clean such things, search the Conservation pages on this site for the particular item or contact your DAC Secretary.
5. Ask the bell captain to check the bells and ringing chamber are in good order and that the steps and ladders in the tower are safe.
6. Tidy the churchyard and start to cut the grass if necessary.
Full calendar in inset thanks to Church Care. For further information visit Advice and guidance for church buildings
Replacement cross preserves the legacy of East Sussex gem
In East Sussex recently, access experts Tarrant Group had the privilege of contributing to the preservation of a cherished local landmark: a 90-year-old cross atop a historic church in Hove.
The project, filled with engineering challenges, underscored the importance of craftsmanship, collaboration and respect for tradition.
Click here to read the full story.
Parker & Son restores church ceiling to former glory
Parker & Son has completed the challenging task of repainting the seven-metre high ceiling of a Grade II* listed church in Northiam, East Sussex.
The restoration work was made possible thanks to a legacy and a generous donation by a member of the congregation. Special, breathable paint was sourced to match the original blue paint as closely as possible. All work and materials had to be approved by the Diocese and Advisory Committee.
Click here to read the full story.
Get noticed – with stylish boards that are environmentally friendly
One of the UK’s leading UK notice board manufacturers is Greenbarnes. They have an innovative yet traditional approach to delivering quality noticeboards, signage and street furniture. In 1990 they became the first company to revive the manufacture of wooden village boards, establishing themselves as a pioneer in transforming the industry into what it is today.
Click here to read the full story.
Church facilities get welcome upgrade
Clapton’s United Reformed Church – The Round House – is a busy hub for the local community and homeless. Kent-based Hyssop Project were commissioned by the church to upgrade its male and female toilets. As well as ensuring a high standard of finish, the brief was to provide both a durable and cost-effective solution.
Click here to read the full story.
Hinowa spider boom ‘vital’ for conserving ancient cathedral for future generations
A cathedral that dates back almost 1,000 years is being maintained in a condition that promises to see it thrive as a place of worship for centuries to come with the help of a Hinowa spider lift.
Expert teams dedicated to conserving Winchester Cathedral, in Hampshire, are using the Hinowa Lightlift 14.70 IIIS for multiple maintenance tasks inside and outside the ancient building.
Click here to read the full story.
Mosaics restoration at St Thomas Church, Isle of Man
Liverpool-based Heritage Tiling & Restoration Co were contacted by the Reverend Sid Mourant BD of St Thomas Church in the Diocese of Sodor & Man (IOM) in 1995 to undertake restoration of the Grade One-listed church's mosaics. Company owner Steve Sinnott takes up the story.
Click here to read the full story.
Church’s new heating ticks all the boxes
Trinity Church North Finchley was formed in 1980 by the coming together of two churches in North Finchley in North London. During the latter half of the 1970s the relationship between North Finchley United Reformed Church (formerly North Finchley Congregational Church) and North Finchley Baptist Church went from strength to strength, and it was decided to recommend that the two churches should unite to form a single church.
Click here to read the full story.
Replacement flagpole for St Edmund's Church, Southwold
Harrison Flagpoles had to design, manufacture and install a replacement flagpole for the top of the 100 ft tower on St Edmund’s Church in Southwold without disturbing the existing lead lined roof and incorporating the church’s own weather vane.
Click here to read the full story.
Brian’s gilt-edged brushwork adds lustre to commissions both sacred and temporal
Pretty much all of us will have passed by commercial properties or visited premises with exquisite signage and wondered at the craftsmanship involved in their creation. In particular, if the work involved gilding the artistry is all the more admirable.
Click here to read the full story.
Secondary glazing provides divine solution for church windows
Feature windows have played a crucial role in church architecture throughout the ages, with shapes and styles changing to fit the trends of the times. Works of art in themselves, they contribute to a church’s majesty, and the ambience they create adds an extra dimension to the experience of worship within.
Click here to read the full story.
Drones lead the flight towards zero carbon
One of the emerging benefits of using UAVs for survey works is their contribution to sustainability and carbon reduction.
The national Environmental Working Group of the Church of England has issued a Call to Action on the Climate, calling on all parts of the church to aim towards zero carbon emissions by 2050, in line with Government and EU policy. The group is formulating a motion for General Synod to that effect.
‘Made to Order’ radius gutter from Rainclear - true cast or mitred
Sometimes you need to replace a radius gutter (guttering that follows the shape of a circular roofline) on a conservation or renovation project and it needs to be ‘like for like’. The original pattern for ‘sand casting’ of that specific Cast Iron radius gutter may be long gone, but we can use the pieces you still have to create new ‘patterns’ and cast new matching radius gutters for you. This is known as a ‘True Cast’ Radius Gutter.
Read more: ‘Made to Order’ radius gutter from Rainclear - true cast or mitred
Ealing Green Church gets new AV system as part of refurbishment programme
Newtech Southern was awarded the contract to design and install a new audio visual system for Ealing Green Church, West London. The church was to undergo a complete refurbishment and as part of these works a new high quality sound and video system was required.
The church required multiple floorboxes each with a variety of audio / video inputs and outputs, these would allow for the system to accommodate all types of services and events to be held in the church.
Read more: Ealing Green Church gets new AV system as part of refurbishment programme
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