Conservation of the nave ceiling at Ely Cathedral
The magnificent painted timber ceiling in the nave of Ely Cathedral was painted between 1858 and 1862 by Henry Styleman le Strange, a gentleman artist from Hunstanton and completed, following his death, by Thomas Gambier Parry.
Repair work to the fabric of the nave was begun in January 1987, for which a suspended scaffold was inserted below the ceiling. This provided the opportunity for a programme of inspections, analysis and conservation work to be undertaken to the magnificent painted timber ceiling.
Read more: Conservation of the nave ceiling at Ely Cathedral
Conservation and relocation of the Richard III statue at Leicester Cathedral
Following an initial condition survey, Hirst Conservation were honoured to be invited to undertake the conservation and relocation of the Richard III statue as part of a £2.5M project to regenerate Leicester cathedral gardens.
Prior to treatment, the statue was removed from its previous location and transferred to the company's studios in Lincolnshire. Treatment included Doff cleaning of the plinth and poultice cleaning to remove more intransigent stains.
Read more: Conservation and relocation of the Richard III statue at Leicester Cathedral
Only the best will do for Roedean School theatre sound upgrade
The world-renowned independent Roedean School in Sussex provides the best facilities for it’s pupils, so it's no surprise then that when upgrading their theatre sound system they chose the best. Traction Sound loud speakers were used throughout the auditorium mixed from Allen & Heath digital desk. Brighton Sound System carried out the theatre sound installation working in partnership with AC-ET who supplied the equipment.
The theatre at Roedean School has several uses. It is mainly used for school productions and for teaching. The school also uses it for assemblies and presentations. During the summer holiday the auditorium is rented out to touring theatre production. This means that the sound installation needed to be flexible and meet a high professional standard. Safety was also paramount as the equipment would often be operated by pupils.
Read more: Only the best will do for Roedean School theatre sound upgrade
Help! Does my oast cowl need cleaning?
Since 1937, Dude and Arnette have been cleaning oast houses across the country, both inside and out. The company’s specialist team can clean, paint and maintain your oast house to the highest standard, bringing joy to many more generations. So, if your oast house is looking a little drab and dated, maybe it is time to give it a clean. Here DARREN HOLE of Dude and Arnette answers some common questions.
Accreditation - do blacksmiths need it?
Conversations Build Understanding Series
Free online event
Wednesday 27th January, 7.00-8.00pm
New roof restores brutalist masterpiece – and rectifies design flaw
A major roofing and cladding project – using traditional mastic asphalt and leadwork – was carried out over the whole of last year at St Antony’s College, Oxford, by leading industry experts SPV Group. The project, at the Hilda Besse Building, was completed as part of a larger scale refurbishment project – working in conjunction with CBRE Construction.
Completed in 1970 by John Partridge, the Hilda Besse Building sits at the heart of the college and houses many of the college’s key social spaces, including the dining hall, common rooms and buttery, as well as private dining facilities and kitchen. It is a Grade Two-listed building and is said to be one of the finest examples of post-war brutalist architecture. The building won the RIBA Architecture Award and Concrete Society Award in 1971 – noted for its skilful application of concrete in a modern interpretation of a traditional hall.
Read more: New roof restores brutalist masterpiece – and rectifies design flaw
Procurement: delivering the conservation of ironwork
CPD webinar
Wed 10th February, 12.00-1.30pm
What it's about:
This is a training webinar providing practical advice.
Read more: Procurement: delivering the conservation of ironwork
Asphalt repairs at St Hugh's Monastery
St Hugh’s Monastery was experiencing water ingress into its cloister area as a result of damage and cracks in the northeast asphalt balcony roof above the cloisters. Asphalt repairs were undertaken to the balcony roof and the repaired section was painted with solar reflective paint.
St Hugh’s Monastery is a Grade II listed building and is an example of the heritage work Sussex Asphalte undertakes that requires appropriate project management. In the case of St Hugh’s Monastery, the company's operatives also had to be sensitive to the monks living on-site who live a life of solitude. This required careful liaison with the client.
Royal recognition for York restoration company A G Podmore & Son, highly commended in national heritage awards
David Podmore and the team at Andrew G Podmore & Son York were delighted to learn their work with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Co. carriage and wagon works memorial 1919 Newton Heath, Lancashire had been nominated for a National Railway Heritage Award and recently, at the 40th anniversary of these prestigious awards in London, the company were honoured as highly commended runners up in the Railway Heritage Trust Conservation Award.
The other shortlisted nominees were Lowestoft Central Station (regeneration east) and Network Rail Commercial Property, Mytholmroyd Station and Shell. The eventual winner was Mytholmroyd Station.
Reinterment of Richard III Project at Leicester Cathedral
Leicester Cathedral, in conjunction with the Richard III Society, the University of Leicester and the City Council, began the Reinterment of Richard III Project in 2013. The project, to provide King Richard’s final resting place, involves a series of changes to the inside of the Cathedral to create a significant space for the raised tomb, with a new floor, special lighting and new stained glass windows. The £0.5 million project was completed in 2015.
Read more: Reinterment of Richard III Project at Leicester Cathedral
York Handmade plays pivotal role in new Porters’ Lodge at historic Cambridge college
The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company has played a pivotal role in the creation of a new Porters’ Lodge at Jesus College, Cambridge.
York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, supplied more than 20,000 bricks for the state-of-the-art building at the historic college.
The contract is worth £33,200 for York Handmade, one of the leading independent brickmakers in the UK.
Read more: York Handmade plays pivotal role in new Porters’ Lodge at historic Cambridge college
Does your business require lightning protection?
Here in the UK, we’re blessed with relatively calm weather. However, while we might not be subjected to hurricanes or tornadoes, we do get our fair share of electrical storms. On average, the UK and its surrounding waters are hit by around 300,000 lightning strikes every year, and while these powerful displays of nature are stunning to watch, they also pose significant risk to both people and structures.
New lighting at St Matthias Church in Stoke Newington
CES LLP is a specialist lighting design practice with a fully trained installation team in the niche market of heritage churches and listed buildings. They have been fortunate to have worked in some incredible buildings.
St Matthias Church in Stoke Newington is a Grade 1 listed building. The church was designed during the Victorian era by William Butterfield, the renown gothic revival architect, and was completed in 1853.
In addition to its role as a functioning parish church, St Matthias Church has developed an important role supporting music and the creative arts as a venue to a wide variety of performances.
Read more: New lighting at St Matthias Church in Stoke Newington