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Leadwork project at Ayrshire landmark steeped in history

Aiket Castle near Dunlop is one of the most recent heritage leadwork projects by Ayrshire-based leadwork and roofing specialists Nova Contracts Ltd - and the building is steeped in history. Nova Contracts are working with main contractor Renaissance Masonry Construction Ltd.

Aiket Castle itself was a four storeyed square tower typical of the residences of the lesser barons, originally surrounded by a moat and built by the Cunninghames soon after they acquired the land in 1479. Following the murder of the 4th Earl of Eglinton the castle was destroyed and then rebuilt, with an extension, in 1592. In 1734 the castle was sold and the new owners attempted to remodel the castle as a Georgian semi-classical mansion, removing the top storey in the process.

Enhancing your online experience

Michelmersh marks the start of 2018 with further innovation in the form of its newly released contemporary website. This significant upgrade has improved the layout, design and functionality of www.mbhplc.co.uk for an ever-increasing customer base. The fresh interface follows an intuitive composition which can allow visitors to seamlessly explore the site to reach their desired page. The site also features updated download areas for the news, gallery, technical and BIM (Building Information Modelling) sections.

Mr Lead’s legacy gets the key to the door!

It is hard to believe that it’s 21 years since members and associates of the Lead Contractors Association (LCA) came together to celebrate the announcement of the first Murdoch Award. The award was presented in 1996 in honour of Dick Murdoch – ‘Mr Lead’ – on his retirement. They were founded to mark his tireless efforts and success in raising quality standards in lead-sheet work, part of which led to the founding of the LCA in 1984.

A decade later the Murdoch Sponsor’s Award was added. That featured the smaller installations that used less than five tonnes of lead sheet, but which could be equally demanding of the leadworker’s skills as the larger, more eye-catching projects.

Reggiani keeps the faith at Victorian Chapel

Lighting from Reggiani UK has been included in the restoration of the Victorian Chapel at the University of Winchester, to provide an energy-efficient, uniform lighting scheme. The project by Winchester based Design Engine Architects, has seen the restoration and renovation of the existing Chapel with an additional new extension created to be used as a side chapel.

Architectural terracotta & faience experts share best practice alongside PM Theresa May

Darwen Terracotta and Faience appears alongside Prime Minister Theresa May in the 2016/17 Parliamentary Review. The company was formed by Jon Wilson and Steve Allen two years ago, saving skilled jobs when another company laid off some employees. Since then the company has gone from strength-to-strength.

The Parliamentary Review was established by former minister The Rt Hon David Curry in 2010, and is now a key fixture in the political calendar. Darwen Terracotta features alongside the Prime Minister and other outstanding organisations in a document that looks back on the year in industry and Westminster. The main aim of the Review is to showcase best practice as a learning tool to the public and private sector.

LSA launches new App

The Lead Sheet Association (LSA) are delighted to launch their new App, which uses the years of technical expertise gathered by their staff so leadworkers, contractors and specifiers can access key information at the touch of a button.

Drawing on the information in the LSA’s Manual, it will allow users to quickly find details to help with a range of technical issues, including a handy dual-purpose lap calculator for pitched roofs and cladding in varying circumstances.

The information covers all the basics you might need and is based on the application of Rolled Lead Sheet to BS EN 12588 and conforms to the installation standard of BS 6915.

Protection against pigeons - and other pest birds

Pigeons were roosting within the circular windows of this property in Sutton - the first photo shows where they left fouling marks - and so the owners called in London-based Microbee Bird Control Ltd who are specialists in a wide variety of bird control systems.

The first job was to clean and sterilise the affected area and then a net was fitted to cover the whole circle. They also installed anti perching wire to the ledges of the windows below this - the second photo shows the finished work.

The company offer such protection for a wide range of properties, including churches and heritage buildings.

Martin-Brooks bags Bowmer and Kirkland quartet

Sheffield roofing specialists, Martin-Brooks, are undertaking a fourth major project in 12 months for one of the UK’s leading construction groups – this time, in their home city.

The firm’s heritage experts are re-roofing St Vincent’s church on Solly Street in Sheffield city centre, as part of Bowmer and Kirkland’s transformation into a 574-bed student complex.

Martin-Brooks are carrying out extensive timber truss replacement in the 19th century Roman Catholic church before fully insulating and recovering it in new Spanish slates. Flat roofed areas and rainwater goods are also being replaced.

Michael Palin warns of pest threat to churches

Michael Palin is supporting the future of the UK’s historic churches and chapels with a voiceover for a new animated film.

The 80 second animation, produced for the National Churches Trust, highlights why churches are some of the nation’s best loved buildings.

It also shows some of the dangers facing church buildings. These include leaking roofs, crumbling stonework and the dreaded Deathwatch Beetle, Xestobium rufovillosum.

The proud history of church sound specialist and leading ISCE member, Electronic Audio Systems Ltd

Electronic Audio Systems Ltd has a long, proud and successful history since it was formed by Mr Eric Sawkins in 1988 and has hundreds of church sound system installations, mainly in London and the home counties.

Prior to the birth of the company, Eric had served an electronics engineering apprenticeship with Marconi at Chelmsford and then worked for various UK public address manufacturers and designers.

Meanwhile, after leaving school, Brian Latham served an apprenticeship with the GPO (now BT) and worked for them for 13 years.

Eric always supported the various Trade Associations that have represented the UK industry that he served. In the mid 1980s Eric was a board member of the Association of Public Address Engineers, as was Brian Latham.

Time and the conservation of paintings - by Francis Downing

Ironically, few things today are changing as rapidly as our views on conservation. According to the European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers' Organisations 'conservation consists mainly of direct action carried out on cultural heritage with the aim of stabilising condition and retarding further deterioration'. 'Active' or 'hands on' conservation is commonly used to describe what is, in reality, a form of restoration.

Patience is a virtue with some AV installations

Sometimes it takes a little longer to finish the job, but the end result is worth it. That was the case with the longest-running project to date for AV specialists APi Communications.

Back in April 2012 they were approached by St Michael’s Church in Alphington, Exeter, to specify a sound and projection system as part of an upcoming reordering project. That included many other elements such as a new gallery area, offices, removal of the pews and a new floor.

The construction phase of the gallery and offices duly went ahead in 2015 and APi Communications installed the projector and much of the cabling. However, due to an on-going issue over the removal of pews and the replacement flooring, there was a period of two years where the church used a temporary version of the sound system and trolley-mounted screens for the side aisles.

Icynene spray foam insulation for new Baptist Church in Dumfries

Designers of a new community Baptist Church, nearing completion in Dumfries, turned to spray applied insulation specialists, Icynene to solve a complex insulation challenge.

The new Church is a 2000sqm, multi-purpose building designed by Glasgow based, McLean Architects and built in the Georgetown district of Dumfries in the Scottish Borders.

The building was conceived as a flexible-use community hub comprising worship, conference and youth facilities together a full specification games hall and multi-use games area.

For the games hall, McLean Architects designed an 18.00x 18.00 m sq 8.00m high structure comprising a 140mm thick internal leaf of concrete blockwork with an external steel frame, supporting fibre-cement rain-screen cladding.

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