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Heritage Roofing
Heritage roofing - maintaining our iconic buildings
The UK is home to some of the most iconic buildings in the world, from stunning churches and cathedrals to historic stately homes. Each and every one of these remarkable feats of architecture requires regular maintenance to ensure they remain in the very best condition, allowing them to be enjoyed for generations.
Cathedral Care
Restoration and upkeep of cathedrals
There are some 42 Anglican cathedrals in the UK, not to mention 20 or so Catholic cathedrals. Cathedrals form the most important collection of historic buildings in England. The largest and most ancient are internationally famous, the smallest are usually among the most significant buildings in their region and even the most recent are architectural masterpieces.
Master Craftsmen
Championing our heritage with modern craftsmanship
Twenty years ago, English Heritage (now Historic England) published its first-ever Register of Buildings at Risk across England, which featured nearly 2,000 buildings and monuments that were ‘neglected, broken and unloved’. Recently Historic England was delighted to announce that over two-thirds of those buildings were now safe, in both urban and rural areas right across the country.
Traditional Lime
Lime: it’s better for buildings – and for the environment
It is now fairly well known that cement is not good for old buildings and that lime mortar should be used. But why? What are the advantages and what are the disadvantages? In order to begin to answer those questions it is necessary to understand the nature of traditional building, the process by which buildings used to be built, and how it differs from modern construction, the process by which we build today.
Audio Visual
Audio visual equipment in church buildings
This guidance is issued by the Church Buildings Council under section 55(1)(d) of the Dioceses, Mission and Pastoral Measure 2007. As it is statutory guidance, it must be considered with great care. The standards of good practice set out in the guidance should not be departed from unless the departure is justified by reasons that are spelled out clearly, logically and convincingly.
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CRE Events
Exhibitors enthuse over the CRE experience
By 4pm on the first day of CRE 24 at the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes, exhibitors Chris and Kim Dunphy had already had so many helpful and detailed conversations with visitors that they were “completely talked out”.
Insurance
You need to ensure that reasonable precautions are in place at your church to keep it safe for those who use it. To do this, you need to think about what might cause harm to people.
You will then need to decide if the precautions already in place are adequate. If they are not, you may need to identify further action to prevent any danger. When done formally, this is known as a risk assessment.
Church Maintenance
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.
Pest Control
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.
Town Halls
The history of the great Victorian Town Halls of Northern England
From industrial squalor to civic pride, the story behind some of the most impressive buildings of the North involve a unique mix of economics, grand designs and noble sentiments within communities.
Lead Roofing
Lead is one of the oldest materials in the roofing industry and is still commonly used throughout the world today.
Lead roofing is a traditional roofing method which has been used in the industry for hundreds of years, and is therefore proven to be extremely reliable. Lead roofing, and sand-cast lead, in particular is ideal for old buildings such as churches or historical renovations, whereas milled lead roofing is a mass-produced alternative, used for precision and accuracy in homes and commercial buildings alike.
Lightning Protection
When lightning strikes are you protected against this act of God?
The issue of lightning protection in churches is one that has exercised this publication for many years. In this four-part series of spotlights on the issue we will be revisiting various aspects of the subject, beginning with an overview of current thinking.
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Industrial Heritage Support Officer for England project receives funding for 2025-2026
The Industrial Heritage Support Officer (IHSO) role has been awarded funding to enable it to continue its work to preserve England’s industrial heritage in the year April 2025 to March 2026.
The IHSO project, which began in September 2012, is funded by Historic England and the Association for Industrial Archaeology (AIA) and managed by the Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT). It aims to support the approximately 600 industrial heritage sites open to the public in England. These sites are major educational, leisure and tourism assets, and an important part of the story of England’s pioneering role in industrialisation. Many of these sites are amongst the country’s most visible, and visited, heritage monuments.
Let there be light!
Stella Rooflight have provided three bespoke conservation rooflights for St Mary’s Church in Wivenhoe as part of a transformation project.
St Mary’s church in Wivenhoe has been in existence since at least 1254. The North and South aisles of the church were built in 1340 and 1350, making St Mary’s the oldest building still standing in Wivenhoe and clearly of significant local and national historical importance.
The church tower was added in the 15th century with diagonal buttresses and a foundation of Roman brick. After a fire in 1850 it was decided to rebuild and enlarge the church according to the designs of the architect E C Hakewill. Further restoration was required after the parts of the church were damaged by the most destructive earthquake in recorded British history: the 1884 Colchester Earthquake.
Chapel Royal restoration in Brighton by Michelmersh includes four replacement Gargoyles
A total of 250 terra cotta replacement units were required at Chapel Royal. The restoration included four replacement Gargoyles, the complete parapet balustrade and a variety of other specialised pieces including finials and clock face surround blocks.
Chapel Royal, Brighton was opened for worship in 1795, two years earlier the Foundation Stone was laid by the Prince Regent. Originally it was intended as a Chapel of Ease to St Nicholas, the old Parish Church, to accommodate Brighton’s seasonal fluctuation in population, however, it quickly became one of Brighton’s most important churches.
Heritage properties urged to take precautions as Blenheim Palace toilet theft trial continues
Specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical is reminding historical properties to take security precautions to protect valuable artworks as the trial of individuals accused of stealing a £2.8m gold toilet takes place.
The theft of the 18-carat gold fully functional toilet, titled ‘America’ and made by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, took place at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire in September 2019.
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.
York Handmade plays pivotal role in the creation of the York Minster Centre of Excellence
The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company has played a pivotal role in the creation of the York Minster Centre of Excellence.
York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, has supplied 17,000 specially manufactured bricks for the new centre, which is a world class campus facility for research, education and training in traditional craft skills.
PPM prevents breakdowns and keeps worship on track
Experts from North East-based Blaydon Communications Ltd explain the importance of planned preventative maintenance for church audio-visual systems
In the manufacturing sector, planned preventative maintenance (PPM) is a well-established practice aimed at proactively preventing equipment breakdowns. However, the concept is often overlooked in houses of worship, where the value of such maintenance is not fully appreciated.
Yet the importance of PPM for church audio-visual systems cannot be overstated. Audio-visual systems are essential for enhancing the worship experience, ensuring accessibility and fulfilling legal obligations.
Rare examples of painted railings preserved at Bath Abbey
The Abbey Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul in Bath (Bath Abbey) was founded in the 7th century: originally as a convent and later becoming a monastery.
Monks fleeing reforms in France in the mid 10th century were given the church in Bath by King Edward I. During the early 12th century a building on a grander scale began to be built, dedicated to St Peter and St Paul, with work taking around 50 years to complete.
Royton Town Hall restoration uncovers hidden treasures as community welcomes transformation
In September, Royton Town Hall re-opened its doors following a complete restoration. The community has welcomed the transformation, which has included a new-look library, community space and a new garden area.
Bringing the much-loved landmark back to its original glory was at the heart of the project. The town hall's many Victorian features now have pride of place, including some which came as a brilliant surprise...
Clarity of speech aids delivery of the word in Chester
Blacon is an area of post-war housing on the outskirts of Chester, with St Theresa’s a bold landmark suburban church. The building style is distinctive modern Gothic, but with a conventional plan-form: a long, high nave with a prominent west door and offset corner tower.
The spacious, well-lit interior is conventionally arranged and retains some attractive fittings, including a striking mosaic reredos, oak pews and a marble altar and pulpit. The parish was created after the Franciscans of Chester provided a site for a church and presbytery in 1956, together with £1,000. Work commenced in April 1958 and the foundation stone was laid on 11 October that year. The presbytery and exterior of the church were completed in July 1959 and the first Mass was said on 14 December.
£23 million government package to support restoration of thousands of listed places of worship
Heritage Minister Sir Chris Bryant has announced that the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme will be extended into the next financial year, providing £23 million so that thousands of historical buildings, including churches, synagogues, mosques and temples, can carry out restoration work.
New sound system for St Peter’s Church, Hever
St Peter’s Church in Hever is the oldest of the three in the benefice, dating back to the 12th century and worship has been held here for over 875 years. It contains the tomb of Sir Thomas Bullen, father of Anne Boleyn and grandfather of Queen Elizabeth the First.
Surrey-based Scanaudio Ltd were invited to submit proposals for updating the 20-year-old sound and loop system for improved system performance and control with a clear upgrade path available for future integration with control and projection facilities. The company installed a TOA F series loudspeaker system with additional coverage for the Bullen Chapel and a small sub-bass to provide full-range sound reproduction for music sources.
Summer proves the ideal time to replace church boilers
The parish church of St Michael and All Angels in Tettenhall Regis, Wolverhampton looks at first sight to be a traditional listed church building. It is sited in one of two manors in Tettenhall parish, the other being Tettenhall Clericorum.
It is indeed Grade Two listed. But that belies a secret. In 1950 a terrible fire virtually destroyed the old church, leaving only the 16th-century tower and Victorian porch standing.
York Handmade plays pivotal role in the restoration of iconic Welsh theatre
The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company has played a pivotal role in a restoration of Theatr Clwyd in North Wales.
York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, has supplied 37,000 specially manufactured bricks for the theatre, which had become unfit for purpose.
This significant contract was worth £37,000 to York Handmade, one of the leading independent brickmakers in the country.
Church’s locally listed status adds to contractor’s challenges
When Hyssop Project began its first venture into the renovation of a church building, they encountered more than they first expected. The company’s founder and director SHEAHAN THORNE describes how the project developed.
Through an architect friend who attends the Hackney Evangelical Reformed Church on Lauriston Road, Victoria Park, we were initially asked to strip back elements of the building’s internal fabrics which was experiencing severe symptoms of dry rot and wet rot.
Milestone church gets 21st-century upgrade
In 1895 there were about 100 Catholics in the Colwyn Bay area and Mass was celebrated in a private house in the town. However, on Sunday Mass was celebrated in a large room in the Imperial Hotel.
The year 1898 was a milestone for the Colwyn Bay Mission. In January of that year, at the invitation of the bishop, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate – a priestly order – took charge of the mission. The order is still serving the parish today.
‘Scope’ involvement sees ASWS earn refurb contract for historic Copthall House
As an acknowledged specialist in the restoration of steel and other metal windows, Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) is regularly called upon to carry out surveys for client’s consultant teams in advance of major projects beginning. Copthall House in the City of London being one instance where its involvement in preparing a scope document led to the company being awarded a contract to carry out the demanding work.
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