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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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A warm church gives a warm welcome!
That is the message to church managers from Essex-based Argonaut Heating Ltd, a company with over 40 years experience in the industrial and commercial heating sector.
Specialising in church heating systems, they can provide cost-effective and efficient design, installation, repair and maintenance services and understand the problems involved in heating churches, community centres, halls and other places of worship.
Five ways to winter-proof your oast house
Winter. It might come round once a year, and if you are not prepared it can end up costing you a fair bit. This year has seen a dramatic rise in home working and many of us will be spending more time in our home this winter than ever. So making sure your oast house is ready for the upcoming season is essential.
Here are four tips from oast house specialists Dude & Arnette to make sure you are prepared for whatever this year’s weather has in store for us:
Challenging restoration project at Blenheim Palace clock tower
Blenheim Palace is a large iconic country house near Woodstock in Oxfordshire. It is home to the Duke of Marlborough and birthplace of Winston Churchill. As part of a large restoration project on the East Courtyard Tower, Mansfield based Time Assured was chosen to restore four large stone clock dials and a decorative gold coronet above the west dial.
Restoration of the portico steps at Caroline Gardens Chapel
The chapel of the Licensed Victuallers’ Asylum, now known as Caroline Gardens Chapel, was built as part of a large set of almshouses for the support of publicans ‘advanced in age and suffering from infirmity…and no longer capable of supporting themselves’. Construction began in 1827 on a large plot of land in Camberwell, and continued until 1850 when the chapel was built in the centre of the almshouse crescent. By 1866, the site had 170 separate dwellings, a chapel, chaplain’s residence, library, board and court room. The architect was the little-known Henry Rose, who worked mostly in Southwark.
Conservation of Elizabeth Tower and Big Ben
Affectionately known around the world as Big Ben and shrouded in scaffolding since 2017, the Elizabeth Tower is being repaired from the gilt cross and orb at its tip, to the bottom of its 334-step staircase.
This is the largest and most complex conservation project in the Tower’s history.
Parliament is restoring the clock tower to its former glory, as well as modernising and upgrading facilities to make it fit for the 21st century. This is vital to ensure that this iconic building, situated on a UNESCO World Heritage site, is safeguarded for future generations to visit and enjoy.
Historic St Stephen’s Hall ceiling shines again as Parliament concludes major repair and cleaning work
A major piece of work to clean and repair the ceiling of the historic St Stephen’s Hall, right in the heart of Parliament, has now come to an end.
The intricate and specialist work involved is part of a wider programme of works that focuses on the repair and replacement of stonework, as well as mechanical and electrical systems in the Palace of Westminster.
Christ Church Chapter House wins Oxford Preservation Trust Award
Purcell’s conservation of the Grade I listed Chapter House at Oxford’s Christ Church Cathedral has won a prestigious Oxford Preservation Trust Award for building conservation. Working with Cliveden Conservation, the building has been carefully upgraded to improve accessibility and to ensure the continued protection of this significant building which is now fully open and in regular use for a wide range of public and academic events.
The first phase of work on this fine example of a 13th century building focused on paring back fixtures and fittings installed over the years when the Chapter House was used as the cathedral shop and treasury. The original marble floor has been repaired, along with lime plaster on the walls and masonry repairs.
Grade 2-listed Battersea Power Station among Michelmersh record seven awards at 2022 Brick Awards
Michelmersh is thrilled to show its pedigree as Britain’s Brick Specialist with 7 wins and 2 commendations at the 2022 Brick Development Association (BDA) Brick Awards. The 46th Brick Awards highlighted exemplary work across the construction industry with fantastic projects submitted by architects across the country. 13 judges worked together to identify projects that embody celebrated brick architecture, innovation and craftsmanship across 17 categories both locally and internationally.
At the double! York Handmade highly commended at brick oscars
The York Handmade Brick Company, one of the leading independent brickmakers in the country, has been highly commended in two categories in the prestigious 2022 Brick Awards.
York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, in North Yorkshire, was singled out for praise in the Individual Housing and the Refurbishment categories.
New mixer adds to upgraded Zooming capacity
An upgrade to the sound reinforcement system at First Church Christ Scientist, London, has recently been completed by Redhill-based Scanaudio. The upgrade provides a fully-interactive Zoom meeting experience for those members unable to attend church.
The church took the opportunity to change the old audio mixer for a flexible QSC Core 110f processor to provide comprehensive control of the audio system, with echo cancellation for far-end Zoom participants and audio relayed over the local church loudspeakers.
Work smarter, not harder with the new Michelmersh Group website
Michelmersh Brick Holdings PLC is excited to announce the launch of its fresh, new website. The innovative and inspiring content on offer at mbhplc.co.uk provides an incredibly quick way for anyone to create their own façade design, compare products by colour swatch, download BIM files, read case studies on its award-winning projects or search for information such as technical guidance on projecting brickwork and much more.
CES Lighting and Electrical specialists illuminate England’s second oldest Cathedral
Rochester Cathedral is a Grade I listed building and is England’s second oldest Cathedral having been founded in AD 604. Located in the heart of the town of Rochester on the banks of the River Medway, the Cathedral attracts worshippers from across the country as well as many visitors and tourists.
The cathedral has undergone a number of renovations, extensions and reconfiguration over its lifetime. Most recently, a holistic lighting scheme to bring together the exterior and interior of the Cathedral, was commissioned. The project also incorporates a wiring assessment, alongside the introduction of a lighting control system that is suited for the daily activities of the Cathedral as well as accommodating special or one-off events.
Access rental specialist goes large with first spider boom
Rental specialist Anglia Access Platforms has invested in its first Hinowa tracked spider boom – and sent it straight out on hire for a tree management project.
Anglia Access has strengthened its hire fleet with a bi-energy lithium-diesel Hinowa Lightlift 33.17 Performance IIIS, supplied by Hinowa’s UK and Ireland distributor, Access Platform Sales (APS).
Stone cleaning experts offer advice on care of memorials
Independent Memorial Inspection (IMI) offer the service of cleaning and conserving war memorials using only methods approved by War Memorials Trust and English Heritage. They work in tandem and liaise with In Memoriam 2014 enduring the safety of our nation's war memorials as well as with The United Kingdom National Inventory of War Memorials who keep an up to date record of all the war memorials nationally. A number of the company's clients have undertaken the operations with grants for the works which IMI carry out to the high standards required for the grants.
New roof helps repair the toll taken by the sea
St Paul’s Church, Sandgate, on the outskirts of Folkestone, is a Victorian Gothic style church. Built in 1849 on the site of an earlier Episcopal Chapel, it is one of architect S S Teulon’s earliest works. In 1919 the war memorial porch designed by C W Oldrid-Scott was added, and he also designed further improvements which were carried out from 1923-1934 – including a barrel-vaulted nave ceiling.
The reredos painting of the nativity was designed by Robert Anning-Bell in 1923, together with the west window in 1926. Ceiling decoration was the work of Charles Powell from 1927 to 1936.
Expert diagnostics help maintain the woods and the trees
Occasionally, trees, just like us, can have problems that need an extra level of information to enable better-informed decisions regarding their management or safety. Ian Barnes is lead arboricultural consultant and director of Barnes Associates, who offer a range of detailed assessments to help identify, understand and quantify issues that can affect trees.
Newcastle Cathedral - creating a sustainable and adaptable sacred space
Work has completed on Newcastle Cathedral, safeguarding its place at the heart of contemporary city life. Through a series of fundamental changes and innovative design solutions, Purcell – architects and heritage consultants – have designed and delivered a space fit for the 21st Century and beyond.
In its first major reordering of the cathedral since 1777, the work has dramatically improved the cathedral’s offering, creating a cultural, civic, and religious building that is fit-for-service and universally accessible, forging a protected, flexible, and sustainable future. The project covered approximately 4,500m2 and was made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Newcastle Cathedral Trust among private donors, and numerous trusts and foundations.
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