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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
After the Midlands, onward to Milton Keynes
"CRE Midlands reminded me of the giddy days when it first began – the venue was packed with exhibitors and visitors and there was a busy atmosphere. The whole thing looked great."
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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Dorothea Restorations complete conservation of new gaol gates at Wapping Wharf
As part of the regeneration of Bristol’s Wapping Wharf, Dorothea Restoration has now completed the conservation of the new gaol gates which stand at the southern end of the site. The Grade II listed Gatehouse is to form a new pedestrian path to lead into this interesting and vibrant site of new homes and businesses.
NFTMMS member renovates historic ceramic mosaic floor at major stately home
Restoring the historic ceramic mosaic floor in the game larder at one of the UK’s leading historic houses has been undertaken by National Federation of Terrazzo, Marble and Mosaic Specialists (NFTMMS) member JW Restoration.
According to Federation spokesperson Brian James, this exemplifies the quality of the skills and craftsmanship of NFTMMS members which can produce the most spectacular results.
ISCEx 2018: full details announced
Details have been released of the programme for this year’s ISCEx – the annual exhibition and networking event hosted by the Institute of Sound and Communication Engineers.
ISCEx 2018 will be held on 6-7 March at Coombe Abbey in Warwickshire and will provide excellent opportunities to learn, engage and discuss commercial audio solutions in an intimate, non-imposing environment.
Another brick in an historic Yorkshire wall – 50 years later
A leading Yorkshire brickmaker is currently helping to rebuild an historic two-mile estate wall near York.
The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company, based at Alne, near Easingwold, is restoring the iconic Allerton Park estate wall - 50 years after chairman David Armitage helped to repair the very same wall.
York Handmade is working with Keighley-based building contractor R N Wooler to deliver the project.
Lost wall paintings restored at Church of the Sacred Heart, Caterham
The Church of the Sacred Heart, Caterham, Surrey contains a significant scheme of wall paintings by Joseph Aloyisius Pippet (1840-1903) executed for the Hardman Company between 1890 and 1892. Over the years they had become damaged by water ingress, movement of soluble salts, abrasive cleaning, modern varnish application and over-painting with impermeable paints.
Church video system for Church of the Good Shepherd, Surrey
Newtech Southern was asked to submit a proposal for replacing the church video and audio system at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Surrey. After several meetings to ensure that the new system design was adequate to meet the needs of the church Newtech was awarded the contract to design, install and commission a new audio visual system.
Yorkshire churches' artworks benefit from an expert touch
Based in Harrogate, Everingham Conservation provides a high-quality service for the conservation and restoration of fine art and decorative surfaces. David Everingham trained at the University of Northumbria, where he gained an MA in the conservation of fine art.
New AV system helps church become community hub
Churchgoers at Littleover Methodist Church near Derby are hoping their new £1.9m base will become a hub of the community. The renovated church boasts a new sports hall, cafe, two function rooms, a prayer room and dedicated pre-school area - as well as a tank for rain water harvesting.
On top of all this it also has a linked sound and AV system so that services can be heard in rooms throughout the building.
Historic clock paves the way for future expertise
Turret clock and Harrison specialist, Chris McKay, last month worked alongside apprentices from clockmakers Smith of Derby to restore the James Harrison of Hull's clock which arrived at the company's Derby workshop on 22nd December.
The preliminary analysis of the clock marks the first step towards a restoration which will see the piece reinstalled at the Derby Silk Mill as part of their renovation to become the Museum of Making 2020.
Grants for the conservation of clocks
The next closing date for the ChurchCare Grants for the Conservation of Clocks is 5 March 2018, for a May funding decision. All mechanical clocks in Anglican churches in England are eligible, including early electro-mechanical clocks.
The project must involve overhaul and repair of the movement and/or dial motionwork. Repair and redecoration of the dial itself is only considered when the dial is ancient and of historical interest and the treatment is conservation-based.
Prestigious building restored to former glory by Heritage Cob & Lime
Bridge House Veterinary Surgery had a cement render which, over the years, had begun to crack and allow water ingress, the front elevation suffering the worst . Internally there were damp issues whilst outside some major problems were discovered that needed remedying. On removing the external cement render, specialists from Heritage Cob & Lime found a few challenges that needed immediate attention. Some of the roof timbers had been affected by damp ingress and were in a poor state, so they set about cutting out all decayed wood and replacing with new timbers. As work commenced on the top part of the front elevation, it was discovered that the parapet wall was moving away from the abutting wall.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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