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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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NFRC launches Safe2Torch Guidance
The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) have launched their Safe2Torch campaign. The focus of the campaign is new guidance, developed in partnership with stakeholders across the industry, which aims to reduce the risk of roof fires when using gas torches on roofs.
The Safe2Torch campaign will directly affect at least 50% of all the flat roofs installed in the UK.
New initiative and publication from Priva explains new ways to future-proof historic and listed buildings
Protecting the fabric of the historic or listed buildings is undoubtedly the ultimate priority for anyone associated with building conservation. However, the conservation sector may be unaware that it is possible to future-proof heritage buildings with the same control-based technologies found in modern structures.
With this in mind, leading building controls manufacturer, Priva, has published a guide, which includes case studies covering the integration of building and energy management systems at some of the world’s most famous buildings.
Lighting for £20m restoration adds to historic integrity
Knole is in the throes of a £19.8 million conservation project, the largest ever undertaken by its owners the National Trust. The conservation and restoration of this 600-year-old property is firmly focussed on ensuring that its aesthetic is empathetic to its heritage and is historically accurate.
In the Cartoon Gallery named after the Raphael cartoons that hang in this the longest of Knole’s galleries, bespoke chandeliers have been manufactured by Dernier & Hamlyn to designs by the lighting designers, Sutton Vane Associates. They were cast in solid brass and hand finished in silver in a traditional Knole style that was adapted to include LED spotlights fitted to the baluster which are used to highlight artworks. The chandeliers replicate those that previously hung there, evidenced by historic photographs and archival material.
Martin-Brooks receives heritage award recognition
Sheffield-based Martin-Brooks were proud to be one of just four firms shortlisted for the National Federation of Roofing Contractors’ (NFRC) heritage roofing award for its recent work at the Welbeck Estate near Worksop - the awards celebrate exceptional standards of workmanship in the roofing industry.
Martin-Brooks’ craftsmen have restored the roof on the historic Poultry House, which is being redeveloped into a children’s nursery as part of the Welbeck Project. It involved removing the existing coverings and replacing the highly decorative finish with as much salvaged material as possible.
We are Britain’s Brick Specialists
As ‘Britain’s Brick Specialists’, Michelmersh, the UK’s premium producer of bricks, pavers and roof tiles, has released a new corporate video, exhibiting the Company’s innovative brands that have become some of the most trusted names within the construction sector. With advancements in the Company’s latest technology processes, new designs and innovation, Michelmersh continues to retain its reputation for beautiful, durable and natural looking clay pieces to satisfy wider audiences.
The video demonstrates the Company’s outstanding reliability, unparalleled workmanship and high product performance to meet any design requirement. Laid in harmony with their environment, Michelmersh’s clay products command a strong character to every development and a charm that is truly deserved.
Authentic decorating for castles, churches and stately homes
The team from Mark Galley Decorators Ltd are pictured applying their expertise at the prestigious Mingary Castle restoration project which featured in a recent issue of Ecclesiastical and Heritage World. The Bradford-based company are one of the most accomplished decorating contractors in the country and are particularly skilled in the sympathetic restoration of listed buildings and heritage sites.
Established in 1982 as a one-man band, Mark Galley took any type of decorating job to get the business recognised and, as time went on, his name became known for quality work and commitment to customers.
As jobs became bigger and more plentiful Mark started taking on staff and the business now has upwards of 15 full time employees who work on both commercial and residential properties.
‘The fairest abbey of all Wales’ returned to former glory through CGI technology
Neath Abbey — a site that has witnessed Cistercian monks, Tudor splendour and thriving industry over its 900-year history — will share its story with visitors in new and exciting ways from this month.
Part of a wider £548k project, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service (Cadw) has today (20 June 2017) unveiled a series of interactive displays at the 12th-century site, to help visitors explore its rich and varied history.
Unique style revived - and the light shines forth
If you venture west from the coastal town of Berwick-upon-Tweed – on the border of England and Scotland – towards the gentle, rounded hills of the Cheviots, you will soon enter the small village of Ancroft in Northumberland. At the centre of the village is the small parish church of St Anne, from which the village may have derived its name.
The church dates from the latter part of the 11th century, built by the monks from nearby Holy Island. It was later fortified with a Northumbrian pele tower, a 13th-century addition that provided shelter against the continual Scottish border raids prevalent at the time. St Anne’s was restored in 1836 and again in 1870 – by Alnwick architect F R Wilson. During that time the nave was extended, the chancel rebuilt and the windows replaced: all in imitation of the Norman original.
James Stone Masonry Ltd gets the job done at St Paul’s Court Macclesfield
James Stone Masonry Ltd were used as the specialist sub contractor to carry out the restoration work at St Paul’s Court Macclesfield, the original scope of works was to cut away the old hard sand and cement repairs to window surrounds and replace with a lime mortar repair system.
First of all samples were carried out to be approved by the client and conservation officer, once approved the work commenced on the window surrounds.
During the works James Stone Masonry Ltd were asked to look at further works needed within the project this included taking off and re-bedding copings to gables, descaleing loose and friable stone work and 100 percent pointing to the front and two side elevations, once again samples were carried out and approved by client and conservation officer.
Southend church gets new stained glass windows to complement new interior
This set of four 2-light windows, designed by Essex-based Aura Visions, was set into the East elevation of Avenue Baptist Church, Southend on Sea, once the organ and choir pews had been removed. The entire building was reordered to allow for an ever-growing congregation which also required the replacement of the Baptistry Pool. This was decorated by Paul Siggins of the Mosaic Studio, Southend and is a stunning centre piece for the new interior.
Southend church gets new stained glass windows to complement new interior
This set of four 2-light windows, designed by Essex-based Aura Visions, was set into the East elevation of Avenue Baptist Church, Southend on Sea, once the organ and choir pews had been removed. The entire building was reordered to allow for an ever-growing congregation which also required the replacement of the Baptistry Pool. This was decorated by Paul Siggins of the Mosaic Studio, Southend and is a stunning centre piece for the new interior.
Lancashire firm plays major role in restoration of remote Scottish castle
TSB Ironcraft of Rishton, near Blackburn in Lancashire, played a major part in the three-year restoration project at the historic Mingary Castle on the west coast of Scotland, which was completed last year.
TSB are a small family business who have been involved with the manufacture and installation of wrought iron products for over 12 years.
Sheffield church trailblazes new maintenance service
A Sheffield church has become the first in the country to benefit from Maintenance Booker, an innovative maintenance service from the National Churches Trust.
The historic Grade II listed St Augustine's church in Endcliffe, Sheffield, is the first church in the UK to carry out vital maintenance work booked through the Maintenance Booker website, which makes it easy for the people who look after historic churches to keep them in good condition.
The wait is over for cast aluminium colours – 26 colours in 7 days
Heritage Cast Aluminium gutters and downpipes are a cost-effective alternative to Cast Iron being lighter and therefore easier to handle and fix; non-corrodible and durable with a life expectancy of 40 years and still 100% recyclable. The BBA approved in-house factory applied Polyester Powder Coated (PPC) Heritage Cast Aluminium gutters and downpipes in a choice of 26 standard colours are now consistently being delivered in 7 - 10 days.
Aluminium is already the low maintenance option for guttering but the factory applied PPC has a life expectancy of at least 15 years in heavily polluted areas and 20 elsewhere, and extends the life of the product beyond 40 years. Only periodic maintenance is advised; applying a warm soapy water solution to bring back the original appearance while checking for joint integrity and removing any accumulated debris at the same.
The care and repair of our built heritage
The Yorkshire Dales have a stunningly beautiful range of both listed and non-listed buildings, each with its own unique history and stories to tell, writes old and listed building specialist Kevin Woods.
They stand as a tribute to the craftsmanship of our forbears, ranging from imposing castles, stately homes, parish churches and manor houses to simply-built workers’ cottages, field barns and dry-stone walls.
Jay Stubbs, a self-employed leadworker from Essex, scoops Young Leadworker of the Year 2017 prize
After a tough practical assessment at the LSA back in March, we are delighted to announce that Jay Stubbs, 26 years old, from Hornchurch in Essex is the LSA 2107 Young Leadworker of the Year.Jay received his award as part of The Roofing Awards 2017, organised by the NFRC.
Jay, who is self-employed and trades as LDN Leadwork Ltd, beat two other top candidates to the title – Callum Thornhill, a self-employed leadworker trading as CT Leadworks Ltd from Kirton in Lincolnshire; and Shane White, a self-employed Leadworker trading as SW Leadworks Ltd from Wiveliscombe in Somerset.
Bringing back the terracotta glow at historic church
A major project just completed at St Catherine’s Parish Church in Horwich near Bolton, restores original terracotta features that were suffering from over a hundred years of weathering. More than 100 new blocks, manufactured by Darwen Terracotta (DTL) in Blackburn have been installed by Lambert Walker Limited under the supervision of Buttress Architects in Manchester.
St Catherine’s is noted for its magnificent West window, framed in terracotta and part of the initial phase of construction undertaken between 1897 and 1902. “Time had not been kind, the prevailing weather had eroded joints permitting water ingress resulting in secondary frost damage to some of the blocks,” observed DTL director Jon Almond. In total over 100 blocks were identified that had been damaged beyond repair including sills, mullions and window surrounds as well as wall copings and buttress units.
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