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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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Reggiani helps to provide the light at Corpus Christi, Oxford
Reggiani Lighting’s Yori and Envios LED projectors have been incorporated in a new lighting scheme for the Chapel at the prestigious Corpus Christi College, Oxford, as part of a major refurbishment project.
In coordination with GBS Architect Oxford and dpa lighting consultants designed and implemented the new lighting throughout the chapel to enhance the stunning architectural interior whilst ensuring that the new lighting allowed for all the appropriate scenes and flexibility required by a space which is used for a diverse range of functions.
Ironwork doesn’t have to be painted black
In December 2014 Arroll and Snell, architects for Shrewsbury Roman Catholic Cathedral, asked TOPP & Co. for ideas regarding guard railings and gates to a new entrance and external staircases to the cathedral, as part of a major redevelopment of access and circulation within the building. The cathedral was opened in 1856 and is in what is now known as Victorian gothic style. The interior was designed by Edward Pugin, son of his famous father Augustus Pugin, well known as a champion of the gothic revival, whose most famous works include the interior of the palace of Westminster.
When is a guarantee no guarantee at all?
Quite simply, when the installing contractor is no longer around when a problem occurs with their “guaranteed” work
Of course they may just refuse to return to site - after all, they’ve been paid for the work, why should they care?
They may even have gone out of business (how good is their guarantee then?) - and just how good was the “Guaranteed” workmanship in the first place?
That’s why the 25 year Guarantee from a member of the Lead Contractors Association (LCA) is different.
War Art framed and displayed
Nicole Wall, of Southampton based picture framers We Frame It, was recently approached to undertake an unusual project to frame a rare painting created during the second world war. Nicole takes up the story:
"I do have some challenging items brought in by customers from time to time and none more so then this large piece of War Art dating from 1938. It was a cartoon of my customer’s father leaving his horse regiment in Palestine to join the newly formed tank regiment in Europe.
"The picture was unusual as it had been painted on paper used to line ammunition boxes and as such had a central core of tar impregnated coconut fibres. It was extremely brittle and had been stored rolled up in various attics over the years. Still, the artwork remained very clear and the customer now wanted it framed and displayed on the wall.
A guide to architectural metalwork, wrought iron and its restoration
Our next issue will feature a fascinating insight, exploring metallurgy, production techniques, its architectural and historical context and best practice conservation.
Wrought iron, normally produced from pig iron, is a ferrous carbon alloy with a significantly lower carbon content (less than 0.1%) than cast iron or steel. Wrought iron is produced with slag inclusions (the top layer of melt formed during smelting containing oxides and other impurities) which gives wrought iron a characteristic fibrous nature. The slag provides a range of material properties including, toughness, ease of welding, resistance to corrosion, malleability when hot and tensile strength.
Martin-Brooks restores South Yorkshire Holy Trinity
The heritage roofing specialists at Sheffield-based Martin-Brooks have added sparkle to a trio of the region’s ecclesiastical gems.
The firm has completed extensive roof repairs on three churches in Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster that benefited from government grants for listed places of worship.
Martin-Brooks was successful in securing contracts by competitive tender to renovate the roofs of St Thomas’ in Kimberworth, Rotherham, Holy Trinity and St Oswald’s in Finningley, Doncaster and Christ Church in Pitsmoor, Sheffield.
NHIG - Heritage Ironwork Seminar
The National Ironwork Heritage Group (NHIG) are holding a Heritage Ironwork Seminar on Friday June 30th this year at Hartlebury Castle, Kidderminster DY11 7XZ from 9.30am to 4.30pm.
The National Heritage Ironwork Group was established in 2009 to raise public awareness about historic ironwork and provide guidance to professionals involved in its restoration. NHIG promotes good conservation practice and high standards of workmanship so as to safeguard the long term survival and integrity of heritage ironwork for the benefit of the nation. They also champion practitioners of traditional ironworking skills and aim to inspire emerging professionals to develop traditional skills. While they cannot endorse the work of specific companies, members are by virtue of their membership ascribing to NHIG Conservation Principles.
Heath Methodist Church, Runcorn gets acoustic and aesthetic upgrade from Richard King Systems
Completed in 1970 the building is bold statement of modern architecture. However, while the interior of the main worship hall is visually impressive, the environment for speech intelligibility is acoustically very challenging.
Previous attempts to improve communication of the service by the installation of a sound reinforcement system provided only very limited improvement. In fact, it could be fair to say that, these measures had just aggravated the acoustic situation.
The 2017 Repair Grants Programme is open for applications
Repair grants from the National Churches Trust are awards usually of between £5,000 and £40,000 towards the cost of urgent and essential structural repair projects, such as roof repairs. Projects must usually have an estimated cost of at least £100,000 (including VAT and fees) to qualify.
Places of worship of any denomination and age are eligible and applications from listed and unlisted Christian places of worship across the UK will be considered. The Trust are particularly interested in seeing applications from their priority areas - North East England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as from Baptist and Presbyterian churches, but other churches may still apply.
Legacy of renowned botanist lives on in archive storage box
Daniel Charles Solander (1736-1782) was a renowned Swedish botanist who came to England on the advice of his tutor Linnaeus to become Assistant Librarian, and afterwards Keeper of Printed Books, at the British Museum. He also travelled on the ‘Endeavour’ with Captain Cook on his expedition to the Pacific. He was a Fellow of the Royal Society and acted as Secretary and Librarian to Sir Joseph Banks, the eminent scientist.
Architectural terracotta producer goes from strength to strength
Two years on from saving over 30 skilled jobs, Darwen Terracotta and Faience report they have smashed their original £1.3 million turnover target. “There is a well justified buzz about the place and an optimism that the hard teamwork and effort have paid off and we have created a sustainable path to a better future for all, explained Jon Wilson.”
Juliet’s journey: it started with a scarf
When Juliet Hemingray was asked to make an embroidered preaching scarf for a friend, an amazing journey began that has seen her become a leading creator of church textiles.
Countless members of the cloth now wear Juliet’s ecclesiastical vestments, including three Archbishops of Canterbury – George Carey, Rowan Williams and Justin Welby. The colourful robes worn by the Archbishop of York, John Sentamu at his enthronement were also made by Juliet and her talented team, in collaboration with Watts & Co.
Iron Glasshouse repair works, Tyntesfield in Bristol
Dorothea Restorations have been working on this Grade 1 listed National Trust property for many years. Projects have included removal, restoration painting and refitting of historic guttering and downpipes, and repairs to the unique cast iron glass houses in the kitchen gardens, and wrought iron potting shed windows.
William Gibbs, who build his fortune on fertiliser, created this fine example of a Gothic revival Victorian country home. Gibbs bought Tyntes Place estate in 1843, at the time featuring a simple regency style house.
Stability in a world of change - Cunnings celebrate 40 years
Queen Elizabeth II celebrates her Silver Jubilee, the Ford Fiesta goes on sale in the UK, British Airways inaugurates a regular supersonic Concorde service from London to New York and Cunnings Recording Associates is established in London.
Rainclear take the guess-work out of guttering
Rainclear Systems has been providing customers with high quality Metal Guttering for over a decade now. At the same time the friendly, knowledgeable team have been offering advice, free quotations and a ‘take off’ service to its customers.
But what is a ‘take off’ service and how does it take the guess-work out of buying your guttering?
Double planning success for Dorchester and Shepton Mallet Prison redevelopments
Planning permission has been granted for architect Purcell’s two prison redevelopments for City & Country. Dorchester prison in Dorset and Shepton Mallet prison in Somerset will be restored and converted into high quality homes.
Uniquely created for practicality and beauty
On 27th November 2016 Stoke Newington Methodist Church opened the doors of its new church on Stoke Newington High Street. Somerset based Fullers Finer Furniture were approached to assist with the design and manufacture of furniture for the building, having in recent years worked in a number of methodist churches in London.
Whilst great care is taken to ensure that each project the company undertakes receives identical expertise, craftsmanship and customer service, each is uniquely created to suit the specification and character of the individual church – there is no ‘one size fits all’.
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