Current Issue
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 reader’s point of view on lightning protection
| BS6651:BSEN 62305Dear Sir/Madam,
I read with great interest your article on lightning protection in the magazine and the changes in the standards from BS 6651/1999 to the new BSEN 62305. I would like to point-out that fortunately, there are alternatives to the new system that carry European Be International Standards and have done so for many years. Very few Church's, historic or listed buildings could afford the original full BS 6651 system, most in point of fact, have only part systems or less. I have always been aware of the cost involved especially in the case of Church's and Historic Buildings.
Church Heating Design & Installation by Mellor and Mottram
Mellor & Mottram Mechanical Services Ltd were established in 1973.The company was originally run by Roger Mottram and Jack Mellor who are now both retired. The company is now run by Stuart Mottram who personally looks after all interest in the company and also carries out all surveys on a one to one basis with clients.
The NHTG Accredited Heritage Building Contractors Register
The NHTG Traditional Building Craft Skills in England research identified the need for a UK wide unified Accredited Heritage Building Contractors Register, with regional and national emphasis.40 years of tradition
Recclesia Ltd specialises in the conservation and restoration of churches, listed buildings and ancient monuments. Acting as principal contractor, our team has over forty years of experience in specialist works to some of the UK's most outstanding buildings, with recognised expertise in stonemasonry, limework, metalwork and stained and leaded glass.Soundproofing in older buildings
By Iain MairKeeping noise down to an acceptable level in older buildings can be very difficult. Usually, this is due to the fact that the property, be it a family house or converted property, was never constructed to cope with 21st century noise levels!
Palace project contracts awarded
York company plays key role in scottish palace recreationHistoric Scotland is delighted to announce the award of a series of specialist contracts for its ongoing Stirling Castle Palace Project.
Joint project reveals 1,300 years of cathedral precincts heritage
A ‘treasure trove’ of ancient records dating back over 1,300 years to the origins of Peterborough will be unveiled at Peterborough Cathedral’s Deanery on Saturday 3 July at 12 noon.A first for heritage blacksmith training
The National Heritage Ironwork Group (NHIG) will be setting up and running a Heritage Blacksmith Bursary project, the first specialised training programme for Blacksmith Conservators thanks to a Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant awarded under its ‘Skills for the Future’ programme.A great British summer at the Bowes Museum
The Bowes Museum is forecasting a Great British Summer, with the launch of a major new exhibition and the opening of new galleries.The Pratt Green Trust and a history of the man
Born 1903 at Roby, near Liverpool, England, the third child of Charles Green, a leather merchant, and Hannah, nèe Greenwood. The abbreviation Fred has been used by the author for his hymnwriting: his close family, and in particular his late wife Marjorie, used Derick.
Building Limes BS/EN459, revised Standard to be introduced.
The revision of EN 459 (BS/EN459) Standard for Building Limes has been a protracted process that started in 2004. The final draft is now at the stage of being approved at National level within the EU Nations. The revised Standard re-classifies Building Limes as follows:Employing specialists is a must
Since setting up a surveying practice in 1993, I have often been asked to look at period properties, particularly for a pre-purchase inspection. In my experience there seems to be a common theme running through many of the cases that I look at, issues that we in our profession need to address: a lack of maintenance and poor quality of work.To see more information about Hall & Ensom click HERE
Two Commissioner vacancies announced
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport is seeking to appoint individuals with expertise in i) Education/Community Engagement, and ii) Local Authority Representation as Commissioners of English Heritage.
English Heritage flies the flag for England
In 1568 while staying at Carlisle Castle in Cumbria, Mary Queen of Scots became the first recorded monarch to actively enjoy watching a football match. Twenty of her retinue played a two hour game and according to Sir Francis Knollys, all played "very strongly, nimbly and skilfully, without any foul play offered."
12 million restoration of Chiswick House Gardens unveiled
Chiswick House Gardens is a site of international importance both as the birthplace of the English Landscape Movement, and as the setting for one of the most beautiful houses in London. The regeneration of the gardens is a result of many years of campaigning, four years of fund-raising and two years of work on the site.
English Heritage (manager of the House) and the London Borough of Hounslow (owner of the Gardens) established The Chiswick House and Gardens Trust as an independent charity to drive forward an ambitious rescue plan for the Gardens and secure its future for the 21st century.
The garden restoration, managed by English Heritage, and supported by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of £7.9 million, recovers the original vistas and design from decades of disrepair and underfunding, and also repairs and restores the statuary and garden buildings. The result is an inspiring balance between a historic landscape and a public park.
Highlights include the planting of over 1,600 trees, including trees propagated from the original 18th century cedars of Lebanon; the opening up of historic views from the Classic Bridge, the complete restoration of the 19th century conservatory housing a rare and internationally important collection of camellias; the planting of native trees and shrubs in the Northern Wilderness, and the restoration of the Walled Gardens, which will be open to the public on special days.
To complement the restoration, award-winning architects Caruso St John have designed a new café within the grounds, on a carefully chosen site close to Chiswick House on the east side. The new café provides indoor seating for 80 people and external seating for over 100, and forms the social hub for the park, with a newly created children’s playground beside it.
Effective answer to scrap metal crime wave
In response to the huge increase in the theft of scrap metal, wireless security specialists Tag Guard Ltd have developed a purpose-designed solution that could become a major deterrent.
New faces grace Chapter House restoration
The future of one of London’s oldest buildings, the Chapter House at Westminster Abbey, has been secured following a major English Heritage-led repair and conservation project. Over the past 18 months a team of 20 master carvers and stonemasons has painstakingly cleaned, repaired and conserved the badly weathered gargoyles, stone floral friezes, flying buttresses and stained glass windows. The colossal scaffolding has now come down to reveal the majestic exterior completely refreshed, revived and weather-tight.VISIT OUR ASSOCIATED SITES
