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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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Thames-side lions roar again
Last year saw the opportunity taken to restore historic bronze mooring points on the Thames Embankment between Westminster and Blackfriars bridges. The work was carried out by Dorothea Restorations and included repair of decorative bronze lions.
Most of the lions had suffered some kind of impact damage, ranging from surface dents to sectional loss or complete loss, where components had fallen into the river. Dorothea Restorations cast some new sections; however nearly all of the components were able to be repaired.
Van Gogh’s London home takes on new life
In August 1873, Vincent van Gogh – then 20 years old – took lodgings at 87 Hackford Road in south west London. Although he was only a tenant there for one year, his time at Hackford Road left a lasting legacy that the house’s current owners seek to celebrate today.
Following a meticulous conservation project that was completed last spring, the Van Gogh House has been brought back to life and hosts a dynamic programme of events, anchored in the artist’s practice and local heritage.
Walking in the footsteps of giants
Masons’ marks high up on pillars at medieval cathedrals and churches tell the story of the master masons who crossed the whole country – and, indeed, the continent of Europe – to oversee the building of those masterpieces of the builder’s art.
Later, the 18th and 19th centuries saw Methodist ministers and non-conformist preachers treading the same paths as they spread the word of the new ministries.
Cathedral’s development plan boosted by Wolfson grant
The development plan for Exeter Cathedral has received a major boost in the form of a £400,000 award from the Wolfson Foundation. Launched in 2020 with The Prince of Wales as Patron, the appeal aims to raise funds for a programme of heritage conservation, building work and improvements.
The award is the latest in a series of good news stories for the cathedral’s development effort, which includes the construction of a new cloister to replace one torn down during the Civil War more than 400 years ago. Plans for that design by architects Acanthus Clews (pictured below) were approved by Exeter City Council just before Christmas. Earlier last year the project was awarded development funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Drones lead the flight towards zero carbon
One of the emerging benefits of using UAVs for survey works is their contribution to sustainability and carbon reduction.
The national Environmental Working Group of the Church of England has issued a Call to Action on the Climate, calling on all parts of the church to aim towards zero carbon emissions by 2050, in line with Government and EU policy. The group is formulating a motion for General Synod to that effect.
Ealing Green Church gets new AV system as part of refurbishment programme
Newtech Southern was awarded the contract to design and install a new audio visual system for Ealing Green Church, West London. The church was to undergo a complete refurbishment and as part of these works a new high quality sound and video system was required.
The church required multiple floorboxes each with a variety of audio / video inputs and outputs, these would allow for the system to accommodate all types of services and events to be held in the church.
Conservation of the nave ceiling at Ely Cathedral
The magnificent painted timber ceiling in the nave of Ely Cathedral was painted between 1858 and 1862 by Henry Styleman le Strange, a gentleman artist from Hunstanton and completed, following his death, by Thomas Gambier Parry.
Repair work to the fabric of the nave was begun in January 1987, for which a suspended scaffold was inserted below the ceiling. This provided the opportunity for a programme of inspections, analysis and conservation work to be undertaken to the magnificent painted timber ceiling.
Conservation and relocation of the Richard III statue at Leicester Cathedral
Following an initial condition survey, Hirst Conservation were honoured to be invited to undertake the conservation and relocation of the Richard III statue as part of a £2.5M project to regenerate Leicester cathedral gardens.
Prior to treatment, the statue was removed from its previous location and transferred to the company's studios in Lincolnshire. Treatment included Doff cleaning of the plinth and poultice cleaning to remove more intransigent stains.
Help! Does my oast cowl need cleaning?
Since 1937, Dude and Arnette have been cleaning oast houses across the country, both inside and out. The company’s specialist team can clean, paint and maintain your oast house to the highest standard, bringing joy to many more generations. So, if your oast house is looking a little drab and dated, maybe it is time to give it a clean. Here DARREN HOLE of Dude and Arnette answers some common questions.
New roof restores brutalist masterpiece – and rectifies design flaw
A major roofing and cladding project – using traditional mastic asphalt and leadwork – was carried out over the whole of last year at St Antony’s College, Oxford, by leading industry experts SPV Group. The project, at the Hilda Besse Building, was completed as part of a larger scale refurbishment project – working in conjunction with CBRE Construction.
Completed in 1970 by John Partridge, the Hilda Besse Building sits at the heart of the college and houses many of the college’s key social spaces, including the dining hall, common rooms and buttery, as well as private dining facilities and kitchen. It is a Grade Two-listed building and is said to be one of the finest examples of post-war brutalist architecture. The building won the RIBA Architecture Award and Concrete Society Award in 1971 – noted for its skilful application of concrete in a modern interpretation of a traditional hall.
Asphalt repairs at St Hugh's Monastery
St Hugh’s Monastery was experiencing water ingress into its cloister area as a result of damage and cracks in the northeast asphalt balcony roof above the cloisters. Asphalt repairs were undertaken to the balcony roof and the repaired section was painted with solar reflective paint.
St Hugh’s Monastery is a Grade II listed building and is an example of the heritage work Sussex Asphalte undertakes that requires appropriate project management. In the case of St Hugh’s Monastery, the company's operatives also had to be sensitive to the monks living on-site who live a life of solitude. This required careful liaison with the client.
Reinterment of Richard III Project at Leicester Cathedral
Leicester Cathedral, in conjunction with the Richard III Society, the University of Leicester and the City Council, began the Reinterment of Richard III Project in 2013. The project, to provide King Richard’s final resting place, involves a series of changes to the inside of the Cathedral to create a significant space for the raised tomb, with a new floor, special lighting and new stained glass windows. The £0.5 million project was completed in 2015.
Does your business require lightning protection?
Here in the UK, we’re blessed with relatively calm weather. However, while we might not be subjected to hurricanes or tornadoes, we do get our fair share of electrical storms. On average, the UK and its surrounding waters are hit by around 300,000 lightning strikes every year, and while these powerful displays of nature are stunning to watch, they also pose significant risk to both people and structures.
Only the best will do for Roedean School theatre sound upgrade
The world-renowned independent Roedean School in Sussex provides the best facilities for it’s pupils, so it's no surprise then that when upgrading their theatre sound system they chose the best. Traction Sound loud speakers were used throughout the auditorium mixed from Allen & Heath digital desk. Brighton Sound System carried out the theatre sound installation working in partnership with AC-ET who supplied the equipment.
The theatre at Roedean School has several uses. It is mainly used for school productions and for teaching. The school also uses it for assemblies and presentations. During the summer holiday the auditorium is rented out to touring theatre production. This means that the sound installation needed to be flexible and meet a high professional standard. Safety was also paramount as the equipment would often be operated by pupils.
Accreditation - do blacksmiths need it?
Conversations Build Understanding Series
Free online event
Wednesday 27th January, 7.00-8.00pm
Procurement: delivering the conservation of ironwork
CPD webinar
Wed 10th February, 12.00-1.30pm
What it's about:
This is a training webinar providing practical advice.
Royal recognition for York restoration company A G Podmore & Son, highly commended in national heritage awards
David Podmore and the team at Andrew G Podmore & Son York were delighted to learn their work with the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway Co. carriage and wagon works memorial 1919 Newton Heath, Lancashire had been nominated for a National Railway Heritage Award and recently, at the 40th anniversary of these prestigious awards in London, the company were honoured as highly commended runners up in the Railway Heritage Trust Conservation Award.
The other shortlisted nominees were Lowestoft Central Station (regeneration east) and Network Rail Commercial Property, Mytholmroyd Station and Shell. The eventual winner was Mytholmroyd Station.
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