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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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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.
Patience is a virtue with some AV installations
Sometimes it takes a little longer to finish the job, but the end result is worth it. That was the case with the longest-running project to date for AV specialists APi Communications.
Back in April 2012 they were approached by St Michael’s Church in Alphington, Exeter, to specify a sound and projection system as part of an upcoming reordering project. That included many other elements such as a new gallery area, offices, removal of the pews and a new floor.
The construction phase of the gallery and offices duly went ahead in 2015 and APi Communications installed the projector and much of the cabling. However, due to an on-going issue over the removal of pews and the replacement flooring, there was a period of two years where the church used a temporary version of the sound system and trolley-mounted screens for the side aisles.
Mr Lead’s legacy gets the key to the door!
It is hard to believe that it’s 21 years since members and associates of the Lead Contractors Association (LCA) came together to celebrate the announcement of the first Murdoch Award. The award was presented in 1996 in honour of Dick Murdoch – ‘Mr Lead’ – on his retirement. They were founded to mark his tireless efforts and success in raising quality standards in lead-sheet work, part of which led to the founding of the LCA in 1984.
A decade later the Murdoch Sponsor’s Award was added. That featured the smaller installations that used less than five tonnes of lead sheet, but which could be equally demanding of the leadworker’s skills as the larger, more eye-catching projects.
Architectural terracotta & faience experts share best practice alongside PM Theresa May
Darwen Terracotta and Faience appears alongside Prime Minister Theresa May in the 2016/17 Parliamentary Review. The company was formed by Jon Wilson and Steve Allen two years ago, saving skilled jobs when another company laid off some employees. Since then the company has gone from strength-to-strength.
The Parliamentary Review was established by former minister The Rt Hon David Curry in 2010, and is now a key fixture in the political calendar. Darwen Terracotta features alongside the Prime Minister and other outstanding organisations in a document that looks back on the year in industry and Westminster. The main aim of the Review is to showcase best practice as a learning tool to the public and private sector.
Protection against pigeons - and other pest birds
Pigeons were roosting within the circular windows of this property in Sutton - the first photo shows where they left fouling marks - and so the owners called in London-based Microbee Bird Control Ltd who are specialists in a wide variety of bird control systems.
The first job was to clean and sterilise the affected area and then a net was fitted to cover the whole circle. They also installed anti perching wire to the ledges of the windows below this - the second photo shows the finished work.
The company offer such protection for a wide range of properties, including churches and heritage buildings.
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.
It also shows some of the dangers facing church buildings. These include leaking roofs, crumbling stonework and the dreaded Deathwatch Beetle, Xestobium rufovillosum.
Time and the conservation of paintings - by Francis Downing
Ironically, few things today are changing as rapidly as our views on conservation. According to the European Confederation of Conservator-Restorers' Organisations 'conservation consists mainly of direct action carried out on cultural heritage with the aim of stabilising condition and retarding further deterioration'. 'Active' or 'hands on' conservation is commonly used to describe what is, in reality, a form of restoration.
Icynene spray foam insulation for new Baptist Church in Dumfries
Designers of a new community Baptist Church, nearing completion in Dumfries, turned to spray applied insulation specialists, Icynene to solve a complex insulation challenge.
The new Church is a 2000sqm, multi-purpose building designed by Glasgow based, McLean Architects and built in the Georgetown district of Dumfries in the Scottish Borders.
The building was conceived as a flexible-use community hub comprising worship, conference and youth facilities together a full specification games hall and multi-use games area.
For the games hall, McLean Architects designed an 18.00x 18.00 m sq 8.00m high structure comprising a 140mm thick internal leaf of concrete blockwork with an external steel frame, supporting fibre-cement rain-screen cladding.
To access all areas, take the aerial route
East Anglia is home to some of the most precious ancient churches in England – a good number of which date from the Saxon period. It is no surprise, therefore, that some of the most innovative methods for ensuring their continued good condition are to be found there.
One deployment of modern technology is the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, to overfly sites in need of examination.
Geophysical survey at Bungay Castle
In July and August 2017 Suffolk Archaeology undertook three detailed geophysical surveys within the bailey of Bungay Castle, Bungay, Suffolk at the request of Historic England and the Bungay Castle Trust.
The aim of the project was to identify potential archaeological features or former buildings relating to the occupation of the castle, within a 0.24ha area of lawn, and to compare the results from modern equipment with those from a previous geophysical survey carried out in 1990.
Murdoch winner 2017 keeps the roof watertight for Sotheby's
The LCA has held awards for best work from its members for the last 21 years. The Murdoch Sponsors Award was added some ten years ago for the smaller installations that used less than five tonnes of lead sheet, but which could be equally as demanding of the leadworker’s skills as the larger, more eye-catching projects.
Dernier & Hamlyn’s lesson in heritage lighting for world renowned College
Dulwich College in south London was established in the 17th Century and is famous not only for its superlative academic provision, but also for its historic buildings including the impressive Great Hall. The Hall is the centrepiece of the school community and was designed around 1870 by Charles Barry, whose father designed the Houses of Parliament.
Recently Dulwich College’s COO Simon Yiend led an initiative to reimagine the lighting design in the Great Hall to help to restore its original perspective. This included making this spectacular room’s lighting more appropriate to its heritage and also more efficient. Bespoke lighting specialist Dernier & Hamlyn was asked to utilise the knowledge its engineers and craftsmen have built up over many years to propose an appropriate solution. They advised installing the light fittings on rods that were attached to the ceiling at the same points as Barry’s gas lights to minimise the effect on the building’s structure while optimising lighting levels.
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