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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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Minsteracres Retreat Centre benefits from specialist support
Minsteracres Retreat Centre, County Durham, is benefiting from the good will of Stanley-based building and roofing specialist, Hodgson Sayers.
Leicester company wins prestigious national award
A Leicester company has received a prestigious national award for the specialist work carried out on historic buildings.
Norman and Underwood Ltd were presented with the top award at the 2015 UK Roofing Awards held at the Hilton Metropole in London in recognition of the copper roof installation installed at the Northumberland Observatory at the University of Cambridge built in 1838.
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.
Rainclear Systems Ltd – Heritage, Quality and Expertise – we care about the detail
Rainclear Systems is well known as an online retailer, and the UK’s leading distributor of metal guttering and downpipe products, so you might be surprised to discover there’s a team of experienced, knowledgeable personnel at the end of the phone too.
Firex International returns to London for 2015
FIREX International 2015 will open its doors from 16-18 June 2015 at London’s ExCeL, offering fire and security professionals unparalleled access to leading global technology, solutions and knowledge with the aim of promoting expertise in life safety.
England’s very own Far East has a rich and varied heritage
The fenland and broads of the East of England conceal within their mists a history that extends as far as Roman times. Here it was that Essex girl Boudica of the Iceni waged war against the Roman invaders and it was in the fenlands of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk that the Saxons of East Anglia fought the Danes.
It is in the Middle Ages, however, following the Norman Conquest, that the flat marches and fens became the sites of some of the most impressive ecclesiastical architecture, followed a few centuries later by the soaring towers and spires of Cambridge itself, culminating in Henry VI’s magnificent chapel at King’s College.
Throughout all that period, from the 12th century right up to a few years ago, the people of Suffolk were patiently building and extending their own mighty church at Bury St Edmund’s, in preparation it seems now for the creation of the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich in 1914.
Award winning project reflects workers' heritage training
Winners in the Sustainable Roofs (Shingles & Shakes) category at this year's Roofing Awards were Eastbourne based Clarke Roofing Southern Ltd for the restoration of the damaged spire at Wadhurst Church in East Sussex.
A storm on St Jude’s day in October 2013 had caused severe damage - not only had the shingles been removed but the entire structure to one facet was ripped away including tennoned rafters and braces leaving a gaping hole in the side of the spire.
UK Roofing Awards 2015 - the winners revealed
The winners of the tenth UK Roofing Awards were announced at a ceremony hosted by BBC’s Louise Minchin and NFRC CEO Ray Horwood at the Hilton London Metropole on Friday 15th May 2015.
UK metal marking company joins call for a Swedish 'peace industry' to fight the illegal arms trade
The world is faced with a seemingly intractable crisis of an uncontrolled armaments trade, together with vast numbers of unexploded ordinance scattered across the globe. As well as the massive number of casualties – many of them children – there is a tendency for an increase in the availability of weaponry to devalue human life.
That situation has prompted a UK firm that specialises in the application of technology to prevent metal theft from churches and heritage buildings to join in a Swedish-based campaign to apply experience on weaponry to combatting that growth.
What do 'Game of Thrones' and 'Emmerdale' have in common?
Nigel Tyas ironwork, that's what!
The company are delighted to have recently supplied curtain poles to the popular Sky television series and their 'Swaine' wall lights sit proudly in the Woolpack on Emmerdale.
The team from Yorkshire Television felt that the company's original and still 'officially most popular' small wall light suited the traditional surroundings of a rural country inn.
Heart of England Building Restoration & Refurbishment 40 years of service from pre-purchase to completed project
John Haws management and staff are widely recognised for their many years of experience in the building industry. John A G Haws, founder of jh Building Restoration & Refurbishment, has been involved in building restoration for the past 40 years.
They have assisted many property owners, both private and commercial, over the years with their restoration and refurbishment projects, many of whom have used them on more than one occasion and recommended us to their family, friends and colleagues.
Questions to ask a roofing contractor - JTC has the answers
As the main thing protecting your building against the elements, your roof will no doubt at some point either need repairs or even a replacement. When the time comes that you need to call in the workmen for the job, it can be rather daunting knowing which one to choose.
Although it may be tempting to go with the one who gives the cheapest quote, it’s always best to delve a little deeper and try to find out exactly what work you will be getting for your money, before you sign on the dotted line!
Oxford Ironmongery helps exciting restoration project to take off
At what was formerly an airfield going back to 1911, a 348 acre site that is now owned by Bicester Heritage is Britain’s first heritage motor and aviation specialist business campus, which is creating a centre of excellence for all the services and support required by vehicle and plane owners and enthusiasts.
Understanding religion’s pulling power: Welsh faith tourism enjoys boost
With more than 600,000 people visiting Wales’s religious sites each year, it would appear the concept of ‘faith tourism’ in the region is undergoing somewhat of a renaissance.
Indeed, Cadw, the Welsh Government’s historic environment service, has reported a year-on-year growth in visits to religious sites like Tintern Abbey.
Sound system control - keeping it simple
The first digital sound mixer was introduced over 25 years ago. 10 years later, major sound rental companies embraced the technology and digital consoles began to replace their analogue counterparts on the larger touring shows. Progressively, extensive software and hardware developments have found their way into smaller, low cost mixers that are highly suited to church installations.
St Phillips Church, Tunbridge Wells
St Phillips in Tunbridge Wells is a modern church, not just in its architecture but also its internal spirit. Each time Isobel Brunsdon, of East Sussex based Labyrinth Stained Glass, visited the church she felt there was a vibrancy and energy about the place and wanted to reflect this in the design of the windows she was commissioned to create.
Fire doors, escape doors and the legal obligations
Since 2013 when the first pioneer FDIS Certificated Fire Door Inspectors qualified and started to offer their services to building operators there has been a marked increase in demand for the services of qualified fire door inspectors, installers, repairers and maintainers. This has in-turn led to increased demand for education and training and of course is a positive step in helping to make buildings safer in the event of a fire. Here, Neil Ashdown, general manager of the Fire Door Inspection Scheme, looks at fire safety law, the issues around fire doors in public buildings and the useful resources available to help building owners and operators meet their legal obligations.
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