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.
Read More...
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.
SEARCH OUR DIRECTORY
HLF ensures the Cardiff Story is told
Christmas has come early for the Cardiff Story as the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) today (14 December) awarded a grant of £440,000 towards the first phase of re-opening a museum for the city.
The last dedicated city museum closed in 1924 but now the Cardiff Story, located at the site of the 19th century Grade II* listed Old Library building in the Hayes, will explore and celebrate the history of the capital city of Wales and the people who made the city what it is today.
The museum will act as an introduction to the city for visitors, highlighting other city attractions such as the Castle and will also be a community resource, a discovery point and educational facility for local people.
The Museum will be based on a core collection of around 8000 Cardiff artefacts, which have been stored by the National Museum Wales since the old museum closed. The Museum is also appealing to the public for further objects and stories to add to the collection.
The artefacts which include fine art, industrial, maritime, social history, photographs, oral histories and archaeology will now be displayed and interpreted using digital stories, interactives and people’s stories to help bring them to life.
The HLF money will fund part of the new ground floor gallery and the creation of an entertaining and interactive history lab and learning suite, with classrooms and group activity spaces in the basement for use by school and community groups.
The magnificent Old Library building which sits in the very heart of Cardiff’s busy shopping centre was restored with the support of an HLF grant of £758,300 in 1998. This latest grant will ensure further public access to areas such as the historic tiled corridor.
It is estimated that Phase 1 of the Cardiff Story Museum will cost £2.4million. It is expected to be completed by November 2010 and to attract 120,000 visitors in its first year.
Dan Clayton-Jones, Chair of HLF Committee for Wales, said: “Cardiff is one of the few major cities without a dedicated museum and we wanted to help correct that. The success of the temporary exhibitions staged at the Old Library proved there is a real demand for the story of Cardiff and its people to be told.
“This project will bring Cardiff’s historic past back to life, helping local people and visitors explore the making of our capital city. It will provide new and exciting opportunities for people to play their part in telling Cardiff’s diverse stories.”
Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure, Councillor Nigel Howells said: “I am delighted that the Cardiff Story has been awarded funding from the Heritage Lottery Fund. The grant along with funding from the Council will help bring the Cardiff Story to life. Cardiff is both a vibrant city which is steeped in history and a modern city which continues to develop, the aim of The Cardiff Story is to capture not only the past but also the present.”
Dr Kathleen Howe Cardiff Story Museum Manager said: “The museum is a very unique and interesting project, and will bring together items, photographs and stories of events that have helped shape the city. The input of the people who live or have lived in Cardiff will be essential in telling the true story of the Capital city”.
VISIT OUR ASSOCIATED SITES
