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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
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.
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Green heating system is centrepiece of cathedral restoration
In April contractors moved into Manchester Cathedral to begin installation of a new underfloor heating system. The new system will employ ground source heat pumps designed which will draw heat from the ground under the cathedral via bore holes.
East Midlands Family Company Lights up Region’s Churches
In 1919 Ken Burrows established his business in Hucknall, Nottinghamshire and was responsible for the installation of electricity into many buildings in the area. The company remains the ‘oldest established electrical contractor in the town’ with an office and workshop on Ogle Street.
St Mary's, Kersey: Re-ordering
The Whitworth Co-Partnership LLP was appointed by the Parochial Church Council as they were keen to carry out a re-ordering scheme which was to incorporate a toilet and kitchen facilities.
St Julian's Church, St Albans
St Julian's Church is a 1950's church on an estate on the edge of St Albans. In addition to the enthusiastic congregation the church is also the base for a large number of community groups and the buildings are used daily by the full age range of local people from babies to elderly people.
Not sure where to start when it comes to buying or owning a listed property? Start here
Britain proudly boasts an array of amazing properties which demonstrate an important part of our heritage. From converted Watermills and Windmills, to chocolate box cottages and proud city dwellings, you would be amazed as to how many listed properties there are out there, and available to purchase at all price ranges.
County Durham high fliers clinch contracts from West Yorkshire to Wales
A County Durham high level, historic and general maintenance company is working on a number of prestigious new projects across the UK.
Forth Bridge World Heritage bid opens for consultation
The public’s views on the World Heritage nomination of the Forth Bridge is being sought through a 12-week consultation.
The Forth Bridges Forum – which includes a number of local and national organisations – is keen to gather input from individuals and interested parties in support of the iconic railway bridge’s nomination.
Prestigious lighting projects by Madson Black
Oxfordshire based custom lighting company Madson Black have recently been involved in a number of prestigious projects including Bath Abbey and Eton College.
As part of the Footprint project at the historic Bath Abbey, Madson Black have worked for two years to bring together a chandelier restoration and conversion of light sources to LED.
Marley Contract Services wins NFRC Roofing Award
Outstanding workmanship on a Grade II listed building has helped Scottish-based Marley Contract Services scoop the UK’s top roofing industry award.
The company won the Roof Slating category for its work on Rainbow House in Glasgow at the NFRC (National Federation of Roofing Contractors) Awards held in May.
English Church Clocks by Keith Scobie-Youngs
English Church Clocks, referred to as either tower or turret clocks are not simply over sized house clocks. They reach out over the entire community, having once provided a time standard to which all watches and house clocks could be set and appointments met. Long, complex connections beyond the movement drive hands exposed to wind, rain and snow.
New ballistic technology launched to deter lead theft
Trace-in-Metal launches its comprehensive deterrent to the persistent problem of lead theft by infusing non-melting, coded microdots into existing lead structures.
The York-based company, Trace-in-Metal Ltd., today launched an answer to the on-going problem of lead theft from heritage buildings.
Preserving Coquet Island
Located just one mile from the fishing port of Amble, Coquet Island is a nature reserve that is home to more than 35,000 pairs of nesting seabirds. The reserve is managed by the RSPB and is specially protected under European Law resulting in its being inaccessible to the public.
Roofing Awards 2013 - Winners Announced
On Friday 17th May, the eighth annual Roofing Awards took place at the Hilton Metropole in central London. The event had brought together over 600 guests from across the roofing industry to congratulate this year’s winners, the ceremony was hosted by BBC Breakfast presenter Susanna Reid.
Seaton Delaval Hall by Team Force
In conjunction with the National Trust, Team Force conducted extensive repairs to the famous Seaton Delaval Hall. This project consisted of three main restoration projects, encompassing all the expertises that Team Force have to offer.
Window opens on Middleton's historic mystery
The 500-year mystery of Middleton's most famous window – which is widely believed to be the world's oldest glazed war memorial – looks to have been solved.
For centuries Moonrakers have believed the magnificent Flodden Window at Middleton Parish Church of St Leonard was created in the 1520s to commemorate a 1513 battle between the English and Scottish.
Repair of State Room windows at Manchester Town Hall
The State Room windows at Manchester Town Hall had been in a poor state of repair for many years and so in 2011 a scheme was proposed that would deal with health and safety issues raised by their condition.
St Paul’s calls for Darlington business
A County Durham specialist repair and maintenance company is completing thousands of pounds worth of work at one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks.
Darlington-based Stone Technical Services is already the only lightning conductor contractor approved to work at St Paul’s Cathedral in London and has worked with Clerk of Works for over 20 years on aspects such as maintenance and structure surveys.
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