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Sometimes, being a miser can be a good thing
Green heating specialist Christopher Dunphy relates how his ChurchEcoMiser system helped one church save energy and money.
When churchwarden Nigel Sprat contacted me about St Mary’s Church in Fordingbridge, situated on the edge of the New Forest, I was delighted to be involved with the programme of upgrading at one of Hampshire’s finest churches.
The church had been heated for the previous 20 or so years by a gas-fired warm air system, but it had come to the end of its life. The warm air system was not entirely suitable as it was giving rapid temperature differentials, which can be detrimental in a church as old as St Mary’s.
Just to be clear: choose your speakers with care
Whether you’re a regular member of the congregation or attending a wedding, funeral or some other religious ceremony, there’s nothing more frustrating than having to struggle to understand what is being said. That was brought into sharp focus recently at St Mary the Virgin, in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside – a local church struggling with exactly that sort of sound issue. Complaints of distortion and patchy coverage were common among the congregation, leading to an urgent need for an overhaul of their sound system.
Unleashing innovation: ISCVEx 2024 – where sound, communications and visual technologies converge
Coventry Warwickshire, UK – The Institute of Sound, Communications and Visual Engineers (ISCVE) is delighted to announce the annual return of its acclaimed event, ISCVEx 2024. Scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday, 19-20 March 2024 at the Coombe Abbey Hotel, near Coventry, Warwickshire, the event boasts a blend of informative and networking opportunities for industry professionals.
What is a conservation rooflight?
Paul Trace, director of Stella Rooflight discusses the unique properties of a genuine conservation rooflight.
What is a conservation rooflight?
If you know that you need conservation rooflights for your project, the chances are that you have searched online and found plenty of choice. But what is a conservation rooflight and are they all the same?
Safeguarding sanctuary: how to control the cost of church security
Steve Holland, managing director of Somerset-based Ace Defence Ltd, has been installing church roof alarms for over 10 years. Here he offers some advice on reducing risk while keeping the costs in check.
Talking to a colleague from Ecclesiastical Insurance recently, I learned that metal theft claims have fallen dramatically in recent years. That is in part due to the work of Ecclesiastical in promoting the installation of roof alarms. But with only a small proportion of vulnerable churches protected there is still work to be done. One of the issues is often the cost, but there are ways to save money and sources of funding that can help.
Read more: Safeguarding sanctuary: how to control the cost of church security
New AV system brings added life to services
In an era characterised by rapid technological advancements it is imperative for places of worship to adapt and evolve to meet the changing needs of their congregations. Putnoe Heights Methodist Church in Bedford has taken a commendable step in that direction by partnering with Scanaudio to install the NEC PA703W projector and Kramer VP-440X video switcher – ushering in a new era of multimedia capabilities that promise to enhance the worship experience for all.
Cathedral glaziers remove 145-year-old Pre-Raphaelite stained glass window for restoration
Salisbury Cathedral’s stained glass team led by Sam Kelly, head glazier and conservator, have begun the painstaking process of removing a 19th century window designed by the Pre-Raphaelite artist Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones and designer and craftsman William Morris, 145 years after it was first installed.
Featuring two huge figurative designs - Angeli Ministrantes (Angels Ministering) and Angeli Laudantes (Angels Praising) by Burne-Jones - that sit within Morris’s elaborate acanthus leaf design that reflects the medieval grisaille or grey painted windows elsewhere in the Cathedral, the windows were not well received by the Cathedral’s clergy at the time and what should have been a series of windows by the Pre-Raphaelite duo stopped at one.
Streaming service brings the church to all
In an age when technology seamlessly integrates with spirituality, St Elphege’s RC Church in Wallington, Surrey, has taken a significant step forward by partnering with Scanaudio to introduce a state-of-the-art web streaming service. The groundbreaking initiative aims to bridge the physical and digital realms of worship, allowing the congregation to connect with their faith, irrespective of physical presence. The centrepiece of the technological marvel is the Blackmagic Design ATEM Mini Pro video switcher and PTZ Optics Z Cam.
Future of Amotherby Church secured – thanks to The Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust
The Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust (YHCT) is welcoming funding applications from places of worship across the county for repair, restoration and maintenance work. Due to the generous donations and legacies received last year, the Trust is actively encouraging churches to apply for the next round of funding.
The application deadlines for 2024 are Friday 8 March for consideration at the April grants committee and Friday 23 August for consideration at the October grants committee. For guidance and how to apply please go to: www.yhct.org.uk/grants
Read more: Future of Amotherby Church secured – thanks to The Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust
Keeping it simple is the watchword for St Ann’s new system
Dating from the 1890s, St Ann’s Church in the Welsh seaside town of Rhyl now boasts thoroughly modern audio-visual systems – both in the church and the church hall – courtesy of Richard King Systems. The facilities now include upgraded sound systems, new audio loop systems, updated AV-projector systems, and comprehensive wi-fi coverage.
Read more: Keeping it simple is the watchword for St Ann’s new system
Paramount praises new 40m Hinowa as a ‘gamechanger'
National spider lift rental specialist Paramount Platforms has become the first access hire company in the UK to take delivery of the new Hinowa 40.18 Lightlift Performance IIIS.
Access Platforms Sales (APS) has supplied the company with the tracked spider boom - now the largest in the Hinowa range, with a maximum working height of 40.2 metres.
Read more: Paramount praises new 40m Hinowa as a ‘gamechanger'
Keeping traditional construction skills alive - in Yorkshire
The Yorkshire Lime Company is a team of skilled craftsmen specialising in the restoration of heritage and traditional buildings using only locally sourced and often recycled all-natural materials throughout Yorkshire. Adhering to the S.P.A.B approach, the company prioritises necessary repairs, utilising like-for-like local materials and relevant expertise to achieve the highest standards in their work. Their passion for the craft is evident in the dedication that they bring to all their services.
Read more: Keeping traditional construction skills alive - in Yorkshire
Stella Rooflight launches ‘The Ultimate Guide To Conservation Rooflights’
Stella Rooflight has launched ‘The Ultimate Guide to Conservation Rooflights’. Authored by industry experts, the independent Guide is intended to assist those looking to specify conservation rooflights by providing a wealth of knowledge and practical insights into what can often be a complex and confusing market.
The Guide covers everything from advice on bespoke conservation rooflights, through to guidance on glazing specification, the implications of large rooflight installations, rooflight maintenance tips, guidance on planning and building regulations and much more.
Read more: Stella Rooflight launches ‘The Ultimate Guide To Conservation Rooflights’
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