Current Issue
Expert diagnostics help maintain the woods and the trees
Occasionally, trees, just like us, can have problems that need an extra level of information to enable better-informed decisions regarding their management or safety. Ian Barnes is lead arboricultural consultant and director of Barnes Associates, who offer a range of detailed assessments to help identify, understand and quantify issues that can affect trees.
Read more: Expert diagnostics help maintain the woods and the trees
Newcastle Cathedral - creating a sustainable and adaptable sacred space
Work has completed on Newcastle Cathedral, safeguarding its place at the heart of contemporary city life. Through a series of fundamental changes and innovative design solutions, Purcell – architects and heritage consultants – have designed and delivered a space fit for the 21st Century and beyond.
In its first major reordering of the cathedral since 1777, the work has dramatically improved the cathedral’s offering, creating a cultural, civic, and religious building that is fit-for-service and universally accessible, forging a protected, flexible, and sustainable future. The project covered approximately 4,500m2 and was made possible by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Newcastle Cathedral Trust among private donors, and numerous trusts and foundations.
Read more: Newcastle Cathedral - creating a sustainable and adaptable sacred space
New awards celebrate historic buildings and craftspeople
The SPAB are proud to announce a shortlist of 28 of the best built heritage projects and craftspeople from across the UK and Ireland. The winners of the first SPAB Heritage Awards will receive their award from designer, writer and TV presenter Kevin McCloud on 3 November at an event at Conway Hall in London.
Read more: New awards celebrate historic buildings and craftspeople
York Handmade project wins prestigious Stirling Prize
One of the York Handmade Brick Company’s most acclaimed projects has won the prestigious 2022 RIBA Stirling Prize.
York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, in North Yorkshire, provided more than 300,000 bricks for the magnificent new Magdalene College Library at Cambridge University.
Read more: York Handmade project wins prestigious Stirling Prize
Live Streaming now available from Creative Audio Visual Solutions
Live Streaming, especially during the recent Covid-19 Coronavirus pandemic, is a vital means for churches to keep communicating to their congregation and the wider world.
Read more: Live Streaming now available from Creative Audio Visual Solutions
A Royal connection for the Lead Contractors Association Murdoch Awards 2022
2022 has seen many changes, the World recovering from a pandemic, the Queen celebrated her Platinum Jubilee then sadly passed away, having served as the longest reigning Monarch.
The LCA celebrated 26 years of its coveted Murdoch Awards, awarded only to those who demonstrate the very highest standards of craftmanship in lead roofing.
Chairman Allan Anderson opened proceedings and welcomed a record turnout of members who were in attendance not only to witness an awards event but to also undertake further professional development and listen to experts from the industry sharing their knowledge.
Read more: A Royal connection for the Lead Contractors Association Murdoch Awards 2022
Urban Edge submits plans to create visitor destination and education centre within the grounds of historic Harlaxton Manor
Urban Edge Architecture has submitted a planning application to South Kesteven District Council on behalf of Harlaxton College for the restoration of the disused Walled Garden at the historic Harlaxton Manor, near Grantham, to create a stunning and sustainable visitor attraction and educational experience.
Technical training with prestigious Hard Metal Awards for the Federation of Traditional Metal Roofers
The new FTMRC Chairman, Trevor Corser, was host to a record attendance from the FTMRC membership at its annual Technical Seminar.
All Members of the FTMRC are regularly vetted and their grades published with a compulsory requirement to personally attend a technical seminar annually to develop their knowledge and assist in their professional development. The main auditorium was packed leaving standing room only. The assembled delegates listened to important and informative presentations then attended at specialist lectures covering fire protection, rainwater and substructures.
Dropping knowledge on a delicate issue
All of us have seen a fine building unhelpfully adorned with pigeon food in its (ahem) processed form. Perhaps we assume this is an issue of unsightliness and nothing more, but bird droppings create a host of problems from disease to corrosion and more, especially for heritage buildings.
Magnificent self-built church accessible to all
When the congregation of High Street Church in Cambridgeshire outgrew the 19th Century chapel, members decided to rebuild a larger church in 2008, entirely by themselves. Finding the skills necessary to build the place of worship from within the congregation, The Ark is believed to be one of the largest self-built projects in the UK.
Nestled in the village of Isleham, The Ark Church, an impressive 2,200-sq-metre building. It is made from green oak wood, that was felled, machined, processed and jointed before it was seasoned and dried: a very traditional way of using wood and a way in which medieval houses were built.
Rochdale Town Hall restoration project
Rochdale Town Hall is widely-regarded as one of the UK’s finest examples of Victorian gothic architecture. The Grade-I listed building was designed by William Crossland and opened in 1871 as a symbol of the town’s industrial standing in the textiles trade. According to Historic England, its ornate stylings are rivalled only by the Palace of Westminster.
Iconic Liverpool building gains wireless FM assistive listening
Previously known as Great George Street Congregational Church, a £6m renovation saw this iconic building in Liverpool’s China Town converted into a community arts centre in 1975. Now known as the “The Black-E”, the management of the 19th century Grade II listed building asked Contacta to install a hearing loop in the main hall in 2021.
Following a site survey carried out by Contacta engineers, it became clear that a hearing loop wouldn’t give visitors with hearing loss the best listening experience. The space has been divided into two floors using metal sub frames, creating passages along the walls of the main hall. This metal content would heavily distort a loop’s performance.
Read more: Iconic Liverpool building gains wireless FM assistive listening
Rochdale shops given colourful facelift as part of major heritage project
A row of shops in Rochdale town centre has been given a new lease of life thanks to a series of colourful, Victorian-style facelifts.
The South Parade and Drake Street Property Improvement Scheme, a collaboration between Rochdale Borough Council and Historic England, has transformed 12 shops with a bright new look.
Read more: Rochdale shops given colourful facelift as part of major heritage project
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