News

Current Issue

The 500 Welsh Longbowmen of Agincourt

In 1415, Henry V defeated the overwhelmingly superior French army in one of the most famous battles in British history.

Massively outnumbered, Henry V overcame incredible odds to win the battle, thanks in part to the pin-point precision and undeniable skill of his longbowmen, including 500 Welsh archers.

But the Welsh connection doesn’t end there, and the Welsh Government is highlighting the important role our country played in this historic event in honour of its 600th anniversary.

25 years of glorious brick

Prominent member of the YCCC, York Handmade, recently celebrated its 25th Anniversary and proprietor David Armitage had this to say to their customers:

"We thought we would celebrate with a little history of our life and times at Alne since 1988. It was then that the capital of the York Handmade Brick Company (previously the Alne Brick Co.) was acquired by myself and Tim Bristow.

"A few years later I became the sole owner of York Handmade and was later joined by my son Guy who is now a director of the company.

"The progress we have made in the last 25 years would not have been possible without the loyal service and dedicated expertise of York Handmade’s management team, which has now been in place for almost all of the 25 years and we owe the team a great deal.

"In addition to this excellent team, York Handmade is lucky to have some loyal and skilled employees in the factory. For loyalty, hard work and dedication to the task in hand, you couldn’t ask for a better team and this is the foundation upon which the company rests.

"On the sales side, it is also very important to mention the services of our sales team. Again, the service which they offer has been one of the hallmarks of our success.

"It is our steadfast aim to provide a first-class service at all times that makes us stand out against our competitors. When we started in 1988, we inherited a derelict factory.

"In fact, the factory was not even making bricks at all but was primarily engaged in the production of drainage tiles for agricultural purposes. Now, over £2m investment later, we have a dedicated modern handmade brick factory.

"The plant installed in 1988 still stands and serves us very well, enabling us to produce up to 5 million handmade bricks a year, but it has been augmented by a £750,000 specials plant which has played a major part in the success of recent prestigious contracts.

"Finally, I should just add that no brickworks can operate without a good supply of clay going forward. We are very pleased to have secured an option on a field next to our present factory, which will give us another 40 years clay supply so that we can expect a great many more millions of York Handmade’s famous bricks to come rolling off the production line.

"I would like to finish by thanking our customers, who range from the very smallest extension builder or floor tile user to the contractors and developers for their loyal support."

Here are just a few examples of the fine restoration projects that York Handmade have made possible.

For more information about this YCCC member company visit www.yorkhandmade.co.uk

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.

Here, James Simpson OBE Hon DSc FRIAS, chairman of the Building Limes Forum, discusses the differences between traditional and modern building techniques.

About lime in restoration from the Building Limes Forum

Building limes have been used as binders in mortars and plasters for thousands of years; the earliest surviving example dates from around 8000 BC in a floor in Turkey.

£280,000 to protect Wales’ ancient monuments

Precious ancient monuments and war memorials across Wales are being awarded a share of almost £287,000 of Welsh Government funding to restore and protect them for future generations.

Many of Wales’ ancient monuments are on privately owned land. These grants provide an incentive for landowners and occupiers to carry out repair work that may otherwise be left ignored, resulting in the loss of important parts of our heritage which help tell the story of our past.

Rainclear Systems’ SnapIT, a boltless aluminium range, – the secret is out

SnapIT is a premium quality aluminium gutter system, which simply clicks together without the need of nuts, bolts and washers saving significant time and reducing the fuss and hassle involved in fitting.

The standard stock range comprises of Beaded Half Round gutter in 115 or 125mm and Victorian Moulded Ogee gutter in 125x100mm, with a complementary swaged downpipe system in 65 & 75mm round.

Lincoln College gets newly carved organ case

A newly carved organ case, made of English oak from the New Forest, has been installed in the chapel of Lincoln College, Oxford. The beautiful new organ case was made by Devon-based wood carver and cabinet maker Laurent Robert who carved the pipe shades in the style of the chapel. The magnificent organ was originally built by William Drake Ltd and was installed in the chapel in 2010.

Illuminating - another stunning church project from Lighting Dynamics

Ecclesiastical & Heritage World Lighting Dynamics UK Lighting Dynamics UK (incorporating Ecclesiastical Lighting), based in Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, continue their development as one of the UK’s premier companies specialising in the interior and exterior illumination of cathedrals, churches and other places of worship.

The company is dedicated to offering a totally independent, creative and unbiased lighting design and consultancy service and, where required, they can supply all of the associated specified lighting equipment.

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.

Advanced protection for Magna Carta

One of the most famous historical documents in Britain, if not the western world, is being protected by extinguishing and fire alarm panels from Advanced with installation by Reflex Systems.

Sealed by King John at Runnymede in 1215, Magna Carta is celebrating its 800th anniversary (the actual anniversary is 15 June). It is the first example of an absolute monarch surrendering some of his powers, the beginning of a process that led eventually to our current system of government and the prototype for democratic government all over the world.

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.

Choosing a contractor in Wales

There may be occasions when you need help to maintain your building. Cadw, the Welsh Government's historic environment service works for an accessible and well-protected historic environment for Wales, but is unable to recommend contractors - so here are a few simple tips to help you choose the right professional advisor, builder or craftsperson.

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.

Page 66 of 115

Start
Prev
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
Next
End

Leaderboard Banners