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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.
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.
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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Heritage Funding
£48m heritage funding opens for churches and historic buildings
Part of £1.5 billion government investment in cultural organisations over a five-year period
Thousands of churches and historic buildings across England could benefit from a major new £48 million funding package aimed at urgent repairs, regeneration projects and wider community use.
CRE Events
Christian Resources Exhibition enters a new chapter as Church Resources Exhibition
The Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE), the UK’s largest church-related show, has changed hands in its 40th year and has been taken over by Quartz Business Media.
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.
SEARCH OUR DIRECTORY
Oast cowl storm damage? we're here to help
Recent storms have caused havoc across some areas in the country due to strong winds, rain and sleet affecting many oast house owners' properties. If your cowl has stopped turning, you've noticed tiles are missing or your oast roof has been damaged, it might be worth having our expert team check them for safety and peace of mind.
Here are some useful links for you:
- Have a look at our oast cowl maintenance guide to check what to look for to get an idea of where the damage might be.
- Get an idea of how we work, and what our oast cowl assessment process looks like
- Read more about our services and how we support oast house owners with their properties
And for any oast cowl expert repairs, simply contact our Director Darren, who will be ready to save the day! 01622 725 898 / 07973 332 790
For further information visit dudeandarnette.co.uk
Church insurance risk
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.
Where you are an employer, you must complete these and they will need to meet specific requirements. In particular, they must identify the steps you need to take to comply with relevant health and safety regulations.
It is worth remembering that even if you are not an employer but own or control premises, you may still have to complete detailed risk assessments for certain hazards, for example, asbestos. These will have to meet specific requirements and in some cases you may need specialist assistance with this.
Watch the video below for advice and tips on carrying out risk assessments.
Church Health & Safety Toolkit - Risk Assessment from Ecclesiastical on Vimeo.
Heritage properties urged to take precautions as Blenheim Palace toilet theft trial continues
Specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical is reminding historical properties to take security precautions to protect valuable artworks as the trial of individuals accused of stealing a £2.8m gold toilet takes place.
The theft of the 18-carat gold fully functional toilet, titled ‘America’ and made by Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan, took place at Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire in September 2019.
Click here to read the full story.
Follow safety advice when using ladders – or you could descend into chaos
When working with ladders in churches or old buildings – which often have high ceilings and hard-to-reach places – it’s essential to follow safety guidelines, to prevent accidents and ensure the well-being of those involved. There are some key points to consider.
Choose a ladder that is the appropriate height for the task: ensure it can safely reach the desired surface. Inspect the ladder before each use, checking for any signs of damage or wear and tear, and replace any damaged components.
Click here to read the full story.
Why video surveillance on scaffolding matters
Churches are more than just places of worship: they often serve as community centres, historical landmarks and even home to valuable artwork and artifacts. When scaffolding is erected for maintenance or restoration projects, the vulnerable structures require an extra layer of security. That is where having a video surveillance system monitoring the scaffolding and the building becomes an important deterrent to crime.
Click here to read the full story.
Works of art: value beyond structure
Fine art consultant Patrick Bowen uses his experience in valuing stained glass to propose a new appreciation of its true value – both financially and artistically
In a recent issue of Ecclesiastical and Heritage World (No 97) I drew attention to the possibility of a ‘grey area’ between a structural aspect of a building and a chattel which may be considered as movable property. It is an area of concern to all building surveyors and chattel surveyors.
Click here for further information.
Stockport tree surgeon faces a challenge at Mellor Church
Stockport’s local tree surgeons, Myers Tree Care, are often presented with an unusual challenge. On this occasion, they were approached by the bell ringers of St Thomas’s Church at Mellor to see if they could assist in the scheduled maintenance of the clock face.
As a school governor at Mellor School, tree surgeon David Myers was teamed up with the headmaster, Jim Nicholson, and between them took on the challenge with both hands!
Click here for further information.
Trees - A Church Guidance Note by Ecclesiastical
Many churchyards contain a large number of beautiful trees. They form a natural part of the overall landscape, bringing wide and many varied benefits as well as contributing to the overall aesthetic appeal of your church premises.
However, trees, if not properly managed, can cause serious damage. In windy conditions, they may fall onto or lash against the church building itself, neighbouring property or cars. Root movement can cause the collapse of boundary walls. Roots can also absorb soil moisture causing foundations to move and walls to crack. They can also encroach upon the foundations of neighbouring buildings, causing subsidence or damage to drains.Click here to read the full story.
Completing risk assessments for your church
The level of detail in your risk assessment should be proportionate to the risk.
This means that for most small churches which present few hazards the risk assessment can be quite simple based on informed judgement and reference to appropriate guidance.
Small churches
A small church is one with a small building, typically set in a rural location, engaged in normal church activities, for example – usual weekend services, a small congregation, and hosting few – if any – community of fundraising events. Most small churches present few or simple hazards.
Large churches
A large church is one with a large building or that is very active, with a significant number of employees, volunteers and visitors or where there are many diverse activities.
Completing risk assessments is not about creating huge amounts of paperwork - it is about identifying sensible precautions for your church.
Of course, completing risk assessments on their own won’t prevent accidents happening. It is important that you take the precautions you have identified as being necessary.
Risk management services
We understand how to help organisations manage and reduce their exposure. Our 50-strong specialist in-house team of risk managers offer practical guidance and proportionate solutions. We know that risk is always evolving, so we are constantly looking at different ways to meet today’s challenges to better support organisations.
We’re proud of our service and the team achieve outstanding levels of customer satisfaction, demonstrated by an “excellent” Net Promoter Score (NPS) of +73%.
Risk Capture
Risk management solutions that identify and appraise risks to your assets, people and strategy.
Risk appraisal
Organisations are constantly under strain from new challenges and threats whilst trying to manage the day job. That’s why we aim to make the process of identifying risk as easy as possible Our flexible risk appraisal approach means there’s an option for every organisation. From self-assessment and telephone-based video-enhanced services to face-to-face onsite evaluations – we offer solutions for every customer.
Strategic risk management
We’re living in a volatile and uncertain world where change is inevitable. With all this uncertainty, how do organisations manage their strategic risks?
Our Enterprise Risk Management support ranges from practical tools, templates and checklists, running webinars and training events through to bespoke consultancy, tailored to meet individual customer needs. Our proposition also includes support with business continuity management. Learn more >
Risk Valuations
Our market-renowned insurance valuations help protect organisations from the risk of underinsurance.
Building valuations
Factors to consider when valuing your property.
With an in-depth knowledge of all building types, whether the construction is medieval or modern, we have the expertise to help organisations set appropriate sums insured to support repair and reinstatement in the event of an insured loss.
Building valuations are an increasingly rare service from insurers and ours are provided at no additional cost. Learn more >
Risk Mitigation
Risk management tools and resources to help organisations to mitigate risk.
Risk Advice Line
Sometimes organisations need to chat with an expert about a specific risk they may have. Our Risk Advice Line provides direct access to a team of risk management specialists who can answer questions, provide practical, tailored guidance and best practice advice. Learn more >
Preferred suppliers
We want to help organisations reduce or avoid risk so we’ve enhanced our Risk Management service by working with market-leading preferred suppliers that provide specialist risk mitigation services. Each one is vetted so you can choose from companies that we know and trust. As an Ecclesiastical customer, you may receive a preferential rate.
For more information about insurance in the church and heritage sector visit ecclesiastical.com
Article with the kind cooperation of Ecclesiastical Insurance
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.
Click here to read the full story.
Ecclesiastical urges heritage organisations to be vigilant following National Gallery Just Stop Oil attack
In response to Just Stop Oil activists smashing the glass cover of Diego Velazquez's The Rokeby Venus painting at the National Gallery, Ecclesiastical is urging heritage organisations to be vigilant.
Today, two Just Stop Oil activists were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after they used safety hammers to smash the glass protecting The Rokeby Venus at the National Gallery in Central London.
Click here to read the full story.
These Aces help combat theft and vandalism at churches
Churches sit at the centre of many communities and theft of lead from the roof or vandalism to the fabric of the building or churchyard causes more than physical damage. The intrusion into the community – and the cost of remedying the resulting harm – can be costly. The cost of making repairs to a church roof can be high and may well have an adverse effect on the general maintenance budget, as well as increasing insurance premiums.
Click here to read the full story.
Wind - tree damage warning - please prepare
Even healthy trees unaffected by defects can fail in extreme weather conditions.Trees can be managed but they cannot be controlled and to live near a tree is to accept some degree of risk. Reasonable risk management generally aims to provide trees that can be regarded as stable in a normal / foreseeable regularly experienced storm event in relation to the situation / context of the tree.
Click here to read the full story.
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