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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Training at the Lead Sheet Training Academy
Training at the Lead Sheet Training Academy
The Lead Sheet Training Academy is at the forefront of training for those using lead or hard metals in the construction industry. To deliver this training the LSTA operates from a state of the art, purpose-built training facility in East Peckham, Kent which is open six-days a week for most of the year.
The Lead Sheet Training Academy is at the forefront of training for those using lead or hard metals in the construction industry. To deliver this training the LSTA operates from a state of the art, purpose-built training facility in East Peckham, Kent which is open six-days a week for most of the year.
The training centre includes full scale training rigs and resources as well as providing a well-equipped environment in which to learn as it re-creates real-life situations. If suitable premises are available, we can also deliver basic courses in lead and hard metals at locations around the UK.
The centre is recognised as a CITB Approved Training Organisation. Our tutors are experienced trainers, holding qualifications in leadwork, hard metals and teaching, have experience of working on-site and are CITB-approved assessors. CITB grants are available to meet most course fees for employees of CITB-registered construction businesses. LSTA can offer pay-as-you-learn charges for courses longer than 5-days.
The LSTA is open all year, including most Saturdays, so courses can be arranged around dates that suit you.
The courses currently available from the LSTA include:
Specialist Applied-skills Programmes (SAP) in Lead or Hard Metal (Level 2 and Level 3)
The LSTA has been appointed by CITB as the UK’s sole provider of these courses. The courses are a mixture of attendance at the training centre and on-site experience and assessment. Each of these courses will take up to 18 months to complete including 30-days attendance at the LSTA centre.
SAP courses normally have three intakes a year and candidates will be required to attend for the initial week. Subsequent training days can be arranged to suit your needs.
Most of the cost of these programme is met directly by CITB. Much of the balance can be reclaimed by employers as grant once candidates have successfully completed the course.
For more detail on the SAP courses click here
LSTA’s City & Guilds Accredited Programmes
These courses provide a natural progression for those who want to gain a recognised qualification in leadwork or hard metal craft. Three courses are available in each material for those wanting to acquire the skills and knowledge used in roofing, cladding and weathering applications. The advanced-level courses are designed for those wanting to undertake heritage projects.
All of these courses are approved CITB Short-duration courses and grant funding is available for registered construction businesses.
The courses are:
- Traditional Basic Leadwork Craft (5-day course) – this course is also available as two 3-days courses
- Traditional Intermediate Leadwork Craft (35-day course – split into 4 modules each taking 5 to 10 days)
- Traditional Advanced Leadwork Craft (15-day course)
- Traditional Basic Hard Metal Craft (5-day course)
- Traditional Intermediate Hard Metal Craft (30-day course – split into 4 modules each taking 5 to 9 days)
- Traditional Advanced Hard Metal Craft (15-day course)
These courses can be taken on consecutive days or spread over a period to suit your needs.
For more detail on the City & Guilds Accredited courses click here
Specialist Upskilling Programme (SUP) and On-site Assessment and Training (OSAT)
These options are designed for experienced workers without formal qualifications who want to obtain recognition of their skills by obtaining an NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 qualification without the need to spend significant time on off-site training. A simple profiling exercise is carried out by one of our Assessors to determine whether you have the skills to go straight to OSAT or will need a few days (usually between 5 and 13) formal tuition at the LSTA training centre. Once the Assessor is confident you are likely to have the necessary experience they will arrange to visit you on site, probably two or three times, to see you using your skills to demonstrate you are competent to deliver lead or hard metal work at the appropriate level for the qualification you are seeking.
Please contact us to discuss your requirements regarding this type of upskilling.