News

In 1714 a number of wealthy coal merchants in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, undertook the construction of St George's Chapel, on the town's King Street. The new chapel was modelled on St Clement Dane in London designed by Sir Christopher Wren and in the news recently as part of the route taken at the funeral of the late Baroness Thatcher. The Grade One-listed building is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of baroque-style architecture outside London today.

After many years service to the town as a place of worship, the chapel fell into disrepair and was deconsecrated. Then, after a period of around 25 years as a theatre and community space following major repairs in 1974, the chapel was deemed unsafe and closed in 2006. Its future once again became unsure.

"What attracts us to the rural idyll of the Cotswolds?" Asks Martin Hall of Hall and Ensom.

Even in these difficult market conditions the attraction of a stone cottage in this beautiful countryside is hard to resist. The stone buildings in the Cotswolds embody the best English traditions of craftsmanship and ordered beauty. Nothing gives our landscape such richness, individuality and charm as the local building materials.

Wudu literally means cleaning oneself in preparation for prayer. The communal act of washing before prayer is directed by the holy Quran. All Muslims must use clean water to wash hands and feet before performing salat (prayer) in Mosques, schools and places of Muslim worship all over the world.

To make refitting or installing this important area as cost effective and efficient as possible, Franke Washroom Systems has added a new Wudu Ablution/Washing Station to its portfolio of stainless steel commercial products. The new Wudu increases its range of products designed for the particular needs of different religions and cultures.

The UK has committed to an 80% reudction in CO2 emissions by 2050. The regular revision of Part L of the Building Regulations will help the UK achieve its targets for new houses but the realisation that most of the building stock in 2050 is already built has turned attention towards our existing houses and offices - and in particular the older housing stock which is rightly seen as, in general, being far less energy inefficient than the most recent housing stock.

An interesting new part-time position has become available for a NAMM Burial Authority Adviser. This will be initially for a trial period of six months and for 2 / 3 days per week.

This Parish Church, dedicated to St Leonard, dates from the 13th century and has many interesting features. It is a Grade 1 listed building located in Little Downham, Cambridgeshire.

We were called upon by Archimage Architects of Wilburton, Cambridgeshire, to convert the choir vestry into a disabled toilet facility.

The increasing costs of lead theft are leading building owners, estate managers and specifiers to consider viable alternatives. Zinc is one of the most likely choices, but can you be sure you choosing a green alternative? Jonathan Lowy, Product Manager at VMZINC, states that the answer is a resounding ‘Yes’.

Zinc is among the most sustainable metals used in construction today and has been used on the roofs of Paris for almost 200 years. VMZINC rolled zinc products are used in construction industries throughout the world for their sustainability, distinctive appearance and low maintenance requirements.

The Association of Technical Lightning & Access Specialists (ATLAS) was delighted to support this year’s National Apprenticeship Week, which focussed on how ‘Apprenticeships Deliver’ to the benefit of both employers and individuals.Taking place for the sixth time, the event was an overwhelming success with employers across the UK pledging to recruit over 13,600 new apprentices.

ATLAS members continue to develop the skills of their workforces by investing in apprenticeships delivered by the industry’s Steeplejack and Lightning Protection Training Group with the support of CITB.

An audience of some 70 architects and contractors attended the launch of the 2013 LCA Directory at the Institute of Materials Minerals and Mining in London last month and heard a very upbeat message from several speakers.

Douglas Weston CBE, CEO of the Lead Sheet Association was particularly buoyant about the industry’s fight back against the general severe downturn in construction, compounded for the lead sheet sector by high London Metal Exchange

CRE’s first visit to Wales for many years will also be the inaugural ‘CRE on the Road’: a one-day extravaganza of the very best resources to equip and empower the churches of Wales for 2014 and beyond. CRE Wales, at the All Nations Centre on 26 March, features 50 exhibitors offering everything from…

Darlington-based restoration, high level and general maintenance experts, Stone Technical Services, have invested thousands of pounds as the company prepares to grow and enter new markets.

Stone started 2013 by investing around £20,000 in its marketing and, in addition to taking on a new member of staff, has now launched a new website - www.stonetechnicalgroup.co.uk - to improve its presence on search engines as it continues to grow around the UK.

Siltbuster Limited’s newly launched fully integrated HD unit has been used to help Colwell Groundworks and Construction protect a lake housing £1m of fish, while the construction company repairs the lake’s retaining wall.

The three acre lake, containing carp, perch, roach and rudd is in the grounds of Eastnor Castle, a high profile stately home and visitor attraction which nestles in the Malvern Hills.