News

The Cathedral Church of St. Peter, St. Paul and St. Andrew in Peterborough is one of the great surviving medieval buildings and one of the UK’s top 10 landmarks.  The present building is the third on its site, dating from a rebuilding started in 1118.  The West Front is a masterpiece of the sublime in architecture, its three massive, unequal width portals framing a seemingly small-scaled porch.  The painted timber nave ceiling is an almost unique survival.  The ‘New Building’ at the east end is a superb example of early 16th century fan vaulting, almost certainly by master-mason John Wastell.  The abbey was refounded as a cathedral in 1541.

Bristol Cathedral will open after hours to welcome in visitors for free, part of the first coordinated nationwide Cathedrals at Night campaign in the UK.

This year, Bristol cathedral is joining other participating Church of England cathedrals and its partners to offer people a Cathedrals at Night experience where visitors of all ages can immerse themselves in the culture and spirituality of this beautiful building and enjoy a taste of cathedral life for free.

Heritage Ironwork CPD Webinar
Wednesday 9th June 2021
12:00-1:30pm

What is this event about?

This webinar will help you identify and understand the various types of joining techniques found in historic ironwork, including:

• Different types of fire-weld
• Rivets: cold-set, hot-set and pneumatic
• Mortises, tenons and sockets
• Halving joints
• Collars: wrapped, screwed and fire-welded
• Nuts & bolts with a focus on threads
• Square-headed fixings from the period 1850s-1920s
• Appropriate use of replica fixings

By the end of the session, you should be able to appreciate what is involved in construction and how best to approach repair. The presentation will include case studies and short video clips demonstrating key techniques.

Who is it for?

The webinar is aimed mainly at general conservation professionals, for whom ironwork falls within their remit but is not a specialism. It will also be suitable for blacksmith students and metalworkers unfamiliar with historic material or keen to learn more.

Who is leading it?

Blacksmith Rowan Taylor completed the NHIG Bursary scheme in 2013 and has since established a strong reputation in conservation and restoration work, specialising in bridges and canal-side ironwork.

Ticket Prices: £10-25

Click here for more information about the day and to book tickets

Heritage Ironwork CPD Webinar
Wednesday 12th May 2021
12:00-1:30pm

What is this event about?

Removing and reinstating ironwork will always have an impact, but how can we minimise that impact, act responsibly and safely, and avoid further complications? This webinar will look at the issues involved in dismantling ironwork on site and fixing it back in again, giving an overview of potential approaches, tackling typical problems and offering some solutions, including:

• Methods of removing iron from stonework
• Options for fixing ironwork into stone
• Safe practice working with lead
• Using heat on site

Who is it for?

This day is aimed at anyone wanting to get a better understanding of the ironwork in their care: owner/custodian, specifier or practitioner.

Who is leading it?

David James is a highly skilled blacksmith with extensive experience of conservation work at many of the country’s most important heritage sites.

Ticket Prices: £10-25

Click here for more information about the day and to book.

Rafferty Lightning Protection have been appointed to deliver a brand new BSEN 62305 Lightning protection system to a Grade II Listed former Hospital complex which is being converted into Student accommodation.

The site, which has stood empty for more than a decade now has permission to be built on. The hospital first closed 11 years ago and has been left empty ever since. All other post-war buildings on the site have since been demolished and the area has been used as a car park. However, the former nurses’ home and outpatients clinic remain due to being listed.

We hope you are all keeping safe and well during these difficult and testing times. As a result of the pandemic our event schedule for the year both nationally and regionally has been virtually wiped out and this will have a huge impact on our income and our ability to fund our charitable work.

All this comes at a time when our Construction Industry Helpline is receiving an unprecedented volume of calls from construction workers and their families seeking our help.

Historic England has produced a new Advice Note to provide clarity and support consistent decision-making for proposals to reduce carbon emissions and improve the energy efficiency of historic buildings whilst conserving their significance and ensuring they remain viable places to live in the…

Sheffield roofing specialists, Martin-Brooks, are playing a pivotal role in one of the UK’s most significant heritage regeneration projects of recent years.

The firm has secured a contract to undertake the largescale refurbishment of Nottingham Castle’s roof, as part of a £30 million scheme to regenerate the entire site.

The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company has enjoyed the most successful 12 months in its 30-year history.

Based at Alne, near Easingwold, York Handmade is the leading independent brickmaker in the north of England.

Chairman David Armitage, commented: “The last 12 months have proved to be excellent for us, despite all the political uncertainty surrounding Brexit. We have flourished, with some prestigious commissions in London, Cambridge and, of course, Yorkshire.

Castle Acre Priory - Pantiles

Beautiful pan-tiled roofing project at Castle Acre Priory, a preserved monastic site managed by English Heritage. USL carried out conservation, structural repairs, leadwork, rainwater goods and roofing renewal.  

Chigwell School Rooing Project - Handmade Clay Roof Tiles

Over 850m² of handmade clay roofing tiles, all stripped and replaced by USL’s team of specialist roofers at Chigwell School.  A Grade II Listed building. 

Christ Church Kensington - Slate

Cwt-y-Bugail Welsh Slate fitted on Christ Church Kensington by USL team.  Project included re-roofing, leadwork, and rainwater goods.  Stunning dark blue-grey texture. 

St Mary the Less - Leadwork Roof

Fine example of leadwork and roofing project from USL at St Mary the Less in Thetford, Norfolk.  This Grade II* church received extensive tower repairs including new roof covering, leadwork, and rainwater goods. 

St Leonard Flamstead - Copper

Copper roofing at St Leonard’s Church in Flamstead.  Extensive heritage roofing and conservation programme.  

Legerwood Kirk is an ancient and historic Church of Scotland church in the former county of Berwickshire, Scotland, dating back to year 1127. It is situated half a mile east of the hamlet of Legerwood and 6.5 miles (10.5 km) south east of Lauder in the Scottish Borders.

The building has been suffering from dampness issues for a number of years. Being a Grade A listed building, invasive dehydration technologies were not an option. Upon a detailed inspection of the building several sources of moisture has been identified, including rising damp, condensation and sideways penetrating damp.

Our first contact from the team at Blyth Central Methodist Church was a phone call that we’ve had many times before explained Paul Dougherty of Blaydon Communications Ltd 'Our sound system isn’t working, it’s all crackly and we just need a new one'.

"In some circumstances, this could be true", said Paul, "audio equipment does degrade, and eventually, it will need to be replaced, but sometimes things just need a good overhaul and a bit of a spruce up. Our first recommended action was to have us attend the church and assess what equipment had been installed. This also allows us to get talking to the people that use the system to find out the real problems first-hand.