News
Six fears and myths about the woodcarving industry
After the modernism that followed the war, no one expected we'd see hand-carved ornamentation in our architecture again, writes Master Carver Ian Agrell. Yet here it is. We’re enjoying a resurgence in classical decoration, whether it's a restoration of a 400-year-old church, a brand-new chapel with a Gothic organ case, or a Louis XIV-style library for a billionaire's London penthouse.
Large architectural firms are increasingly winning projects requiring hand-carved woodwork. However, many of these companies—especially those more experienced in modern styles—know little about classical decoration or the ornamentation industry as a whole. They might not know that woodcarving workshops still exist.
Read more: Six fears and myths about the woodcarving industry
Priva BMS helps preserve historic HQ of National Centre for Writing
The National Centre for Writing, which has just completed a £2 million extension and refurbishment project at its headquarters in Norwich, called upon the capabilities of the latest Priva BMS (building management system) as a vital part of the upgrade. By installing state-of-the-art Priva Blue ID technology to monitor and control the internal climate, the organisation hopes to ensure that the building’s fabric, which includes ancient timber beams, is preserved in an optimum way.
Read more: Priva BMS helps preserve historic HQ of National Centre for Writing
The restoration of a ruined oast house
The Oast House is a former oast house and heritage asset, which forms part of a complex of former agricultural buildings near the village of Hever in Kent.
Once a derelict ruin located in the curtilage of the Grade II listed Lydens farmhouse, it has been carefully restored and converted by Richard and Jane Horobin into a characterful family home, which blends with the rural landscape of the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Tudor wins 'Best Roofing Product' award for the second time
Tudor Roof Tiles Co Ltd, Britain's foremost independent handmade clay roof tile manufacturer, has received a 2018 ‘Build It Award’ for its range of ‘Bespoke Handmade Clay Roof Tiles’
This is the second time the company has claimed the prize for ‘Best Roofing Product’ in these prestigious awards, which recognise the best products, services, projects and innovations available to self-builders and renovators. This achievement for the bespoke tile making abilities follows the company’s previous success in 2014 as category winner for its authentic standard range of peg and plain tiles.
According to the judges “This product is a high-quality option for any homeowner undertaking a heritage project or looking to create an authentic period feel.”
Read more: Tudor wins 'Best Roofing Product' award for the second time
World`s first bat friendly breathable membrane will save millions in energy loss
Bats are a protected species in the UK and play an important role in the ecosystem. Until now when bats are found, only Bitumen 1F felt has been used. This has come at considerable cost to the thermal performance of the roof because 1F felt requires extra rafter space if insulation is used; in old buildings this is often not possible.
Properties with an uninsulated 1F felt roof can release up to 10 tonnes of CO2 per year through the buildings fabric. Replacing 1F felt with a breathable membrane and additional insulation between the rafters can reduce CO2 emissions by 57%. These factors have a large impact on global warming and climate change.
Read more: World`s first bat friendly breathable membrane will save millions in energy loss
Cupa Pizarras chosen for Camphill Blair Drummond – an inspirational redevelopment project
Cupa Pizarras has been specified for the historic Camphill Blair Drummond site. In keeping with the area’s heritage Heavy 3 slate was chosen for six stunning homes for Camphill residents; due to its desired aesthetics, durability and flexibility.
Located in the outskirts of Stirling amongst rolling hills and exquisite Scottish scenery, Camphill Blair Drummond provides a warm, friendly and home-from-home living environment for young people with complex learning disabilities. The community provides meaningful activities and workshops where relationships can be built, and day students and residents can live, learn and relax in a unique family setting.
Read more: Cupa Pizarras chosen for Camphill Blair Drummond – an inspirational redevelopment project
'Old Joe' chimes again!
The University of Birmingham boasts the tallest free-standing clock tower in the world at the heart of its campus, commonly known as ‘Old Joe’ or ‘Big Joe’. In 2017 Old Joe fell silent as the Smith of Derby Group carried out repairs to the strike side of the clock so the famous chimes could be heard across campus once again.
The tower has also had other practical purposes over the last 113 years, since it was built in 1905 when the four JB Joyce clock dials were first commisioned. It was originally designed with the physics department in mind to help experiments. In the 1940’s the tower was used to test equipment which would form the basis of RADAR technology in World War II and then provided a useful watchtower during the World Wars.
Specifications & Tenders for Heritage Ironwork at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
A day of practical guidance which will lead you through the process of writing and understanding specifications on historic ironwork, highlighting pointers and pitfalls in the tendering and procurement process.
This course is offered free of charge thanks to funding from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation for Historic England’s heritage skills programme at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings.
Read more: Specifications & Tenders for Heritage Ironwork at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings
Sound know-how helps clarify the message
Wootton New Life Church is a growing and lively Methodist church at the heart of the village of Wootton in Bedfordshire.
For many years the traditional rectangular church building had a suspended ceiling, which had begun to look tired; so the church decided to open up the whole space and redecorate.
Unfortunately, that would mean removing the main source of sound absorption in the building and lead to an increase in reverberation time – making speech intelligibility poor and their modern worship style fatiguing.
Hymnal Plus - the leading worship music solution
Whether you have trouble finding good, reliable organists (or other musicians), have no instrument or simply want good music available for outreach, the Hymnal Plus is the solution.
As well as churches, the Hymnal Plus is widely used by Schools and Colleges, Chaplaincies in the Armed Forces, Prisons and Hospitals, Retirement Homes, Retreat Centres, Christian Holiday Centres, Cruise Liners, Crematoriums and private individuals – all of whom find the Hymnal Plus provides their complete worship music needs.
Sound Space Vision delivers artful solutions to the Royal Academy of Arts’ historic transformation
In 2012 Sound Space Vision (SSV) won the competition to be the theatre design and acoustics consultants for David Chipperfield Architects’ master plan to unite the Royal Academy of Arts’ 18th-century Burlington House with its neighbour, Burlington Gardens, and transform the interiors throughout. SSV’s brief was to modernise and equip Burlington Gardens’ 19th-century lecture theatre for 21st-century presentation and performance, and was expanded later to include acoustics advice on the new gallery spaces, the learning centre, as well as mechanical systems.
Tickets go live for CRE 2026 - free access for Ecclesiastical and Heritage World readers
Tickets are now officially live for the Church Resources Exhibition (CRE) 2026, taking place on 14–15 October 2026 at Sandown Park, Esher, Surrey – bringing together church leaders, decision-makers and suppliers for two days of inspiration, innovation and practical support. Tickets are free for…
Read more: Tickets go live for CRE 2026 - free access for Ecclesiastical and Heritage World readers
Wireless audio solutions by Tourtalk
Tourtalk is a portable short-range wireless system used to transmit an audio message from a presenter to an audience. The presenter speaks into a radio microphone transmitter and the audience use lightweight receivers to hear the message. Tourtalk systems are used by places of worship and heritage sites around the UK and abroad.
As the system is completely portable it requires no installation and can be setup within minutes with no impact to the buildings aesthetics. As the receivers don’t rely on line-of-sight transmission, the system can be used discreetly and cover large areas including balconies. Tourtalk systems are used for many applications including guided tours, hearing support and simultaneous interpretation.






