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Walking in the footsteps of giants

Masons’ marks high up on pillars at medieval cathedrals and churches tell the story of the master masons who crossed the whole country – and, indeed, the continent of Europe – to oversee the building of those masterpieces of the builder’s art.

Later, the 18th and 19th centuries saw Methodist ministers and non-conformist preachers treading the same paths as they spread the word of the new ministries.

Cathedral’s development plan boosted by Wolfson grant

The development plan for Exeter Cathedral has received a major boost in the form of a £400,000 award from the Wolfson Foundation. Launched in 2020 with The Prince of Wales as Patron, the appeal aims to raise funds for a programme of heritage conservation, building work and improvements.

The award is the latest in a series of good news stories for the cathedral’s development effort, which includes the construction of a new cloister to replace one torn down during the Civil War more than 400 years ago. Plans for that design by architects Acanthus Clews (pictured below) were approved by Exeter City Council just before Christmas. Earlier last year the project was awarded development funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

New roof restores brutalist masterpiece – and rectifies design flaw

0n8103 A major roofing and cladding project – using traditional mastic asphalt and leadwork – was carried out over the whole of last year at St Antony’s College, Oxford, by leading industry experts SPV Group. The project, at the Hilda Besse Building, was completed as part of a larger scale refurbishment project – working in conjunction with CBRE Construction.

Completed in 1970 by John Partridge, the Hilda Besse Building sits at the heart of the college and houses many of the college’s key social spaces, including the dining hall, common rooms and buttery, as well as private dining facilities and kitchen. It is a Grade Two-listed building and is said to be one of the finest examples of post-war brutalist architecture. The building won the RIBA Architecture Award and Concrete Society Award in 1971 – noted for its skilful application of concrete in a modern interpretation of a traditional hall.

Drones lead the flight towards zero carbon

One of the emerging benefits of using UAVs for survey works is their contribution to sustainability and carbon reduction.

The national Environmental Working Group of the Church of England has issued a Call to Action on the Climate, calling on all parts of the church to aim towards zero carbon emissions by 2050, in line with Government and EU policy. The group is formulating a motion for General Synod to that effect.

Asphalt repairs at St Hugh's Monastery

St Hugh’s Monastery was experiencing water ingress into its cloister area as a result of damage and cracks in the northeast asphalt balcony roof above the cloisters. Asphalt repairs were undertaken to the balcony roof and the repaired section was painted with solar reflective paint.

St Hugh’s Monastery is a Grade II listed building and is an example of the heritage work Sussex Asphalte undertakes that requires appropriate project management. In the case of St Hugh’s Monastery, the company's operatives also had to be sensitive to the monks living on-site who live a life of solitude. This required careful liaison with the client.

Ealing Green Church gets new AV system as part of refurbishment programme

Newtech Southern was awarded the contract to design and install a new audio visual system for Ealing Green Church, West London. The church was to undergo a complete refurbishment and as part of these works a new high quality sound and video system was required.

The church required multiple floorboxes each with a variety of audio / video inputs and outputs, these would allow for the system to accommodate all types of services and events to be held in the church.

Reinterment of Richard III Project at Leicester Cathedral

Leicester Cathedral, in conjunction with the Richard III Society, the University of Leicester and the City Council, began the Reinterment of Richard III Project in 2013. The project, to provide King Richard’s final resting place, involves a series of changes to the inside of the Cathedral to create a significant space for the raised tomb, with a new floor, special lighting and new stained glass windows. The £0.5 million project was completed in 2015.

Conservation of the nave ceiling at Ely Cathedral

The magnificent painted timber ceiling in the nave of Ely Cathedral was painted between 1858 and 1862 by Henry Styleman le Strange, a gentleman artist from Hunstanton and completed, following his death, by Thomas Gambier Parry.

Repair work to the fabric of the nave was begun in January 1987, for which a suspended scaffold was inserted below the ceiling. This provided the opportunity for a programme of inspections, analysis and conservation work to be undertaken to the magnificent painted timber ceiling.

Does your business require lightning protection?

Here in the UK, we’re blessed with relatively calm weather. However, while we might not be subjected to hurricanes or tornadoes, we do get our fair share of electrical storms. On average, the UK and its surrounding waters are hit by around 300,000 lightning strikes every year, and while these powerful displays of nature are stunning to watch, they also pose significant risk to both people and structures.

Conservation and relocation of the Richard III statue at Leicester Cathedral

0n7288 Following an initial condition survey, Hirst Conservation were honoured to be invited to undertake the conservation and relocation of the Richard III statue as part of a £2.5M project to regenerate Leicester cathedral gardens.

Prior to treatment, the statue was removed from its previous location and transferred to the company's studios in Lincolnshire. Treatment included Doff cleaning of the plinth and poultice cleaning to remove more intransigent stains.

Only the best will do for Roedean School theatre sound upgrade

The world-renowned independent Roedean School in Sussex provides the best facilities for it’s pupils, so it's no surprise then that when upgrading their theatre sound system they chose the best. Traction Sound loud speakers were used throughout the auditorium mixed from Allen & Heath digital desk. Brighton Sound System carried out the theatre sound installation working in partnership with AC-ET who supplied the equipment.

The theatre at Roedean School has several uses. It is mainly used for school productions and for teaching. The school also uses it for assemblies and presentations. During the summer holiday the auditorium is rented out to touring theatre production. This means that the sound installation needed to be flexible and meet a high professional standard. Safety was also paramount as the equipment would often be operated by pupils.

Help! Does my oast cowl need cleaning?

Since 1937, Dude and Arnette have been cleaning oast houses across the country, both inside and out. The company’s specialist team can clean, paint and maintain your oast house to the highest standard, bringing joy to many more generations. So, if your oast house is looking a little drab and dated, maybe it is time to give it a clean. Here DARREN HOLE of Dude and Arnette answers some common questions.

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