Current Issue
NHIG launches Membership Directory
The National Heritage Ironwork Group (NHIG) have recently launched an online Members Directory, providing a valuable resource for those seeking suitable contractors who subscribe to the organisation's Conservation Principles.
Associations and organisations can also become members, and the National Heritage Training Group (NHTG) have recently joined the ranks in recognition of their common aims and shared goals.
Perfect period plaster for your church and listed building
Based in Bury St Edmunds, Rickards Period Plastering provides a professional application of traditional plastering techniques throughout the county. Whether working within the precious historic environment or on a unique architecturally designed new build they endeavour to provide a skill set and finished product of the highest quality.
Mike Rickards is from a previous restoration background and established the company in April 2012 and his experience has been built upon undertaking the projects that others may shy away from - whether due to material use, design, access or other site specific challenges. He says: "We enjoy the challenge and relish the unique and unusual projects so that, when finished, we can take a step back and say....’we did that’.
Read more: Perfect period plaster for your church and listed building
York Handmade helps to restore iconic Scottish church to its former glory
The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company has played a crucial role in the restoration of one of Scotland’s most iconic churches.
York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, has provided 12,000 specially-made bricks for St Bride’s Church in East Kilbride, near Glasgow.
St Brides was designed by the celebrated architect, Professor Andy MacMillan, whose Scottish practice Gillespie Kidd & Coia worked extensively on ecclesiastical buildings from the 1950s through to the 1990s.
Read more: York Handmade helps to restore iconic Scottish church to its former glory
The development of the Heritage Crime Programme in England
Mark Harrison, Head of Heritage Crime Strategy at Historic England, outlines the development of their Heritage Crime Programme.
Historic England defines heritage crime as: "Any offence which harms the value of England's heritage assets and their settings to this and future generations."
Harm caused to a heritage asset by crime or anti-social behaviour will often have both direct and indirect impacts. For example, the loss of historic fabric from a listed building through theft or vandalism will not only have a direct impact by damaging the fabric of the building itself. It can also have an indirect impact such as social or economic loss to the amenity of an area.
Read more: The development of the Heritage Crime Programme in England
Restoration work at Shrewsbury's historic Flaxmill Maltings
Historic England took leadership of the Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings project in March 2014. The Department for Communities and Local Government awarded £1,169,000 of funding through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) towards a Stage One, £2.5m, project to kick-start regeneration. Historic England provided the balance of the funds.
Completed work - Stage 1:
The Oice and Stables have been converted for use by the Friends of the Flaxmill Maltings as an interactive visitor centre and education facility The 1950's grain silo has been demolished, providing further external space for cultural, interpretation and public use. This added to work previously carried out by Shropshire Council to clear derelict modern buildings from the site.
Read more: Restoration work at Shrewsbury's historic Flaxmill Maltings
Roofing restorations at York Minster follow traditional design
York Minster is Northern Europe’s second largest gothic cathedral and has a long and varied history dating back almost 1500 years. Initially built with wood, the church has undergone numerous transformations over the two centuries, including complete refurbishments and organised repairs, and has survived two fires and William the Conqueror’s harrying of the North!
Conservation and restoration is an on-going commitment and those in charge are dedicated to keeping the traditional architecture and heritage. As a result, they utilise a combination of cutting-edge science and ancient craftsmanship when undertaking any remedial restorative work.
Read more: Roofing restorations at York Minster follow traditional design
Britain’s oldest brewery benefits from aluminium rainwater systems
The Faversham Brewery, the oldest working brewery in the UK, recently undertook a restoration project to restore their Brew House and enhance the key architectural features that had been lost, including the original cast iron gutters. Provided by Marley Alutec, the Faversham Brewery’s rainwater system replicates the original Victorian aesthetic, whilst enjoying all the benefits of marine grade aluminium.
Shepherd Neame is Britain's oldest brewer - and while 1698 is the Brewery's official founding date, there is clear evidence that its heritage pre-dates even this period. Located in Kent, beer production has taken place on this site for centuries and whilst Shepherd Neame’s dedication to brewing great beer has never wavered, the Victorian brew house was in need of restoration.
Read more: Britain’s oldest brewery benefits from aluminium rainwater systems
A Skynamite view to aerial surveys
If you require promotional aerial pictures of your property suitable for publication, promotional videos or inspection imagery, then Wiltshire-based Skynamite can deliver to your requirements in a safe, fast and efficient manner.
Lead pilot Simon Knight, has been operating drones commercially for four years. He also works part-time as a UAV flight instructor with Phoenix UAV Centre and as a flight test examiner with The Aerial Academy. With a background in model aircraft flying and photography, Simon has the expertise necessary to operate a drone efficiently and deliver high quality imagery to meet your requirements.
Ecclesiastical Insurance partners with The Prince’s Foundation to preserve heritage skills for future generations
Specialist insurer Ecclesiastical is supporting The Prince’s Foundation in its bid to prevent specialist trade skills disappearing.
Ecclesiastical, the leading insurer of Grade 1 listed buildings in the UK, has pledged £225,000 to The Prince’s Foundation over the next three years to enable 36 students to take part in the charity’s Building Craft Programme (BCP).
The Prince’s Foundation established the course to help preserve valuable crafts skills, which are gradually being lost as the average age of workers in the historic buildings sector approaches retirement age.
The ‘family GP’ for your church
What are Quinquennial Inspection Reports?
Under the Inspection of Churches Measure 1955, as amended by the Care of Churches and Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction Measure 1991, all consecrated buildings of the Church of England must by law be inspected once in every five years by a registered architect or chartered building surveyor (the ‘Quinquennial Inspector’ or QI) who is approved by the Diocesan Advisory Committee (DAC). Most other denominations and many secular organisations which are responsible for historic buildings now adopt a similar approach to inspections.
Martin-Brooks showcases skills at heritage day
Sheffield’s Martin-Brooks has joined forces with fellow heritage building experts to share the unique work it is undertaking at a North Lincolnshire church with next generation roofers.
The specialist firm played an integral role in a heritage skills day, held at Holy Trinity Church in Messingham, to provide awareness and training for apprentices and young site operatives.
Local joinery company awarded prestigious contract at Flaxmill
Morris Joinery has been awarded a coveted commission from Historic England to restore and replace a total of 39 windows at the town’s historic Flaxmill Maltings, known as the grandparent of the modern skyscraper.
Four of the original 4ft square windows at Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings are to be carefully restored by hand with a further 35 other replicas hand crafted to complete this element of the major refurbishment project.
All the windows will be made from wood with sills crafted from English oak and frame and casements in Douglas Fir with modern thermal requirements included to ensure the new windows are ‘future-fit’.
Read more: Local joinery company awarded prestigious contract at Flaxmill
Home Farm in Suffolk restored to former glory
Home Farmhouse in north-west Suffolk is a two storey timber and attic framed house. The original part of the house dates to 1325 and can be attributed to a St Cross family called Collebells. Indeed Collebells was the original name of the house and only became Home Farm 200 years later. Originally a high-status Yeomans’ house it gradually expanded and became a large dairy farm sometime in the 16th century.
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