Safe and cost effective visual inspection at height
Compared with traditional methods, Chichester-based RTF Imaging can provide faster, safer and more cost effective methods of visual inspection at height, reducing the need to send human operatives into dangerous and inhospitable places.
They serve the domestic, commercial and industrial sectors, specialising in the close inspection of hard to reach places, and are now increasingly being asked to employ their services on ecclesiastical and heritage properties where minimal disruption to the building fabric is of key importance.
Read more: Safe and cost effective visual inspection at height
Drone images used in national promotion
Peterborough based Sky Revolutions Ltd carried out an aerial survey of the 18th Century Marple Aqueduct for Arcadis recently to help them understand the condition of the brickwork underneath the arches. The images were picked up by the UK Canal and River Trust and are now being used to promote a refurbishment project and parapet installation.
Marple Aqueduct in Stockport is the highest canal aquaduct in England and the highest masonry-arch aquaduct in Britain. The client, Arcadis, needed to inspect the underside of the brickwork arches and the face of the brickwork to highlight any defects.
£400,000 spring boost for the UK's historic churches
55 churches and chapels in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland that are set to benefit from rescue funding of £425,183 from the National Churches Trust, the UK’s church support charity.
Churches receiving grants from the National Churches Trust include:
- St Botolph, Colchester, Essex. The Grade II Listed church receives a £10,000 National Churches Trust Repair Grant to help fund urgent tower repairs.
Read more: £400,000 spring boost for the UK's historic churches
Lighting upgrade illuminates the full majesty of Worksop Priory’s interior
The second phase of a project to completely upgrade the interior lighting at Worksop Priory in Nottinghamshire has recently been completed by Lighting Dynamics UK, one of the country’s foremost specialist church lighting companies. This latest phase, the upgrade of the lighting for the complete interior, follows completion by the company of a previous phase in the beautiful Lady Chapel which also featured in Ecclesiastical and Heritage World.
Read more: Lighting upgrade illuminates the full majesty of Worksop Priory’s interior
British Islamic heritage celebrated by Historic England
In March, two mosques in London were listed by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport on the advice of Historic England, in recognition of their historic, architectural and cultural importance.
The London Central Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre in Regent’s Park (1970-77) has been listed at Grade II* and The Fazl Mosque, Southfields (1925-26) at Grade II.
In addition, two of Britain’s earliest Islamic places of worship have been given greater protection and recognition. Britain’s first purpose-built mosque, the Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking (1888-89), has been upgraded to Grade I and an important guesthouse on the site newly listed, while the home to Britain’s first functioning mosque, 8 Brougham Terrace in Liverpool, has been upgraded to Grade II*.
Read more: British Islamic heritage celebrated by Historic England
Your surveys no longer need to be done on a wing and a prayer
The use of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) is rapidly expanding as the carers and keepers of old buildings and churches learn how much easier and more cost-effective completing surveying and maintenance projects can be with the professional use of drones.
The use of such machines has proved revolutionary in carrying out surveys of areas in ancient buildings and churches which had previously required extensive preparation, followed by expensive and in some cases hazardous operations. Indeed, in some churches there are parts of the building that had not hitherto been accessed at all for many years.
Read more: Your surveys no longer need to be done on a wing and a prayer
Martin-Brooks finds church past can be read in lead
Sheffield roofing specialists, Martin-Brooks, are adding their name to a roll call of craftsmen who have helped preserve an historic North Yorkshire church.
Whilst reconstructing the tower roof at grade I listed All Saints Church in the village of Bolton Percy, near York, the firm discovered the names of previous workmen engraved into the lead.
As part of the renovation, these areas of the roof were saved by Martin-Brooks and welded back into the new Code 8 lead covering in exactly the same place. A new stainless-steel shoe and lead slate were also incorporated for a flagpole.
Read more: Martin-Brooks finds church past can be read in lead
UK Roofing Awards 2018 - Winners Revealed
The winners of the UK Roofing Awards 2018, hosted by the NFRC, were announced at a ceremony hosted by BBC’s Dan Walker at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge hotel on Friday 11th May 2018.
Now in its eleventh year, the UK Roofing Awards has become a firm fixture for the roofing sector to come together and celebrate outstanding standards of design workmanship and safety demonstrated throughout the year.
NFRC Chief Executive James Talman, who introduced the Awards, said: “These awards stand as a reminder to us all of the important contribution the roofing sector makes through innovative products, design and workmanship, to the construction industry.”
The Lead Sheet Association is now a new Training Academy offering lead and hard metal training
In March The Lead Sheet Association became the Lead Sheet Training Academy Ltd - however, although the name has changed, their focus remains the same. They are dedicated to providing first class training courses delivered by the country’s best tutors from their purpose built training centre in the heart of Kent. Their lead and hard metal training courses are the only courses of their kind which are approved and accredited by City & Guilds and CITB.
Trace-in-Metal - protecting lead roofs since 2012
St Peter’s Church in Huddersfield in December 2012 was the very first Trace-in-Metal installation and the church and parishioners have since that time, benefitted from the most comprehensive metal theft protection system on the market. It was indeed fitting that a Yorkshire innovation, should be applied for the very first time on a Yorkshire Church.
Since that time, Trace-in-Metal has been applied on numerous buildings across the country, from Cumbria in the west to north Lincolnshire in the east. From Ripley Castle in rural North Yorkshire to the urban streets of Hemel Hempstead, where it continues to protect the lead on the roof of the Registry Office.
Read more: Trace-in-Metal - protecting lead roofs since 2012
Rejuvenating tired external surfaces does not have to cost a fortune
Most of the discolourations are due to the presence of a biological layer, the biofilm. The appropriate use of a mild surface biocide is often all it takes to recover the original surface in a matter of days, the time it takes for the dead biofilm to disperse.
The biocide has to tick the right boxes for the task, Algoclear Pro - the market leader - is recommended by KRend.
Read more: Rejuvenating tired external surfaces does not have to cost a fortune
Heritage Ironwork: An Endangered Species
This seminar on 14 June is part of the BathIRON Festival of Iron organised by the National Heritage Iron Group between 14 - 17 June in Bath.
There is a fantastic line-up of speakers exploring various aspects of heritage ironwork, so this day is sure to be of interest to anyone who works in the field of built heritage, or simply has an interest in it.
A Perry launches new market leading black antique ironmongery range
Reinforcing its long established West Midlands roots, A Perry & Co (Hinges) Ltd, a leading independent, family-owned British manufacturer and supplier, is introducing Old Hill Ironworks, a high-quality door furniture range which specialises in black antique ironmongery originating from the heart of the Black Country.
The products are designed to appeal to consumers through their premium components, superior finish, 12-year mechanical guarantee plus pricing which potentially delivers higher profit margins for distributors and stockists.
Read more: A Perry launches new market leading black antique ironmongery range