New VMZINC roof for Grade 1-listed church on World heritage site
As one of the nation’s Victorian architectural gems on a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Grade 1-listed Saltaire United Reformed Church is a unique example of Italianate religious architecture.
Restoration work on the mausoleum involved VMZINC craftsmen hand crafting a new ornamental, stamped natural zinc roof and hand-working of panels on site by restoration specialists Norman and Underwood Panels.
Zinc was authorised by English Heritage to remove the threat of lead theft, the result being a restoration which has brought the building back to a standard not seen for more than a century.
Old timber and old render
With the British weather against us, protecting timber surfaces outside can be challenging. The accepted wisdom is to use a more or less transparent oil or resin, but does this work well? Not really, as the oil becomes the problem - overcoating increases the opacity of the stain to a point where the veins are no longer seen. There can be flaking too, followed by a weary sanding job!
Audio visual equipment in church buildings
This guidance is issued by the Church Buildings Council under section 55(1)(d) of the Dioceses, Mission and Pastoral Measure 2007. As it is statutory guidance, it must be considered with great care. The standards of good practice set out in the guidance should not be departed from unless the departure is justified by reasons that are spelled out clearly, logically and convincingly.
The majority of Anglican churches now use audio visual equipment as part of regular services. The technical specification for any fixed installation is crucial and will depend on your building and usage.
Seek professional advice from an independent adviser, and make early contact with your DAC Secretary to discuss any new scheme. The technical details will be unique to each church, but there are some general principles to consider when looking at new installations which impact on the fabric and appearance of the church.
Daughter's memory kept alive as 30 years in business are marked
Ecclesiastical furniture specialists Paul and Ruth Fuller have marked the 30th anniversary of their company, Fullers Finer Furniture, by raising thousands of pounds for the local children's hospice in their home town of Weston-super-Mare.
The family-run company staged a fundraising tennis event at their local club in memory of their daughter Naomi, who suffered from the genetic disorder Trisomi 13, or Patau syndrome.
The fundraiser was the brainchild of their tennis player son Oliver and was dubbed Volley with Ollie. At the event Oliver, aged 14 played for eight hours against 19 opponents. Supporters could also test the speed of their serves and try out 'tennis skittles'.
Read more: Daughter's memory kept alive as 30 years in business are marked
Tewkesbury Abbey steers towards RCF's VSA Digital Columns
Back in 2010, when the medieval Tewkesbury Abbey was considering the installation of a new LED environmental lighting system it simultaneously saw the opportunity to rectify the problems it had been having with its sound system — which was becoming unreliable and lacking in intelligibility — and at the same time take advantage of the new cabling infrastructure.
Read more: Tewkesbury Abbey steers towards RCF's VSA Digital Columns
NFRC celebrates impressive membership milestone
In September, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) reached 1000 trade members for the first time. The roofing contractor company who helped us to reach this milestone, DPM Industrial Roofing (UK) Limited based in Stoke-on-Trent, has followed in the footsteps of other like-minded companies who sought to join a reputable and established trade association.
Northernmost lights - stained glass in Sweden
Stained glass and ecclesiastical buildings seem inseparable and have been for over a millennium. Archaeological excavations at the monastic sites at Monkwearmouth and Jarrow brought to light coloured, but unpainted, window glass from the Anglo-Saxon period. The Abbot of Monkwearmouth, Benedict Biscop, brought in 675 glaziers from Gaul to teach the Saxons how to make glass.
Change in the Leadership of Neutrik AG
The Supervisory Board of Neutrik AG, Schaan is pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Boeglin as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Neutrik AG. Peter Boeglin will assume full responsibility as CEO on January 1, 2016, succeeding Werner Bachmann who will pass on the leadership to Peter Boeglin after his own 40 successful years within the Neutrik group.
The Supervisory Board of Neutrik AG is confident that Peter Boeglin has the background and experience to lead Neutrik AG in the future, and to continue its successful company history.
Lead thefts continue to plague churches across the nation
Thankfully, the rates of metal theft have reduced greatly from the levels of a couple of years ago, thanks mainly to the proactively of police forces up and down the country, and more recently to the Scrap Metal Dealers Act, (SMD Act) which was introduced in October 2013.
Unfortunately that will be of little comfort to the congregations of five churches, spread across the country, who have all recently fallen victim to this horrendous crime.
Read more: Lead thefts continue to plague churches across the nation
40 Years and 1 billion connectors
Neutrik AG, recognized globally as the leading supplier of robust and reliable professional connectivity solutions for audio, video, and data, is pleased to announce its 40th Anniversary. What began 40 years ago as a two-man endeavor in the backyard of an old farm house in Schaan, Liechtenstein is today the leading provider of innovative electrical and electronic interconnection products and systems for the professional entertainment industry. Now, 40 years later, the company can proudly claim “Neutrik is setting standards!”.
The world’s foremost purveyor of fine ecclesiastical designs celebrates 140th anniversary
Watts & Co is the world’s foremost purveyor of fine ecclesiastical designs, textiles, furnishings and accessories. Its long and rich history is a narrative of refined taste, historic grandeur, and cutting edge style.
The Founders
Read more: The world’s foremost purveyor of fine ecclesiastical designs celebrates 140th anniversary
Grundon funding helps boost The Spire
Work on transforming the former Church of St Peter's in Ufton Nervet, near Reading, into a vibrant community centre, is edging closer as fundraisers make a final push to secure the money needed to complete the project.
York Consortium for Conservation and Craftsmanship scores a double century
With a 2,000 year history and a wonderfully preserved stock of fine buildings, York has for generations been a thriving centre for what we now think of as heritage skills. York Minster and the many medieval churches in the city have long stimulated a demand for masons, carvers, ironworkers, carpenters and stained-glass experts.
Read more: York Consortium for Conservation and Craftsmanship scores a double century