Current Issue
Roman Gardens open to the public
Chester’s popular Roman Gardens have officially re-opened this week following an extensive programme of improvements at the historic city centre site.
The works, which includes a new path to access the base of the city walls, high quality planting of Roman origin and topiary and a new York stone sitting and display area, follow on from the installation of Roman-themed floor mosaics last year.
Designed by Cheshire West and Chester Council’s landscaping team and project managed by Chester Renaissance, overgrown shrubs have been replaced with a new sculptured grass area, improvements have been made to the display of Roman artefacts and masonry and new litter bins have been installed.
Paul Mellon Estate Pledges £250,000 for Stowe House
The Paul Mellon Estate Pledges $250,000 towards the
Restoration of the State Music Room at Stowe House, Buckinghamshire
Through World Monuments Fund (WMF), The Paul Mellon Estate has announced a pledge of $250,000 towards the restoration of the State Music Room at Stowe House, the magnificent Grade I listed Neo-Classical palace set in 400 acres of landscaped park in Buckinghamshire. The funding means that the work will begin this year and should be completed by 2012-13.
Read more: Paul Mellon Estate Pledges £250,000 for Stowe House
Purcell Miller Tritton completes work on Wallace Collection Phase IV: The East Wing Galleries
Working with John O’Connell Architects of Dublin, Purcell Miller Tritton has recently completed work on the Phase IV representation of The Wallace Collection’s East Wing Galleries, which re-opened to the public on 20th March 2012, creating a stunning backdrop for works by the Dutch Masters, including Rembrandt.
The extensive reconstruction project, which began in October 2010, has allowed the Wallace Collection to reinstate the original height of the Galleries, taking inspiration from their appearance in Sir Richard Wallace’s day and to introduce daylight from above to illuminate the space.
Cross border expertise
Experts practicing across national borders have an added responsibility – to ensure their work is presented according to the codes required in the country of delivery. Professionals working in the USA, where legislation differs from state to state, or in parts of mainland Europe, will be more familiar with this extra challenge than we are … but devolution cometh.
The offices of property specialists Smith & Garratt Rural Asset Management overlook the River Tweed from the ancient hamlet of Ladykirk – about 300 yards north of the Scottish Border. Principal surveyor Hugh Garratt acknowledges that professionals along the Border have to be mindful of the increasing differences in law and procedure between England and Scotland. “Scotland has preserved its own legal system since the inception of the Union and devolution is bound to widen the difference with every piece of legislation produced by the Scottish Government, and with every piece of UK legislation that is implemented differently across the Border. Even European legislation, which you would think applies consistently across the UK, is treated differently – because court procedures differ, or legislation is enacted with slight but significant differences”.
New international conference considers value of cultural heritage
Does cultural heritage really matter? Can it help improve towns and cities, and does it have a social impact on its citizens? What counts as cultural heritage tomorrow, and how will new technologies play a role in the visitor experience? A new international conference examining these key issues will be held in Norwich, UK in November 2012, bringing hundreds of international delegates from the cultural heritage sector to the historic city.
The conference, Culture Matters 2012, is being organised by the Norwich Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust (HEART) and will take place over 14 – 16 November at venues across the historic city, including the iconic Norwich 12 buildings.
Read more: New international conference considers value of cultural heritage
Asbestos - An unholy problem?
Hailed as the wonder building material when first used in the 1890’s and reaching its peak use in buildings around the mid 1970’s it’s not unreasonable to find asbestos used extensively in schools and churches. Asbestos containing materials take on many forms and have many uses in construction from simple floor tiles to board materials, anti-condensation products and of course thermal insulation.
New 2012 Tree Preservation Order regulations
They come into force on 06 April 2012 - are you prepared? A short course to bring you up to date is available.
Following an extensive consultation exercise the Government has finally produced new Tree Preservation Order (TPO) Regulations. The Regulations were;
Made on 28 February 2012;
Laid before Parliament on 05 March 2012; and
Come into Force on 06 April 2012.
The new regulations apply to England only and aim to simplify the TPO system and they apply to all TPOs made since 1947. There are significant changes and the implications of these are serious for Local Planning Authorities.
This short course, 2 hours including a Q&A session is available online for just £95 + VAT from BASE UK. It is an interactive tutorial session delivered over the web. The tutor is Dr Dealga O’Callaghan FICFor., F.Arbor.A. who has extensive experience in this area of tree law.
Ventrolla step in to save Cheshire church windows
Ventrolla Lancashire has successfully completed a renovation project at St Vincent de Paul's church in Altrincham, Cheshire.
Two casement bay windows and 32 sash windows were restored at the presbytery, home to the church's three priests and the main location for the running of the parish.
The bay windows of the Cheshire church building were suffering from wet rot and Ventrolla used its expertise to repair the wood ensuring the original aesthetics of the windows were not lost.
Read more: Ventrolla step in to save Cheshire church windows
Trends in Lighting for Period Houses - by Christopher Hyde the classical lighting expert
The vogue for decorating houses in the style and furnishings of a previous era was not always thought important by our ancestors.
Until the advent of mass production lighting in the Victorian period, most homes were still lit with
rush lamps. Decorative candle lights, such as chandeliers and wall sconces, were only to be found in the homes of the aristocracy and rich merchant classes. As these items were very expensive they were handed down from one generation to the next: even when the architecture of the house was altered in line with current fashion. When electricity was widely introduced into homes in the 1920’s, many of the existing fittings were simply adapted.
Left: the Ghent chandelier based on the original Dutch and Flemish style of chandelier in the 17th century.
Hence, a Regency house could have a Baroque chandelier and Chinoiserie table lamps, and a Victorian villa could boast French Empire styled chandeliers complete with military motifs or Egyptian sphinxes. I advocate a similar approach today, and recommend lighting is chosen as much to suit the furniture and soft furnishings, as the age of the property.
Read more: Trends in Lighting for Period Houses - by Christopher Hyde the classical lighting expert
Govt to increase VAT on alterations to listed buildings
On 21 March, the Government announced in its 2012 Budget that it intends to remove the zero rate of VAT for approved alterations to listed buildings. This means that from 1 October 2012 the standard rate of VAT will apply to the alteration of a listed building.
The Government has published draft legislation designed to introduce this change to the current VAT system and is seeking views from interested parties. The consultation is open until Friday 4 May and the details of how to respond are available online here.
As members of the Cut the VAT Coalition The Tile Association believe that VAT on all home repair, maintenance and improvement work should be reduced from 20% to 5%. This targeted VAT cut would bring with it a huge number of economic, social and environmental benefits.
Read more: Govt to increase VAT on alterations to listed buildings
Heating that's in keeping from Electrical Heating Solutions
Electric Heating Solutions of Bournemouth has recently completed one of the largest church heating and lighting installations since it was established over five-years ago,
The family-run business began trading in 2006 and has enjoyed an increase in business over the years, which reflects an impressive average of 250% improvement in turnover annually!
Electric Heating Solutions specialises in electric heating solutions for churches and chapels, and has created a series of ‘chandelier’ style infrared heaters that are integrated with a wonderful and ambient lighting system as well.
Read more: Heating that's in keeping from Electrical Heating Solutions
Purcell Miller Tritton completes work on new Lewis Carroll Centre in Daresbury
Purcell Miller Tritton has recently completed work on a new Lewis Carroll Centre for Daresbury Church, which opens on 25th March 2012, following a competition win by the practice to develop a new design for the centre, subsequent to an initial scheme for the site.
In keeping with the main church’s Lewis Carroll memorial windows and other nearby interventions, including the monument of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party in nearby Warrington, the centre is themed on Carroll’s connection with Daresbury, where he was born in 1832.
Read more: Purcell Miller Tritton completes work on new Lewis Carroll Centre in Daresbury
New gargoyle for the Chapter House
Matt Barton, one of Salisbury Cathedral’s skilled stonemasons, has been given the rare opportunity to carve a new gargoyle for the Chapter House, replacing one which is badly weather damaged and no longer fit for service.
Matt said “It’s a great honour to have been asked to carve the new gargoyle, not many people get to do this. It’s a really interesting project, and I’m looking forward to going through the process and seeing the new gargoyle emerge from the stone.”
The original gargoyle has now been removed from the Chapter House and, in the first instance, will be mended so it can be used for reference. The new gargoyle will be modelled on it but with an improved design so it can better fulfil its purpose and achieve maximum long term survival.
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