Current Issue
Church facilities get welcome upgrade
Clapton’s United Reformed Church – The Round House – is a busy hub for the local community and homeless. Kent-based Hyssop Project were commissioned by the church to upgrade its male and female toilets. As well as ensuring a high standard of finish, the brief was to provide both a durable and cost-effective solution.
Company founder Sheahan Thorne takes up the story: "We stripped out all the existing units, including urinals, toilets and basins, replaced pipework and removed the vinyl flooring. Essential electrical work was carried out to relocate lighting and fuse spurs in line with current NIC Regulations. We also installed recessed wafer-thin (12mm) light panels and new Vent Axia hand dryers.
Lead contracting industry presents its annual Murdoch Awards
The Murdoch Awards have long been recognised as a symbol of excellence for those engaged in the leadwork industry, and the awards ceremony continues to be a highlight of the leadwork sector’s calendar.
Without a doubt, every passing year poses a greater challenge for the judging panel tasked with selecting the recipient of one of the prestigious awards. Members submit only their finest projects for entry, making the competition extremely fierce. Considering that, it becomes easy to understand why winning a Murdoch Award is regarded as the ultimate accolade for any lead craftsperson.
Read more: Lead contracting industry presents its annual Murdoch Awards
Which screen solution is best for you?
Rob Alvis of Creative Audio-Visual Solutions (CAVS) looks at the latest developments
In the past there have been numerous articles where comparisons have been made between projection and TV-style displays. Now that there has been a number of notable technology developments within all sectors, it seems a good time to revisit the subject.
What a brick! Steve retires after 36 years at York Handmade
Steve Pittham, the longest-serving employee at the award-winning York Handmade Brick Company, has retired.
Steve joined York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, when it was formed in in 1988. As Works Manager, he was responsible for running the company’s factory.
Read more: What a brick! Steve retires after 36 years at York Handmade
St Leonard's Church gets clear sound throughout - for those with and without hearing aids
Nestled in a picturesque Somerset village, St. Leonard’s is a charming rural parish church commanding beautiful views over the surrounding countryside. The site and some parts of the structure are believed to date back to the 14th century. It has been designated by English Heritage as a Grade II-listed building.
As part of a project to modernise and conserve the building, it was decided to upgrade the existing public announcement (PA) system and install an induction loop system.
Read more: St Leonard's Church gets clear sound throughout - for those with and without hearing aids
Milestone church gets 21st-century upgrade
In 1895 there were about 100 Catholics in the Colwyn Bay area and Mass was celebrated in a private house in the town. However, on Sunday Mass was celebrated in a large room in the Imperial Hotel.
The year 1898 was a milestone for the Colwyn Bay Mission. In January of that year, at the invitation of the bishop, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate – a priestly order – took charge of the mission. The order is still serving the parish today.
Mosaics restoration at St Thomas Church, Isle of Man
Liverpool-based Heritage Tiling & Restoration Co were contacted by the Reverend Sid Mourant BD of St Thomas Church in the Diocese of Sodor & Man (IOM) in 1995 to undertake restoration of the Grade One-listed church's mosaics. Company owner Steve Sinnott takes up the story:
"The main focus of our restoration contract was the full size figure of St Thomas, depicted holding a representation of the church in his arms. The figure's face had been obliterated, to stop further damage, and the face area had been filled in with car body filler, white plaster and polyfiller! Unfortunately not one photograph of the Saint could be found, so I worked out the general look of the Saint's face based on the hundreds I had seen and depicted him as being somewhat mournful as that is the typical expression of most Saints' faces I have seen - not seen a happy or smiling one as yet!
Read more: Mosaics restoration at St Thomas Church, Isle of Man
Union Chapel launches free heritage workshops
Union Chapel, one of Islington’s most cherished historic venues, is excited to announce the launch of monthly Heritage Building Workshops as part of its Sunday School Stories Project. This new initiative invites 18-year-old plus participants to learn practical conservation skills while celebrating the unique heritage of the Chapel's Grade I and II* listed architecture.
Starting this November, these free taster workshops will provide hands-on training in carpentry, roofing, brickwork, and plastering to understand the craft of restoration and renovation. Delivered in collaboration with Fullers Builders, who are currently working on the conservation and retrofit of the Chapel’s Sunday School Hall, the sessions aim to inspire and upskill DIY fans as well as beginners or those who may not have previously considered heritage or building industries, as well as underrepresented communities with limited access to the heritage and the arts scenes in Islington.
New partnership with SIG Roofing expands training provision
National Construction Training Services (NCTS) has now partnered with SIG Roofing to provide even greater UK coverage of its courses and qualifications. On offer will be a five-day lead welding and bossing course and technical seminars. The initial programme will be delivered from SIG’s Cardiff, Dudley and Dundee branches.
The technical seminars are aimed at those supervising the installation of leadwork or those responsible for specifying. The seminars will include a theoretical session combined with hands-on practical appreciation in the workshop.
Read more: New partnership with SIG Roofing expands training provision
Painstaking effort reveals vibrancy of murals
During the 1950s the sanctuary of the Grade Two-listed Oratory Church of St Aloysius Gonzaga was reconfigured, the high altar was simplified and moved forward and all the polychrome decoration was over-painted. To restore its lost beauty, two large murals by Gabriel Pippet have now been uncovered. Polly Westlake, conservator at Cliveden Conservation, explains more about the project.
The Grade Two-listed Oratory Church of St Aloysius Gonzaga was built in 1875 by architect Joseph Hansom and uses beauty to raise hearts and minds to God, faithful to the traditions of St Philip Neri and St John Henry Newman. The Fathers of the Oratory plan to return this beauty to the public by restoring the original plan of the sanctuary ahead of the church’s 150th celebrations in 2025. That will include installing a beautiful new high altar, restoring the nave and extending the church.
It’s a hat-trick! York Handmade secures three National Trust commissions
The award-winning York Handmade Brick Company has landed a hat-trick of prestigious commissions from the National Trust.
York Handmade, based at Alne, near Easingwold, is suppling bricks for Little Moreton Hall in Congleton, Cheshire, Dunham Massey in Altrincham and Goddards in Tadcaster Road, York.
The three Trust properties are currently being renovated.
Read more: It’s a hat-trick! York Handmade secures three National Trust commissions
Hinowa spider boom ‘vital’ for conserving ancient cathedral for future generations
A cathedral that dates back almost 1,000 years is being maintained in a condition that promises to see it thrive as a place of worship for centuries to come with the help of a Hinowa spider lift.
Expert teams dedicated to conserving Winchester Cathedral, in Hampshire, are using the Hinowa Lightlift 14.70 IIIS for multiple maintenance tasks inside and outside the ancient building.
Read more: Hinowa spider boom ‘vital’ for conserving ancient cathedral for future generations
York Handmade Brick praised for 'magnificent' role in York Racecourse development
The pivotal role played by York Handmade Brick in the stunning transformation of the southern end of York Racecourse has been highlighted by the racecourse’s Chief Executive.
William Derby praised the award-winning York Handmade for the company’s “magnificent contribution” to the multi-million-pound project, which comprised a significant upgrade to the 1913 Bustardthorpe Stand and the brand-new Roberto Pavilion.
Read more: York Handmade Brick praised for 'magnificent' role in York Racecourse development
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