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Current Issue

When lightning strikes are you protected against this act of God?

The issue of lightning protection in churches is one that has exercised this publication for many years. In this four-part series of spotlights on the issue we will be revisiting various aspects of the subject, beginning with an overview of current thinking.

Leadwork in focus: BLM launch 2017 Photo Competition

BLM British Lead, the UK’s leading manufacturer of Rolled Lead Sheet, invite leadworkers and roofing contractors to enter their recently launched Photo Competition.

The theme of the Photo Competition focuses on unique and striking Lead photography from impressive and inspiring projects.

They are looking to see pictures of unusual and interesting detail from the hidden to the well-known, small to significant volume projects. Similarly, more common application detailing shot from unusual angles or in an unusual setting.

Reggiani helps to provide the light at Corpus Christi, Oxford

Reggiani Lighting’s Yori and Envios LED projectors have been incorporated in a new lighting scheme for the Chapel at the prestigious Corpus Christi College, Oxford, as part of a major refurbishment project.

In coordination with GBS Architect Oxford and dpa lighting consultants designed and implemented the new lighting throughout the chapel to enhance the stunning architectural interior whilst ensuring that the new lighting allowed for all the appropriate scenes and flexibility required by a space which is used for a diverse range of functions.

Farrow & Ball gutter paints transform modern and traditional homes

Why Cast Iron?

Throughout the UK you’ll find rainwater guttering and downpipes in cast iron on many heritage and period properties. It is incredibly strong, last for decades and is 100% recyclable. If properly installed and maintained it will enhance the properties it protects by looking timeless, authentic and beautiful for over 100 years.

If neglected and exposed to the elements without proper protection the characteristics that make it such a great eco choice, its recyclability, become its weakness – that process of natural recycling begin with rusting, then flaking and eventually end in disintegration.

Ironwork doesn’t have to be painted black

In December 2014 Arroll and Snell, architects for Shrewsbury Roman Catholic Cathedral, asked TOPP & Co. for ideas regarding guard railings and gates to a new entrance and external staircases to the cathedral, as part of a major redevelopment of access and circulation within the building. The cathedral was opened in 1856 and is in what is now known as Victorian gothic style. The interior was designed by Edward Pugin, son of his famous father Augustus Pugin, well known as a champion of the gothic revival, whose most famous works include the interior of the palace of Westminster.

Gothic wood carving projects by Agrell Architectural Carving Ltd

In addition to ecclesiastical projects, Agrell Architectural Carving are often requested to provide hand carving in the Gothic style for private residences around the world. Whether it’s for a kitchen, a bathroom, some furniture or a whole manor, the Gothic style continues to be as popular now as ever before. Kate Agrell takes up the story:

"One of our recent projects was to provide a joinery company with 37 hand-carved Gothic tracery panels. These are to be placed in the furniture for a kitchen, bathroom and library at a private residence. As you can see from the photographs, the designs are marked out and all the Gothic tracery panels are carved by hand – no CNC’s – to ensure beautiful, clean and crisp lines providing the highest quality product for the client. Due to our large team of carvers we were able to provide a high quality product, consistency in carving and delivery of the 37 hand carved panels in just over a month.

When is a guarantee no guarantee at all?

Quite simply, when the installing contractor is no longer around when a problem occurs with their “guaranteed” work

Of course they may just refuse to return to site - after all, they’ve been paid for the work, why should they care?

They may even have gone out of business (how good is their guarantee then?) - and just how good was the “Guaranteed” workmanship in the first place?

That’s why the 25 year Guarantee from a member of the Lead Contractors Association (LCA) is different.

Aura to co-host Heritage Building Seminar

Aura Conservation Ltd have teamed up with RICS and the International Masonry Society (IMS) to present a one-day seminar entitled ‘Through The Keyhole – The Victoria Quarter Conservation Project’. The seminar is being held on Thursday 15th June 2017 at the Rose Bowl Leeds Beckett University Lecture Theatre.

What makes this seminar different to other Heritage seminars is the 'case study' approach which they have undertaken to present this large complex project in detail; the seminar will be taking you ‘through the keyhole’ to all aspects of the ‘Victoria Quarter’ Conservation Project.

War Art framed and displayed

Nicole Wall, of Southampton based picture framers We Frame It, was recently approached to undertake an unusual project to frame a rare painting created during the second world war. Nicole takes up the story:

"I do have some challenging items brought in by customers from time to time and none more so then this large piece of War Art dating from 1938. It was a cartoon of my customer’s father leaving his horse regiment in Palestine to join the newly formed tank regiment in Europe.

"The picture was unusual as it had been painted on paper used to line ammunition boxes and as such had a central core of tar impregnated coconut fibres. It was extremely brittle and had been stored rolled up in various attics over the years. Still, the artwork remained very clear and the customer now wanted it framed and displayed on the wall.

Family firm celebrate 50 years in furniture restoration

Established in 1963 Wiltshire based family business William J Cook & Sons, who have been restoring fine furniture for two generations, are celebrating over 50 years in the buisiness.

The company was established by Bill Cook and his reputation for outstanding quality of work quickly spread. Since those early days clients have included our own Royal Household, Foreign Royalty, the Government, museums, leading collectors, dealers and private individuals. Whilst still retaining a London workshop the business is now based in Marlborough, Wiltshire.

A guide to architectural metalwork, wrought iron and its restoration

Our next issue will feature a fascinating insight, exploring metallurgy, production techniques, its architectural and historical context and best practice conservation.

Wrought iron, normally produced from pig iron, is a ferrous carbon alloy with a significantly lower carbon content (less than 0.1%) than cast iron or steel. Wrought iron is produced with slag inclusions (the top layer of melt formed during smelting containing oxides and other impurities) which gives wrought iron a characteristic fibrous nature. The slag provides a range of material properties including, toughness, ease of welding, resistance to corrosion, malleability when hot and tensile strength.

Why is repair better than replacement?

Traditional windows can often be simply and economically repaired, usually at a cost significantly less than replacement. For timber windows this is largely due to the high quality and durability of the timber that was used in the past (generally pre-1919) to make windows. Properly maintained, old timber windows can enjoy extremely long lives. It is rare to find that all windows in an old building require new sections. Many historic components continue to give service after 150, 200 or even 250 years. Traditional metal windows can also usually be economically repaired and their thermal performance improved, avoiding the need for total replacement.

Martin-Brooks restores South Yorkshire Holy Trinity

The heritage roofing specialists at Sheffield-based Martin-Brooks have added sparkle to a trio of the region’s ecclesiastical gems.

The firm has completed extensive roof repairs on three churches in Sheffield, Rotherham and Doncaster that benefited from government grants for listed places of worship.

Martin-Brooks was successful in securing contracts by competitive tender to renovate the roofs of St Thomas’ in Kimberworth, Rotherham, Holy Trinity and St Oswald’s in Finningley, Doncaster and Christ Church in Pitsmoor, Sheffield.

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