Ecclesiastical & Heritage World Issue No.67

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COVER STORY

CONTENTS Victorian heating gives way to the new generation The front cover of this issue features the Church of St Helen Witton in Northwich, Cheshire, a Grade I listed building dating from the 14th century. It is one of four churches that have had their cast-iron Grundy heaters replaced in recent years by specialist company Mellor and Mottram. The ubiquitous Grundy systems were of their time and were inefficient and costly compared to the warm-air systems now available.

read the full story on page 9

5 Reflections

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CRE 6 7 9

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London hosts its second CRE International Experience is key for AV CRE regulars to the fore as Victorian heating gives way to the new generation Read all about it at CRE!

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Guide book includes WWI memorials Nation remembers those who fell on The Somme White Paper heralds museums review Osborne offers relief for museums Charlotte Brontë’s bicentenary marked by Historic England Gawthorpe reopens after major restoration Purcell completes work on new luxury bed and breakfast in Norwich’s Assembly House

LIGHTING 39 New interior lighting brings transformation to remote church ST JOHN THE EVANGELIST, REDHILL 40 Construction of new church hall follows extensive consultation

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TRADITIONAL CLAY TILES 25 New spire gives St John the Evangelist Church a new lease of life 10 11 12

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Find out how to build your church Specialist church lighting for projects both large and small The end of the pew? How stacking chairs and seating is favoured in churches today Greyfriars Church receives a much needed new sound system Maximizing experience and expertise to custom build for the future Sing and dance for The Lord After its ExCeLlent sojourn, CRE hits the road again

NEWS 17 Ceremony marks York Minster’s revelation 17 Wales unveils next year’s visitor campaign 19 Cleared for take-off – Museum of Flight reveals refurbished display hangars 19 The future for NE churches is inspired

MINGARY CASTLE 27 Ancient Highland seat prepares to welcome new visitors

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CONSERVATION 43 Preserving our ‘intangible’ heritage SOUND SYSTEMS 44 Practical adaptation of gathering spaces 45 Presidential election presages ‘most successful’ exhibition

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ROOFING 31 Heritage roofers take their place among the finalists 31 Grant will help take pioneering security system to next stage 33 Iconic Tyneside housing estate is shortlisted for solar award 34 Welsh slate used in King’s Cross gym refurb 35 Church gutters – the do’s and don’ts 36 Buy cast iron rainwater products with confidence 37 Martin-Brooks makes no bones about heritage skills

WINDOWS 46 FAKRO roof windows with bespoke flashings for new community church 46 Steel windows – the important questions answered CARVING 47 How we helped create a modern day masterpiece CHURCH & HERITAGE SUPPLIES 48 Classified Section

Richard Shepherd – Business Development Manager Advertising enquiries: Tel: 07429 516265 Email: richard@dmmonline.co.uk All other enquiries: Tel: 0161 710 3880 Fax: 0161 710 3879 • 61 Lower Hillgate, Stockport, Cheshire SK1 3AW Copyright Ecclesiastical & Heritage World. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of Ecclesiastical & Heritage World. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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[WHEN CHRISTIAN RESOURCES EXHIBITIONS moved their CRE International show from Sandown Racecourse to

London’s ExCeL last year, it marked a step change in the development of the event. The presence in the capital raised the profile of the show and allowed an expansion in its activities. This year the number of conferences, performances and spectacles is bigger than ever and includes the first London Christian Book Fair, with its own awards. There is also the Christian Film Awards, which has become an established feature, and a record number of exhibitors and seminars.

One company that has seen the development of CRE first hand is Mellor and Mottram. Over the past few years they have been busy replacing the vintage Grundy church heaters – state of the art in the mid 19th century but now out of tune with modern requirements. One of their projects was at St Helen Witton in Northwich, which features on the front cover of this magazine.

• Next month London will also be the venue for the Roofing Awards. One building up for a gong is the iconic Byker Wall estate in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Marking a shift away from the brutalism of the 1960s, the Byker estate offered a more romantic vision of municipal housing, being primarily medium rise. Its significance has been recognised by the conferring of Grade Two* listed status, despite the fact that it was only built in the 1970s. It has been brought into the 21st century by the addition of solar panels on the roofs of some of the blocks, for which it has been shortlisted in the awards. It rubs shoulders with such icons as Westminster Cathedral and the British Museum.

• On the west coast of Scotland stands another iconic building. Mingary Castle dates from the 13th century and was substantially a ruin until the owner of the Ardnamurchan Estate, where the castle stands, set up a trust to fund its restoration. Three years later the castle is reborn and has been transformed into luxury accomodation comprising four suites of rooms as a tourist destination.

The accommodation is in tune with its grandiose past and the first visitors will be enjoying its hospitality in May. • The country has been marking the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare with a feast of performances and other events around the country. Even this writer’s home county of Lancashire found a connection: the Bard is thought to have spent time at various great houses in the county and wrote for a theatre company based at the Earl of Derby’s estate in Knowsley.

It may seem a little perverse to commemorate the death of a notable figure with a certain amount of celebration, but celebrating the anniversary of their birth prompts no such reservation. Thus it is that lovers of the romantic novel are marking the bicentenary of the birth of Charlotte Brontë in Yorkshire. There is another Lancashire connection: the author is thought to have contracted the chill that led to her death during a visit to Gawthorpe Hall near Padiham. The bicentenary coincides with the reopening of the hall after a restoration programme.

• Two years after the nation commemorated the beginning of the slaughter that became World War One, attention is turning to its bloodiest battle, or more properly series of battles. July 1916 saw the beginning of the Somme Offensive, or Battle of the Somme. It lasted until November and took the lives of more than one-and-a-half million men. There had been battles along the River Somme almost since the beginning of the war in 1914, but the 1916 offensive was the battle that goes down in history for the sheer scale of its destruction and ferocity. A national commemoration will take place in Manchester, where many of the British participants trained. q

Chris Stokes

Editor, Ecclesiastical & Heritage World

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London hosts its second CRE International [

IN MAY THE capital will once more witness the biggest exhibition of resources for the Christian church in the country. After a successful move to London’s ExCeL last year the Christian Resources Exhibition’s main show, CRE International, will be returning there from 17-20 May. Continuing the expansion CRE has witnessed over the years, there will be even more to see and do this year. In addition to the main exhibition floor there will be a full programme of seminars and lectures, together with a number of conferences and ‘zones’ – some new, some well-established.

Each day will see a keynote speech by a notable figure in today’s ministry, while the entire event will be opened by Pam Rhodes – journalist, author, speaker and presenter of Songs of Praise. Pam will also open the groundbreaking Christian Book Fair, which will run alongside CRE. The book fair will contain the now-traditional CRE bookshop and will host the Christian Book Awards. The awards will be presented by TV’s Rev Kate Bottley and will feature the Speaking Volumes awards – the adults’ and childrens’ books most likely to attract someone who has never read a Christian book before and voted for by the public.

Another innovation is reflected in the exhibition’s opening times, which have been put back to allow exhibition-goers travelling by public transport to take advantage of reduced rail fares. Thursday 19 May will feature the first ever Kingdom Worship Evening, from 6.30-8.30pm.

The main event for most people attending, however, will be the main exhibition floor. Among the exhibitors will be a wealth of expertise in the provision of goods and services to build and maintain the church’s fabric. Architects will offer advice on new designs, while builders will be on hand to discuss the realisation of projects.

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Journalist, author, speaker and presenter Pam Rhodes (left) will open the event, while TV’s Rev Kate Bottley will present the Christian Book Awards Other exhibitors include heating specialists, electrical installers and building maintenance contractors. Many reflect the contemporary drive towards limiting carbon emissions.

Equipping the church is also given a high priority, with suppliers of seating, audiovisual and other, more secular office equipment in attendance.

In terms of reaching out, 21st-century online technology will rub shoulders with traditional printing and publishing – not to mention the original method of spreading the Word: oratory.

A number of the exhibitors have put their profiles and stories forward in the following pages of this special feature. They include the installer of the new heating system in the church featured on this magazine’s cover. q

Experience is key for AV [ SPECIFYING AND INSTALLING a

good quality audio or visual system into any building is not a task which should be entered into lightly. Every building has unique requirements which need to be considered but when that building is a church, listed building or other prestigious building then experience really counts.

A new audio or visual system can represent a significant budget for any church or organisation so it is important to get it right first time. There is rarely the opportunity to put things right later which makes choosing the right solution, and ultimately the right company, all the more important.

One such company is Cunnings Recording Associates, a family run business based in South London, who have been designing, supplying and installing quality audio and visual systems for churches and prestigious buildings since 1977. They will be exhibiting at CRE International on Stand C28.

The company’s experience of working with church audio and visual systems started even earlier when proprietor, Malcolm Cunnings, who is himself a member of the Institute of Sound and Communication Engineers (ISCE), was technical consultant for the refurbishment of All Souls Church, Langham Place, completed in 1976.

In 1996 Cunnings took over Keith Monks Sound Systems, well known for their work in smaller churches, and since then they have been working together to provide the very best audio and visual systems to churches of all sizes throughout the country. The product and technical knowledge and engineering background of Cunnings, combined with the installation experience of Keith Monks Sound Systems, gives a unique perspective within the industry.

Malcolm says: “We’ve seen the audio visual industry change a lot since 1977 and have taken pride in providing and installing the very best equipment for our customers. We know from experience, it makes sense to invest in an audio visual system that will last.”

Cunnings continue to use the latest audio and visual technology and their many years of experience to integrate modern technology into historic buildings in a way which does not detract from the architectural beauty. One example of this is the use of LCD glass projection screens - a unique technology ideal for churches where traditional projection solutions cannot be used.

Today even small venues can require complex systems to meet the needs and expectations of users. This makes it important to find a company who can provide audio, visual and induction loop facilities for the hard of hearing and ensure that all these systems integrate well together. This can add quite a pressure when specifying a system but choosing a company with the right experience can make things far easier. Cunnings take systems from inception and planning through to integration and completion and pride themselves on guiding customers through each step of the process, regardless of their own technical knowledge.

Many venues and churches don’t have the luxury of a full time operator and so it is important that any system can be easily controlled. Malcolm says: “Even the best system can only achieve its potential if it can be easily operated on a day-to-day basis.

We make the best use of technology to provide systems to our

customers which are really easy to use. We do all the hard work of programming and setting up the system so that it can be controlled with the press of just a few buttons.” q

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COVER STORY

CRE regulars to the fore as Victorian heating gives way to the new generation

St Helen Witton (left) and St Michael’s in Barnes are just two of the churches where Mellor and Mottram have replaced the old Grundy systems

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The natural convection meant, however, that it four church buildings around the country: St ONE OF THE ‘ever-present’ stalwarts of could take up to 12 hours to fully heat the church.

Stephen’s in Lewisham, London, St Michael’s the Christian Resources Exhibitions is Mellor Many of these stoves have been replaced by in Barnes, also London, as well as St Mary’s and Mottram Ltd. The Stoke-on-Trent based more efficient modern systems and Mellor and RC Church in Bodmin, Cornwall and St Helen church heating specialists have had a presence Mottram have been involved in a number of Witton in Northwich, Cheshire which features on at the events for many years and company these replacement projects. The modern warmthis issue’s front cover. principal Stuart Mottram will be re-establishing air systems used by Mellor and Mottram lend At St Stephen’s in Lewisham the job involved acquaintance with many friends at CRE themselves particularly well to replacing the modifying the brickwork in the boiler house to International. original Grundy and incorporate sophisticated accommodate new ducting for the replacement Stuart took over from the founders of the controls that ‘learn’ when to switch different parts heater, which is a 230kW indirect gas-fired company, which was established in 1973 by of the system on and off. warm-air heater. An indirect system is one where Roger Mottram and Jack Mellor, and personally In the past couple of years the company has the air is heated by heat exchangers rather than assesses any potential project and oversees carried out replacement of Grundy systems in directly by the gas burners. It has been estimated installations from start to finish. That long that St Stephen’s is saving around 60% in its history and personal involvement are the heating bills. watchwords of the company and have led Across London in Barnes, Mellor and to much of their work being generated by Mottram removed two Grundy stove pots at personal recommendation.

St Michael and All Angels, replacing them Over the decades Mellor and Mottram with a new 205kW gas-fired heater, also have seen a great deal of development in indirect fired. The new heater is controlled church heating systems, and have evolved to by an optimum start system, which meet the many challenges. Principal among optimises energy use. Sound attenuation them has been the drive towards greater fuel was also fitted to minimise noise in the efficiency and cost-savings. In past decades church. the efficiency of heating systems was not a At St Helen Witton in Northwich a directparamount issue. Nowadays, the twin issues fired heater was chosen. As this heats the of energy saving and raised expectations air directly it introduces an element of from congregations – added to by the need moisture into the church, which benefits the to save money – have led to much-improved ancient fabric and helps keep the organ in energy use. tune!

The mainstay of church heating systems The old Grundy stove at St Mary’s RC Church in Bodmin At St Mary’s Roman Catholic Church in since the mid-Victorian era was the Grundy (above) was replaced by a highly efficient warm-air system Bodmin, Cornwall, the old Grundy heater warm air stove. Invented by Manchester was oil fired – indeed, there was no gas grocer John Grundy as a way of heating his supply to the church at all before the project own chapel, the Grundy system comprises began to replace it with a new heater. Once a cast-iron ‘pot’ which warms the building a mains gas supply was installed, Mellor using natural convection from the basement and Mottram fitted a new 120kW indirect where the stove is installed. So successful gas-fired heater, which now brings the was the system in the 19th century that building up to temperature within the hour.

John’s son John Jnr, who further developed With the availability of efficient warmthe company and its product, was elected air systems that can be intelligently the first president of the Institution of Heating controlled, more and more of the classic and Ventilation Engineers. yet inefficient Grundy systems are being The Grundy system, however, is inefficient replaced – and Mellor and Mottram are and expensive to run and maintain. playing their part in bringing church Originally using solid fuel, later models were heating into the next generation. q oil-fired and some were converted to gas. www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Read all about it at CRE! [

A DEDICATED BOOK FAIR in the heart of the capital where Christian publishers introduce new titles to thousands of leaders and opinion formers: that’s the thinking behind the first ever London Christian Book Fair, a show-within-a-show, part of CRE International.

More than 20 writers will be talking, meeting the public and signing books at the show, including million-selling author Adrian Plass (pictured). No stranger to CRE, Plass writes primarily Christian humour but also short stories, Bible commentaries and novels with a more serious tone. He will also be delivering the keynote speech in the Arts Theatre on Wed 18 May. Other keynote speakers who will be appearing at the book fair are Jennifer Rees Larcombe, author of a new book designed to celebrate the ‘God moments’ that populate every day – she will be speaking at the Arts Theatre on Tuesday 17 May – and Colin Urquhart, best-selling author with more than 50 years of ministry experience, speaking on Thursday 19 May. “For some time we have felt there was need for a public-facing event in London, specifically for Christian publishers,” said event director Bill Allen. “In 2015 visitors to CRE spent approximately £40,000 on books and music, so there’s a firm foundation on which to grow the fair.”

Continuing the theme of communication, the UK Christian Film Festival will be presenting its awards at a special lunch on 20 May, following a showcasing of the shortlisted entries in the Arts Theatre all week.

Alongside the exhibitors and speakers on delivering the message, a daily Church Copyright Clinic will help ensure churches are following procedures – and the law – when it comes to using copyrighted material. q IF THE MAIN exhibition floor of CRE is the shop window for church resources, its engine room is surely the seminar programme.

This year at ExCeL the programme takes place over five rooms, from midday to 4pm.

While much of the discussion and presentation concerns equipping the ministry for its spiritual tasks, there is a well-established series of seminars, honed at both regional and national level, offering advice and instruction on the practicalities of running a church building and its services. At the foundation of the series, so to speak, is Church building projects – how to make them happen by Jim Hammett and Nigel Walter. The session’s wide-ranging subject matter includes vision, design, engaging professionals and finding the funds.

Nowhere is it possible to escape the imperative to reduce energy consumption and ‘shrink the footprint’. That issue is addressed in Climate action and the big church switch and Saving Earth: is there a role for Christians? Both seminars are presented by A Rocha UK, the Christian charity that works ‘for the protection and restoration of the natural world’.

One seminar room, SG27, is completely given over to the series of talks on audiovisual issues presented by B+H Sound. They range from a practical seminar on the basics to a technical question and answer session. You can even find out about the connection between video systems and superheroes! q

Find out how to build your church

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Specialist church lighting for projects both large and small [

THE MONASTERY OF OUR LADY AND ST BERNARD is nestled on the side of the hill in a designated area of outstanding natural beauty on the edge of the Cotswolds near Stroud. It was founded in 2006 by seven Bernardine Cistercian Nuns who have worked to create and provide a most inviting welcome for all who would wish to retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

The guest house is able to provide a comfortable yet simple environment for individuals or groups for retreat or contemplation. They also run a series of events, day and residential, all of which are shown on their most informative website at www.brownshill.org.

The chapel, as expected, is at the centre of the everyday life for the community and the interior had not been updated since before the sisters had arrived.

Sister Elizabeth Mary said: “The chapel looked tired and was over-due an upgrade. We were aware that new lighting would be key to creating the right environment, especially as it would bring all of the other aspects of the project together.

“Being aware of Anthony J Smith (Glos) Ltd and having received favourable recommendations from others convinced me that they were the company we needed to be working with. Their understanding of our needs – and the ability to advise and deliver accordingly – made the entire process easy and the community is delighted with the outcome.

It is great to hear our visitors and guests remarking on how much the refurbishment has improved the chapel.”

Anthony J Smith (Glos) Ltd are a small lighting design and installation company with vast experience in the ecclesiastical arena – ranging from smaller more intricate projects such as convents and small chapels to larger parish churches of all sizes and denominations.

The company’s philosophy of service above all else has resulted in them being fortunate to have been involved with many fine buildings over a long period of time and the relationship with many of those buildings and their custodians has been maintained to the present day. This often results in upgrades to meet modern standards and expectations without the need for a full rewire.

Anthony J Smith (Glos) Ltd have a small but dedicated team with a wealth of relevant experience to carry out a successful project from inception, through design to installation and beyond. They are able to work with individual architects or with the end users and have considerable experience of working with permission granting bodies.

Whilst the majority of their projects are within ecclesiastical buildings,

they have also specified and completed works in other listed and architecturally interesting and challenging properties.

Anthony J Smith (Glos) Ltd will be exhibiting at the CRE International event at Excel in May where they will welcome visitors to come and meet them on Stand P19 to discuss their own potential requirements. q

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The end of the pew?

How stacking chairs and seating is favoured in churches today

By DARREN PARKES of Mogo Direct

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FOR THE FIRST 1,500 years of the Church’s life, pews were extremely rare. In most medieval churches for example, people stood or sat on the floor with only a narrow bench around the edge of the building for seating. Some churches never even got around to installing pews and in Eastern Orthodox churches in Russia and Greece worshippers still stand today!

Pews render the space in churches virtually unusable for anything other than two hour long events a week. A recent survey found that pews effectively exclude 90% of people who are not regular attendees of services.

Churches today are now removing pews in favour of stacking chairs and seating that is smart, comfortable and flexible in use. But how do you go about choosing the right ones?

Our three top tips will help you personalise the perfect seating layout for your church.

Colour and pattern Choose a combination of colour and pattern for your church chairs that perfectly fits your current decor. Remember, your chairs must be able to withstand heavy wear and tear and therefore you should look at durable and easy to clean materials.

Polypropylene chairs, such as the Jasper chair in our range, are a popular choice because they’re strong and durable yet light and easy to wipe clean. A light colour polypropylene seat, such as sandstone, will reflect light and create a bright and tranquil place for worship. A darker colour, such as black, won’t be as bright but is likely to require less cleaning. So choose your colours accordingly.

Frame finishes Consider seeking ultra-durable coatings that provide protection against wear and tear in your metal frames, not just looks. Metal finishes should be saltwater tested for a number of hours, and you should get verification of how the frame finish was achieved. Thermally fused coatings, such as the chrome plating on the Jasper, are good as they will withstand the test of time. Customise your church chairs with different shades and colours to create a welcoming effect for your worshippers.

Accessories If your budget allows you may choose to customise your church chairs with accessories.

If you still want the benefit of fixed seating for example, you could opt for a clip on linking device that keeps church chairs together in a pew-like line. It your congregation prefers to worship in small groups, then the push on linking clip for the Jasper chair allows the

chairs to be placed in a curve. Church chairs with arms could also have plastic, or in the case of the Urban, wooden arm caps.

To help maintain an aisle-like appearance, chairs on the end of a row could be upholstered and fitted with arm rests. You could also consider adding card or book racks to the underside of your chairs for the convenient placement of guest cards, envelopes or hymnals – but it’s worth noting that this will prevent the chair from stacking unless the rack is removed.

Church chairs are a very important investment and you need to pay attention to details when making such an important decision. Always consider quality and price and look into the manufacturing technology and quality of materials used. Our wide range of flexible furniture from folding chairs to stacking chairs is designed to withstand long years of use and is a great alternative to pews. q

• For further information visit the Mogo Direct website at www.mogodirect.co.uk or visit them at CRE International on Stand G2.

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Greyfriars Church receives a much needed new sound system

[DM MUSIC LTD, the specialist church sound and audio visual

installation company, have recently installed a new sound system at Greyfriars Church in Reading. The church contacted DM with a vision for improving the audio quality while addressing the challenges of this large, traditional Grade I listed Anglican church.

The church’s existing system was showing signs of age and considered no longer suitable for their current (and future) needs. Like many churches the sound system had been originally installed as a reinforcement system, designed primarily for speech and light background music. As the sung worship style changed over the years, the audio system didn’t.

Architectural sensitivities were paramount and the DM team had to work within the requirements of the DAC (Diocese of Oxford) and closely with the church’s architect to adhere to the strict policies on fixings and to balance the need for a capable PA system against the aesthetics of a listed building.

After careful analysis and demonstration, the Martin Audio ‘O-Line’ line-array speakers were chosen as the solution. They offered discreet profiles for low visual impact while still providing the sound coverage, clarity and control required for speech and a live worship band throughout this large, reverberant space.

DM’s in-house team custom manufactured mounting plates to exactly match the curve and mortar-joint positions of the stonework in each column, and everything was colour matched for consistency.

The church had a range of different audio operators, including those from external organisations, of varying technical abilities. As part of the system, DM included a very simple-to-use Crestron wall panel offering basic system on/off and preset recalls for smaller services, including microphone and CD player volume, with no other training required. Advanced control for the main PA operators included the Allen & Heath GLD-80 digital mixing console with various remote digital stage boxes for audio connection via data cable link.

Additionally the worship band musicians were each able to control their own audio foldback / monitor mix ‘on-stage’ via six of the proprietary Allen & Heath ME-1 personal monitor mixers as part of the GLD-80 system.

Due to the compact footprint of the new mixing desk it was able to be housed in the existing wooden audio console, in place of the previous analogue mixer, with no further modifications required. As the GLD-80 also offered increased audio input capacity, effects, processing and on-board recording, it completely removed the need for two cupboards previously required for PA equipment.

As any system performance is only as effective as its operators, dedicated training on all systems and comprehensive multi-session digital mixer training was provided by DM along with an on-site warranty package and ongoing back-up and technical support. q

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Maximizing experience and expertise to custom build for the future [FRIMLEY GREEN METHODIST CHURCH in Surrey is a brick

built building in the heart of the village, serving both the church and the wider community. The building was first completed in 1940, replacing an old tin chapel, since then an extension has been added and the wooden stalls replaced with more comfortable seating.

The church is a busy multi-functional venue with many activities taking place each week. In 2015 a decision was made to update the building and Somerset-based Fullers Finer Furniture was commissioned to carry out the work.

The brief was to modernise and improve the functionality of the space at the front of the church and to provide new furniture that was both aesthetically pleasing and functional.

The front wall of the church consisted of a brickwork arch set back from brickwork pillars. The lower half was partially covered with a curtain with a decorative cross above. Work commenced and the front wall was plastered and decorated to match the rest of the church. The cross was taken down, restored and returned to its original position with the addition of LED lights behind, to give a much more contemporary feel.

Storage was a problem and with this in mind a stud wall was built in an unused corner at the front of the church and the space was turned into a walk in cupboard with light. The cupboard was skilfully designed to blend in with the décor of the front of the church, so as not to detract in any way from the dais area.

In order to complete the look, work was carried out to repair and extend the dais area and change the shape slightly at one end. Floor boxes were fitted to ensure all wiring was positioned safely and out of sight.

Fullers Finer Furniture were appointed project managers and coordinated as necessary with the plasterer, electrician and AV company to ensure disruption was minimised and the work was completed on time and to the client’s satisfaction. The company’s level of experience in managing projects such as these ensured that the client could rest assured the project was in safe hands.

The new look building was complemented by furniture made to order by Fullers Finer Furniture. This consisted of a height adjustable York lectern in oak, fitted with a monitor and decorative front panel, a matching communion table and hymn board. These items together provided an aesthetically pleasing combination of practicality and

natural beauty which together with the other modernisations will serve both the church and the wider community for many years to come. q • Fullers Finer Furniture offer a wide range of furniture and church refit services. Visit their website at www.fullersfinerfurniture.co.uk or see them at CRE International on Stand C27 to find out more.

Frimley Green Methodist Church, before (left) and after the modernisation work was undertaken

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Sing and dance for The Lord [

CLOSELY ALLIED TO the technical practicalities of projecting sound and images is the artistic process of bringing the message to life. The Christian message has a long history of being portrayed in performance – from the medieval York Minster Mystery Plays, that are still performed today, to the very up-to-date theatre pieces that tour churches and halls around the country.

The same is true with CRE, which always has a vibrant Arts Theatre and, at CRE International, a Creative Arts Zone. There, visitors can catch up with the latest in theatre and dance, with Springs Dance Company and Lantern Theatre Company. There will be special performances by players from Searchlight Theatre Company, Dave Bilbrough

and Sandra Godley, while the daily Hour of Entertainment will be hosted by Geoffrey Allen of the Covenant Players and feature comedian Paul Kerensa, singer Xana Demetriou and award-winning illusionist Steve Price (pictured).

The Arts Theatre will also play host to the daily Worship Hour, which will feature leading Gospel musicians. q

After its ExCeLlent sojourn, CRE hits the road again [With its return to ExCeL this year, CRE has confirmed its place as the major

ecumenical event in the calendar, with more practical resources on show than anywhere else. The move to London has proved inspired, and this year’s show will no doubt add yet more to the ever-expanding visitor experience.

Following a pause for thought and reflection, the CRE phenomenon will once more hit the road. More regional exhibitions are planned, including a return to the South East with a two-day show at the Kent Event Centre in Maidstone on 16-17 October. We will be bringing details of other forthcoming shows as they are made available. q

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Ceremony marks York Minster’s revelation [

A TRADITIONAL ‘topping out’ ceremony took place at York Minster on 31 March to mark the completion of a remarkable fiveyear project to restore the East Front of the cathedral and create a new visitor experience.

York Minster Revealed was one of the largest conservation and restoration projects of its kind in Europe. It involved an investment of more than £20m, including a £10.5m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and significant fundraising by the York Minster Fund.

The cathedral’s East Front had been covered in around 16 miles of scaffolding, while nearly 2,500 stones have been cut or repaired by York Minster’s stonemasons.

The project has also transformed the lives and career prospects of 11 young people by creating apprenticeships in stonemasonry and stained glass conservation. Hundreds of people who have been involved gathered outside the newly-unveiled East Front to celebrate throughout the project. Without their support we wouldn’t have been the completion of the project. able to achieve all that has been done over the past five years.”

York Minster Revealed has included work to restore and conserve the Charles Dent, chairman of the trustees of the York Minster Fund, cathedral’s 600 year old East Front and Great East Window, which is added: “It has been a great privilege to work in partnership with the the largest single expanse of medieval stained glass in the country. In Chapter of York on the York Minster Revealed project and to have total, 157 stained glass panels from the Great East Window have been helped to bring it to a successful conclusion. What has been achieved completed and returned to the window. The remaining 154 panels are is a remarkable testament to the skill and professionalism of all who currently being painstakingly conserved and restored by York Glaziers have been involved.” q Trust and will be returned to the window in early 2018.

The window’s conservation has involved using groundbreaking new material, with the Minster being the first building in the UK to use a revolutionary new UV-resistant glass in its external protective glazing.

Carole Souter, chief executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, commented: “York THE WELSH GOVERNMENT has announced that its 2017 tourism marketing campaign Minster never fails to impress with centuries will celebrate the Year of Legends. It has released details of how tourism providers, attractions and of history and craftsmanship brought businesses across Wales can become involved in the campaign. together in one spectacular building. Today Latest figures have shown a successive annual increase in visitor volumes and expenditure in Wales, we’re celebrating the achievements of the with interim figures for 2015 on track to exceed the record visitor spend of £1.7bn set in 2014. The York Minster team – a wide-ranging group Year of Legends campaign will continue to raise the profile of Wales’s tourism offer and aims to attract of skilled people, from stonemasons and even more visitors to Wales in 2017. glaziers to curators and learning specialists, Year of Legends follows on from the success of this year’s Year of Adventure campaign, which so far who have both restored and opened up one has seen a nationwide celebration, an international marketing campaign and the commercial success of our finest cathedrals. I hope National of a huge dragon sculpture at Caerphilly Castle.

Lottery players will be proud of what their Ken Skates, Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism, said: “The Year of Legends presents an contribution has achieved; our thanks go to opportunity to build on the truly distinctive identity Wales has on the world stage, by allowing us to them and the many supporters of this great capitalise on Wales’s rich culture and heritage to stand apart from our competitors. In doing so we project.” want to reinforce positive perceptions of our country and position Wales as a high-quality, relevant and Other activity has included the creation contemporary 21st century destination. The Year of Legends is our chance to immerse people in our of a new state-of the-art visitor attraction, epic story – and an opportunity to create legendary experiences for everyone.” q Revealing York Minster in the Undercroft, the

Wales unveils next year’s visitor campaign [

development of an adult learning programme and outreach work to engage with new communities.

The Undercroft remains the only accredited museum in a cathedral in the country and the new attraction will allow visitors to explore 2,000 years of history through interactive underground chambers.

The Very Reverend Vivienne Faull, the Dean of York, said: “York Minster Revealed has seen a huge investment in the cathedral, which has not only preserved irreplaceable medieval stonework and stained glass for generations to come, but changed the culture of the cathedral.

“As well as helping to transform the experience of visiting the cathedral, the project has enabled us to become more outward facing and forge new relationships across the region; and it is these relationships which will help us to continue to develop York Minster for the future.

“We are extremely grateful to both the Heritage Lottery Fund and the York Minster Fund, whom we have worked in partnership with www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Cleared for take-off – Museum of Flight reveals refurbished display hangars

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TWO NATIONALLY SIGNIFICANT Second World War hangars at the National Museum of Flight in East Lothian have reopened following a major redevelopment. One hangar displays military aircraft, the other commercial and leisure aircraft. Visitors will have the chance to immerse themselves in a century of aviation, experiencing the history and drama of flight as never before.

More than 30 aircraft are on display, ranging from an iconic Supermarine Spitfire to an English Electric Lightning – the RAF’s first supersonic jet fighter – which could match the speed of Concorde. For the first time, smaller objects including uniforms, documents, photographs and weapons will be displayed alongside them.

Highlights of the military hangar include the oldest surviving Hawker Siddeley Harrier jump jet, which was the world’s first vertical take-off combat aeroplane, and a rocket-powered Messerschmitt Me 163B-1a Komet, which was the fastest aircraft of the Second World War. The commercial and leisure hangar will display aircraft ranging from hang gliders and microlights to a Scottish Aviation Twin Pioneer and a Druine Turbulent light aircraft, which was built as a labour of love in a home in Scotland in the 1960s.

The hangars were built in 1940-41 and were designed to last just a

The future for NE churches is inspired

few years. Part of the East Fortune Airfield Scheduled Ancient Monument, they have been restored, insulated and heated for the first time using an environmentally friendly ground-source underfloor heating system.

Funding for the £3.6m redevelopment included a £1.3m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and £1.8m from the Scottish Government.

Dr Gordon Rintoul, director of National Museums Scotland, said: “The National Museum of Flight is one of Scotland’s top days out and these redeveloped aircraft hangars offer dramatic new experiences for our visitors.

Spanning a century of aviation, the displays present our spectacular aircraft in new and dynamic ways, revealing for the first time the engaging stories of some of the people who flew and worked with them.” q

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A TEAM OF VOLUNTEERS and professionals is setting out to transform the future of historic churches across the North East.

Inspired Futures is an initiative by Inspired North East, a church building support scheme set up by the Church of England Dioceses of Newcastle and Durham that has worked with over 200 places of worship over the past six years.

The project will see the team use their creativity and expertise to help six priority churches develop sustainable futures. They will help with everything from developing business plans and looking at ways forward with repairs, to building on fundraising opportunities and new ways to engage communities in their heritage.

The initiative has also been working with 12 other churches and they will continue to be offered a helping hand. Other places of worship across the North East will be offered a training and skills programme – including web development and collections care.

Inspired Futures has been awarded a grant of more than £200,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).

Peter Robinson, Archdeacon of Lindisfarne and chair of the Project Group, said: “This grant from HLF is going to have a tremendous impact on the communities whose local church will be transformed and renewed for the benefit of all who visit or worship and live there.

We’re thrilled that the grant will support us in bringing to bear a great deal of expertise and commitment on some outstanding buildings that will bring real and sustainable benefits for years to come.”

Of the six priority churches, three are in the Durham Diocese and three in the Newcastle Diocese. The Durham churches are St Cuthbert’s in Billingham, St Cuthbert’s in Darlington (both Grade One listed) and St Chad’s in Bensham (Grade II*). In the Newcastle Diocese they are the Grade One-listed St Cuthbert’s in Elsdon, St Thomas the Martyr in Newcastle and Christ Church in Shieldfield (both Grade II*).

As focal points of their communities – some for more than 800 years – they will be connected by a heritage trail to tell the story of Christianity in the North East. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Guide book includes WWI memorials [A NEWLY PUBLISHED London guidebook

from English Heritage has for the first time included six First World War memorials, alongside Wellington Arch and Marble Arch.

The new addition to the Red Guides series tells the stories of London’s two prominent arches, together with the Royal Artillery Memorial (pictured), the Machine Gun Corps Memorial, The Cenotaph, the Field Marshal Earl Haig Memorial, the Belgian Gratitude Memorial and the Edith Cavell Memorial.

Wellington Arch and Marble Arch were both built as monuments to British victories over Napoleonic France, but were moved and

adapted over time. The prominent position of Wellington Arch at Hyde Park Corner led it to become a focal point for other national monuments after the First World War. Jennifer Cryer, the commissioning editor for the guidebooks, said: “This new guide includes not only in-depth histories of the two arches, but for the first time the guidebook explores the six memorials of the Great War in London which are in the care of English Heritage. Together they reveal different approaches to memorialisation and commemorating the dead.”

The book also sheds new light on the memorials. For example, The Machine Gun

Corps Memorial, by Francis Derwent Wood, contains a nude young man alongside two Vickers machine guns. The figure was thought to be irrelevant, or even tasteless, by many. However, Derwent Wood had spent much of the First World War working in a London hospital with severely facially wounded men.

Roger H Bowdler, co-author of the guidebook, said: “If anyone knew what the impact of bullets was on naked flesh, it was he. Once you know that, the memorial becomes a really poignant testament to the human cost of modern warfare.” q

Nation remembers those who fell on The Somme [ON 30 JUNE and 1 July a large number of events will be held to commemorate the centenary of the Battle of the Somme, which raged for 141 days from 1 July to 18 November 1916.

The Government, in the form of the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, and The Royal British Legion have been working together to encourage communities across the country to mark the battle in their own way. This can be through a vigil at sundown on 30 June or during 1 July, or with a Remembrance event.

The ambition is for villages, towns and cities across the UK to gather at a meaningful place or in their home to light a candle, read a poem, listen to music or share a photo of a family member who fought at the Somme.

The vigils will mirror the apprehension 100 years ago as those in the trenches waited anxiously for the ‘zero hour’ at 7.30am when they went over the top. Public events will include a national vigil at Westminster Abbey around the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.

Others will take place at the Scottish National War Memorial in Edinburgh Castle, Clandeboye and Helen’s Tower in County Down – in association with the Somme Heritage Centre – and at the Welsh National War Memorial in Cardiff In the afternoon and evening of 1 July Manchester will be hosting The National Commemoration of the Centenary of the Battle of the Somme. It will include a parade of military and home front organisations, a Remembrance service at Manchester Cathedral and a heritage experience and evening concert at Heaton Park, where many of the troops trained prior to taking part in the battle. The concert will be given by the Hallé Orchestra and a national children’s choir and will also feature film, dance and the spoken word.

The Right Reverend Nigel McCulloch KCVO, head of remembrance at the Royal British Legion, said: “This year we are asking communities to host or take part in events to commemorate those who fell at the Battle of the Somme, which has come to symbolise

the tragic scale and futility of modern industrialised warfare. Their collective sacrifice is as relevant today as ever, but in this centenary year we pay special tribute to their service.” q

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White Paper heralds museums review [ON 23 MARCH Culture Minister Ed

Vaizey announced the government’s Culture White Paper, the first strategy for arts and culture in more than 50 years, which was created following consultation with over 230 organisations across England, Government departments and an online forum.

The White Paper includes plans for a review by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) into the museums sector that will examine local and regional museums, Government-sponsored museums and the museums infrastructure nationally. It will also focus on museums’ digital services and storage.

It is the first DCMS review of the sector in more than 10 years and will be completed by the summer of next year. Tailored reviews into the Arts Council England and the Heritage Lottery Fund will also be carried out. The White Paper also carried details of the consultation into the museums and galleries tax relief scheme announced in the Budget the previous week.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “Access for everyone to England’s rich heritage has never been more important. The links between taking part in cultural life and life-chances are increasingly well-understood and evidenced.

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“Taking part has a positive effect on the health, wealth and happiness of individuals and communities. As a nation, we need to include and involve more people than ever before. We are delighted to be part of the effort to do this, and are wholly supportive of the way this White Paper promises to open up culture and heritage to enrich people’s lives.”

Sir Peter Luff, chair of HLF, said: “We are delighted that this White Paper fully embraces heritage as an essential part of the Government’s vision for culture, recognising the role it plays supporting jobs, skills and tourism and making our towns, cities and communities better places to live.” q

Osborne offers relief for museums [IN HIS MARCH BUDGET, Chancellor George Osborne announced a number of

measures aimed at benefitting museums. They included an extension of VAT refund eligibility – which was previously only available to national and university museums and galleries – to any museums or galleries that offer free entry without prior appointment and are open to the general public for at least 30 hours per week. It allows eligible museums to claim back VAT incurred on most goods and services purchased in order to grant free rights of admission to collections.

A consultation into the tax relief for temporary and touring exhibition costs will be launched this summer.

The Chancellor also announced a number of grant awards to museums. They included £5m to the fundraising campaign of the V&A in Dundee, £27,000 per year from next year to 2020 for the Lloyd George Museum in Gwynedd and £13m to Hull UK City of Culture 2017.

A number of grants were also announced to establish new museums, including We’ll Meet Again, a fund to establish a permanent interactive World War Two museum in Lincolnshire, a museum of the Submarine Service in Scotland, a unique collection of international maritime art in Hull and the Brooklands Aircraft Factory and Race Track Revival project. q

Charlotte Brontë’s bicentenary marked by Historic England [WHILE THE WORLD flocked to Stratfordupon-Avon to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of the world’s most celebrated playwright, in one corner of Yorkshire a more sedate celebration was taking place. On 21 April lovers of the romantic novel celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charlotte Brontë.

Charlotte was born in Bradford, where her father Patrick was curate of St James’s church in Thornton. However, the Brontë sisters will be forever associated with the village of Haworth, where they moved in 1820 on the appointment of Patrick as vicar.

To mark the bicentenary, Historic England has ‘relisted’ seven of the buildings that witnessed Charlotte’s life. The buildings were

already on ‘The List’, but their entries have been updated to reflect their associations with Charlotte.

The best known, of course, is the Grade One-listed Haworth Parsonage (pictured).

The sisters’ most famous novels were written here, including Charlotte’s Jane Eyre, Emily’s Wuthering Heights and Anne’s Agnes Grey, all in 1847. Charlotte died in the Parsonage on 31 March 1855.

The house in Bradford where she was born, 72-74 Market St, has also been relisted, as has the ruined chapel of St James.

Other landmarks of Charlotte’s life to be marked out include North Lees Hall in Derbyshire, the ancestral home of the Eyre family. It not only inspired the name

of Charlotte’s first heroine, but also gave her the inspiration for Mr Rochester’s Thornfield Hall. Other houses that offered her inspiration are the Vicarage at Hathersage in Derbyshire and Stone Gapp in Lothersdale, North Yorkshire.

In the 1850s Charlotte was befriended by Sir James Kay-Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe Hall in Ightenhill, Lancashire – now Grade One-listed.

It is thought that Charlotte caught a chill whilst walking in the grounds of Gawthorpe which led to her death in 1855. q

Gawthorpe reopens after major restoration [

ONE OF THE seven buildings to be relisted by Historic England as part of the Charlotte Brontë bicentenary celebrations is Gawthorpe Hall in Lancashire, which reopened on 20 April following a £500,000 restoration project. The hall had been closed since May 2015 so that important restoration work to the external stonework and windows could be carried out. Other internal and external remedial work to return the building to its original condition has also been completed.

The Jacobean hall, in Ightenhill between Burnley and Padiham, is run by Lancashire County Council on behalf of the National Trust.

It was built between 1600 and 1605 on the site of a pele tower, or fortified keep, by the Shuttleworth family, which had lived on the site since the 1400s.

Sometimes referred to as ‘the Downton of the North’, it was indeed redesigned in the 1850s by Sir Charles Barry, who designed Highclere Castle – the setting for the TV series – as well as the Palace of Westminster.

Lancashire County Council’s head of libraries, museums, culture and registrar’s service, Julie Bell, said: “Gawthorpe Hall is a very special building that we operate on behalf of the National Trust. Because of its importance, we've invested a significant amount of money in the conservation project to preserve it for the future.

“This is a significant building and the work we have done will preserve it and enable it to be enjoyed for years to come.”

The stately home holds an impressive collection of fine furniture, portraits and collections of intricate lace, embroidery and needlework. q

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Purcell completes work on new luxury bed and breakfast in Norwich’s Assembly House

[ASSEMBLY HOUSE in Norwich is a prominent Grade I listed house,

designed by architect Sir Thomas Ivory. The magnificent Georgian building now supports a variety of visual and performing arts programmes as well as being a wedding venue, restaurant and café. A major part of Norfolk’s heritage and culture, a new string has recently been added to its bow, with the opening of a luxury bed and breakfast.

Architect Purcell led works to the East Wing of the Assembly House which is a scheduled ancient monument. The wing dates from the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. In recent years, it was mostly used as staff accommodation, but these facilities were later moved elsewhere in the building and the wing became redundant. To support the bustling Assembly House, which holds many events throughout the year, The Assembly House Trust sought to transform it into a bed and breakfast.

To reconfigure the rooms, a 1950s ground floor extension was demolished and a more contemporary and sympathetic extension was built to create two accessible bedrooms. Two further extensions on the first floor provide a new en-suite bathroom for one of the bedrooms and a living space for one of the suites.

Due to the site’s historic significance, an archaeological watching brief was established so that any discoveries could be recorded. During the demolition of the ground floor extension, an old well was uncovered which was photographed and recorded. Purcell oversaw repairs to many areas of the building including internal plasterwork, external timber, brick walls and render and designed modern insertions that were sympathetic to the rest of the building’s 15th-17th century design.

The project, which was on site for a year, was led by architect Charlotte Dunne. She commented: “It’s been hugely satisfying to watch the transformation of the building’s East Wing. The Assembly House is a prominent

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historic building in Norwich and now visitors can enjoy even more of it for themselves, staying at the bed and breakfast. We have successfully created 11 comfortable en-suite bedrooms, including three suites, set within newly landscaped gardens.”

Project co-ordinator Ian Shann commented: “The Trustees of The Assembly House are delighted with the outcome of the project to convert a wing of the building to an eleven suite luxury B&B. The team, led by Purcell, have created an imaginative scheme which successfully blends the historic elements of the building with everything the discerning guest looks for in top quality accommodation. The result has rejuvenated this part of the iconic Assembly House and is a major boost to the City of Norwich.” q Photography by Chris Seal

New spire gives St John the Evangelist Church a new lease of life

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RESTORING A 19th century Gothic style church spire to its original condition required very careful planning with both logistical and aesthetic challenges to overcome. The spire at St John the Evangelist Church in East Dulwich is 115ft off the ground to its apex with a slope length of 45ft.

One of the major challenges of the project was to design and erect a scaffolding structure that incorporated a working lift every two meters and which cleared the top of the spire, without touching the building’s exterior. A team of engineers was commissioned to design the structure which then took approximately two months to put up.

Ensuring the restoration achieved its ambition to faithfully reproduce the treasured appearance of this spire, visible from great distances, meant very careful selection of the clay tile colours and an accurate reproduction of the ornamental details of every tile. Most clay roof tiles on the market today

are coloured using artificial pigments and surface stains giving a duller appearance and lacking the subtle tones that existed on the original tiles.

Only one clay tile manufacturer now remains in the UK that has retained the traditional firing techniques to generate true clay colours. Dreadnought Tiles, based on the same site in Dudley since 1805, still produces their range of colours through careful control of the kiln atmosphere using methods passed on through generations of family management. Identical clay and production methods are used to produce their roof tiles whether it be a Staffordshire blue tile, a red or a multi-coloured clay tile – the difference lies in the introduction of a reduction atmosphere in the appropriate way in the kiln, to convert the iron rich content of the Etruria Marl clay from a ferrous to a ferric oxide in varying degrees.

In total more than 7,500 of the Victorian plum red coloured tiles were used with bands of approximately 2,500 country brown tiles to match the originals, half of which were club tiles and the remainder fishtails. Each of these tiles was cut by hand, as were the 1,000 special handed hip tiles that were produced in one pattern with a further 400 to another pattern.

When Paschal Fennelly of E J Roberts Roofing was appointed as the main contractor to restore the church, finding the right roof tiles and special fittings was key, as Paschal explains: “The existing roof tiles were nibless and nailed directly to the boarding when the church was built in 1864. After such a long time the nails were showing signs of fixing fatigue and a small number of tiles had fallen off the spire roof, which made it dangerous in terms of public safety.

“We had to replace all the existing tiles, which were an alternating combination of club and fishtail feature tiles, with very similar products. This can often be a major challenge especially as the original tiles were so old.

However Dreadnought Tiles offered their naturally coloured products and were able to specifically produce special angle hip tiles that were an exact match to the original tiles.”

As the project was nearing completion, the roofers realised that the spire was actually slightly higher than was originally thought, which meant they were approximately 100 special angle tiles short. Alex Patrick-Smith, of Dreadnought explains: “These were bespoke tiles, handmade by one of our top specialist tile makers who fortunately agreed to cut short his holiday and come in and make up the shortfall to enable the roofers to maintain their build schedule.”

The versatility and distinctiveness of the clay tiles used meant the original character and charm was restored. The end result at St John the Evangelist Church is striking and the new spire has given the building a whole new lease of life as it towers over its neighbouring streets of Victorian houses in East Dulwich. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Ancient Highland seat prepares to welcome new visitors

[ A THREE-YEAR RESTORATION PROGRAMME has

transformed the historic Mingary Castle on the west coast of Scotland from a near-ruin into luxurious suites of rooms for let to those seeking the perfect holiday destination.

Mingary Castle stands by the sea a mile or so to the east of the village of Kilchoan on the Ardnamurchan peninsula – the most westerly village in Great Britain. It is a castle with a long and rich history, the seat of the Clan MacIain, a sept of Clan MacDonald and once one of the most powerful clans along the western coast of Scotland. Mingary dates back at least to the 13th century and may be much older: there is some evidence, not least from the name, that the Vikings fortified the site.

The castle’s curtain walls are up to 14m high and form a hexagon.

The longest and thickest is to the north, facing onto a neck of land which is cut by a defensive ditch 7.5m wide and 3m deep. There is a sea gate in the south wall, and a rock-cut stairway leads from the beach at the west to a land gate in the north west wall.

Although the outer structure dates from the 13th century, the interior is Georgian in origin, although since its last occupation in the 19th century the castle had fallen into disrepair. That is until the owner of the Ardnamurchan Estate and Mingary itself, Donald Houston, set up the Mingary Castle Preservation & Restoration Trust and set about restoring it.

was a Yorkshire flag, and it was Yorkshiremen, like builders Mark Thompson and John Paul Ashley of Leeds-based Ashley Thompson Ltd who, as main contractors, carried out much of the work on the project.

They survived for nearly three years in very difficult circumstances to make the Trust's dream of a refurbished Mingary Castle become a reality.

Even the castle walls had to be rebuilt. Local resident Jon Haylett described the difficulties involved: “The problem with the tops of Mingary’s walls at the time rebuilding started was that they were ragged from loss of stone, so the exact location of all the merlons and embrasures, the high and low points of the crenellations, wasn't clear. One solution would have been to have pointed up the ragged edges and left them. At the other extreme, with advice from the archaeologists, it would have been possible to recreate the crenellations, which appear, as with most castles, to have been fairly regular.”

In the end the contractors levelled the tops of the walls with the highest points of the ragged edges. That involved carrying an estimated 60 tonnes of stone and mortar by hand from the bottom of the castle wall to the top.

Yorkshire’s finest brave the elements The restoration has touched all aspects of the castle fabric – from restoring the crumbling walls to re-installing the roofs and rediscovering the floors. The project has been carried out during some of the most savage weather seen in recent years. The construction team spent the build period living in caravans perched on the precarious cliffs. For much of the time the contractors defiantly flew their flag at the masthead on the north battlement. It The Yorkshire flag flying at the masthead on the north battlement

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ced sash lly reprodu The beautifu Joinery by Gary Bib by s ow d in w

An in Design tricate besp oke fr Gla Touch ss and its si ame by stone G st lazing er company Soluti ons

Putting flesh on the bones Once the stonework had been stabilised, work could begin on bringing the castle back to life. The roof had to be completely replaced, including reproductions of the Georgian dormers with their sash windows. They were also the product of Yorkshire craftsmanship in the person of Gary Bibby Joinery.

The wooden frames were ‘mist coated’ with Butinox 3 before the panes were inserted and needed three coats to withstand the Ardnamurchan weather. The toughened glass panes have been given an ‘olde worlde’ finish.

Some of the more decorative windows have been recreated, particularly the lancet windows on the chapel. These beautiful little

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Sebastian Evan s and Tim Bir beck of TSB Ironcraft who were respon sible for the ironwork at the castle

windows were returned to their former glory by yet more craftsmen from Yorkshire, namely Design Glass and its sister company Touchstone Glazing Solutions.

One particular window involved an intricate bespoke frame manufacture. It has a lower, opening section and an upper, fixed section.

The lower section has a steel frame and a unique catch, the handle having had to be curled in upon itself because the unit is so small.

Inside, new floors were installed, as were the services for heating, electricals and plumbing. The heating is by biomass and there are sumptuous bathrooms in all of the suites. In the case of one of them, the bathroom is installed in between the walls, with views out of arrow slits across the battlements.

Back outside, safety and decoration combined in the ironwork of the railings and bannisters. Tim Birbeck of Lancashire firm TSB Ironcraft raised the levels of the iron railings and bannisters, which were a few inches too low. TSB also installed safety bars across those points along the battlements where people could, in their eagerness to enjoy the views, fall out. The company also fitted the iron gates at the entrance to the castle.

Finishing touches

contractors in the industry, Mark Galley Decorators Ltd, who hail from – yes, Yorkshire!

The project was finished off by the creation of extensive gardens and lawns. They presented their own issues because of the rocky nature of the landscape.

The castle has now been handed back to the trust and its managers to begin its new life as a holiday destination.

The refurbished mansion now comprises four unique suites, sleeping 10 in total, which will welcome their first visitors in May. One of the first parties to sample the delights of the new facilities will be the McCain family, who made a generous donation to the Mingary Castle Preservation & Restoration Trust and after whom one of the suites is named.

The others are the MacDougall, the MacIain and the MacDonald, which is a self-contained apartment with its own front door. q

Once the restoration work was complete, the job of fitting the castle out to receive its visitors could begin. Again, the emphasis was on maintaining the Georgian theme, yet incorporating the most luxurious modern facilities. Even the dungeon has been brought back into use – not for recalcitrant visitors but as the hotel wine cellar with an electric lift. For, although the various suites offer apartment-scale accommodation, lettings are on a catered basis.

The walls have seen the handiwork of Gary Bibby Joinery once more. They manufactured and installed bespoke, precision made European oak panelling, as well as the staircase and, in the main lounge, a bookcase in the style of Samuel Pepys.

Drapes and curtains have been custom made by hand by Sandra g also panellin ery k a Jeffrey, while the four-poster beds o t in n ibby Jo gnifice in the main bedrooms are adorned The ma en by Gary B ak undert by hangings. The whole has been completed by a décor provided by one of the most accomplished decorating

The team

from Ma rk Galley applying D their exper ecorators tise

• To find out more about the restoration effort, visit the website www.mingarycastletrust.co.uk/ mingarycastletrust/blog/, while to find out more about the castle, including how to book your stay, visit www.mingarycastle.com.

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Heritage roofers take their place among the finalists [WHEN THE FINALISTS in the 2016 Roofing Awards were announced on 8 March

the list contained a number of projects in both the heritage and ecclesiastical sectors.

There is a specialist category for Heritage Roofing, which showcases the best in traditional roofing materials and techniques; however, there is always a number featuring in the other categories. Some are of churches that are relatively new, others are for older or listed buildings that fit better into other categories – some are both.

That is certainly the case with Westminster Cathedral (pictured), the Mother Church of Roman Catholics in England and Wales. John Francis Bentley’s Byzantine style masterpiece, completed in 1903, is shortlisted in the Mastic Asphalt/Hot Melt Roofing category. Indeed, all the shortlisted projects in that category are of notable buildings. The others are the Douglas Buildings, a classic apartment building in London, the British Museum and The Grade Two*listed Guildhall in Southampton.

In the Heritage Roofing category itself the finalists comprise a range of buildings: the 15thcentury Cloth Hall in Smarden, Kent, the ancient Church of St Michael and All Angels, an old rectory near Tonbridge Wells and the imposing 19th century Park Building at Portsmouth University.

In addition, a number of listed residential buildings appear on the list of finalists, as does a 1940s crematorium building in Brighton.

In keeping with the recent upsurge in appreciation of some of the best buildings from the second half of the last century, the celebrated Byker Wall estate in Newcastle-upon-Tyne has been nominated in the Solar category. Perhaps the most extensive site on the shortlist, the job encompasses some 600-plus maisonettes on the Grade Two*-listed estate. The full story of the project can be found in the following pages.

The Roofing Awards have become the gold standard for all disciplines in the roofing industry. The competition covers the full spectrum of 12 roofing disciplines and runs from September to January. Thereafter a selection of projects are short-listed and the winners are announced in May. A range of criteria are taken into consideration by the judging panel including degree of difficulty, aesthetics, problem-solving, health and safety, workmanship and environmental qualities.

This year’s winners will be announced on 13 May at the UK Roofing Awards Congress at the Hilton London Metropole. q

Grant will help take pioneering security system to next stage [A NORTH YORKSHIRE business that

has developed a pioneering security system to ward off metal thieves has secured a £120,000 government innovation grant.

The match-funded money – awarded by Innovate UK – will enable Trace-in-Metal to further develop its revolutionary metal marking system and to help garner vital third party accreditations.

Trace-in-Metal is led by a former police detective and a Swedish ballistics expert. The process involves infusing thousands of microdots into metal sheets, in particular lead, ‘marking’ them with a unique identifying code. Such is the science behind Trace-in-Metal that even the smelting process cannot destroy the nickel dots and their unique tags.

In addition to being impregnated into the metal, the dots – which are almost invisible to the naked eye – are also painted on to each

sheet using an all-weather lacquer that shows up under ultra-violet light.

The deterrent is currently protecting a series of churches and historic buildings in Yorkshire, Cumbria and Lincolnshire, many of which have been victims of metal thieves in the past.

Trace-in-Metal managing director John Minary said: “Receiving this grant is very welcome news indeed. This money, combined with funding we have secured from private investors, will allow us to take this unique security system to the next level.

“We now have the financial resources in place to enhance our research and development both here, in the UK, and in Sweden. Whilst Trace-inMetal was initially designed to security-tag lead, we are now developing different responses to other metals, especially copper.

“Additionally, it will allow us to obtain crucial third party accreditation, which will then help us achieve ‘preferred supplier status’ with a number

Trace-in-Metal managing director John Minary (right) and sales director Paul Batty at one North Yorkshire church whose roof is protected by their unique system of key organisations that own and manage historic buildings across the UK.” Trace-in-Metal sales director Paul Batty added: “We have a fantastic, unique product that is a real deterrent to metal thieves. Because the dots can’t be destroyed, even in the smelting process, it also makes unscrupulous scrap metal dealers think twice.” q • For further information about Trace-in-Metal visit the website at www.trace-in-metal.com. www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Iconic Tyneside housing estate is shortlisted for solar award [

ONE OF THE more unusual listed sites to figure in this year’s Roofing Awards is the Byker Wall housing estate in Newcastle-uponTyne (pictured). The project figures in the finals of the Roofing Awards in the Solar category for the work carried out by Co. Durhambased Hodgson Sayers, who were brought into the project by client Keepmoat, the main contractor for the external work refurbishment.

Solar PV panels from Bauder Ltd were used on the project.

Built in the 1970s as an alternative to the high-rise brutalism of 1960s municipal housing, the ‘wall’ comprises a continuous block of 620 maisonettes snaking around the Church of St Lawrence and ending in a single high-rise block that was intended to shield the estate from a motorway. It forms part of the larger Byker estate.

The project was a bold design by notable architect Ralph Erskine and was listed Grade II* in 2007. However, due to weathering over the years the ‘wall’ was in a bad condition and in need of repair.

The work has been carried out in seven stages – block by block – over a two-year period beginning in 2014. The Grade II* status of the estate and the historic and architectural importance of the structure demanded that all materials were identical or sympathetic to the existing design. Consequently the fabric of the building had to be maintained and a record made of all materials and skills used.

Repairs to the walkways, balconies and the entire roofing infrastructure, which spans some 6,000m2, included stripping out and replacing Filon sheeting on the private balconies and walkways, while aluminium profile sheeting and timber trusses were replaced.

All of the original waterproofing was replaced with 4,500m2 of Bauder’s reinforced bitumen system BTRS, which has a life expectancy in excess of 40 years, and included 120mm of insulation to achieve the required U-value.

The Bauder solar photovoltaic panels installed on the roof in various areas achieve an output power of 66kWp. At all times there was on-going communication with residents and clients and a community liaison officer oversaw the project so that very little disruption was caused for people living in the area.

Decades of knowledge from individuals involved in the original construction and maintenance was utilised in a collaborative approach to ensure the vision of the innovative architect Ralph Erskine was preserved.

Hodgson Sayers contracts manager Paul Cowen said: “Working on the iconic Byker Wall estate was very satisfying and demanding, as the work had to be carried out in block stages that took two years to complete. It was fascinating to speak with tenants who had input into the original construction and maintenance.

“It is an estate which the residents are very proud of and causing minimum

disruption to their daily lives and ensuring that reconstruction met their needs, was of upmost importance to the teams involved.

“We are very much looking forward to showcasing this historic site to the rest of the country when we attend the awards. It is great for the team who worked on this to get a pat on the back and be recognised at a national awards ceremony.”

The entire project was overseen by Your Homes Newcastle – the arms-length management organisation for housing on Tyneside – for the Byker Community Trust, which acquired the estate in 2012.

In its journey to the finals of the Roofing Awards in May the project will have been judged on a number of factors, including its visual impact and appearance, extracts from client letters, professional endorsements, value to the community and local area, value to the region in terms of national importance and demonstrating the contractor’s mentoring skills with younger operatives. q

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Welsh slate used in King’s Cross gym refurb [ SOME 6,400 NATURAL SLATES have been used in the

restoration of the roof of the first purpose-built gym in England, at King’s Cross. More than 600m2 of Welsh Slate’s Penrhyn Heather Blue slates have been used on the main and clerestory roofs and the flank roofs of the dormer windows at the Grade Two-listed German Gymnasium.

They were specified by architects Allies and Morrison to return the roof to its former appearance, after the original Welsh slate roof was removed and the building was left with only a bituminous felt covering.

They also match the slate roofs of the adjacent St Pancras Station and Great Northern Hotel. The new roof was installed over four months by Attleys Roofing.

Designed by Edward Gruning and built in the 1860s, the German Gymnasium was influential in the development of athletics in Britain. The building cost £6,000 and was funded solely by the German community in London, with the intention of promoting strength-based gymnastics for men and women.

The National Olympian Association held the indoor events of the first Olympic Games there in 1866 and they continued there annually until the White City games in 1908. q

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Church gutters – the do’s and don’ts

By DR MALCOLM WEARING BEng PhD CEng MICE MCIWEM of CRM Rainwater Drainage Consultancy Ltd

[ THE PROBLEM WITH most church

may be effectively two to three times deeper, and which contains significant storage volume.

Whenever stepped gutters are refurbished, consideration should be given to whether a flat or shallow slope continuous gutter could be used instead. Welded stainless gutters, lead gutters with proprietary expansion systems, or membrane lined steel gutters, all offer durable options which provide greater overflow protection and ease of maintenance.

On some grades of listed building this would obviously not be an option, but it is worth considering when major renovations are planned for buildings with less strict oversight criteria.

gutters is that they are hard to get to.

They were often under-designed in the first place, and there isn’t the money – or able bodied volunteers – around to clear them out. I am particularly aware of these challenges, as aside from my professional life, I am involved in the leadership of a team of churches with two listed buildings and another two Victorian buildings with significant challenges.

Much of what is in this article applies equally to other heritage buildings, but with churches, the lack of resources can make the challenges greater. There are however details on all gutters systems which can make maintenance more critical, and can lead to premature failure of systems.

Leafguards or no leafguards?

The main question as to whether to fit leafguards is ‘will what is below block in such a way as to be difficult to unblock?’ If the answer is no, or if any pipe blockages can be fairly easily unblocked, then I would recommend that leafguards are not fitted, as they will just block up with leaves.

Unless very regular maintenance is to take place (perhaps weekly in areas with high numbers of deciduous trees) leafguards will be a source of capacity reduction, and in some cases this could be the main cause of gutters overflowing into the building.

In some cases leafguards are needed, so in that case, what is the best design? Well the bigger the better, both in the overall perimeter area of the leafguards and in the size of the mesh. What is the best mesh size will depend on the pipe size below. The mesh should be chosen to keep everything out that could block the pipe, but let everything else through. This would suggest that for a 75mm pipe, a 40mm square or even 50mm square mesh would be OK. Too often very small meshes are selected, which just leads to premature blockage and thus overflow There is also a choice between flat in the base of the gutter, and standing up from the gutter sole. In almost all cases the latter is a better choice, as flat leafguards are much easier to block with big flat leaves, carrier bags etc. At least with an upstand leafguard, the water can rise up above the debris, provided the gutter is deep enough. Therefore any leafguard should aim to have a vertical height approximately 50mm below the lowest overflow level of the gutter.

Overflows and tell-tales Leaves caught on an excessively fine leafguard mesh under the course support mesh

Stepped or flat?

Historically many buildings were fitted with stepped sloping lead gutters, each step being formed from a discrete section of lead, with an upstand/downturn detail at each joint to waterproof it. With the technology available at the time, this was a very good solution, and if correctly designed and maintained, can still offer a very robust method of draining a roof. However, unless the falls are very steep, what you have is a series of very shallow gutters, each discharging into the next, which work fine in normal flow.

However, in the event of blockage, overflow will occur much more quickly than with a deeper, continuous, flat soled gutter which

Regular maintenance is essential!

In an ideal world, large chute outlets discharging into external hoppers are the best solution for church gutters. The chutes are less likely to block, and if there is a pipe blockage water will overflow the hoppers and the building will remain unaffected. But if that is not what you have, is there anything you can do to reduce risk in the event of blockage?

Overflow weirs can be formed in two ways – a simple chute heading through the parapet, or a periscope overflow, which is a raised tube projecting though the gutter sole and discharging via a pipe either at high or low level.

If architecturally neither of these can be accomplished, the simplest form of warning of blockage is a tell-tale overflow – a small diameter tube running horizontally though the parapet, which just shows that there is excessive water depth in the gutter. It won’t take the storm rainfall away, but will tell you when the day to day light rain isn’t being drained, which should raise alarm bells. If even that isn’t possible, electronic high water level alarms are available, which could be wired up in such a way as to give an audible warning, or even send a text message, when levels become excessive.

The absolute key is keeping on top of maintenance, which means learning the patterns of your building. Many buildings will need only occasional maintenance, others very frequent attention, much depends on the presence of trees in the area. Beware though, a new fast food outlet in the area and a flock of seagulls can soon turn low maintenance into high maintenance, so always be on the lookout for changes. q • For further information visit the website at www.crmrainwater.co.uk. www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Buy cast iron rainwater products with confidence [ RAINCLEAR SYSTEMS has been in the business of providing

customers with high quality cast iron rainwater products and a high quality of advice and service for over 10 years.

Cast iron guttering and downpipes have the longest life span of over 100 years when maintained correctly. If purchased pre-painted the finish will last for approximately ten years before the system needs to be repainted. This makes getting the right advice and the best quality at the best price all the more important.

It was the ability to mass produce cast iron rainwater goods in a wide variety of designs from the early 19th century that made them an affordable and desirable building feature.

Cast iron systems are easy to restore because of the way they are composed of these component parts. Damaged parts can be replaced and slotted into the existing system with a matching ‘profile’ – pictured below, this describes the shape of the gutter (half round, Victorian Ogee, moulded or beaded) and the downpipe (round, square or rectangular).

Cast Iron Guttering on a Wiltshire Manor House. The half round cast iron components that needed replacing were supplied primed for painting on site to match the original components that could be restored Both standard and more ornate or unusual rainwater goods can usually be obtained with help from the team at Rainclear Systems.

Their guttering is supplied per length (the component parts), not per metre, and the average cost of 125mm Half Round guttering on their website with current discounts is: • Primed Cast Iron 1.83m length – £28.93 • Painted Cast Iron 1.83m length – £39.04 If you are still not sure whether primed or pre-painted is right for your project, you can find Rainclear’s helpful guide Primed or painted cast iron rainwater systems – Which will you choose? as a PDF on their website at www.rainclear.co.uk.

Primed or high performance satin pre-finish black. The painted finish comprises a three coat system, factory-applied under controlled conditions Cast iron need not be considered a luxury, and with the right guidance from Rainclear, it can be a sound investment.

Rainclear hold all traditional profiles, both primed and painted, in stock and online so you can purchase securely by credit card or Paypal and enjoy next day delivery. There is even free delivery on orders over £300 net.

Their knowledgeable team can help with product suitability, installation advice, flow calculations and drawing ‘take offs’.

Anthony Hitchman, general manager at Rainclear Systems, said: “We’ve been dealing with all types of clients from professional installers to homeowners for more than ten years. We hold large stocks of the highest quality cast iron, aluminium and galvanised steel so that we have a wide range available for next day delivery. If we don’t have it in stock then we’ll make sure you get it as quickly as possible.

“We deal with bespoke requests on a daily basis, so we can offer advice based on that experience. We want our customers to be more than satisfied, to come back to us again and again, and to recommend us.” q • You can give the team at Rainclear a call on 0800 644 44 26.

They try to beat any like-for-like quote while delivering the best quality system for your project.

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Martin-Brooks makes no bones about heritage skills [YOU WOULDN’T EXPECT an archaeological dig to form part of

a roofing project, but for Sheffield-based Martin-Brooks, it is all part of the service.

While working on St Michael and All Angels Church in the Derbyshire village of Taddington, the heritage specialists needed help to uncover the past and cure a soggy problem.

As land to rear of the Grade I listed church was prone to waterlogging, Martin-Brooks was asked to extend its remit to improve drainage across the site. The churchyard is known to contain the unmarked graves of orphans who worked at nearby Litton Mill in the 1800s, so expert assistance was called in to monitor the excavations and record anything of archaeological interest that was encountered.

Dale Wright, Martin-Brooks’ contracts director, said: “Uncertainty over the location of these shallow graves turned what should have been a relatively simple task into a painstaking process. Under the archaeologist’s supervision, we had to hand dig channels for the

drainage until we were clear of the sensitive area. We have worked on many ecclesiastical buildings before, but this is the closest encounter we’ve had with their permanent residents!”

Taddington is one of the highest villages in the Peak District and its church dates back to the 14th century, although a Norman cross in the grounds is believed to mark the site of an earlier place of worship.

In addition to fitting new rainwater goods and drainage, MartinBrooks also re-roofed the vestry using reclaimed stone slates and repointed the stonework. The three-month assignment was carried out in conjunction with Bakewell architects, Smith and Roper. q • Martin-Brooks is a member of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors’ heritage register. For details about its work on historic and ecclesiastical buildings telephone 0114 244 7720, visit the website at www.martin-brooks.co.uk or follow the firm on Twitter @MartinBrooksLtd.

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St Michael’s Church after the project was completed

New interior lighting brings transformation to remote church St Michael’s Church, Michaelchurch Escley, Herefordshire

[

QUITE A LARGE CHURCH for a small village, St Michael’s Church, Michaelchurch Escley, was restored in the nineteenth century.

This was done with a tad more sensitivity than was always the case, although the grim message over the Victorian lychgate is not necessarily encouraging.

Apart from that, the most obvious external addition is the west tower from 1897. Inside, the screen is from a similar period, although the Art Deco pews are a little later.

The most striking aspect in the church, however, is the medieval wall painting of Christ of the Trades.

There is also an exciting project to restore the existing five bells of Michaelchurch and to add a sixth.

An interesting lighting project was recently designed, supplied and installed by Lighting Dynamics UK, which has completely transformed the interior space of this lovely remotely located church.

All of the new lighting is linked to keypad controls and sensors for maximum flexibility with the lighting levels within the building.

The Sutton Coldfield-based specialists in church lighting have also completed a lighting upgrade at St Michael’s sister church, namely St Clydawg Church, down the road at Clodock.

Lighting Dynamics continue their development as one of the UK’s premier companies specialising in the interior and exterior lighting of cathedrals, churches and other places of worship.

They are dedicated to offering a totally independent, creative, unbiased lighting design and consultancy service and, where required, the supply of all associated and specified lighting equipment.

With over 27 years experience of working with ecclesiastical buildings, the company has a long established reputation for creating practical and architecturally sympathetic lighting schemes. q Photography by Philip Stewart

Before (left) and after the installation of the new lighting www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Construction of new church hall [

WORK IS NOW well underway to construct the much-anticipated new church hall for St John the Evangelist in Redhill, Surrey. The church is a thriving Christian community whose large number of interest groups have long outgrown the accommodation available. In contrast to many congregations, St John’s is growing, and in order to continue that trend a new building separate from the main church is thought to be essential.

It will enable the church to welcome the whole community to church-related activities, including the disabled and elderly, and provide a purposebuilt facility for children’s and young people’s groups to meet on a Sunday – they are currently spread across a number of different venues.

During the week it will provide a venue for church-related groups, rehearsal space for music, A computer-generated image of the new hall at St John the Evangelist in Redhill, Surrey secure storage space for church equipment and a church office. applications were rejected before a proposal was arrived at that satisfied Events such as fairs, harvest suppers, concerts and other the needs of the church, the requirements of the planning authorities entertainments will take place there, as will receptions following and the views of the conservation officer. baptisms, funerals, marriages and confirmations.

The new hall, which is being constructed by Sutton-based Corniche St John’s is a Grade B listed ecclesiastical building – Grade B is a Builders, has been sensitively designed by architects Thomas Ford and largely disused form of listing mainly applied to Anglican churches in Partners to fit in with the existing townscape of Redhill and remain use and corresponds to Grade II. It lies within a Conservation Area that unobtrusive. It will be constructed from flint with a slate roof to match contains many listed secular buildings and in Green Belt. Its churchyard the Victorian church building. Its front elevation will feature a cloistered contains a number of important trees. Consequently, any project to entrance, while its roofline will fall to remain discreet. erect a further structure in the church precincts required a great deal of The building will consist of a ground floor, basement and first floor careful planning and took a considerable time. A number of planning

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follows extensive consultation

40 tonnes of steel reinforce the waterproof slab and walls within the roof space. It will provide classrooms and meeting rooms, a kitchen, an office space as well as toilet facilities. The basement will be available for use as an open space or a hall for performances, or further divided to make more meeting rooms. There will also be a kitchen, toilet facilities and a wet room. A lift will carry visitors between floors ensuring that all the facilities are accessable to all.

It is this basement that is currently under construction. Following piling and the erection of shuttering and reinforcement, an impressive concrete pour of 120m3 created the basement floor. This was followed in April by a further pour of 43m3 to form one half of the basement walls and a further 50m3 of walling will be poured before the end of the month.

Much work had to be carried out before any of the construction could take place. The most sensitive concerned the exhumation and relocation of graves from the churchyard. Initially, known graves were exhumed and re-interred following a service with the families. That took place last October.

The following month an archaeological survey was carried out

by AOC Archaeology to locate and remove a further 300 graves and remove 1,500m3 of spoil in layers of 100mm. The site was photographed and the remains were disinterred for reburial following the completion of the build.

A further issue concerned the removal of trees, many of which are subject to preservation orders. Some of the trees play an important role in the context of the site and how it relates to the wider area. A joint site visit by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council’s tree officer and the church’s own tree specialist identified the trees that should be retained, those which were to be removed and others that could even benefit from work being undertaken.

Following completion of the basement, work will begin on the single storey above ground. The traditional flint stonework will be undertaken

by Chichester Stoneworks. They have spent the last few weeks cutting and delivering the stone that will form the detailing on the building.

With a steeply-pitched roof to echo the church itself, and double gables flanking the cloister, the new facility will blend easily with the character of the area and sit alongside the church building, whose spire forms a notable local landmark.

The new hall is expected to be completed towards the end of 2016. q

Wall shutters are supported to accept the concrete pour www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Preserving our ‘intangible’ heritage

By LEE R BILSON, Heritage Consultant at Reclessia Ltd

[

WITLEY COURT IN Worcestershire was once one of the great country houses of England, but since a devastating fire in 1937 it has become one of the country’s most spectacular ruins.

However, it is still possible to gain a sense of the opulence and scale of the 19th-century interiors, and the skills of the craftsmen required in their creation. The role of craftsmen remains important today, as without them conservation works to our built heritage and sites like Witley Court would only preserve the aesthetic and not the intangible artisanry nature of their construction.

As UNESCO states: ‘traditional craftsmanship is perhaps the most important tangible manifestation of intangible heritage.’ As such, Recclesia believe that whilst it is vital we preserve and care for our built heritage, this is only truly successful through the continuation of the traditional skills and knowledge utilised in the construction of our much loved historic sites.

These skills need to transcend generations and endure.

The building conservation industry offers considerable opportunities to preserve this intangible aspect of our heritage. Though, as with other forms of intangible cultural heritage, globalisation and commercialisation is posing a significant challenge to the survival of traditional forms of craftsmanship. Whilst a reduction in skills and knowledge does allow many contractors to offer lower cost for projects, it is obviously detrimental and merely reduces the suitability, effectiveness and sustainability of any conservation works.

As a result of this Recclesia has, as with many other building conservation firms, always sought to employ a qualified and practiced workforce, continually developing its team and providing apprenticeships to a new generation of specialists.

This approach helped Recclesia to be awarded the contract to carry out sensitive works to the towers and portico of Witley Court in 2014.

Following condition surveys of Witley Court in 2013, it was evident that a targeted programme of skilled conservation works was required. The agents of decay, including wind, rain and frost, had caused extensive loss of detail and significant deterioration to the structure. If these were not treated then it would result in the progressive collapse to areas of high level masonry. To help conserve these areas English Heritage outlined a

detailed program of works for the consolidation, repair and renewal of the historic masonry and plaster, which was then carried out by Recclesia’s specialist masonry team.

Great care was taken to preserve as much original masonry as possible, but some areas of stone had spalled away, so it was necessary for the masons to piece in new sections of stone, using a simple lime bedding mix and stainless steel dowels to provide extra security.

In other areas masonry sections were being cramped internally with ferrous fixings utilised in the building’s construction. These areas of stone were removed to gain access to the ferrous cramps which were then removed in the least invasive manner available. These were then replaced with stainless steel equivalents. New sections of stone, hand carved at Recclesia’s purpose-built masonry workshops to match the

original profile, were then sensitively constructed ensuring the form and setting out of the original masonry was maintained.

However before these works were carried out, several samples of mortar mixes were made by the masons to ensure the colouration and performance best matched the mix originally used. The stone was also carefully sourced to ensure its composition and colouration was suitable and likewise matched that originally used in Witley’s construction. The knowledge of Geoff Moore, Recclesia’s head of masonry, who started his apprenticeship at 16 and has since collected over 50 years of experience, was key to successfully identifying the right mix and stone. It is not only the aesthetic qualities of mortars and masonry which must be considered, but also the compatibility. This ensures that any new masonry or mortar repairs do not cause future issues and potential failure.

Otherwise, the wrong choice of stone or mortar can result in further deterioration of the structure, rendering any costly conservation works meaningless.

The goal of the project was to conserve the towers and portico with minimal new stone work, reducing the health and safety risk caused by failing masonry, and maintaining the readability and understanding of the highly important site.

Yet it also offered a perfect platform for the continuation of traditional craftsmanship, an intangible aspect of the site’s importance. The knowledge and skills associated with traditional artisanry of stone masonry need to be maintained for future generations.

A historic ruin, building, site or landscape which is not maintained will eventually be lost to time. But maintenance and conservation works carried out without the same knowledge and skill of those who built it, will still lose a significant essence of what helps define the importance and significance of a heritage asset such as Witley Court. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Practical adaptation of gathering spaces [ HERITAGE BUILDINGS IN need of a new or

continued lease of life are the very places where new ideas and social activity can flourish. Worship spaces can perform the ‘gathering space’ function of town halls and village halls.

These places have a large open space or a series of spaces that are often underused. With an informed and creative match between the existing physical asset, design possibilities and local needs, essential revenue to sustain both the community benefit and the maintenance costs of the building can be achieved.

Apart from having good supporting facilities such as heating, toilets, a kitchenette, proper disabled access, secure storage and WiFi, some buildings have value for performing arts. For classical music performance the acoustics need to have enough resonance to float the sound.

However, if the space has a good acoustic for music, but the performing area is too small, the practicalities can be limiting.

Sound Space Vision brings together cohesive design thinking for performance and other gathering uses – this includes the flexibility of the seating area and the acoustics, with practical and useful lighting, audio and video.

The Bishop Centre in Hammersmith (pictured) has given a new lease of life to the Grade II listed Butterfield Church, which now serves as performance space for both music and drama as well as assemblies for the Godolphin and Latymer School. Anne Minors Performance Consultants and Sound Space Design, now joined together as Sound Space Vision, conceived a space with a stage area at each end – one for music and one for drama. A configurable floor and seating system in the nave allows the audience to face one way or the other. A system of ‘sound sails’ provides acoustical clarity for speech and resonance for music.

From broad analysis to practical implementation, creative matching of community needs, building qualities, operational vision and capital budget can make all the difference to the success of the heritage building. The results are two-fold – the historic space survives and the community gains a more broadly useful gathering space. q

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Presidential election presages ‘most successful’ exhibition [

THE RECENT AGM of the Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers (ISCE) – held at the picturesque Coombe Abbey in the West Midlands – saw the appointment of Phil Price MInstSCE as president for a three-year term, taking over from Tony Smith. At the same time Helen Goddard FInstSCE, managing director of AMS Acoustics, was appointed vice-president.

In his inaugural speech Phil (pictured), who is an executive at leading manufacturer RCF, thanked the outgoing president, who remains on the council and will serve as a director of the institute.

Setting out his goals over the next three years, he said he faced a challenging period ahead.

“I want to spearhead much more awareness of the institute from outside our membership,” he said. “I also want to see the institute become more prominent as a recognised body for ensuring the correct standards are applied when projects and installations are completed.”

Furthermore, he said he sought recognition from other allied associations “…to show that choosing an ISCE member or supporting member organisation will ensure that the highest standards have been applied”.

“Ultimately, I would like to see recognition of the ISCE at central and local government levels across its main disciplines of commercial and professional audio and communications,” he added.

Finally, he will be looking to meet with as many members as possible “…to gain grass-roots views and ideas for strengthening the institute”.

Nearly 100 people attended the dinner, creating a lively atmosphere for stand-up comedian Adam Bloom. The following day it was down to business with the annual exhibition, ISCEx 2016, and the institute certainly raised the bar once again.

“It was unquestionably our most successful exhibition yet,” said Ros Wigmore, manager of the ISCE secretariat. “Of our 28 exhibitors, four were first timers. Away from the exhibition, I am delighted to say that all the seminars were packed throughout.”

One of the highlights was a presentation to Dr Peter Mapp of an Honorary Fellowship of the ISCE. “I was totally surprised to receive this Honorary Fellowship,” he said in response. “It is gratifying to know that my contributions to the ISCE and the industry have been recognised in this way.”

There was also a presentation to John Perry of Yamaha Commercial Audio as a new supporting member of the ISCE. Another new supporting member was Monacor (UK), whose UK field sales manager Leighton Castle, said: ‘’We decided after visiting last year’s ISCEx to become a supporting member and also to exhibit at ISCEx 2016. The event provided us with a great opportunity to network with industry peers and also to reach out to those who may have not been overly familiar with the Monacor brand and service. We very much look forward to ISCEx 2017, and the many years exhibiting to follow.”

The event also proved popular with visitors.

Hanieh Motamedian, business development manager of Sound Directions, said: “It was a pleasure to spend the day at ISCEx, with such an experienced and knowledgeable crowd. It was good to see a variety of exhibitors, ranging from manufacturers to distributors and installers.”

Another visitor, David Howe, director of Audomation Software, was equally positive, commenting: “ISCEx is a uniquely friendly and relaxed exhibition and a definite ‘must attend’ on the industry calendar. This year was no exception. The networking dinner the night before the exhibition was just superb – great location, great food, great company.

What’s not to love?”

The seminar programme, covering a range of subjects relevant to all proaudio disciplines, also proved highly educational. David Howe added: “The seminar programme really hit the mark. Presented by three industry veterans, they challenged our perceptions on topics ranging from amplifier efficiency to a case study that was an audio first at a London Underground station; and finishing off the day, an in-depth look at the future of networked digital audio.

Without question one of the best audio conferences there is.”

The recorded content of the seminar programmes will be made available in due course on the ISCE website at www.isce.org.uk. All members are now eagerly looking forward to next year’s AGM and exhibition, also at Coombe Abbey on 7-8 March. q You can find an ISCE member in your area in our ‘Church & Heritage Supplies’ classified section from page 57.

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FAKRO roof windows with bespoke flashings for new community church [ WESTHILL COMMUNITY CHURCH

in Aberdeenshire was a new, greenfield project. Its contemporary style was designed for maximum functionality and to encourage use by the wider community.

33 FAKRO roof windows flood the stage with natural light and illuminate buildings which form the sanctuary, foyer and offices.

Products included FTP-V U3 Electro windows with rain sensor, EFW Flat Roof windows and an FAKSV17 Smoke Vent window.

Project architect Mark Dysart of McLean Architects commented: “We specified Fakro products because of the excellent technical support and the option to specify matching zinc flashings. These were crucial to achieve a fully co-ordinated appearance.” q • For further information call 01283 554755, email sales@fakrogb.com or visit the website at www.fakro.co.uk.

Steel windows

the important questions answered [

8. Is it possible to replace heavily corroded sections of steel on windows, many of which were installed in the 1930’s?

THE STEEL WINDOW ASSOCIATION (SWA) have provided answers to nine of the most important questions surrounding steel windows:

It is possible to replace corroded profiles, preferably done in a workshop rather than on site, and best followed up with a rustproofing process before re-installation.

1. Do steel windows rust?

Modern steel windows, positively rustproofed by the hot dip galvanizing process and then polyester powder coated, together with brass and stainless steel hardware, will provide as good, if not better, durability than is offered by competing materials.

2. Do they come in a colour finish?

Steel framed glazing systems are available in a vast range of colours.

3. What maintenance do steel windows need?

Providing that frames and glass are washed at the prescribed intervals, steel framed glazing systems require little maintenance.

Please refer to SWA Fact Sheet 4.

4. Do they meet British Standards for thermal efficiency?

They meet Part L of the Building Regulations for thermal performance.

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W4 steel windows and doors

5. What are delivery times?

These can vary, but typically between 8-16 weeks, which should be confirmed by the preferred supplier.

6. Are steel windows ‘green’?

Yes, the Building Research Establishments (BRE) Green Guide gave an above average ‘B’ rating for steel windows.

7. If I specify steel windows, who will install them?

Most SWA member companies offer a complete service including installation. You can find a member in your area or to suit your requirements on the members page of the SWA website.

9. What sort of sealant or putty should be used for glazing in steel windows?

Never use linseed oil based compounds or mastics (normally used on timber which absorbs and is protected by the oil) for metal framed windows. There are special metal casement putties and mastics formulated for the purpose. q • For further information on the Steel Window Association please visit www.steel-windowassociation.co.uk or call 020 8543 2841.

How we helped create a modern-day masterpiece

By KATHARINE AGRELL-DOLDAN of Agrell Architectural Carving

[

IN ARCHITECTURE AND interior design, woodcarving rarely exists alone. Usually it’s integrated into the millwork, such as mouldings, columns, brackets and cabinetry. That means a woodcarving workshop must either be part of, or comfortable partnering with, joinery workshops and vice versa.

The working relationship between woodcarver and joiner has existed for centuries. My company, Agrell Architectural Carving, has decades of experience partnering with joinery companies using tried-and-true techniques passed down through generations of our trades. My job as account manager is to ensure our hand-carved ornamentation integrates perfectly into joinery projects.

One recent example of this partnership was a complex library we did with Somerset-based bespoke joinery company Artichoke Ltd. Artichoke had been seeking a woodcarving workshop that could produce a large

volume of high-quality carving in a short amount of time. Artichoke, like all high-end joinery companies, works to a tight production schedule and has a hard-earned reputation for meeting tight deadlines. When they promise delivery to their clients, they need to be able to trust their subcontractors to do the same.

Agrell Architectural Carving has also earned a reputation for exceptional service and delivery. Thanks to our large workshop and dedicated account managers, we are able to meet virtually any deadline – while never sacrificing quality. We had not worked with Artichoke before and were keen to develop a lasting relationship with them. It was a perfect match.

Artichoke had been commissioned to produce a grand library in a late17th century Grade II listed Georgian hall in the English countryside. The exquisite design was based on the Philosophical Hall of the Strahov Monastery in Prague – a library built in a lavish Baroque style with typically bold features such as gilded ornamental woodcarving. Our task was to create handcarved decoration as opulent and as beautiful as the original. Artichoke needed more than 120 hand-carved acanthus leaf ornaments, in addition to numerous mouldings, swags and other decorations, delivered in just over eight weeks. Obviously we didn’t have the luxury of time on our side.

There would be more than 2,000 carving hours in this project – impossible for a small workshop of one or two carvers. Because there are very few woodcarving companies existing today with the capacity to deliver a large number of carving hours in such a short time, a joinery company might have to work with a loose collective of woodcarvers. Obviously that can create potential issues such as inconsistent quality and complicated personnel management.

Luckily for Artichoke, our workshop is able to produce 50,000 carving hours annually. Additionally, we have dedicated account managers to keep everything moving efficiently. Artichoke appreciated having a single point of contact – in this case, me – while working through the project.

To get started, we collaborated with Artichoke to produce samples that would help verify design and construction details and establish quality expectations. They sent us drawings, templates and photographs to communicate relevant information, and we returned to them beautiful handcarved samples in our own timber. Throughout the process we kept them informed of our progress with regular updates and photographs.

Samples went back and forth over a couple of weeks, allowing for minor tweaks that would ultimately guarantee that all the actual pieces would fit perfectly. We then hand-carved each individual ornament and returned everything to Artichoke for gilding.

Retaining complete control of all the construction details saved Artichoke time and money, and it ensured a smooth installation within the promised delivery schedule. Best of all, the end result was a stunning library that remains a true masterpiece of our time. q • Kate Agrell-Doldan is Agrell Architectural Carving’s UK-based account manager. She can be reached at kate@agrellcarving.co.uk or visit the website at www.agrellcarving.co.uk. www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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ANTIQUE FURNITURE RESTORATION

BAFRA

ARBORICULTURAL CONSULTANTS

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ARCHIVE STORAGE BOXES

BUILDING CONSERVATION & RESTORATION

BELLS

BLACKSMITHS

BRICK MANUFACTURERS

BUILDING SERVICES

CARVERS

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CLOCKS MASTER CARVERS ASSOCIATION

DISABLED ACCESS

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

EXHUMATION SERVICES

FENCING

CHURCH HEATING

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FIREPLACES

FURNITURE

GILDERS

LANDSCAPING

LEADED LIGHTS

GLASS SUPPLIES

HYMNODY

LEADWORK

JOINERY

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LCA

LECTERNS

LIGHTING & SOUND

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LIGHTNING PROTECTION

LIME

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METAL THEFT PREVENTION

ORGANS

PAINTERS

PAINTING CONSERVATION

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PAINT STRIPPERS

ROOFING

PICTURE FRAMING

PLUMBING & HEATING CONTRACTORS

RAINWATER SYSTEMS

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FTMRC

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ROOF CLEANING

ROOF TILES

SECURITY

SOUND & AUDIO VISUAL SYSTEMS

ISCE

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STAINED GLASS

STEEPLEJACKS

STONE & STONE SUPPLY

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TRAINING

TRANSPORT & STORAGE

TERRACOTTA & FAIENCE

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