Ecclesiastical & Heritage World Issue 82

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COVER STORY

CONTENTS New roof helps repair the toll taken by the sea

This issue’s cover shows a detail from the reroofing of St Paul’s Church in Sandgate, on the outskirts of Folkestone. The roof had suffered from the effects of salt water ingress and ‘nail sickness’. The project was carried out by Kent-based John Williams & Co (Contracting) Ltd, trading as John Williams & Company. This year the company is celebrating its 150th anniversary.

The history of JW & Co, as it is affectionately known, is full of milestones, both for the company and for the roofing industry as a whole.

Read both the story of the reroofing of St Paul’s and the long history of JW & Co inside, starting on page 11

5 Reflections NEWS 7

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Heritage is a major economic contributor, but skills gaps threaten growth The builders of our heritage have become part of it Mayflower celebrations marked by unveiling of The Box Restoration adds to 400th anniversary events Heritage officers perform major role in Wales FMB backs call for VAT cut on renovations ‘Sustainable’ deadline extended

CRE MIDLANDS 14 CRE Midlands: the prodigal returns – and it’s bigger than ever!

15 It’s all about communication 16 Models sought for clerical fashion show 17 Furniture makes its way across the sea 17 Award-winning lecterns are best sellers 19 Lighting developments have evolved into new LED product ranges 20 St Bart’s goes digital 21 To get the best deal, come as a group 21 Rural churches get to bang their gong 21 Teach the Bible by acting it out 21 Mission Resources goes centre stage INSULATION 22 Addressing the challenge of climate change – with Icynene insulation CHURCH HEATING 24 Walking in the footsteps of giants IRONWORK & METALWORK 25 Inaugural conference marks group’s 10th anniversary 26 Devotion to heritage ironwork is recognised by unique award 27 Conference offered an inclusive experience for students 27 Winning design echoes WWI poem ROOFING 29 Metal thieves target Brighton landmarks 29 Cornish character is retained 30 Turning to steel in desperation 30 Aluminium wall coping: in stock, in anthracite grey and in

two sizes 31 Diocese offers advice to deter metal theft 31 Winchester’s ‘batmen’ create a safe haven

LEAD 32 33 33

Richardas reaps the reward for dedication and passion Leadwork training takes to the road Prizewinning fountain acclaims Capability

LIGHTNING PROTECTION 34 Lightning protection is essential – but it doesn’t have to be intrusive 35 Could lightning have inspired ancient circle builders?

ACCESS 36 Grounds for concern when nature takes over parks and gardens LIME 37 38 39 39

Highland gathering debates all things lime Lime restored to Lakeland church Community involvement points the way Plaster repairs completed on Victorian jewel

CARVING 40 If anyone can make it, Houghtons of York can OAST COWLS 41 Help! Does my oast cowl need cleaning?

DRONES 42 Drones reach places humans cannot go 42 Drones also show you what you don’t want to see 43 New regs will make it too EASA to operate drones 43 Drones lead the flight towards zero carbon BRICKS 44 Bricks allow new Porters’ Lodge to build on tradition 45 Van Gogh’s London home takes on new life SOUND AND AV SYSTEMS 46 Roedean’s new sound system goes straight to the top of the class?

STATUARY 47 Sculpture on cupboard found to be late-medieval masterpiece 47 Trust embarks on major cataloguing project STAINED GLASS 48 Donation allows restoration of rare medieval windows 48 Innovation allows glass fragments to be viewed 49 South aisle is the focus of second restoration phase 49 Pevsner favourite reglazed by family firm

FIND THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE YOU NEED IN CHURCH & HERITAGE SUPPLIES FROM PAGE 50 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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THERE ARE NOT many companies that can claim a heritage of their own that stretches back over a century and a half. Roofing and slating company John Williams & Co is one such. They will be celebrating their 150th anniversary as a company this year in style – although there are clues the enterprise itself may go back even further.

Being based in Kent means they are used to renovating roofs that have suffered the insidious effects of salt water. That is true of St Paul’s Church on the outskirts of Folkestone. Our cover story pays tribute to their achievements.

• The weather brings challenges from all directions for church buildings and lightning is perhaps the most spectacular. Protecting the buildings and those who work and worship in them is of paramount importance, but that protection need not be visually intrusive, particularly when the church is of architectural importance. Industry expert Adrian Brown offers some tips on discreet protection.

• The task of inspecting the ‘hidden’ places in churches is now likely to be undertaken using drones. A happy concomitant benefit of drone use is the reduction in energy use – and consequently carbon emissions.

However, new regulations on drone use resulting from EU legislation may, perversely, undermine the safety measures currently in place for commercial use. The rules on some types of flight are to be relaxed, but not all – as professional operator Matthew Greaves explains.

Of course, as the CAA points out, Brexit may change all that.

• One of the fears Brexit holds is what is going to happen to the tourist industry. Currently, heritage tourism is a major player in the economy and makes up a significant part of the contribution of around £31bn that heritage industries make to the economy of England alone. That is according to a report by Historic England. A report by Cadw paints a similar picture for Wales.

• If anything epitomises heritage tourism in England it is the National Trust. Its 200-plus sites hold collections containing in excess of 6,000 sculptures and statues, and the Trust is now embarked on a mammoth project to catalogue them all. The endeavour has already unearthed a surprise – a little-regarded statue on top of a cupboard has been identified as a ‘lost’ reliquary by a 15th-century master.

• The entire panoply of worship in the Christian church – from statues and candles to the most sophisticated sound and computer systems – is to be found at the Christian Resources Exhibitions. The latest in the revived regional shows is set to take place at Stoneleigh in March.

Along with the displays of craftwork will be the welcome return of Clergy on the Catwalk, a fashion show of ecclesiastical vestments.

• The crafts that led to the building of many of our precious churches are still to be found, as I discovered at a lime-pointing workshop held at my local parish church. It was held alongside a self-help project to restore the churchyard.

All things lime were also celebrated at the annual Conference and Gathering of the Building Limes Forum in Stirling.

• Another craft being preserved and, indeed, flourishing is that of the ironworker. The National Heritage Ironwork Group held its inaugural conference at the V&A in November, although it has been in existence for 10 years. Among the papers and discussions, a very special awards ceremony took place, which included a Lifetime Achievement Award for Chris Topp of TOPP & Co. Chris has featured in and contributed to this publication since its inception some 20 years ago, so we would like to add our heartfelt congratulations. q

Chris Stokes

Editor, Ecclesiastical & Heritage World

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Heritage is a major economic contributor, but skills gaps threaten growth [RESEARCH published on 23 January

England by 218.4 million visitors. The national tourism agency VisitBritain

by Historic England shows the value of forecasts that in 2019 inbound tourism to heritage to England’s economy. The England will have grown by 3% to 38.9m research was carried out on behalf of the and spending will have been boosted by Historic Environment Forum – the top7% to 24.5bn. level cross-sectoral committee, bringing together chief executives and senior Skills officers from public and non-government Historic England commissioned the heritage bodies.

Centre for Economics and Business The research shows that heritage is an Research to examine the skills needs important sector, which contributes to and skills gaps in the heritage sector economic prosperity and growth through in England. jobs in the heritage and construction It is estimated that 11% of firms in the sectors and from tourism. The new report heritage sector have a skills gap: when has a focus on skills – examining the skills An example quoted was the refurbishment of Altrincham’s Grade Two-listed Market House and covered market. Trafford employees lack the skills, experience or needs and gaps in the heritage sector. qualifications to be fully proficient at their The data for England show that heritage Council invested £1m in and sought a private market operator to transform the Market House. Photo © Historic England job. In addition, 6% of firms operating provides a total gross value added (GVA) within the heritage sector had at least of £31bn and provides over 464,000 one skills shortage vacancy: when they find it hard to get staff with the jobs. Moreover, for every directly-related job in the heritage sector, a appropriate skills and experience to fill outstanding vacancies. further 1.34 jobs are supported through their activity.

In comparison with other sectors, the heritage sector has a relatively high incidence of skills shortage vacancies. It is estimated that Economic value approximately £140m worth of potential GVA was ‘lost’ in the heritage The report argues that the historic environment is intrinsically linked to sector due to skills shortages in 2016. University College London research economic activity, with a large number of economic activities occurring highlights that skills lacking are in handling digital collections, artefact within it, dependent on it or attracted to it. For every one pound of GVA conservation, archaeological fieldwork and post-fieldwork analysis. directly generated, an additional £1.21 of GVA is supported in the wider Commenting on the research, Adala Leeson, head of socio-economic economy, thanks to the supply chains of the heritage sector and due to the analysis and evaluation at Historic England, said: “We are concerned expenditure of their employees. about skills gaps and skills shortages in the heritage sector because they It gives as an example the construction industry. In 2018, heritagecreate a negative impact on wages, productivity and economic growth. related construction activities generated £7.1bn in GVA in England, The key way to address this is through in-work training and we are employing over 100,000 people. The on-going need to repair, maintain leading the sector on the development of early career support through and restore historic buildings creates strong dependencies between the apprenticeships. heritage, construction and development sectors when specialist heritage “Six new apprenticeship standards have been developed, covering skills and knowledge is needed. entry level to postgraduate level, and in 2019 we launched a brand new programme providing 11 heritage apprenticeship opportunities in our Tourism own organisation. We also provide on-going career support through our As a tourism driver, heritage attracts millions of inbound and national continuing professional development training programmes.” q visits. In 2018 £17bn was spent on heritage-related visits and trips in

The builders of our heritage have become part of it [WHILE THE construction industry is a major economic force in

the heritage sector, as can be seen from the report above, the industry itself is now the focus of attention as a heritage sector in its own right.

Historic England and the John Laing Charitable Trust have launched a 21-month project that explores the history of constructing modern Britain through the John Laing Photographic Collection. Breaking New Ground began with the unveiling of a number of previously unseen images from the collection.

Held by the Historic England Archive, the collection contains over 230,000 images which chart the major British company’s work over the last century. It offers an unparalleled insight into the origins of iconic British buildings, the construction of important national infrastructure projects and the increasing professionalism of the construction industry over the course of the 20th century.

The project will include: • Digitising 10,000 images from the John Laing Photographic • Collection, which the public will be able to access through the • Historic England website.

• Nationwide public engagement: former Laing construction • workers will share their experiences with local schoolchildren using • the collection’s photographs as talking points.

• Creating oral histories and education materials for schools – • to help teachers engage their pupils with the history of their local • buildings.

• A short film, Making Modern Britain, which will explore the • collection and the stories behind the images.

Established in Carlisle by James Laing in 1848, Laing grew to become a major construction company in the UK and internationally.

From the 1950s John Laing and Son (Holdings) Ltd worked on major construction projects as diverse as the M1 motorway, Sizewell B nuclear power station and Coventry Cathedral, ceasing its construction work in 2002.

Throughout the last century the company employed photographers to capture its work. As a consequence, the collection includes striking and unique photographs of some of Britain’s most significant infrastructure projects and public buildings. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Mayflower celebrations marked by unveiling of The Box [

OPENING IN MAY this year is The Box in Plymouth – the huge new multi-disciplinary arts and heritage museum that has emerged from three separate buildings. Groundbreaking design by renowned architects Atkins has completely transformed and combined Plymouth’s former City Museum and Art Gallery, Central Library buildings and St Luke’s Church, with the addition of an extension, to create a cuttingedge, interactive cultural centre.

The £40m project includes a striking elevated archive in the sky, the only one of its kind in the world: a contemporary extension of 900m2 featuring Europe’s largest unsupported cantilever. The building will also house seven permanent galleries, six changing exhibition spaces and a new glass atrium.

The Box will open on 16 May as part of Plymouth’s Mayflower 400 commemorations, with 12 new exhibitions – a combination of permanent and temporary shows.

At the heart of The Box’s ethos, however, is the conservation and preservation of Plymouth’s heritage. Once completed, it will bring together six outstanding collections in a new and sustainable home, including objects from Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery, archives from the Plymouth and West Devon Record Office, and film and photographs from the South West Film and Television Archive and the South West Image Bank. The rich blend of collections will enable the stories of international and local significance to be told through immersive experiences and amazing objects.

Atkins have designed 24,000 boxes – the equivalent to more than two miles of archives – to house precious items that have been saved from decaying warehouses. In total 2,177,516 objects will be moved into The Box during a six-month ‘re-load’.

The construction of The Box has been led by main contractor Willmott Dixon. Specialist contractors The Hub, who have worked with

Restoration adds to 400th anniversary events

globally-important museums such as the V&A for their blockbuster David Bowie exhibition, have been responsible for the fit-out.

At a topping-out ceremony, the design director for Atkins on the project, James Harrison, said: “Our designs for The Box are about celebrating the past while engaging a 21st century audience. We’re excited to see our concept design brought to life in construction, and for Plymouth to be getting state-of-the-art facilities that celebrate its rich history.”

The three major exhibitions in the opening programme are: • Mayflower 400: Legend and Legacy – the largest commemorative Mayflower exhibition in history, with over 300 objects. Co-curated with the Wampanoag Native American Advisory Committee, it will turn history on its head.

• Making It – an international contemporary art exhibition featuring newly-commissioned works by Antony Gormley, Portuguese artist Leonor Antunes and Brazilian artist Alexandre da Cunha.

• A three-channel film work by Kehinde Wiley – the first digital work by the internationally-renowned painter.

Led by Plymouth City Council, The Box is a partnership with the University of Plymouth, the South West Film and Television Archive, the South West Image Bank and the National Museum of the Royal Navy. q

[THE Mayflower 400 commemorations are also the context

for the restoration of one of Plymouth’s oldest buildings – the Elizabethan House.

The £2.13m restoration and interpretation programme for the Grade Two-listed house is being funded and managed by the Plymouth City Council, with the help of a £142,000 development grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The overall design and installation contract has been awarded to The Hub Ltd, who are also leading the fit-out of The Box. They will subcontract the design work to Hotrod Creations, who have worked on projects for the Natural History Museum, the Royal Parks Foundation and Transport for London. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Heritage officers perform major role in Wales [ LOCAL AUTHORITY conservation officers perform a vital

role in society by helping new and expanding businesses to find suitable premises and rescuing much-loved buildings from neglect and potential demolition: that is the conclusion of a new report published by the Welsh Historic Environment Group.

The Heritage Counts report highlights the heritage sector’s impacts and achievements in 2018-19 – including the newlyrefurbished Market Hall in Holyhead. Derelict for over 10 years, it now houses a new library, community centre and enterprise hub for new businesses in the town.

The report also features the conversion of historic buildings to create the Old Cottage restaurant in Bridgend and the conversion of the historic Jennings Building in Porthcawl into a popular café and small business centre employing 80 people.

The figures show that heritage tourism and heritage construction in Wales create employment for 40,000 people, and that the school visits to the National Museum and historic sites managed by Cadw make the heritage sector a major force for learning in Wales. The heritage sector is also a major attraction for visitors to Wales, whose spending contributed £1.72bn to the Welsh economy last year.

The report also demonstrates that conservation officers are unsung heroes, whose work goes well beyond supervising historic building projects. They perform a vital role in regeneration projects, raising funds, encouraging partnerships and offering a vision of a better future for cherished historic buildings across Wales. q

The restoration of Holyhead Market Hall by main contractor Grosvenor Construction was singled out for mention in the report

FMB backs call for VAT cut on renovations

[THE Federation of Master Builders (FMB) has backed calls for the

equalisation of VAT on renovation and repairs to buildings with that of new build, made in the report of the Building Better, Building Beautiful Commission, published on 30 January.

FMB chief executive Brian Berry said: “I am glad the commission has highlighted the perverse situation where people are incentivised to demolish old buildings rather than restoring them, due to our archaic VAT regime – which puts a zero-rating on new build but charges 20% for repair and maintenance. If we want to restore and maintain our beautiful heritage it is vital we correct this anomaly in the tax system.

“The FMB has been calling for a cut to VAT for many years, but the time really has come to make the cut. With the UK leaving the EU we will have far more flexibility over our VAT policy, and this should be right of the top of the UK’s post-Brexit wish list.

“The clock is also ticking on reaching net zero by 2050 and a cut to VAT will help achieve this. The commission rightly pick up on the FMB’s research, which found that a cut to VAT would lead to a reduction in CO2 of 240,000 tonnes across 92,000 homes.” q

‘Sustainable’ deadline extended [THE ORGANISERS OF the Museums and Heritage Awards

have extended the deadline for entry to its new award category, the Sustainable Project of the Year, to 21 February. The other categories closed for entries on 31 January.

The awards ceremony will take place on 13 May at 8 Northumberland Avenue – itself a Grade Two-listed building – and will be hosted by Channel 4 presenter and newscaster Samira Ahmed.

The event runs alongside the Museums and Heritage Show, which will be at Olympia on 13-14 May. q

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COVER STORY

New roof helps repair the toll taken by the sea

[ST PAUL’S CHURCH, Sandgate, on the outskirts of Folkestone,

is a Victorian Gothic style church. Built in 1849 on the site of an earlier Episcopal Chapel, it is one of architect S S Teulon’s earliest works. In 1919 the war memorial porch designed by C W OldridScott was added, and he also designed further improvements which were carried out from 1923-1934 – including a barrel-vaulted nave ceiling. The reredos painting of the nativity was designed by Robert Anning-Bell in 1923, together with the west window in 1926. Ceiling decoration was the work of Charles Powell from 1927 to 1936.

St Paul is an apt patron for its maritime location, sitting on raised ground overlooking the English Channel. And it is that extreme marine environment which over the years has taken its inevitable toll on the fabric of the building. The roof had been suffering from damp ingress for many years as a result of slates falling from the roof due to ‘nail sickness’ – the corrosion of the nail fixings exacerbated by the salt atmosphere. Localised repairs and maintenance had become unviable and so the church’s consultant architect Andrew Clague drew up a specification for complete renewal of the roof covering.

The contract was awarded to long-established roofing and heritage conservation specialists John Williams & Co (Contracting) Ltd, which is based in nearby Lympne.

The project was managed by their senior contract manager Leigh Woods. Close co-operation and regular inspections between architect, contractor and St Paul’s ensured that the work was carried out to the highest standards and with the minimum of inconvenience.

The existing roof slating was fixed directly to the roof sarking boards, and as well as the problem of nail sickness it was found that many of the slates were powdery and suffering decay due to

the lack of air movement below the slates: a common problem in marine atmospheres. When the roof covering was stripped off it became obvious that the lead valleys were undersized and water had been overflowing the edges of the valleys and draining down on the sarking boards to eave level, where it had caused some rot to the structural timbers. It is likely that this damp ingress had been happening since the roof was first installed, but it would have been largely hidden while slowly building up problems for the present incumbents to address.

The valleys form the intersection between significantly different roof pitches on the aisles; and where the roof pitches on either side of the valley differ significantly, special consideration needs to be given to the likely pattern of water discharge. Water running off the ‘fast pitch’ is likely to overflow the lead on the ‘slow pitch’ unless the drainage flow has been properly calculated and the valley designed to suit.

Once the problem had been identified the valleys were redesigned to fully comply with the latest LSTA recommendations.

The roof was re-slated with new Glendyne slate. In order to address the issue of insufficient air movement and to give the slates the best possible longevity – which should be in excess of 100 years – the slates were fixed to battens on counter-battens, with a breathable membrane below. That meant lifting the roof level and limitations on upstand heights at gable walls had to be taken into account. A fully-ventilated void was achieved, so that both the roof boarding and batten void has good air movement throughout. Great care was taken to grade the slates and ‘perp’ out the roof slopes in the oldfashioned manner, to ensure that the new roof covering maintained a neat and consistent appearance.

It is inevitable when carrying out work to properties of such an age that unforeseen work will be uncovered – and St Paul’s was no exception. Rotten boarding and structural timbers which had suffered years of pernicious damp ingress had to be sympathetically repaired, and areas of masonry which had decayed were cut out and renewed or repointed as appropriate.

The decay of masonry had not been helped by the inappropriate use of hard cement mortars over the years. Where repairs took place an approved lime mortar was used to allow the masonry to breath and prevent future decay.

To help raise additional funds for the project the congregation and friends sponsored individual slates by signing the back before they were fixed to the roof. That proved to be a very popular fundraiser and certainly attracted interest in the work being carried out. q • John Williams & Company (Contracting) Ltd trading as John Williams & Company are this year celebrating 150 years of trading. The following pages tell the story of the company: its history, significant landmarks and the impact it has had on the slating and roofing industries. www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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COVER STORY

JW & Co aim to raise the roof at

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JOHN WILLIAMS & COMPANY (familiarly known as JW & Co) is a well-known name in the roofing and slating trades and has been for well over a century. In fact, the firm is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year.

The date of 1870 as the establishment of the company lies in Whitaker’s Red Book of Business, published in 1907. The entry tells us that JW & Co was established in 1870 especially to transport slate from the Dinorwic slate quarries in North Wales.

There is a possibility that the company derives from a previous firm – a ‘Williams’ in Bangor – that has been traced back to 1822.

branch of the national association.

At another meeting in November they formed the independent London Association of Slate Merchants, Master Slaters & Tilers, to co-operate with the national association. J J Greenwood represented John Williams & Co at the inaugural meeting at the Charing Cross Hotel, and his name appears on the original hand-written notes of the meeting. The name was changed in 1943 when the London Association of Slate Merchants, Master Slaters & Tilers merged with The National Association of Slate Merchants, Slaters & Tilers to become known as The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC).

The NFRC remains the principle trade association for the roofing industry, and in 2017 – its 125th anniversary year – it recognised JW & Co as the oldest member company of the association: something that they are rightly very proud of.

John Williams & Co have paid an active part in the NFRC over the years, with its chairman holding the office of president during two very important periods covering both world wars: JJ Greenwood was president from 1915-1923 and E Greenwood was president from 1938-1943.

The move into clay

The Williams yard in the 1930s According to the firm’s official history: “There is a tantalising line of enquiry thrown up by adverts from around 1845 regarding the Williams patent ridging. An advert in the Cambridge Advertiser dated 1844 relates to Williams patent ridging ‘manufactured by the patentee at Port Penrhyn, Bangor’. We know that JW & Co had a facility at Mold Junction, Bangor – is this the same? There is also an entry in the Civil Engineer & Architects Journal from 1845 which describes the Williams ridge with drawings. Could this be the link back as far as 1822?”

However, the name that has been associated with the company for most of its long history is Greenwood. A Joshua James Greenwood was principal at the time of the Red Book entry in 1907.

The official history explains: “John Williams & Co are described as being distributors of Welsh slate, as well as manufacturers of slate products such as electrical switch boards, window cills, door cills, mortuary slabs and many other forms of architectural slate. The article also states that John Williams & Co manufacture the Williams patent slate ridging.

“At that time the company transported slate from the Dinorwic quarries by barge from its dock in Bangor to its main distribution point at Dinorwic Wharf, Rotherhithe. The company also had wharfs at Newhaven Quay, Whittle’s Wharf in Faversham, Crown Wharf in Chelsea and Southampton Docks. The yard at Rotherhithe Street had its own stable and horses were used to pull cart-loads of slates around the streets of London.”

A leader in the industry Prior to 1892 the slate industry was represented by a number of fragmented trade associations. In that year, however, a meeting took place in York of 40 slate merchants and slaters with the object of forming a national association – the embryo of the National Federation of Roofing Contractors.

In 1893 the first AGM was held in Leeds of The National Association of Slate Merchants, Slaters & Tilers and the London Association of Slate Merchants and Master Slaters. In October of the same year a meeting was held at the Charing Cross Hotel in London, attended by 11 Londonarea slate merchants and slaters who formed the London regional

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In the early years the company was involved in the manufacture of cement and plaster of Paris, as well as being slate merchants, marble merchants and contractors. The rise and popularity of clay tiles saw the company diversify into the manufacture of clay tiles in 1931, with its own tile works – Greenwoods Tileries Ltd – based at Barton-uponHumber in what is now North Lincolnshire. The Greenwood pantile is still manufactured today and occasionally tiles are found with ‘John Williams & Co Rotherhithe’ embossed on the back.

Greenwood Tilery was listed in A Snapshot of Barton-upon-Humber in The Greenwood pantile today 1939 as being at 117 Maltkiln Road.

The tile manufacturing business was taken into the ownership of Goxhill Roof Tiles, then Sandtoft Roof Tiles and more recently Wienerberger – although Greenwoods Tileries Ltd and Barton Tileries Ltd remained registered as fully-owned subsidiary companies of John Williams & Co Rotherhithe Ltd into the 1980s.

Notable tiles manufactured by Greenwoods Tileries Ltd and Barrow Tileries Ltd were the Greenwood Pantile, The Greenwood Roman tile and the Gaelic tile.

John Williams & Company Rotherhithe Ltd was incorporated in 1931.

Stamped for posterity It was not uncommon for larger contractors to promote themselves by having their names stamped onto the back of roof tiles or to have their initials stamped on the head of roofing nails.

According to the history: “It is not uncommon for us even now to strip old roofs and find ‘John Williams & Co Rotherhithe’ on the tiles or ‘JW&Co’ on the copper nail heads – a lovely touch which is sadly missing today.

“In addition to roof slating and tiling the company also has a long history in the supply of glazed wall tiling. There was a shop at Worthing which also contracted, a contracting department at Rotherhithe (JW Ceramics) and

150th anniversary celebrations JW & Co have always valued their loyal and trusted staff, and when the opportunity arose in 2000 to gain Investor in People accreditation it was grasped with both hands. IiP accreditation was awarded in 2000 and has been continuously held ever since, last having been assessed in 2018.

The last member of the Greenwood family to act as chairman and managing director – John A Greenwood – planned to retire in 2004 and, not having The company’s name and initials stamped on the back of a roof tile and on nail heads any family who wanted to take in 1979 a new fully-owned subsidiary company, Southern Tile Distributors on the business, he made arrangements to sell the trading operation Ltd, was set up in Bedford to distribute glazed tiles imported from Italy and at Lympne to John Howland. John Howland’s son Shaun joined the Spain throughout the South of England. None of these operations were very company in 2004. successful in the long term and were all either closed or sold off.”

When, in 2017, John Williams & Co were officially recognised as probably the oldest member company of the NFRC, John Howland The modern era was invited to sit on the NFRC London & Southern Counties Following World War Two the company expanded further and opened Regional Committees. a branch in Dover around 1946, at 46 Northampton Street. It was a very To mark the company’s 150th anniversary a number of special events successful operation and local newspaper articles detail many contracts are planned to celebrate the wonderful achievement – including a charity secured by the company for schools and local authority housing projects. golf day, staff reunion, special displays and craft demonstrations, and a The premises at Dover were rented from the Dover Harbour Board and celebration dinner. when in the mid 1970s it became obvious that the area was likely to be Training and staff development have always been important and the re-developed, JW & Co started looking for other premises. In 1975 a company continues to train apprentices for the future. To promote the builder’s yard became available in Lympne near Hythe. That is now the business and the heritage sector generally the company displays at trade company’s headquarters. and heritage shows and offers technical seminars and talks to architects, The history describes the transition: “Although the company moved to surveyors and other interested parties.

Lympne in December 1975 it was some years later before the word ‘Dover’ Going forward the company will focus on heritage building and roofing was removed from the name because it had become rather confusing given crafts, while always remaining willing to embrace new technologies, ideas the geographic location. Under the local leadership of Len Rice the Lympne and materials where appropriate. q branch moved away from new site work, which was very competitive and low profit, to concentrate on re-roofing works which better suited the • For further information call 01303 265198 or visit the website at traditional skills of our workforce, was more profitable and provided far www.johnwilliamsroofing.co.uk greater job satisfaction for our staff. Works included domestic re-roofing as well as heritage buildings and work for hospitals and schools.”

In 1976 the first John Williams Slate Manual was published – a publication which is still sort after by professionals. Two further updated manuals were published and the information is now available on the company’s website and is still widely accessed by surveyors and architects. Then, in 1986, the Lympne branch became members of the new Lead Contractors Association to strengthen its position in traditional heritage leadwork.

The yard at Lympne in recent times www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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CRE Midlands: the prodigal returns [ STONELEIGH PARK in Warwickshire is set to welcome the

Christian Resources Exhibition back to the Midlands – for the first time in five years. The show makes its welcome return to the region on 4-5 March.

The Bishop of Coventry, the Rt Revd Dr Christopher Cocksworth (right), has welcomed the move by CRE’s owners to go back on the road and bring the show to the regions.

“I’m delighted that more than 130 specialist organisations will once again bring their skills, services, ideas and resources to Stoneleigh Park,” said Bishop Christopher. “I encourage people from all church traditions to enjoy a day of rich discovery.”

Often dubbed ‘the ideal church show’, everything from computers to communion wine and from puppets to pulpits will be on display at CRE Midlands 2020. A series of seminars, delivered by both regional and national experts, will cover issues of vital concern to local church leaders and members of all kinds – from parish magazine editors to treasurers, youth workers to worship leaders.

Of particular interest to readers of Ecclesiastical and Heritage World will be the many exhibitors offering advice, products and services for the maintenance and repair of fabric.

“Buildings weigh heavily on clergy,” said Steve Goddard, CRE’s owner and MD. “We ask them to be ministers of the gospel, not project managers. Do we really want our clergy burning up time and energy giving life support to Victorian carbuncles? At CRE Midlands they will discover people who can take the load from them.”

Various areas of expertise involving building design and maintenance will feature among the many seminars running alongside the exhibition. One such addresses the question Interactive design, or how to ensure you end up with the building you need and will be presented by Mark Newall of architects Baart Harries Newall.

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Said Mark: “I’ll be showing visitors how a five-step interactive plan can help a non-professional church get fully involved in the design process, from brief formulation to completion.”

Mark will deliver his address on the morning of 5 March.

The previous day, David Saint of Action Planning will guide those planning new facilities through the money maze, with Raising funds for capital projects in your church.

Wrapping up the second day of the seminar programme, Kevin Thomas and Lynne Ingham of Ecclesiastical Insurance will address a problem causing heartache for many a PCC: How to protect your church from metal theft.

Other seminars familiar to regular CRE-goers will focus on the technology within churches: sound, AV and the now all-pervading IT.

– and it’s bigger than ever!

“Local churches face a multitude of questions and the exhibition will offer some vital lightbulb moments,” said CRE event director Brett Pitchfork. “Experts will fill every aisle, guiding visitors through the complexities of local ministry. Located in the heart of England, Stoneleigh Park offers thousands of free parking places in a friendly, welcoming atmosphere.”

The whole extravaganza launches at 10am on 4 March when CRE Midlands 2020 is officially opened by The Gospability Choir (above left). The choir was created by Coventry singer Sandra Godley and is made up of more than 20 people who have overcome mental or physical health problems.

Gospability sang at Windsor for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle before the couple’s wedding last year. Sandra was inspired by Prince

Harry’s ‘Heads Together’ campaign, which is supported by the Royal Foundation and is a partnership of charities providing frontline mental health support.

More than half of the choir come from the Midlands and is made up of depression survivors, ex-Army wounded and breast cancer battlers, as well as singers with bi-polar and clinical anxiety. Choir member Julie Hill, 45, works in customer service and has suffered an illness causing chronic back, neck and jaw pain since her 20s.

“It is a privilege to sing with such brave and inspirational people,” she said. “I have been singing all my life. Music keeps me sane. My confidence has grown and the fresh perspective makes me feel like a new person. My pains are still a challenge but now I have more energy and zest to deal with it better – and new friends to help me.” q

It’s all about communication [

TWO CHURCHES in the West Country are delivering their message in a new way, thanks to new equipment designed and installed by Devon-based APi Communications.

The Weymouth Bay Church (pictured) is a modern church, built in 2008 to replace the former church which had suffered a disastrous fire. The challenge for APi’s engineers was that the church had a visual system with a 4:3 ratio projector and insufficient light output.

APi Communications designed an up-to-date system with widescreen projection and a laser projector, guaranteeing light output of nearly 100% of the original after 10,000 hours of use. The laser projector has no air filter so is a maintenance free solution.

The result is a reliable system compatible with today’s widescreen format media and the widest connectivity with current devices such as laptops, tablets and phones.

St Werburgh’s Church near Plymouth, on the other hand, is a traditional Anglican building with stunning views from the churchyard.

The church had an extremely aged sound system that had failed, and a fast approaching visit from the bishop to install a new incumbent. The requirement was to get a new system in and running that both covered the current needs of the church and would be capable of growing with the congregation as the vision for more contemporary worship was worked out.

A new system was installed just 45 days after the initial site meeting. A church representative said: “I would like to thank you all for the splendid service you have given our church in putting in this sound system in such a short time. Can I give a special thanks to Joe, who went over and above his remit yesterday, helping us through a funeral service.” q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Models sought for clerical fashion show [

THE ORGANISERS OF CRE Midlands are looking for church ministers to ‘strut their stuff’ at the Clergy on the Catwalk event – an ecclesiastical fashion show of clerical clothing being held at the exhibition.

A wide variety of formal and informal ecclesiastical clothing will be displayed by leading designers like Hayes and Finch, Collared clergywear and local designer Rev Naomi Nixon, new CEO of the Student Christian Movement. In her spare time, Naomi makes clerical tops and dresses to sell in Coventry’s St Clare’s at the Cathedral, a pioneer church community and shop, tucked between old and new cathedrals in the heart of the city.

“All Naomi’s items are high-quality cotton jersey, in beautiful prints and colours,” said Rev Charlotte Gale, who runs the shop. “We aim to provide well-made, comfortable and stylish clothes that fit real women and can be bought off the shelf – so no ordering and waiting.”

Clergy all over the UK have bought Naomi’s clericals, but in the diocese of Coventry you are likely to see several women at a meeting of clergy wearing one of her tops or dresses. No men are currently supplied ‘because we can’t keep up with demand from women!’

“No modelling experience is required. All denominations, shapes, ages – and both genders, especially men – considered!” explained CRE Midlands event director Brett Pitchfork. “Each participant will be given £50 as a thank you.”

The event is the resurrection of a popular feature of past shows. Up to half-a-dozen clergy will be needed for the catwalk, which takes place at 11am on 4 March.

Clergy wishing to take part in Clergy on the Catwalk should contact CRE on 0161 240 4500 or email enquiries@creonline.co.uk.

The event, which will take place in an inflatable theatre, accompanied by lights and music, will be presented by Rev Andrew Roberts, who was Britain’s first clergyman on the catwalk more than 20 years ago.

Based in Kingswinford in the West Midlands, Andrew – a Methodist minister – is author of the bestselling book Holy Habits. He said: “I’m delighted that the superb suit made for me by Juliet Hemingray in the 1990s – which I use when officiating at special events like weddings – still fits!”

Formerly national director of training with Fresh Expressions, an agency that encourages new ways of ‘doing church’, Andrew has a wide-ranging speaking and teaching ministry. In 2018 he was a special guest of the Bishop of New York and next year will head down under to speak in Australia.

Rev Andrew flanked by Juliet Hemingray (right) and pop-singer turned cleric (now retd) Rev Cindy Kent MBE “The church has modernised in the past 30 years and what clergy wear reflects those changes,” explained CRE event director Brett Pitchfork. “Gone are the usual three shades of grey. In has come a spectrum of colour and design which can be seen in everything from a royal wedding to the humblest christening.” q

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Furniture makes its way across the sea [

THIS SUMMER saw West Country-based Fullers Finer Furniture complete a number of deliveries across the water in Northern Ireland. The first was to the Salvation Army’s new premises in Larne, County Antrim – just a short distance from the ferry port. The order was placed following introductions at the Christian Resources Exhibition in Manchester. It was for the company’s trademark York lectern, a Holiness Table and, more unusually, three flag stands.

The furniture was completed in a natural oak finish.

The York lectern was fitted with a mic socket and tablet lip, ready to facilitate the latest technology. The lectern bears the Salvation Army crest, hand-crafted in a complementary wood (pictured top right).

Each part of the crest represents an element central to the faith of the Salvation Army and the meaningful symbol is recognised throughout the world. The lectern, together with the matching Holiness Table and the flag

stands, were all beautifully finished ready for use in the brand new, state-of-the-art building.

The second delivery was to St Joseph’s Boys School in Derry. The school, which caters for over 700 young people, took delivery of a fixed-height lectern (bottom right), built to meet the school’s specification and completed with the school logo. This is displayed on a clear acrylic panel attached to the front of the lectern and comprises a Celtic cross and the word ‘Veritas’, meaning truth. It is a practical lectern, robust enough to cope with everyday school life, yet evoking quality and craftsmanship.

The third delivery was to a funeral home in Ballynahinch, a small market town in County Down. The requirement this time was for an easily moveable fixedheight lectern for use in services by the funeral home.

Altogether, it was an interesting summer, showcasing the suitability, adaptability and craftsmanship of Fullers Finer Furniture. q

Award-winning lecterns are best sellers

[

TIMELESS AND VERSATILE, Fullers Finer Furniture’s award-winning Canterbury and somewhat larger York lecterns have earned their place on the best sellers list. Each lectern is fitted with a fully adjustable gas strut height control – allowing the height of the lectern to be changed at the touch of a lever – and they are fitted with castors for ease of movement and finished to the highest standards of craftsmanship: but there the uniformity ends.

The lecterns are available in a number of finishes, including oak, ash, mahogany and beech, or can be colour matched to the client’s own specification. Contrasting embellishments consisting of arches, crosses or a unique logo can be used to further distinguish the lectern. Adjustments can be made to ensure compatibility with any technical equipment in use in the building or any personal requirements of the user. At Fullers there is no standard production line; each lectern is truly unique. q

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Lighting developments have evolved into new LED product ranges

[OVER RECENT YEARS, West Midlands-based Lighting Dynamics

UK has continued to develop as one of the UK’s premier companies specialising in the interior and exterior lighting of cathedrals, churches and other places of worship, across all Christian denominations.

Based in Sutton Coldfield, Lighting Dynamics UK is dedicated to offering a totally independent, creative and unbiased lighting design consultancy service – and where required the supply of all associated or specified lighting equipment. The company has a longestablished reputation for creating practical and architecturally sympathetic lighting schemes. Wherever possible, discreet lighting equipment is specified and installed, to produce suitable levels of illumination and also to highlight both ecclesiastical details and any special architectural features.

Company founder Gerry Browne explained: “Our comprehensive range of modern, energy-saving, long-life lighting equipment is manufactured from the highest quality materials and takes into consideration many important factors – such as reliability, durability, optical performance, overall efficiency, size, style and ease of maintenance, to mention but a few.”

In more recent times the company has also launched and continues to develop a brand new family of the very latest bespoke ‘commercial grade’ LED fittings, specially designed for all types of ecclesiastical lighting tasks. This range of products has been under development for some considerable time and takes the firm’s overall lighting portfolio to the next level of technical innovation. Lighting Dynamics UK also has an unrivalled knowledge and expertise in all modern intelligent dimming and lighting control systems.

The company has a significant number of very prestigious church lighting projects currently in progress, with a large number at advanced stages of planning and design. A random selection of recently completed church lighting projects includes locations such as Worksop; Brierley Hill; Ashby-de-la-Zouch; Chesterfield; Walsall; Cambridge; Kidderminster; Laxfield; Matlock Bath; Bedford; Oscott, Birmingham; Thorley; Worcester; Tutbury; Hampton in Arden; Werrington; Yardley Wood, Birmingham; Little Comberton; Yoxall; Buxton; Moseley, Birmingham; and Aston Clinton, to name but a few!

Gerry Browne believes that this is a very exciting time in the development of church lighting, especially with such a great and diverse range of modern light sources now becoming available. He has found that customers are increasingly looking for someone with the flair and experience to provide a quality lighting design, while also specifying top-grade, high-quality commercial grade lighting equipment and controls that will provide longevity, reliability and overall flexibility for their specific ecclesiastical project.

Said Gerry: “In the main, clients no longer wish to see their completed church lighting project looking like an extension of somebody else’s lighting showroom, or lit with floodlights to resemble an industrial-style installation; but it is a long-term process which involves educating, informing and demonstrating what can be achieved.

“With the advent of easy internet access and the more recent LED lighting technologies, many clients have tremendous difficulty in differentiating between the various price points available online, and in particular understanding the prime differences between high-quality commercial grade LED luminaires and their counterpart low-cost alternatives, which in many situations would not even be deemed suitable for a domestic-type lighting application. The issue is further compounded when modern LED light sources need to be dimmed.

“If required Lighting Dynamics UK has a fully-qualified team of NIC EIC registered electricians to carry out the installation of our interior and exterior lighting systems to current electrical standards and regulations. The team is extremely experienced at working within all types of ecclesiastical buildings, including and especially those with listed building status.”

Lighting Dynamics UK provides a very bespoke service for each individual church lighting project – from initial meeting and informal discussions, right through to final focusing and commissioning – and currently cover all areas of the UK and Ireland. q • For further information call 0121 323 2926, visit the website at www.lighting-dynamics.co.uk or visit them at CRE Midlands Stand C12 www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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St Bart’s goes digital

[THE parish church of St Bartholomew in Horley, a parish covering

Horley town and Gatwick Airport, is a Grade One-listed building, mainly of 14th century origin, although a church has been on the site since the middle of the 12th century.

The building was significantly restored in the early 1880s, with the south aisle added in the early 1900s. Its most notable external feature is its narrow wood-shingled bell turret and spire. More recently, in 1991, two upper rooms were added next to the bell tower which are used for Sunday children’s work, prayer groups and meetings.

St Bart’s is a lively Evangelical Anglican Church with a strong focus on music and, when the ageing audio system was no longer meeting their needs, the church turned to specialist audio and visual installation company Cunnings Recording Associates to carry out a major upgrade of the existing system.

The brief was to install a new audio system to improve the quality and ensure that sound could be heard by the whole congregation but without impacting on the architecture of the Grade One-listed building. Cunnings met and excelled this brief through the choice of high quality equipment and their own expertise of installations into sensitive buildings from over 40 years of experience providing audio and visual equipment for churches.

The upgrades are based around an Allen & Heath digital mixer and Tannoy speakers which cover the nave, aisles,

creche and chancel. Additional in-fill speakers are used for the congregation sitting forward of the main nave speakers. Separate speakers have been installed for the upper rooms which can be used independently or linked with the main system.

New wireless microphones and energy efficient amplifiers are housed in a separate equipment cabinet which can be remotely powered on and off. A new induction loop, covering the nave and aisles, completes the equipment upgrades.

The project and installation was overseen by Daniel Cunnings MInstSCE, the company’s business development manager, who said: “The new system is vastly more capable than the old system it replaces. It covers more areas of the church but is far less intrusive with a much clearer sound – a real improvement all round.

“For smaller services or mid-week meetings the whole audio system can be powered on and used with just three button pushes. The digital mixer (below) really comes into its own for larger services where musicians can select their own foldback mix using wireless tablets and the operator has full control of the sound to each area of the church.”

Cunnings provided a bespoke training session at the church for musicians and operators to ensure that the system could be well used from day one. q

• Visit Cunnings on Stand D15 at CRE Midlands and talk to their friendly, experienced team to find out how they can tailor an audio visual system to suit your needs, from installation and training to ongoing maintenance. Cunnings have been providing quality audio, visual and induction loop systems for churches and prestigious buildings since 1977.

Alternatively, call 020 8767 3533 or email info@cunnings.co.uk to arrange a consultation.

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To get the best deal, come as a group [WHEN CRE COMES to town, Rev Hilary Howarth rounds

up a posse to visit the exhibition. Hilary, minister of the Triangle Community Methodist Church in Bolton, said: “It is a brilliant day out and I know it can make a lot of difference to church life. Our departmental leaders and helpers get fresh ideas. The resources on show are a real inspiration.”

A local preacher for many years, Hilary became a minister in 2002 and served in the Chorley and the Northwich and Winsford circuits before returning to her roots in Bolton to lead The Triangle Community – three fellowships that came together to form a new church.

“It’s great when people like Hilary ‘get’ the event,” said CRE’s MD Steve Goddard. “We would encourage all church leaders to look carefully through our 130-plus exhibitors and programme of seminars and presentations at Stoneleigh Park and invite key leaders and influencers to join them – from bishop to bell-ringer, vicar to verger.

“Already half the people who have bought advance tickets tell us they

have never yet been to a CRE. They are in for a day of rich discovery.”

The benefit of coming as a group is more than social: for a group of three or more entry to CRE Midlands is just £3 each if tickets are bought in advance via the link on the CRE website at www.creonline.co.uk. That compares with the regular individual ticket price of £8.q

Rural churches get to Teach the Bible by bang their gong acting it out [

THE UK’S 15,000 rural churches will find valuable help at CRE Midlands – thanks to an organisation set up by the man behind the most famous gong in history.

J Arthur Rank, legend of the British film industry and a devout member of the Methodist Church, set up the Rank Foundation following an illustrious career producing famous films like The Life and Death of Colonel Blimp (1943), Henry V (1944), A Matter of Life and Death (1946) and a series of comedies starring Norman Wisdom.

The Arthur Rank Centre has been situated at Stoneleigh Park, on the doorstep of the venue for CRE Midlands, for nearly 50 years and specialises in helping churches outside urban conurbations. It will be exhibiting at the show.

“Visitors to our stand will discover a range of resources and training programmes,” said Rev Claire Maxim, a Church of England rector who took on the role of chief executive 18 months ago. The centre is the base for national rural officers for URC, C of E and Methodist churches and acts as a network hub for rural officers and agricultural chaplains.

“We will tell people from rural areas what we can do for their churches,” explained Claire, “whether they have problems with buildings, worship or liturgy, for example. And, of course, we carry clout politically with advocacy on legislation from a Christian perspective.”

Visitors to CRE Midlands will also discover how to make Rural Mission Sunday 2020, taking place on 19 July, a special celebration of the life and work of rural churches. q

[EARLY LAST YEAR Open the Book asked James Greig, who has a

background in TV production, to help them produce some videos covering the organisation’s 20th anniversary celebrations. The job entailed travelling across the country interviewing a host of storytellers along with past and present members of Open the Book – a project for presenting Bible stories to children in schools, which started with a small group of mostly newly-retired people in Bedford.

Two decades later it involves more than 17,000 volunteers reaching some 800,000 children every year.

“I was struck by the sheer enthusiasm, passion and joy that everyone seemed to get from being part of it all,” explained James. “It is a simple idea – acting out the stories of the Bible – but with a far-reaching and powerful impact.”

In the autumn James received an email – ‘out of the blue’ – asking him whether he was free the following Thursday to help with a ‘fledgling project in the village called Open the Book’. If so, would he play Jesus? Buoyed by the positive comments he had heard from the anniversary events, James ‘dived straight in’.

“The telling of Jesus feeding the 5,000 was only the second or third Open the Book assembly at our little village school,” recalled RUNNING ALONGSIDE CRE Midlands on 4 March will be the first-ever Mission Resources James. “They’d also been spread apart, Exhibition. The one-day exhibition celebrates the 20th birthday of OSCAR. Hosted by Mike Frith timewise. Yet when the children were asked if of OSCAR, it will feature more than 25 specialist organisations and up to 500 individuals from they remembered the previous stories, their mission agencies and mission-minded churches, providing a unique networking opportunity. hands shot up and they recalled the stories “This could be the largest gathering of the UK mission community in the past 20 years,” almost perfectly. I was bowled over by how said Mike. “OSCAR is the online hub that brings together mission stakeholders from across impactful this simple act of storytelling is, and the Christian community – which means we’re uniquely placed to host the event. While the for some probably the only time they will hear internet helps us achieve a great deal, rarely do we get an opportunity to share resources and bible stories.” build relationships. Face-to-face meetings are as important as ever, maybe even more so as Open the Book staff will be at CRE Midlands opportunities to meet are fewer. Who knows, this may be the start of something more regular on to encourage more people like James to the calendar.” play the parts of some of the most significant MRE will be located in a building next to CRE Midlands at Stoneleigh Park. Entrance will be free for people in history. The versatile James also all. Those who book online for MRE will also be able to book for free admission to CRE Midlands. q plays Wise Man 3 (pictured). q

Mission Resources goes centre stage [

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Addressing the challenge of climate change – with Icynene insulation ‘Climate change is one of the biggest challenges that face us today’, is the conclusion of the recently published Committee for Climate Change Report ‘UK Housing: Fit for the Future’, and reducing carbon emissions from transport, industry and buildings should be front of mind in our efforts to mitigate against the effects of global warming.

[ THE REPORT STATES that better standards of insulation in new

build and existing housing stock is vital if we are to address the problem in any meaningful way.

According to the report, 14% of total UK CO2 emissions results from energy usage in homes. Another troubling headline was the fact that in 2017, emissions from buildings actually rose by 1% over those of the previous year.

Minimising air leakage Retro fitting of traditional insulation materials is a complex, timeconsuming and expensive affair and one which rarely addresses the important issue of air leakage. As up to 40% of a building’s heat loss can be attributed to air leakage (what we would all understand as draughts), it is vital that air leakage is included in any programme of measures designed to improve a building’s thermal performance.

Modern spray applied insulation systems do a much better job than rigid board and mineral fibre materials as they are designed to expand rapidly when applied – sealing small gaps, service holes and hard to reach spaces where air leakage generally occurs.

Basic principle of heat loss If we go back to basic principles, heat loss in a building occurs through a combination of four processes: conduction, convection, radiation and mass transfer. In the UK, the construction industry focusses primarily on U-values as a measure of conductive heat loss.

Open cell, spray applied insulation systems don’t perform as well as some other types of insulation by this U-value measure. However, if you spend any time in high mountain environments you quickly realise that it is the wind that strips the heat from your body, and it is the same in buildings – it doesn’t matter what your U-value is if there are draughts.

Breathable, open cell foams not only insulate from conductive heat loss but also from convective heat loss by controlling that air movement.

Furthermore, as spray applied foam insulation is extremely flexible, it moves with the structure, maintaining its insulative integrity indefinitely.

Icynene spray foam insulation is installed using a pressurised gun system Mass transfer is a more complex issue and relates to how much moisture is in the air (humidity). The more moisture there is in the air, the more energy it takes to heat it – so to feel warm, damp buildings need more energy than dryer ones.

Studies have shown that moist, humid air can support up to 4,000 times more heat energy than dry air and, as air leaks out of a building, it carries this moisture vapour – and with it, heat.

Control of air movement To control humidity, you need to be able to control the air movement in a building and this can only be done if the building is relatively airtight. Spray foam insulation does this effectively by helping to create a ‘sealed box’ environment which allows controlled ventilation and mechanical heat recovery systems to perform efficiently.

High performance, breathable insulation

Over 60% of our current housing stock originates from the pre-1960’s when little thought was given to insulation

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Icynene is one of a new breed of spray applied insulation systems.

Developed in Canada to cope with their extreme winter temperatures, Icynene FoamLite is a flexible open cell material with a soft, yielding texture. This not only provides outstanding insulation properties, but also

Icynene expands 100-fold within seconds of application, closing off all gaps, service holes and hard to get to spaces allows the building to breath naturally, resisting internal condensation – particularly important when insulating heritage-type buildings.

Icynene is installed using a pressurised gun system. Here, foams are applied as a two-component mixture that come together at the tip of a gun forming a foam that expands 100-fold within seconds of application, closing off all gaps, service holes and hard to get to spaces that conventional insulation materials fail to reach.

When selecting which spray applied insulation to use, it is important to understand a number of factors. Unlike the urethane foams of 20 years ago, modern spray foams such as Icynene FoamLite use water as the blowing agent. This means that the reaction between the two components produces CO2 which causes the foam to expand.

As FoamLite expands, the cells of the foam burst and the CO2 is replaced by air. Consequently, from an environmental perspective, Icynene has a Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1 and an Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) of 0. Nor does Icynene emit any harmful gases once cured.

According to Icynene, their system does not support combustion or add fuel to a fire – a hugely important factor and a major consideration in today’s building industry.

14% of total UK CO2 emissions results from energy usage in home

The challenge ahead With over 60% of our current housing stock originating from the pre-1960’s when little thought was given to heat loss prevention, the challenge facing the UK in its efforts to reduce carbon emissions are considerable.

Better understanding of the causes of heat loss in buildings and the wider use of new, high performance insulation systems will go a long way to addressing the problem. The challenge is to get these systems adopted quickly and made to work effectively in both the private and public housing sector. q • For further information on Icynene spray applied insulation visit the website at www.icynene.co.uk or watch the video via YouTube at https://youtu.be/xn4ZHQJLWHM www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Walking in the footsteps of giants

[MASONS’ MARKS high up on pillars at medieval cathedrals and

and St Asa – St Asaph’s Parish Church. A Grade Two*-listed building, the church is currently having underfloor heating installed by Mellor churches tell the story of the master masons who crossed the whole and Mottram (pictured above) as part of a four-year reordering country – and, indeed, the continent of Europe – to oversee the building of programme to allow the building to be of more use to the community. those masterpieces of the builder’s art.

At the other end of the county, the need to upgrade the heating at a Later, the 18th and 19th centuries saw Methodist ministers and nonremarkable church in North Devon took Stuart to the Parish Church of conformist preachers treading the same paths as they spread the word of St Mary Magdalene in South Molton. The Grade One-listed church is the new ministries. currently undergoing major repairs to various parts of the building, as well Now, the same journeys the length and breadth of the country are made as internal alterations to allow it to serve its community better. by those tasked with the restoration, upkeep and upgrading of the many The upgrade to the heating will allow the heater to be installed in the churches this country boasts. loft to make way for new toilets on the ground floor.

One such is Stuart Mottram of church heating specialists Mellor and From the West Country it is north to Nidd in North Yorkshire. The Church Mottram Ltd. Stuart clocks up many thousands of miles each year as of St Paul and St Margaret is next to Nidd Hall, now a hotel but whose he personally supervises the installation and modernisation of heating resident brought about the building of the current, 19th-century church systems in churches of all kinds. Modern congregations demand to building. It will now soon benefit from a 21st-century heating system and is be at least warm while worshipping. Satisfying that demand while the latest in the countrywide portfolio of Mellor and Mottram. q avoiding compromising ancient fabric requires specialist knowledge and experience.

• For further information call 0800 644 6240 or visit the website at When we spoke to Stuart he was overseeing the finishing touches of www.mellorandmottram.com a system in Milnrow, Greater Manchester – just 60 or so miles from the firm’s base in Stoke-on-Trent.

He explained some of the varying heating systems Mellor and Mottram will be installing in churches in the near future.

Again near to home, All Saints’ Church in Hoole, near Chester, will soon be feeling the benefits of a new gas-fired system powered by two new Remeha 90kW heaters with new pipework and flues. The system will be controlled via a state-ofthe-art wi-fi controller.

Further along the Expressway is Saint Asaph – the Welsh city whose cathedral is said to be the smallest Anglican cathedral in Great Britain.

Sitting cheek by jowl with the cathedral is the medieval St Mary Magdalene in South Molton (left) and the Church of St Paul and St Margaret in Nidd (right) Parish Church of St Kentigern

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Inaugural conference marks group’s 10th anniversary [

NOVEMBER’S inaugural conference of the National Heritage Ironwork Group (NHIG) – Forging Ahead – proved to be a meeting of minds between craft practitioners and heritage consultants, as well as between seasoned old-timers and newly emerging makers. Marking the 10th anniversary of the group, it was fittingly held at the V&A, home to a major collection of heritage ironwork.

Reflecting on the make-up of the conference, NHIG administrator Jessica Renison said: “The NHIG has always aimed to act as a bridge between the two worlds of those specifying work and those on the ground carrying it out.

“So we hoped with this conference not only to ignite interest in heritage work, but also to promote engagement between all those who are jointly involved in its care but rarely

have the opportunity to share experience. The overwhelmingly positive feedback seems to confirm that it did just that.”

All of the speakers were of high calibre and their presentations thought-provoking and uplifting in different ways. Keynote speaker Heiner Zimmermann expanded on the Gustav Mahler quote ‘Tradition is not to preserve the ashes but to pass on the flame’ by reflecting on the inspiration that historic ironwork offers to his own creative process.

Bethan Griffiths of the Ironwork Studio shared well-considered design approaches to new ironwork in heritage settings, while Alicia Robinson explored some of the cutting-edge techniques that conservators use to minimise their impact on historic fabric.

The museum itself was also a major attraction, and the NHIG were extremely grateful to have the support of the V&A director and the active participation of senior curator Alicia Robinson, who led bespoke tours the day before the conference.

After lunch came the 10-minute Champions feature, chaired by Rhys Brooks. Ian Thackray went first, talking about Meteoric iron beads, the very beginnings of ironwork. Gavin Murray Threipland (left) gave an engaging talk about the not-so-humble plough. Jessica Renison spoke about the Blondin Cranes of Penyrorsedd Quarry. Faye Davies talked

Heiner Zimmermann gave the keynote address at the conference about the saving and restoration of a cast iron kiosk from Brighton Pier. The winner was Georgina Grant, who spoke with passion about the plaques cast in the final days at the Aga works in Coalbrookdale. It marked the end of ironworking in Coalbrookdale – the birthplace of the Industrial Revolution.

It was followed by an expert panel answering a variety of questions regarding the future direction of ironwork, the problems it faces and the support or lack of it from government. The overriding conclusion was that the reasons which brought the NHIG into existence 10 years ago are still important today. q

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Devotion to heritage ironwork is recognised by unique award [

FOR 35 YEARS Chris Topp – along with his colleagues – has devoted his time to increasing his and others’ expertise in the preservation and restoration of the heritage of ancient iron.

Chris’s interest in traditional blacksmithing skills began in 1967 when he had a summer job in Bolton that was within walking distance of the Atlas Forge. At that time, Atlas Forge manufactured puddled wrought iron, as well as re-rolling wrought-iron axles.

The forge was the last manufacturer of puddled wrought iron anywhere in the world before it ceased production in 1974. It continued rolling steel for a further 10 years until it finally closed in 1984. The rolling mill is still in working order and is part of the collection at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum.

In 1977 Chris purchased a package of scrap metal, which was in fact wrought iron from the demolition of a locomotive house at Sunderland Docks. Chris’s passion for Chris Topp (right) receiving his Lifetime Achievement Award from NHIG Trustee Adrian Legge working with historic materials, his talent Now trading as TOPP & Co, the company creates and restores for ironwork restoration and traditional blacksmith’s skills continued, fine architectural metalwork for some of the most architecturally and in 1982 he founded Chris Topp & Co. He quickly established the sensitive sites in the world. The unique technical and logistical company as one of the most respected workshops in the country. challenges set by the heritage sector demand both the finest craftsmanship and organisation.

TOPP & Co are among the largest blacksmith’s workshops in the UK and have a client list which includes the Natural History Museum in London, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, the Houses of Parliament and numerous cathedrals, estates, local authorities and private clients around the country. They are also the sole supplier of re-rolled genuine wrought iron.

TOPP & Co work to the standards set by the National Heritage Ironwork Group (NHIG) for the conservation of ancient ironwork, and Chris was influential in the writing of that code of practice.

NHIG was formed in 2009 by a group of experienced professionals, including Chris, to raise awareness of the importance of the different forms of heritage ironwork and to ensure that the skills of the heritage ironworker and blacksmith are preserved.

Chris Topp remains a member of the NHIG council; and at its 10th Anniversary Conference at the Victoria and Albert Museum in November he was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to heritage ironwork preservation. q

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Conference offered an inclusive experience for students [THE PRESENCE OF so many young people at the inaugural

NHIG conference was inspiring and encouraging for everyone, giving the event a real buzz and energy. And from feedback from some students it seems the day was for many eye-opening – for some even ‘transformative’.

“After listening to Zimmermann my design development is forever changed,” said one. “It was a true inspiration to me. It has made me further understand the need to conserve it for the future.”

Another student, Lee Valentine, wrote: “My experience was wholly positive, from meeting such phenomenal people to learning about the Coalbrookdale shut-down and the way slate was brought up from quarries during the 10-minute Champions; and all of that in a truly great venue. Such an interesting range of subjects were covered over a single conference, all with the common theme of conservation, and I really valued the depth of knowledge and guidance given.

“It was a personal highlight to see Chris Topp receive his welldeserved Lifetime Achievement Award and to learn more about his career and his ‘place’ in the wider picture. It really raised the bar on where to aim for in my own career. At the after-party, I got an opportunity to talk to so many like-minded people and really feel a part of the community created by the NHIG.” q

Winning design echoes WWI poem [THE FORGING AHEAD conference also saw the presentation

of the first ever awards specifically recognising heritage ironwork. In addition to the Lifetime Achievement Award for Chris Topp there was an award for Best New Design in a Heritage Setting, which was decided by a public vote. The award went to Peter Preston of Manifest Design Workshop for his design for the new gates at St George’s Garrison Church in Woolwich.

Peter (right) described the inspiring story behind his winning design: “The Royal Garrison Church of St George at Woolwich Barracks was destroyed by a flying bomb in the Second World War. It is now open to the public as a memorial garden and these gates at the west end provide a secure and attractive entrance to the ruined church.

“The inspiration behind the design is the poem In Flanders Field by Lt Col John McCrae, which describes the poppies growing between the crosses marking the graves of the fallen. It also describes larks singing and flying in the sky above the guns below. The poem and the poppy it describes have since become the remembrance symbol for soldiers who have died in all conflicts.”

The gates were made by artist blacksmith William Normandale, who worked alongside apprentice farriers of the King’s Troop Horse Artillery stationed at Woolwich. q

www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Metal thieves target Cornish Brighton landmarks character [ THE GRADE TWO-LISTED Madeira Arches and Madeira Lift on Brighton seafront have

been targeted by metal thieves, who have stripped copper and lead from the structures, causing an estimated £10,000 of damage in the process.

The thieves struck between Christmas Eve and Boxing Day, stripping copper from the roof of the restored Victorian lift that links Marine Parade and Madeira Drive. They also stole lead, estimated to weigh some 10 tons, from three shelters nearby.

The lift dates from 1890 and was restored in 2013, with distinctive copper griffins and a dolphin weathervane among its features. The Madeira Arches are currently the subject of a fundraising campaign to enable them to be restored.

In a statement, Brighton and Hove City Council said: “We plan to install a temporary cover over the canopy roof of the Madeira Lift to prevent further deterioration. We're also conducting a detailed assessment of the damage before deciding on the most appropriate course of action.”

Council leader Cllr Nancy Platts said: “We have been focused on fundraising and works to restore the Madeira Arches, and we really appreciate the community support for these efforts.

“I am bitterly disappointed about the recent theft – it’s totally unacceptable and an unwelcome setback.

Nonetheless, I will personally be looking for swift action and officers are redoubling efforts to restore this historic heritage site to its former glory.”

Police are appealing for anyone who saw anything suspicious or noted suspicious vehicles in the area, particularly if they may have mobile phone or dashcam footage, to report online.

There was some anger among local residents at the lack of security around the site over Christmas.

Jax Atkins, from the Save Madeira Terraces Campaign, said: “We raised money to restore three arches more than two years ago but people have been dragging their heels and work is still yet to start. The council failed to protect our arches and now we will have to pay thousands of pounds more for restoration.” q

is retained

[

CORNISH ROOFING COMPANY Marnick Roofing has recently carried out a number of reroofing projects involving the fitting of reclaimed Delabole natural slates, fixed with traditional copper nails.

The most recent job formed part of the major restoration of Polgreen Manor (top) – a manor farm house and associated buildings near Newquay – by P Chapman Construction. It involved the recovering of the existing farmhouse and four new link buildings. The reclaimed Delabole RAG slate roofs were linked by a VM Zinc roof.

The second job was the reroofing of a farmhouse in St Merryn, near Padstow (above). Working with main contractor Perring Properties, Marnick Roofing reroofed the building with reclaimed Delabole RAG natural slate, also fixed with copper nails, together with mitred hips and a ridge of reclaimed terracotta bedded in lime mortar. q

Martin-Brooks (Roofing Specialists) Ltd T: 0114 244 7720 E: mb@allroofing.co.uk W: www.martin-brooks.co.uk

Ross Street, Darnall, Sheffield, South Yorkshire S9 4PU

Marnick Roofing

Specialist Roofing Contractor Marnick Roofing is one of the largest pitched and flat roofing contractors in Cornwall – offering quality and reliability to the commercial, construction and heritage roofing markets.

• Grass Roofs • Concrete Tile • Leadwork • Natural Slate • Single Ply • Shingles

T: 01872 228724 M: 07791 729764 E: paul@marnickroofing.com W: www.marnickroofing.co.uk Unit B2, Walker Business Park, Threemilestone, Truro TR4 9FB

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Turning to steel in desperation [

IT IS INEVITABLE that some people will decide that enough is enough and, despite the general presumption of replacing like with like, a roof of tern-coated stainless steel is better than no roof at all.

One such congregation is that of St Andrew’s in Radbourne, Derbyshire. The church has had the lead from its roof stolen twice in the space of four years – the second time, last July, resulted in damage to the pews because of water pouring in and to the porch because the thieves threw the stolen lead onto it.

Under the slogan ‘Stop the Church Roof Lead Thieves’, they are crowdfunding an appeal to replace the roof with tern-coated stainless steel.

They have also hit upon a novel idea of offering rewards for

donations: depending on the size of the donation, donors will qualify for limited-edition prints by a local artist or tours of a local stately home, never before opened to the public and recently restored itself.

The effort has attracted letters of support from the Bishop of Derby, local dignitaries, TV auctioneer Charles Hanson and the Police Commissioner for Derbyshire.

The bishop wrote: “It is deeply distressing to hear that St Andrew’s Radbourne has been the target of roof lead theft for the second time in four years. I commend the positive action being taken in response, and support the fundraising effort by the PCC to replace all the lead with steel and thus prevent further theft, as well as protecting an ancient place of worship for future generations.” q

Aluminium wall coping: in stock, in anthracite grey and in two sizes

[

IN RESPONSE TO demand for a quicker turnaround, Rainclear Systems, the UK’s leading specialist metal rainwater system stockist and online retailer, are taking aluminium wall coping in the most popular colour – RAL 7016 anthracite grey – and the most frequently requested sizes – SL30 and SL36 – into stock for next day delivery.

Skyline aluminium wall coping is a top of the range product with high precision welding and finishing to suit all designs and budgets – as retrofit or new build.

It is manufactured from high quality aluminium, that is polyester colour coated (factory applied and BBA approved) in 26 standard RAL colours in just 10 days – and now in RAL 7016 anthracite grey in two sizes with next day delivery.

It has a hidden strap fixing method, offering weatherproof covering that allows ventilation over the top of the wall.

No fixings pass through the coping, so there’s no penetration of the capping and clean lines are maintained on the surface.

Skyline aluminium wall coping is lightweight, durable and non-corrodible, is low maintenance and 100% recyclable. It has a life expectancy of 40 years in rural/urban areas and up to 25 years in industrial and marine environments.

The two sizes available are SL30 and SL36. SL30 is the 362mm aluminium coping which is suitable for 241300mm wide walls and SL36 is the 422mm version suitable for walls 301-360mm wide.

Both sizes are now stocked in RAL 7016 anthracite grey for next day delivery. q • Visit www.rainclear.co.uk to browse and buy the range online, or if you have questions about these or any of the metal rainwater, roofline or drainage ranges Rainclear Systems offer, call 0800 644 44 26 or email sales@rainclear.co.uk.

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Diocese offers advice to deter metal theft [A NUMBER OF instances where insurance payments to replace lead

The addition of a roof alarm is another essential. stolen from roofs has fallen way short of the actual cost has prompted the “If your church has a significant area of lead or copper – say covering Diocese of St Albans to publish advice to churches on how to discourage an aisle, chancel or nave – then it should be protected by a roof alarm lead theft and, if the worst happens, ensure all the conditions are met so as well as SmartWater. Not only will this help deter thieves, but it will that the insurance pay-out covers the cost of repairs. give you your full insurance policy cover for the cost of replacing the Commenting on the low level of recompense in one instance, the diocese metal roof and making good the damage. argued it… “highlights the importance of installing roof alarms and fulfilling “Without both SmartWater and a roof alarm, any insurance pay-out all SmartWater conditions in order to ensure full insurance pay-out if the will be restricted to £15,000 rather than the full cost of repair, which worst happens”. could run into six-figure sums, so do protect your church as a matter of The article goes on to list actions churches should take to avoid a similar urgency.” q situation happening, encouraging them to think like a thief and stay vigilant: “Take a good look at your church through the eyes of a potential thief.

How would you get up on to the roof? Where A FORMER parish church, which would you park? now serves as a chapel for Winchester “Make regular checks and use common sense College, now boasts a roof that – don’t leave ladders or wheelie bins around, try welcomes the local bat collection as to restrict access for vehicles to get close to the well as the congregation of scholars and buildings overnight.” their teachers.

It goes on to point out that encouraging everyone The new roof of St Michael’s is part connected to the church to be vigilant and telling of a reordering programme that will them when work is planned will act as a safeguard.

Applying a forensic marker such as SmartWater keep the building in use and update is another important step to take: “SmartWater the user experience. must be applied to a metal roof otherwise there The re-roofing project, which is now complete, was carried out by Ellis & Co and will be no insurance pay-out in the event of a theft. involved the replacement of the slates with a mix of the original and new natural You must have registered its use and have warning Welsh slate. notices displayed.

The entire slate roof was removed including the battens, a new ‘bat-friendly’ underlay “SmartWater will give you a total insurance cover was installed and bat slates have been placed within the roof to make provision for and of £15,000 for the replacement of the metal roof help sustain the bat community in Winchester city centre. q and making good the damage caused.”

Winchester’s ‘batmen’ create a safe haven [

www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Richardas reaps the reward for dedication and passion [ THE STAFF AT the Lead Sheet Training Academy are celebrating the success of student Richardas Kukoris in winning the title of Specialist Applied-Skills Programmes Apprentice of the Year, at the first ever CITB Apprenticeship Awards on 7 November.

Richardas began training at the LSTA back in August 2016, on the Specialist Applied-Skills Programme Level 2 Hard Metals, successfully completing it in July 2018. He is now studying on the Level 3 Hard Metals apprenticeship, which he is due to complete this coming April.

Richardas overcame some huge barriers when he first started the programme, one of which was to learn English. The second was when he was made redundant halfway through the Level 2 apprenticeship. That could have had huge implications for his training; however, he showed great resilience and tenacity in finding another job with the help of LSTA staff and is now working for Roles Broderick Roofing Ltd. In a statement expressing their delight, the LSTA said: “We would like to congratulate our outstanding student Richardas. His work was exceptional and he was completely dedicated and passionate throughout the programme. He is now on a successful pathway in his chosen profession in hard metals roofing. Congratulations and very well deserved.� q

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Leadwork training takes to the road [THE Lead Sheet Training Academy has gone on the road with

its five-day Lead Bossing and Welding Course. The course, which has been developed in collaboration with Burton Roofing Ltd, will be delivered at a number of venues across England and in Livingston.

The ‘tour’ kicked off in Stockport at the end of January, before moving on to Newcastle in February. During the rest of the year the course can be found in Stockton, Southampton, York, Hull and Sheffield, before it returns to Stockport in November and December.

Interspersed with the roving courses, the same course is being delivered each month at the LSTA headquarters in East Peckham, Kent.

Among those who have Ryan Piggott pictured with some of his already taken the course finished bossing and welding work is Ryan Piggott. Ryan attended the LSTA’s centre in November for the basic course, having been enrolled by his employer Premier Roofing Systems Ltd. His finished work on that course was of a very high standard, so he has decided to continue with his training and return for the intermediate course modules 1-4. q

Prizewinning fountain acclaims Capability [

THIS YEAR SAW a new category introduced into the Lead Contractors Association’s Murdoch Awards: the Murdoch Ornamental Leadwork Award. It was won by Brian Turner of Turners Ornamental Leadwork, for the Westminster Abbey cloister garth fountain.

The ornate planter was commissioned to commemorate the tercentenary of Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown. It was designed by Ptolemy Dean, the abbey’s Surveyor of the Fabric, and developed with the assistance of TV’s celebrity gardener Alan Titchmarsh.

There were four clear challenges with the project: the pattern, the construction of the cistern, the functioning of the water works and lifting and placing the cistern in position. After over 500 hours of planning, site visits and construction, the cistern was installed in the cloister garth with assistance from Bakers of Danbury.

The fountain is dedicated to the memory of Lancelot Brown, the celebrated landscape gardener. He earned his nickname ‘Capability’ from his habit of telling clients their grounds had ‘capability’ as gardens.

Brain declared himself to be ‘surprised but elated‘ to be recognised by his fellow craftsmen for the time, effort and years of practice and knowledge that had gone into the making of the cistern. Even after years of working with lead it was a real challenge and Brian said that if he’d been asked to make it five years ago, he would have struggled. q

Has your leadworker got the right stuff?

[THE Lead Sheet Training Academy is at the forefront of training for

those using lead or hard metals in the construction industry.

It is the one-stop-shop for information on courses and qualifications in lead and hard metals, listing those qualified to a range of standards.

While many qualified leadworkers are employed by larger contractors, many others provide their own bespoke services.

The businesses here all meet the rigorous standards for heritage work set by the LSTA. q

M P Hare Ltd

J W Roofing & Leadwork

The Shaw, Kiln Barn Road, East Malling, Kent ME19 6BG

9 Medway Crescent, Altrincham, Cheshire W14 4UA

Black Dog Roofing

Saxton Specialist Leadwork

T: 01732 842655 M: 07971 902631 E: marc@mphareheritageworks.com W: www.mphareheritageworks.com

T: 07824 640 025 E: jwroofinginfo@gmail.com W: www.jwroofingmanchester.com

T: 07960 898614 E: saxtonleadwork@gmail.com FB: @saxtonspecialistleadwork

T: 01249 321969 M: 07808 840491 E: blackdogroofing1@outlook.com W: www.blackdogroofing.co.uk Specialists in: • Conservation Roofing • Lead Sheeting Association Standard • Leadwork including Welding • Slating, Tiling and Stone Tiling Landsdowne Close, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 9DR

101 Oakley Drive, New Eltham, London SE9 2HH

• EPDM Flat Roofs • Green Roofs • Installation of Cast • Guttering

S W Leadworks

T: 01984 248501 M: 07475 528001 E: swleadworks@gmail.com W: swleadworks.com Oakhampton Lodge, Wiveilscombe, Taunton, Somerset TA4 2RW

www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Lightning protection is essential – but it doesn’t have to be intrusive [ WE HAVE STRESSED repeatedly in

this publication the importance of effective lightning protection systems in churches and other historic buildings.

We have also been the first to point out that, when the system is to be installed in a building of particular importance structurally, care should be taken to ensure that the equipment fits in with the aesthetics of the structure.

Adrian Brown is the founder and director of Nottingham-based Lightning Strike Ltd and has over 30 years experience in the industry. He has some tips on how discretion can often be easier than it might seem and told Ecclesiastical and Heritage World: “Historic buildings weren’t constructed with lightning protection as a consideration, so it’s important that the system doesn’t appear out of character and intrusive.

“The material must do an effective job, while not impacting on the historical appearance of the building. With that in mind, an 8mm circular copper conductor is popularly used on historic buildings. It can be sheathed with coloured PVC so that it blends in with its surroundings. The aim is

to make the conductor appear to be part of the building, instead of contrasting with it.

“It is also crucial that the conductors are positioned to reduce visual impact. It is

possible for a lightning protection system to be fitted sympathetically while still adhering to the relevant safety standards. An efficient system can be created by placing the conductors out of sight behind buttresses, leaving the building’s aesthetic appearance undamaged.

“The air termination can be hidden behind parapet walls and the down conductors can be placed behind pinnacles: they should be installed to follow the lines of the building. They shouldn’t be dressed into each contour or crack of the stone on rubble or pitch-faced stonework, as this can create a poor aesthetic finish.

“The building’s own features can mask the visual effects of the conductor. For example, it is effective to shadow a strong feature on a tower or spire by following a stone quoin, as the eye tends to focus on the more prominent feature – not noticing a conductor placed next to it.

“Installing a lightning conductor to any historic building requires a qualified contractor, who understands the importance of the nature of the construction and installs the system sympathetically.” q

Cuttings

The UK’s largest independent Lightning Protection & Earthing contractor Design, installation and maintenance • Lightning Protection • Specialist Protection

The following companies are all specialists in Lightning Protection Systems: Direct Strike Ltd

Lightning Protection and Earthing Solutions • Lightning Protection • Inspection & Maintenance • BSEN 62305:2011 • Consultancy & Design Services • Supply & Installation • Earthing Systems • Height Safety & Fall Arrest Systems • Surge Protection

• Earthing Services

• Height Safety Services

• Surge Protection

• Full Support Service

T: 020 8371 0001 E: info@cuttings.co.uk W: cuttings.co.uk

10-12 Arcadia Avenue, Finchley Central, London N3 2JU

Horizon Specialist Contracting Ltd

With over 25 years experience our in-house design team are trained and certified to the current British & European Standards BS EN 62305:2011 for Lightning Protection Systems and BS 7430:2011 for Earthing.

• Lightning Protection Systems and Surge Protection Design • Testing and Inspection surveys • Steeplejack maintenance • Fall arrest safety systems

Head Office: 01461 337951 Rep of Ireland: +353 45 913 129

E: enquiries@directstrike.co.uk W: www.directstrike.co.uk 18 Canberra Road, Gretna, Dumfriesshire, Scotland DG16 5DP

South West Lightning Protection T: 07807 334441 E: south@lightningconductor.org W: www.lightningconductor.org

Airport Business Centre, 10 Thornbury Road, Estover, Plymouth PL6 7PP

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T: 0115 965 7400 E: sales@horizonsc.co.uk W: www.horizonsc.co.uk Unit 7, Burma Road, Blidworth, Nottinghamshire NG21 0RT

Lightning Protection Services

North(Head office): 01461 800323 South: 01582 511036 N.E: 01914 661145 E: info@lightningconductor.co.uk W: www.lightningconductor.co.uk

Could lightning have inspired ancient circle builders? [

THE ANCIENT IDEA of lightning being an Act of God was given a new and exciting twist in December, when evidence was published indicating that the ancient stone circle at Calanais, or Callanish, in the Outer Hebrides could have been linked to massive lightning strikes at the site.

Research carried out by a joint team from the universities of St Andrews and Bradford surveyed satellite sites near to the main circle and revealed evidence for lost circles buried beneath the peat.

The Calanais Virtual Reconstruction Project was carried out in conjunction with Urras nan Tursachan – a community-based charitable trust based on the Isle of Lewis – and funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

One rarely-visited site, known as Site XI, now consists of a single standing stone on an exposed hillside overlooking the great circle. However, geophysics revealed that not only was the stone originally part of a circle of standing stones, but also that there was a massive, star-shaped magnetic anomaly in the centre – either the result of a single, large lighting strike or many smaller strikes on the same spot.

Project leader Dr Richard Bates, of the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of St Andrews, said:

Rafferty Lightning Protection 70 years experience in the steeplejack and lightning protection industries • Surveys • Risk Assessments • Design and Installation to BSEN 62305 • Specialist Earthing • Annual Testing, Inspection & Maintenance • Surge Protection

T: 01782 834567 E: enquiries@rafferty1949.com W: www.rafferty-steeplejacks.com Nash Peake Works, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 5BT

Dawson Steeplejacks Specialising in all areas of working at height

Specialising in all areas of working at height, from restoration of ancient buildings through to the repair and installation of lightning conductors • Lightning Conductors • Restoration • Weather Vanes • HVI Lightning Protection Systems • Surge Protection

T: 01934 876665 E: dawson@dawsonsteeplejacks.co.uk W: dawsonsteeplejacks.co.uk The Stable, Wick Lane, Hewish, North Somerset BS24 6RR

Harrison Lightning Protection & Earthing Ltd

“Such clear evidence for lightning strikes is extremely rare in the UK and the association with this stone circle is unlikely to be coincidental.

“Whether the lightning at Site XI focused on a tree or rock which is no longer there, or the monument itself attracted strikes, is uncertain.

“However, this remarkable evidence suggests that the forces of nature could have been intimately linked with everyday life and beliefs of the early farming communities on the island.”

Dr Chris Gaffney, of the School of Archaeological and Forensic Sciences at the University of Bradford, added: “Evidence for such strikes within archaeological surveys is very rare and our work at Site XI demonstrates that without detailed scientific survey we would never be able to identify such events.” q

Wiltshire Steeplejacks

and Lightning Conductor Engineers Trading for over 40 years, we specialise in: • Lightning protection systems • BS EN 62305 & BS 6651 • Earthing and resistivity testing • High maintenance work • Bird control • All rope access work • Full architectural surveys & cover meter surveys T: 01225 761330 M: 07973 397770 E: wiltssteeplejack@aol.com W: www.wiltshiresteeplejacks.co.uk The Coach House, 5 Court Street, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 8BR

A C Wallbridge & Co Ltd Steeplejacks and Lightning Conductor Engineers

Providing lightning protection services since 1978 Installation, maintenance and testing of lightning protection systems, utilising rope access systems for safe access.

• Cathedrals • Churches • Towers • Sports Centres

• High Rise Office Blocks • High Rise Residential Blocks • Schools • Hospitals

T: 01722 322750 E: mail@wallbridge.co.uk W: www.wallbridge.co.uk Unit 7, Centre One, Lysander Way, Old Sarum, Salisbury SP4 6BU

Lightning Strike Ltd Lightning Protection and Earthing Specialist for Churches and Historic Properties • Lightning Conductor Testing • Earthing Systems • Earthing System Testing • Surge Protection • Safe Strike ESE Systems • Soil Resistivity Testing

T: 01325 464464 E: contact@harrisonlp.co.uk W: www.harrisonlp.co.uk

T: 01158 752686 M: 07581 266493 E: info@lightningstrikeltd.co.uk W: www.lightningstrikeltd.co.uk

2 Lakeland Estate, Faverdale North, Darlington, County Durham DL3 0PX

Unit 3, Pottery Court, Pottery Way, Nottingham NG8 8YM

www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Grounds for concern when nature takes over parks and gardens

By IAN STREETS managing director at About Access

[ WITHOUT WANTING to tempt fate

we’re enjoying a mild winter, free – so far – of the extremes of ice and snow which can add significantly to the demands on grounds maintenance teams in our parks and gardens.

But that doesn’t mean the weather won’t present other problems. Accessibility is a yearround issue and it’s important to anticipate, and avoid, the obstacles that can be created by the trees, bushes and other plants which ordinarily are such a delight.

We’ve seen examples at a few properties of benches which are too close to trees or bushes, creating difficulties for wheelchairusers and for families with prams and buggies.

Ideally benches should be located with plenty of space around them. It’s also worth looking at introducing some of the more modern designs which don’t have arms on the end, making it easier for people who use mobility aids to side-transfer on and sit with their companions.

There should also be enough benches located on firm and even surfaces, making it easy for people to get to them using a

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wheelchair or other mobility equipment.

Grass and gravel can be awkward or even impossible to negotiate for people who rely on wheels to get around. This is worth remembering in times of wet weather when large puddles can render some footpaths unusable, forcing people onto lawns which can soon become muddy and slippery.

For people who are able to use steps, vegetation will present a hazard if it gets in the way of the handrails, and even small branches may be a problem for some people if they fall onto steps or even a footpath.

At a time of year when the lighting of grounds and gardens is particularly important, it’s essential to ensure that overgrown vegetation doesn’t cast shadows which obscure footpaths and especially potential trip hazards.

So in the same way that grounds maintenance staff would remove ice and snow when the temperatures plummet, it is important for them to monitor the other issues presented by nature in fair and foul weather because some people can sidestep and duck to avoid obstacles, but many can’t. q

• For further information on how About Access can help you and your properties please contact Ian Streets, managing director, on 01482 651101, email ian@aboutaccess.co.uk or visit the website at www.aboutaccess.co.uk

Highland gathering debates all things lime [ FROM 20-22 SEPTEMBER last year Historic Environment

Scotland’s Conservation Centre at The Engine Shed in Stirling was the venue for the 2019 Conference and Gathering of the Building Limes Forum (BLF). Nearly 200 delegates from many backgrounds and countries came together to share their knowledge, ideas and perspectives of ‘all things lime’.

The BLF expressed its thanks for the support it had from Historic Environment Scotland. Not only did they provide use of both The Engine Shed for plenary sessions and the Great Hall at Stirling Castle for the Baker Memorial Lecture and gala dinner, they also contributed a generous grant towards bursaries and travel grants for young craftspeople and professionals from around Scotland.

The conference themes were Lime Finishes and Lime in Extreme Climates, with papers on those topics interspersed with contributions from members.

Following the welcoming address from David Mitchell at Historic Environment Scotland, proceedings got underway with a paper from Mark Thacker of the University of Stirling on Mortar Archaeology and Historic Landscapes.

There followed a series of seminars from academics, practitioners and seasoned experts. The Forum’s Niamh Elliott penned a particularly informative review of some of the presentations, which can be found on the Building Limes Forum website, where she also described the afternoon visits following the morning lectures.

“After the morning sessions of quick-fire lectures, attendees were bussed to a variety of historic sites, including Charlestown and its lime kilns; Doune Castle, where scaffolding allowed access to see a succession of repair strategies from the Victorian to the present day; Bannockburn House, in the process of being rescued by a local trust; and Kinneil House, rescued from complete demolition by the chance discovery of exceptional 16th and 17th century wallpaintings.

“There were also several opportunities to visit Stirling Castle, the Great Hall of which shone resplendent throughout the weekend rain, shine and mist in its richly coloured Kings’ Gold limewash, a beacon of light and capillary-active lime finish shining down upon the town.”

An innovation for 2019 was ‘Question Lime’ following the Sunday session, when delegates submitted questions which were put to an expert panel of lime producers, specifiers and practitioners.

As mentioned, the Great Hall of Stirling Castle was the venue for the Baker Memorial Lecture, which was delivered by Tim Meek of the University of Stirling.

Niamh Elliott summed up his paper as “…warning of the danger of being distracted by the romantic twaddle of rubble-mania instead of concentrating on lime facts. The talk celebrated the essentials of vernacular construction, with particular focus upon the importance of lime-harled and limewash finishes to the holistic success of traditional building technology.”

The event ended on Sunday afternoon with guided tours of Stirling Town and Stirling Castle. Delegates left carrying copies of Ecclesiastical and Heritage World, which had been distributed to those present. q

The Great Hall of Stirling Castle www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Lime restored to Lakeland church [

ST OSWALD’S CHURCH stands on the banks of the River Rothay in the centre of Grasmere – famously the Lakeland home of the poet Wordsworth – and is a Grade One-listed building that dates from around 1250AD. Up until the 1890s the church was rendered in lime. Then, however, the lime render was removed and the pointing raked out. It was replaced with a cementitious strap pointing.

That caused severe damp, so further action was required. To try to solve the damp, in 1921 the church was encased in a cementitious pebble dash render.

Surprisingly, the cement render survived until 2010, when it began to delaminate from the external western façade of the tower. Large sections of cement were coming loose from the tops of the parapets and that raised health and safety concerns.

Burnley-based UK Restoration Services were contracted to remove the cement-based mortars, repair the masonry and re-introduce a lime mortar, along with repairs to the roof. They were awarded the contract as they had the knowledge and experience of hot-mixed mortars and the labour force to carry out a project of that size.

It is believed to be the largest hot-mixed lime render project undertaken in the UK in recent history. UK Restoration Services worked with conservation architects Crosby Granger of Kendal and with English

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Heritage, to devise a hot lime mortar mix and limewash colour suitable for application on the tower.

One of the conditions of the planning permission was that a series of mortar biscuits would be produced and trials carried out.

In total, 42 mortar biscuits were produced, using different hydraulic additives (pictured below). They were left for 28 days to establish the pozzolan’s effect on the initial set of the mortar. Only two of the 42 samples were favoured. To minimise the loss of free-lime, the mortar with 5% Argical pozzolan was selected.

Powdered quicklime was chosen as there was a concern that unslaked lime may ‘pop’ within the render once on the wall.

The second and third layers of render were applied using the harling technique, followed by three coats of limewash to ensure a traditional weathertight finish. Approximately 50 tonnes of mortar and render were applied, along with 1,600 litres of limewash, and it took over 8,000 operative hours.

The scaffold access was key to the success of the project. That took around four weeks to erect, as it was designed not to be tied to the building in order to avoid disruption of the rendering application. No loading could be made upon the fragile nave roof, therefore the scaffold was cantilevered and beamed.

Said director Phil Braithwaite: “On a restoration of this scale it was anticipated that issues would be uncovered as the work progressed.

We found that the cementitious render was extremely thick and had been deep filled between the masonry, resulting in a strong adhesion. In total, it is estimated that we removed around 40 tonnes of cement render and pointing.”

Westmorland Green slates were found on the west pitch of the tower roof; however on the east pitch there were Elterwater slates.

Because Elterwater slates are no longer being produced, Burlington Stone were able to manufacture Brandy Crag slates with a flame tarnish to achieve the closest match.

The re-installed slates and sourced Burlington slates were oak pegged, in keeping with the original method.

Interestingly, the former pitch of the nave roof was discovered during the project, which is thought to have been thatched. That is now marked at the historic ridge position by two protruding slates upon the east elevation of the tower.

During the rebuilding of the pinnacles the restorers also found what is believed to be the original lower height of the castellations, which was indicated by a change of stone.

Phil Braithwaite concluded: “During the works we hosted two Building Limes Forum events, where a variety of delegates and members of the public were given an insight into the history of the project and provided with the opportunity to remove render and apply some hot-mixed lime.” q

Community involvement points the way CHRIS STOKES gets down to work with lime mortar

[

IT WAS A typical October day in Rossendale as I passed through the lych-gate of St Nicholas’s Church, Newchurch, and walked towards the west door – it was bucketing down. Not a day for outside work, I thought.

I had arranged to attend a lime pointing workshop, being held as part of the St Nicholas Churchyard Project to restore the churchyard and its buildings. The work is being carried out jointly by professionals and volunteers form the congregation, under the auspices of local conservation group Valley Heritage and funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Seated round a table in the Kevin Miller mixing the mortar narthex was a small group of volunteers, including borough councillor Danny Allen, together with vicar Penny King and Rachel Gilbert – a representative of Valley Heritage.

With them were Kevin and Emily Miller of Sympathetic Works Ltd (www.sympatheticworks.com), who would be leading the workshop.

The wall to be used as the ‘guinea pig’ for the would-be pointers was indeed outside. A gazeebo was sent for, giving Kevin time to brief the volunteers.

He explained the origins of lime mortar and its production. The essence of lime as a pointing medium, he explained, is that it is ‘sacrificial’ – that is, it absorbs the moisture from the surrounding stonework for it to evaporate and ‘sacrifices’ itself for periodic

replacement instead of the stonework having to be replaced.

Being a traditional material, lime mortar is subject to local variations in the material added. That could range from sand to coal dust or even brick dust – giving colour variations that can cause headaches for restorers.

Next, Kevin explained the essential safety precautions. Lime is caustic and can cause irritation or even breathing problems if The volunteers demonstrate their pointing skills it is inhaled, so each volunteer was provided with a mask, eye protectors and gloves.

Moving outside, Kevin demonstrated how to remove the old mortar without damaging the surrounding stone, after which we volunteers took our turn.

Kevin then demonstrated the process of making a lime mortar. Even from a distance the heat given off could be felt. He showed us how to apply the mortar, using special thin trowels, and we set to work again.

Great care had to be taken not to damage the stonework with the applicators. There were various widths of trowel to suit different widths of crevice between the stones.

After lunch we returned to survey our handiwork and finish off the process, brushing off any excess from the stones. It all looked rather fine for a first effort. q

Plaster repairs completed on Victorian jewel [

AFTER 18 MONTHS of working on the project, Ryedale Plasterers have completed the repair and restoration of the decorative plasterwork in Teeside’s Victorian Town Hall.

After years of neglect, the building's interior was decaying and in a truly terrible state.

The repairs were required throughout the entire building: the walls, a glazed dome over a stairwell, cornices, ceilings and archways. The main area of work was to the decorative plasterwork in the Civic Suite.

All the repairs were completed using time-honoured plaster and lime techniques that create a durable, ecological finish. They will maintain the authenticity of the Grade Two-listed building, which dates back to 1890 and was designed by local architect James Garry.

Ryedale Plasterers have a national reputation for manufacturing and installing the very best traditional and contemporary plasterwork for domestic, commercial and historic period projects.

Over more than 25 years they have built up a huge range of historically accurate and modern moulds which, added to their bespoke mould-making skills, enable the company to create wonderfully ornamental embellishments and to carry out authentic restorations of original work. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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If anyone can make it, Houghtons of York can [

HAVING HAD A curved extension to their home completed and a concrete spiral staircase manufactured, a family in Poppleton, near York, began the difficult process of trying to find a manufacturer of a bespoke European oak handrail and spindles to complement the stairs.

After many months of being told it couldn’t be done, they eventually found Houghtons of York. Houghtons visited the

site, examined the staircase, advised exactly what could be achieved and provided an estimate for the work.

After some careful setting out, a softwood former was built in the firm’s workshop, to manufacture the handrail around. Over the following couple of weeks the long length and various shorter complex sections of handrail were machined, along with the chamfered spindles.

It took around a week to install the stained handrail, spindles and base rail. Great care was taken during the process and everyone was proud of the end results.

Houghtons are always ready to advise anyone struggling to find quality joiners for bespoke projects and are happy to explain what can be achieved by their highly skilled and experienced team.

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It is a well-established, family-run business with a wealth of experience specialising in high-quality architectural joinery and woodcarving for clients throughout the UK – and occasionally further afield.

With workshops at Dunnington on the outskirts of York they directly employ a team of exceptionally skilled joiners and woodcarvers who use traditional methods and materials to produce a diverse range of high-quality, bespoke commissioned work. q

Help! Does my oast cowl need cleaning?

Since 1937, Dude and Arnette have been cleaning oast houses across the country, both inside and out. The company’s specialist team can clean, paint and maintain your oast house to the highest standard, bringing joy to many more generations. So, if your oast house is looking a little drab and dated, maybe it is time to give it a clean. Here DARREN HOLE of Dude and Arnette answers some common questions.

Why do I need to give my oast cowls a clean?

Oast cowl cleaning can prolong the life of your oast house.

Committing to a good cleaning routine for your oast is a great investment – for both your oast house and your wallet!

Carrying out an oast cowl cleaning gives us the opportunity to get up close and personal with your oast, spotting potential issues before they arise and making any potential repairs both easier and cheaper.

What should you do if you think your oast cowl might be in need of cleaning? Firstly, give us a call and we will give the cowl a servicing. To avoid issues, we recommend having oast houses serviced every five years. This keeps them in good condition, meaning they require very little upkeep.

Can you give my oast cowl a wash?

The way we clean your oast cowl depends on whether it is a fibreglass cowl or a traditional timber one. If your cowl is made of fibreglass – safe to say, this is not our favourite material – then we

can wash and clean it easily. However, we would not want to wash wooden cowls as this can cause them to rot.

In case you are thinking that this sounds like fibreglass cowls are a low maintenance option, think again. We actually find these to be a false economy. In time, bolts and fixings frequently rust solid and fungi can creep under the fibreglass top surface and sometimes into the mat – making it impossible to clean the cowls back to white. It is worth bearing in mind that often what appears to be an oast cowl in need of a clean is actually an oast cowl in need of a refurbishment.

How do you make my oast cowl look clean again?

The cowl is truly the crowning glory on your oast house and a repainting can give it a new lease of life. With a bright and clean cowl, your home really will be the oast with the most!

Cowls are exposed to the elements 24 hours a day, experiencing the very worst the infamous British weather can throw at them. Unsurprisingly, this onslaught can leave your cowls looking weathered and dull. But, this is not just about aesthetics. Not only does painting your cowls give them a fresh and clean look, but it also ensures that they are weatherproof, thus stopping rot and decay.

As you would expect from a team passionate about oast restoration, our painting process stands the test of time. After drying out and restoring the wood, we apply five separate coats of beautiful high-gloss paint.

Do you need to take the oast cowl away?

Our many years spent working on oast houses has taught us that refurbishing an oast cowl properly means removing it. Repairs are much more difficult when the oast is in position, and painting properly is impossible.

Invest in the lifespan of your oast house, and get in touch with our specialist team today for a free consultation and quote. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Drones reach places humans cannot go [

A RECENT EXAMPLE of UAVs, or drones, being used to conduct a survey in an area that is inaccessible to people was in Swindon.

Swindon Mechanics’ Institute was built by the Great Western Railway in 1855 to provide a place for recreation and education for railway workers. It included a theatre and a library, among other amenities.

Swindon Borough Council – in partnership with Historic England and the Mechanics’ Institution Trust – has been looking for ways to restore building, which has lain derelict for years. A campaign to restore a ‘neglected’ historic building was given a £500,000 boost with a grant from Historic England, who said the money would help develop an ‘inspiring and sustainable new use’ for the Grade Two*-listed building.

A condition survey was carried out in November using UAVs as well as robots to allow the council and its partners to weigh up the options for the possible future use of the building.

Rebecca Barrett, regional director of Historic England in the South West, explained: “At this stage we need to find out how safe the Mechanics’ Institute is, and to understand more about its physical condition.

“As the building is currently out of bounds, drone technology allows us to get the information we need quickly and safely. It’s a vital step as we work closely with others to think imaginatively about the future of the building.”

Prior to the survey, Cllr Dale Heenan of Swindon Borough Council commented: “The Mechanics’ is in a derelict state, and our commitment is to make real progress towards restoration within five years. I am serious about making it happen, but it is a 30-year problem no-one has solved,

and no-one should forget just how difficult it will be.

“Working with Historic England and the Mechanics’ Institution Trust is vital.

We have a plan, we are making progress and this condition survey is a significant step forward.

“Drone technology will allow us to get a really good look at what we are dealing with and the professionals will use the high definition video and scans to estimate the likely cost of restoration and provide a permanent, reviewable record of the state of the building today.”

In January the council issued an update: “A survey that will allow us to assess the proper condition of the building will be completed in the next few weeks. This will give us a good idea of how much money is needed to restore the building.

“For the last couple of months, a consultant has been working with the Mechanics’ Institution Trust, the council and other stakeholders, on a viability study.” q

Drones also show you what you don’t want to see [ DRONES PERFORM a useful function in less welcome

circumstances than in conducting surveys for restoration projects: they can also reveal the results of criminal activity.

Pictures captured by a police drone operated by East Herts Rural Police show the extent of damage caused by the theft of lead from the roof of St Mary’s Church in Furneux Pelham.

Commenting on Twitter, the force said: “More images from the drone show how much damage has been caused.”

The church dates from the late 12th century and is known for its timber vaulted roof and angel statues, which were restored in the 1960s and lovingly preserved. The lead theft, in June, threatens both the roof and the statues, if the roof cannot be replaced before water ingress destroys them. q

Helixcopters Ltd

Drone photographic, survey and inspection services T: 01923 671433 M: 07905 126356 E: info@helixcopters.org W: www.helixcopters.org

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New regs will make it too EASA to operate drones [WHILE A GREAT DEAL of attention has been paid to the registration scheme for drone flying that came into force in November, known as DRES – the CAA even published a release aimed at those who received drones as Christmas presents – less has been said and written about the EASA regulations for commercial flying of drones that come into effect in July this year.

One commentator to raise concerns is Matthew Greaves of commercial operator Drones on Demand. He outlined his concerns in an opinion piece on the company’s website as long ago as last September.

In it, he recognises that the DRES scheme is no more than a minor administrative burden for the professional operator. However, when it comes to the regulations due to come into force on 1 July, it is a different matter.

He writes: “I am more concerned about the impact of the EASA regulations that are due to come in to force in July 2020 on not just my business, but the wider commercial drone industry – I believe that everyone is going to be impacted in some way.”

He refers to the three categories of operation specified by the Civil Aviation Authority in its document CAP 1789 The EU UAS Regulation Package: • Open category – operations that present a low (or no) risk to third • parties. Operations are conducted in accordance with basic and pre • defined characteristics and are not subject to any further authorisation • requirements.

• Specific category – operations that present a greater risk than that of the • Open category, or where one or more elements of the operation fall • outside the boundaries of the Open category. Operations will require an • operational authorisation from the CAA, based on a safety risk • assessment.

• Certified category – operations that present an equivalent risk to that of • manned aviation and so will be subjected to the same regulatory regime • – ie certification of the aircraft, certification of the operator, licensing of • the pilot.

“Reading the document through,” he writes, “there appears to be no requirement for any permit/operational authorisation for commercial operation within the Open category.

“What I think that this means is that so long as the operator has registered the drone, the remote pilot has got a pilot number (complied with DRES) and they are flying a class-marked CE compliant drone, then there is no further regulation or requirement to operate commercially.

“I also believe that those companies who are currently contracting work out that would fall within, or could be achieved within, the Open category will just buy their own drone and get on with it themselves.”

However, he strikes a note of caution against ‘doing-it-yourself’ if it involves photography.

“It is clear that any operations that require overflying of uninvolved people with a drone with a decent camera – unless DJI can squeeze a good camera on a drone weighing in at less than 250g – do not fall into the Open category of operations. This means that they will fall into the Specific category of operations and require an operational authorisation.” q • Read the full blog at www.dronesondemand.co.uk. Matthew stresses the opinions are purely his own and welcomes comment.

Drones lead the flight towards zero carbon [

ONE OF THE emerging benefits of using UAVs for survey works is their contribution to sustainability and carbon reduction.

The national Environmental Working Group of the Church of England has issued a Call to Action on the Climate, calling on all parts of the church to aim towards zero carbon emissions by 2050, in line with Government and EU policy. The group is formulating a motion for General Synod to that effect.

The Church of England, through ChurchCare, has for some years been promoting its Shrinking the Footprint campaign – actively seeking ways church buildings can be made more carbon neutral.

When it comes to maintenance and restoration, drones have proven to be not only the most effective way of surveying and accessing hard-toreach areas, but also the most environmentally responsible. Drones use virtually no energy – when combined with renewable electricity generation that equates to zero carbon emissions. When that is compared with the carbon used in transporting truck-loads of access equipment or the fuel involved in manned overflying for larger sites, the arguments are compelling. They are multiplied by the fact that one short drone flight can capture the equivalent data of many hours of manned surveying.

In short, the use of drones for inspection over traditional methods can be an important contribution in helping achieve the stated goal of zero emissions by 2050. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Bricks allow new Porters’ Lodge to build on tradition [THE NEW Porters’ Lodge at Jesus

College, Cambridge – designed by Paul Vonberg Architects and completed last summer – sits comfortably within the surrounding ancient buildings, thanks in no small way to the use of traditional hand-made bricks.

The bricks were supplied by the awardwinning York Handmade Brick Company, who played a pivotal role in the creation of the building. York Handmade supplied more than 20,000 bricks for the state-ofthe-art building at the historic college in a contract worth £33,200.

Based in the village of Alne, north west of York itself, York Handmade is one of the leading independent brickmakers in the UK. Chairman David Armitage commented: “It was a tremendous honour to be asked to provide our bricks and tiles for such a prestigious project. Jesus College has a proud cultural heritage and this stunning new building reflects this.

“Our popular Old Clamp blend bricks have been used for the new Porters’ Lodge, complementing the unique surroundings and fitting in in with the college’s architecture and landscape.

The company has an established connection with the Oxbridge colleges, including Jesus.

David Armitage added: “This commission continues our strong relationship with colleges and university buildings at Oxford and Cambridge. We have provided bricks for Christchurch College in Oxford, as well as Oxford’s Said Business School, and are currently working on a new library at Magdalene College, Cambridge.

“It is an immense privilege to be associated with such important buildings and projects in historic and sensitive environments. It is also testament to the renaissance of brick as the building material of choice for significant and prestigious developments,” he added.

Architect Paul Vonberg commented: “I selected York Handmade Brick for this project after discovering that they had supplied bricks for earlier projects at Jesus College.

“The brand-new Porters’ Lodge adjoins a Grade One-listed building and a Grade Two-listed wall, and so needed bricks which would blend happily with those buildings. York Handmade were certainly good to work with and the result is splendid. The walls look absolutely fabulous.”

The Porters’ Lodge at Jesus College is just one of a number of prestigious projects for which York Handmade are supplying bricks, in a busy year.

David Armitage explained: “Apart from our £300,000 contract to build a new library at Magdalene College, Cambridge, we are working on prestigious housing developments at Lancer Square in Central London and King’s Cross, and a significant restoration project at St Albans Cathedral.”

He added: “Looking ahead, it is encouraging to report that brick remains the building material of choice for many architects and specifiers across the UK. Providing the economy doesn’t implode, we anticipate a very successful and enjoyable 2020.

“It is especially encouraging to report that York Handmade is going from strength to strength in the wake of our 30th anniversary.”

The company was founded in 1988, taking control of a redundant pipeworks in Forest Lane, Alne. Its only material was some excellent clay which was of use for brickmaking. Since then York Handmade has grown to a company with 30 employees and a turnover of £2.5m, with a target of over £3m this year.” q • For further information visit the website at www.yorkhandmade.co.uk

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Van Gogh’s London home takes on new life

[IN AUGUST 1873, Vincent van Gogh – then 20 years old – took

lodgings at 87 Hackford Road in south west London. Although he was only a tenant there for one year, his time at Hackford Road left a lasting legacy that the house’s current owners seek to celebrate today.

Following a meticulous conservation project that was completed last spring, the Van Gogh House has been brought back to life and hosts a dynamic programme of events, anchored in the artist’s practice and local heritage. In addition to exhibitions, performances and guided tours, the Van Gogh House hosts an artist residency programme in tandem with its nearby sister institution the San Mei Gallery. More than a time capsule of Van Gogh’s year in Brixton, the house is a living restoration that remains dedicated to preserving Van Gogh’s London story while supporting the next generation of artists.

The Grade Twolisted Georgian terrace has been carefully conserved over the past six years with great sensitivity, under the watchful eye of Cambridge University and Royal College of Art graduate Livia Wang. She worked with Andrew Shepherd Architects and Triskele Conservation – an artisan building contractor specialising in heritage conservation, construction and repair. Together, the team have given new life to the house that had narrowly avoided being bombed during the Blitz and had subsequently fallen into disrepair.

Original materials, traditional techniques and the finest craftsmanship have been employed throughout, from using lime and horse hair plaster to repairing the original windows and woodwork.

Intervening only where necessary, the team have sought to retain the stories hidden within the walls of the house while ensuring it is fit to survive another 200 years.

The interiors of the house have been finished to a high level, using sensitive colours and bespoke furniture to create a contemporary house that still references the past. An extension has been added at the rear to create a new kitchen, while a new artist’s studio has been built at the back of the newly-landscaped garden.

It was important that the new additions complemented the house’s Victorian history and the original palette of clay, lime plaster and timber. Using Staffordshire red clay quarry tiles sourced from Ketley Brick was key to the design of the modern extensions. q

www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Roedean’s new sound system goes straight to the top of the class [

ROEDEAN SCHOOL – the world-renowned independent school for girls in East Sussex – provides the best facilities for its pupils; so it should come as no surprise that, when upgrading their theatre sound system, they chose the best.

The installation was carried out by locally-based Brighton Sound System, working in partnership with AC-ET, who supplied the equipment. Traction Sound loudspeakers were used throughout the auditorium, mixed from an Allen & Heath digital desk.

The theatre at Roedean School has several uses: mainly for school productions and for teaching. The school also uses it for assemblies and presentations and during the summer holidays the auditorium is rented out to touring theatre productions. That means the sound installation needed to be flexible and meet a high professional standard. Safety was also paramount as the equipment would often be operated by pupils.

Discreet loudspeaker installation Coverage of the theatre was achieved by installing just six discreet loudspeakers on the theatre’s existing front-of-house lighting bars.

The small Traction Sound SDS8i Gobi unit was perfect for the application, with its exceptional projection. That meant coverage right through to the upper circle could be achieved from a small cabinet. There was no need to install additional fill speakers, which saved installation time and helped reduce the project’s budget.

Bass reinforcement was provided by a pair of Traction Sound BP12 Cub loudspeakers, concealed within the proscenium arch.

The discreet solution meant that the loudspeakers did not impose on the theatre’s aesthetic. The bass speakers were also boxed off in a vented cabinet. That prevented damage from moving scenery or spilt drinks.

Each loudspeaker has a local PowerCon and XLR wall plate fitted.

New power and signal cabling was installed to each wall plate. This allows a flexible solution for when speakers need to be moved for different theatre productions.

The complete installation was carried out over a weekend, which allowed for the school’s teaching routine to carry on as normal. It also allowed work to be carried out safely while pupils and staff did not need the venue.

Founded in 2002 as a PA hire company, Brighton Sound System install complete sound systems and AV in schools, churches and hospitality venues. Their service ranges from supplying pro audio equipment through to fitting speakers to walls and running cable.

For more complex projects they undertake full project management and construction work to complement an AV installation. q • Any theatre or other venue need that needs to update its sound equipment can call Brighton Sound System on 01273 746506 to discuss their requirements, or visit www.brightonsoundsystem.co.uk

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Sculpture on cupboard found to be late-medieval masterpiece [

A CARVED 15th-century sculpture displayed on top of a cupboard at the National Trust’s Anglesey Abbey in Cambridgeshire has been revealed as a unique reliquary bust, previously thought to have been lost to the art world.

The bust of the martyr St Agnes has been identified as being by Niclaus Gerhaert von Leyden or his workshop – arguably the most important 15thcentury sculptor in northern Europe.

Only 20 of his works are believed to have survived and the newlydiscovered sculpture is the only work

by Gerhaert in a UK public collection.

He was known for his unusually lively and naturalistic sculptures.

The life-sized bust of St Agnes is carved from walnut and was made around 1465. It would originally have been painted and displayed in a church.

The bust shows St Agnes holding a lamb and was a reliquary which would The statue at Anglesey Abbey has been identified as a rare sculpture by Niclaus Gerhaert von Leyden.

Picture © NT-Rah Petherbridge once have contained a piece of bone or another relic from the saint. The Lord Fairhaven, a keen collector of sculpture and statues. However, the relic has long been lost and the cavity in which it would have rested has bust was wrongly described in his 1940 inventory as The Virgin and the at some point been sealed with an oval wooden insert.

Lamb and had been on display on top of a cupboard in the Windsor St Agnes was part of a set of four sculptures, together with St Bedroom for many years.

Barbara, St Catherine of Alexandria and St Margaret of Antioch, that The discovery of its true identity was made by Dr Jeremy Warren, were commissioned for the Benedictine Abbey Church of Saints Peter the National Trust’s sculpture research curator, who said: “It was clear and Paul in Wissembourg, Alsace, north-eastern France. They survived to me that the sculpture was of superb quality, with enough clues to in the church until the late 19th century. Plaster casts of all four busts lead us to look at the work of sculptors who were working in the later were made around 1870 and they are now in the Musée de l’Oeuvre 15th century. My research took me to the surviving plaster cast of Notre-Dame, Strasbourg. Three of the busts were later sold in Paris this bust, which tied up all the loose ends neatly. It has taken over 80 and subsequently ended up in museums in the US. years for St Agnes to be given back her identity.”

Nothing is currently known about the whereabouts of St Agnes from Following the identification of St Agnes, the bust is now being rethen until it came into the collection at Anglesey Abbey after being displayed in the Dining Room at Anglesey Abbey. q purchased sometime between 1932 and 1940 by the house’s owner

Trust embarks on major cataloguing project [

THE DISCOVERY WAS made as part of a National Trust fouryear sculpture cataloguing project to fully record and research all 6,000-plus sculptures and statues in its 200 collections.

Sculpture in the National Trust covers thousands of years of making, by artists across the world, in an array of different media.

Each collection tells the particular story of a person or family, reflecting their tastes, ideas, achievements and relationships.

The project to catalogue the huge number of pieces has been made possible by support from the Paul Mellon Centre for Studies in British Art and The Samuel H Kress Foundation.

The sculpture project is visiting all 200 National Trust places looking at the sculptures and statues to record them more accurately and carrying out more detailed research. The team is working in partnership with Art UK, which is also producing an online catalogue of all the nation’s sculptures.

Alice Rylance-Watson, the National Trust’s collections cataloguer

said: “The project has involved visiting properties and examining each sculpture in person to produce detailed and accurate descriptions, followed by research in archives across the country to determine who made the pieces, and how they came into the Trust’s collections.”

Of the identification of the bust of St Agnes, she commented: “This discovery demonstrates the enormous importance and value of cataloguing.”

Dr Jeremy Warren, whose research led to the identification of the St Agnes reliquary, added: “We suspect there are a lot of discoveries, great and small, to be made in the Trust’s sculpture collections, and it is an aim of this project to winkle out as many as possible that will enhance the appreciation of this rather unsung part of our properties.”

The National Trust is making the information publicly accessible through its Collections website at www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk and with Art UK. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Donation allows restoration of rare medieval windows [

ONE OF THE FEW churches in England where the medieval stained glass survives is Holy Trinity in Long Melford, Suffolk.

According to the church’s account: “In medieval England, stained glass was a sophisticated art form on a par with sculpture or painting.

Tragically, as much as 90% of it was smashed in the Reformation and the Civil War. “Holy Trinity was by no means immune to this vandalism. However, the sheer area of windows in our immense, light-flooded church made it hard for the wreckers to destroy all the glass. What survived was an array of stained glass widely acknowledged by art historians as unique in England.”

What may also have saved some of the images was their nonreligious subject matter. The church’s account again: “Mainly secular images, now situated in eight windows in the north aisle of the church, show the friends and family of the principal funder of the church, local wool tycoon John Clopton. Their large portraits provide an unparalleled record of 15th-century costumes, heraldry and hairstyles.”

There are some religious images, too. They include a remarkable Pietà image of the crucified Christ in the Virgin Mary’s arms – pictured (right) before, after restoration and during reinstallation.

Time, however, has been taking its toll where the wreckers didn’t

and the windows have become corroded and dirty. It is timely, then, that a restoration programme has been able to commence, thanks to a major donation from an American descendant of John Clopton.

The donation will finance the restoration of two of the windows, giving the church breathing space to mount a fundraising campaign to restore the rest. q • Donations can be sent to Stained Glass Fund, Long Melford PCC, The Rectory, The Green, Long Melford, Sudbury CO10 9DT.

Innovation allows glass fragments to be viewed [

A NEW WAY of displaying fragments of glass from broken stained glass windows without the need to wrap each fragment in lead has transformed the way ancient glass can be viewed.

The new, patented system – trademarked as CASUS – was developed

by Cathedral Studios in Canterbury. It came about following the finding of thousands of fragments in the triforum of Westminster Abbey in 2015 during preparatory works for the construction of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Gallery. They represent a part of the abbey’s medieval history.

There followed many months of painstaking cataloguing by conservators. Being of such importance historically, there was no question of the fragments being altered in any way.

Being able to display them without leading has enabled glass artists to incorporate many of the fragments into two new windows, without the lead detracting from the visual impact of the pieces.

The new windows were installed in the abbey prior to the new gallery being opened and can be viewed by the visiting public. q

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South aisle is the focus of second restoration phase [ THE SECOND PHASE of a project to restore the windows at

St Alkmund’s Church in Whitchurch, Shropshire, is now underway.

The work is being undertaken by Recclesia Stained Glass from its Chester headquarters, working with Buttress Architects.

St Alkmund’s is a Grade One-listed church built in 1712. It is the fourth church on the site – the original ‘white church’ from which the town derives its name having been built in the Norman period.

The new phase of work by Recclesia will focus on the south aisle, the stained glass along which is in very varied condition.

According to the restorers: “The windows themselves are quite

enormous in true Georgian style, each being some 8ft by 22ft high, with very large modular cast-iron frames. The central window is

by Henry Hughes (of Ward and Hughes fame), made in 1868 and featuring Joseph in Egypt.”

Recclesia have previously completed a large phase of repairs to the three windows of the apse between 2016 and 2018. While those windows were removed for repair the cavities were filled with artworks created by local schoolchildren.

Recclesia began work on the south aisle in November and it is due for completion later this year. q

Pevsner favourite reglazed by family firm [

THE TRANQUIL rural hamlet of Yelford, 13 miles from Oxford city centre, is one of the smallest in Oxfordshire; yet, according to Pevsner, boasts ‘the best and certainly the most picturesque large timber-framed house in the county’. That house is the wonderfully atmospheric, Grade Two-listed, late 15thcentury Yelford Manor.

In 2010 the contract for full restoration of over 100 leaded lights was awarded to Bowman’s Stained Glass. The work was extensive: it focused on replacing the broken and damaged glass – some of which dates from the 15th century – and the repair of the leaded lights of the crittall windows with custom-made glass.

The house itself features an impressive drawing room (the original Great Hall), a part-panelled dining room, a Jacobean panelled sitting room and a music room in the former medieval buttery. A wing built in the 17th and 19th centuries has an enclosed cloister leading to a courtyard.

Bowman’s Stained Glass was founded in 1989 by Stephen Bowman, whose father Stewart trained at the famous Clayton and Bell firm as apprentice to Michael Farrar-Bell. Stewart joined Stephen in 1990 and the family tradition has continued with the addition of Stephen’s son Kieron as an apprentice – as his father and grandfather were before him. The Bowmans proudly display the designs produced by the family at their workshop at Fleet Marston Farm, near Aylesbury. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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ANTIQUE FURNITURE RESTORATION

ARCHIVE STORAGE BOXES

BAFRA

ARBORICULTURAL CONSULTANTS

BATHROOMS

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BELLS

BUILDING SERVICES

CARVERS – MASTER CARVERS ASSOCIATION

BOOK & PAPER CONSERVATION

BUILDING CONSERVATION & RESTORATION

CHURCH HEATING & INSULATION

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CLOCKS

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

EXHUMATION SERVICES

FIREPLACES, STOVES & CHIMNEYS

FURNITURE

HYMNODY DISABLED ACCESS

DISASTER RECOVERY

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JOINERY

LANDSCAPING

LEADED LIGHTS

LEADWORK

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LCA

LIGHTING & SOUND

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METAL THEFT PREVENTION

ORGANS

PICTURE FRAMES

RAINWATER SYSTEMS

LIME & LIME PLASTERERS ROOFING

Black Dog Roofing METALWORK

T: 01249 321969 M: 07808 840491 E: blackdogroofing1@outlook.com W: www.blackdogroofing.co.uk Specialists in: • Conservation Roofing • Lead Sheeting Association Standard • Leadwork including Welding • Slating, Tiling and Stone Tiling

• EPDM Flat Roofs • Green Roofs • Installation of Cast • Guttering

Landsdowne Close, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 9DR

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FTMRC

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SOUND, AUDIO VISUAL & LOOP SYSTEMS

ISCE

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STAINED GLASS

STONE & STONE SUPPLY

TRAINING

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TRANSPORT & STORAGE

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