Ecclesiastical & Heritage World Issue 84 by DMMonline

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COVER STORY

CONTENTS Trio of church contracts keeps heating specialist near to home Our front cover shows St Mary’s Church at Market Drayton in Shropshire. Sited atop an outcrop of red sandstone, it includes elements dating from the 12th century. Its heating system is very much 21st century, however, and the system is about to benefit from yet further upgrades, carried out by specialist installer Mellor and Mottram. It is one of the Stoke-on-Trent based company’s established clients and one of a trio of churches in the North and West Midlands on the company’s ‘to do’ list as it emerges from lockdown.

Read the full story on page 7

5 Reflections NEWS 9 Historic memorials in the context of Black Lives Matter 9 Do heritage venues promote wellbeing? 9 NT contractor sued over Clandon fire 10 Wales embarks on a phased reopening 10 Advice published for Scottish heritage sector 12 Lottery funding keeps heritage railways on track 13 Earliest gasworks gain scheduled monument status 13 Drone reveals hidden WWII bunker

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CRE postpones Sandown show – but you can still take part at Home No cash? No problem! The future of giving is in the app

HEALTH & SAFETY IN TIMES OF COVID 16 Guidance will help keep your site COVID safe 17 Every church needs one of these... bespoke hand sanitiser stations

RESTORATION PROJECTS 18 Stabilising a rotating tower takes special skills

19 Replacement windows at Harvington Hall Farmhouse 20 Renovation completed against the elements LEAD 21 Lead thefts continue despite convictions 21 Repeated thefts force change of policy 21 Leadwork training emerges from lockdown 22 Why it is important to save the artistry of early craftsmen 23 Don’t despair – the skills are still out there

LIGHTNING PROTECTION 30 Lightning protection: the new standard explained SOUND AND AV SYSTEMS 32 Sound and lighting industry looks to next year 32 How to clean your microphones 33 Live streams flowing from South London 34 You don’t have to be tech savvy to use the latest in AV 36 Do you want to conference, stream…or both? 37 Make sure you’re legal 37 Why live stream is now mainstream 37 New system finally supersedes 60s speakers IRONWORK & METALWORK 39 NHIG York CPD course set to go ahead 39 Oldest swinger in Wales to get makeover 39 How do you fit new ironwork into ancient settings? 40 Lockdown eases for 50th anniversary STAINED GLASS 41 Renaissance Dutch glass is protected from the 21st century

ROOFING 24 Stainless steel replaces lead following theft 25 Award nominees’ wait goes into next year 26 Complex roof tops off an extraordinary restoration 28 ‘Made to order’ radius gutter from Rainclear – true cast or mitred 29 Roofing training centre reopens for business 29 New guidance explained to prevent thatch fires

FIND THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE YOU NEED IN CHURCH & HERITAGE SUPPLIES FROM PAGE 42 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. Printed in the UK by The Magazine Printing Company Plc www.magprint.co.uk

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[FOR THE PAST 18 weeks churches and heritage organisations have been struggling to keep going in the face of the COVID restrictions.

Churches have demonstrated a great deal of enterprise in delivering the message online. Live streaming of services has allowed them to reach people in their own homes. While the delivery of live streamed services can be achieved with a minimum of equipment, the level of sophistication displayed by some churches is testament to what can be achieved by modern AV systems. Plus, if the system is installed in a listed building, a great deal of care must be taken not to interfere with the integrity or the aesthetics of the fabric. • Those same constraints apply equally to the heating system of a church or heritage building. Past masters at overcoming the impediment that can be thrown up in that sphere are Mellor and Mottram. The front cover of this issue features a Grade Two*-listed church in Shropshire that is soon to have its heating upgraded with all the attention to detail that entails. It will be among the first projects to be embarked on by the team after emerging from lockdown.

• The glimmer of light at the end of the COVID tunnel is also being seen by heritage venues across the country as they open their doors to the public again. One such is the trust that manages the SS Great Britain, the first propeller-driven, iron-hulled transatlantic liner. They were able to open to the public in time for the 50th anniversary of the rescue of the vessel and its return to Bristol. Fortunately, the trust had at its disposal a high-tech solution to controlling the environment around the ship during lockdown. • Keeping heritage transport in working order was a more difficult struggle for many heritage railways, who found themselves in a precarious position. Many of the skills kept alive by their trained tradespeople stood to be lost if they closed – meaning they would struggle to open again. Fortunately, emergency funding kept the workshops running. • The fruits of rare skills can also be seen in our everyday lives. In particular the decorative elements found on buildings we pass by. Intricate hopper heads and downspouts show off the leadworker’s skill, while ornate gates and railings are testament to the blacksmith’s art. • Keeping those skills up to date and adding new ones were achieved during lockdown by the modern miracle that is video conferencing. Many organisations in the heritage sector kept – and are still keeping – their members and the public informed via the various platforms. They include Historic England’s series of technical seminars and the York Consortium for Conservation and Craftsmanship’s Second Tuesday Talks. Subjects have included thatch fires, lightning protection and the installation of new ironwork into heritage settings. • Away from the lofty towers of research and artistry, a grass roots movement has taught a signal lesson to all cultural organisations: that many of our historic artefacts and monuments reflect a slanted view of heritage. The express recognition by such bodies as English Heritage that Black Lives Matter means that, in the future, we may see a more complete version of our history. • Looking to the future, CRE is already planning two shows for next year. The return to Exeter in March is still very much on the cards, while CRE National will be next October. This year’s CRE National has been carried over into next year’s show, although this October will see a virtual version of the seminar programme, CRE at Home 2020. It will be accompanied by a printed handbook so would-be visitors can have the experience of being there in their own homes. q

Chris Stokes

Editor, Ecclesiastical & Heritage World

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COVER STORY

Trio of church contracts keeps heating specialist near to home

St Mary’s Church, Market Drayton

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SITUATED PROMINENTLY on an outcrop of red sandstone above the River Tern in north Shropshire is St Mary’s Church, Market Drayton. Parts of the present church date from Norman times, and there was probably a wooden Saxon church on the site prior to the Conquest. From earliest times there was a market held in the churchyard – leading to the name of the town – until Pope Innocent III forbade markets on church ground in 1201. The building is now Grade Two*-listed and remarkable for its stained glass. There are a number of pieces by a Charles Eamer Kempe and a west window depicting Queen Victoria by Shrigley and Hunt. For a number of years the warmth of the church’s active congregation of around 100 worshippers has been taken care of by specialist church heating installers Mellor and Mottram, based in nearby Stoke-on-Trent. Mellor and Mottram are now awaiting the go-ahead to start on the next upgrade to the heating system. That contract will see the installation of two of the latest Remeha Ace boilers with linking cascade kit. The system will be optimised via the latest BMS control system. In deference to the aesthetics of the building the new flue will be colour co-ordinated with the outside of the church. A little farther away, but in Mellor and Mottram’s home county of Staffordshire, is Hednesford. There, a church with a very different background to St Mary’s is looking forward to the upgrading of its heating. St Peter’s is a modern church community housed in a modern building. The current church was built in 1987, although there had been an earlier Victorian church. One of the most popular forms of worship is the café church, which utilises the modern, informal setting of a café in its ministry. Mellor and Mottram are set to install two new warm air fan convector heaters into the main church. The vestry and main entrance will be

Photo © Jonathan Hutchins (cc-by-sa/2.0)

heated by a wet system – also powered by a Remeha Quinta Ace boiler (below) – via ceiling-mounted radiant panels. Currently, a team from Mellor and Mottram are on site at St Margaret’s Church in Wrenbury, Cheshire. St Margaret’s dates from the early 16th century and is Grade Twolisted. Like St Mary’s it is constructed from red sandstone ashlars. A notable feature is the stair turret on the south east angle of the west tower. The tie-beam roof dates from the late 16th century. The church is in the process of adding an extension, which will be heated via a new oil-fired boiler. The addition also requires the alteration of pipework in the main church to allow for a doorway into the extension. While all the churches on the list for installations by Mellor and Mottram are currently experiencing the pains of the COVID-19 restrictions, they are all eagerly awaiting the day they can offer their ministry to all. In the meantime, the award of three contracts close to home represents a welcome change of pace for managing director Stuart Mottram, who is normally to be found criss-crossing the country to supervise operations. Mellor and Mottram are a long-established name in the field of church heating, having begun as installers of commercial heating systems before specialising. Their portfolio encompasses many longstanding customers, including in at least one case more than one generation of clergy from the same family. The company had shut down for eight weeks during the worst of the COVID epidemic and at the time of writing was only just reaching full capacity. Even so, the need to observe strict procedures following risk assessments – such as hand sanitisation, face covering and social distancing – requires extra care and vigilance from all concerned. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Historic memorials in the context of Black Lives Matter [IN JUNE English Heritage issued a statement in response to calls for the taking down

of statues and monuments associated with colonialism and the slave trade. English Heritage looks after 48 statues and monuments in London, including the Cenotaph and Marble Arch. It is also responsible for the London Blue Plaques Scheme, which was set up in 1866 and previously run by the London County Council and the Greater London Council. In the statement EH says: “The Black Lives Matter movement has recently brought the significance and symbolism of such memorials to the fore. English Heritage recognises that commemorative monuments erected in the past may not reflect the values or perspectives of people today. We understand that those monuments associated with Britain’s colonial past are offensive to many. “We know that we need to do more to ensure that the stories and the sometimes painful and controversial actions of those commemorated by the London statues in our care are told in full. We welcome the establishment of the Mayor of London’s Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm and we look forward to contributing to this important debate and review.” q

Do heritage venues promote wellbeing? [AS HERITAGE ATTRACTIONS slowly ease out of lockdown, the

role of heritage in improving our wellbeing has never seemed more important. Research commissioned by insurer Ecclesiastical, together with The Heritage Alliance, has revealed how the majority of Britain’s heritage organisations are promoting and prioritising wellbeing. The survey, carried out pre-lockdown, discovered that more than twothirds (69%) of heritage organisations prioritise wellbeing as an outcome of their work, while 40% say wellbeing is ‘extremely’ or ‘very’ prioritised as the outcome of their work. Four in five (84%) heritage organisations surveyed promote themselves as an organisation that cares about wellbeing, while more than half (55%) do so ‘always’ or ‘frequently.’ In 2019 the National Lottery Heritage Fund introduced a new focus on wellbeing as part of its strategic funding framework. A new outcome, ‘people will have greater wellbeing’, was included and the fund now gives priority to organisations that can demonstrate a good track record of working towards that outcome.

The survey found heritage organisations are offering a wide range of wellbeing activities, including art therapy, Pilates, yoga, mindfulness and forest bathing. The top five ways to improve people’s wellbeing are by: • Providing learning opportunities • Helping people to socialise • Helping people to build social connections • Helping people stay mentally active • Helping people stay physically active Faith Kitchen, heritage director at Ecclesiastical, said: “As the leading insurer of Grade One-listed buildings in the UK, from castles and contemporary heritage and homes to cathedrals and churches, we’re passionate about protecting Britain’s heritage. It’s interesting to see the majority of Britain’s heritage attractions are prioritising and promoting wellbeing. Our research shows many heritage organisations are delivering incredible projects to enhance people’s wellbeing and improve mental health.” q

NT contractor sued over Clandon fire [

THE BLAZE AT the National Trust’s Clandon Park property in 2015 has led to a claim against a Surreybased contractor and a London firm of building surveyors. The claim, brought Before the fire: the house was an outstanding by the trust’s insurers example of Palladian architecture and lodged at the Technology and Construction Court, claims negligence by the parties led to the fire, which caused extensive damage to the property, one of the foremost examples of Palladian architecture in England. The value of the claim is believed to be £115m – an amount said to be a ‘conservative estimate’ of the cost of rebuilding. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

Wales embarks on a phased reopening [

NOWHERE IN THE UK is the heritage sector of more economic significance than in Wales, so the reopening of heritage sites is a major boost to the Welsh economy. In early July Cadw reopened 43 of its unstaffed monuments and on 18 July it revealed a phased reopening plan for a number of staffed sites in its care, including some of Wales’s most iconic historical attractions. The first of those will be Blaenavon Ironworks, Plas Mawr Elizabethan Townhouse in Conwy (pictured) and the castles at Denbigh, Laugharne, Raglan, Harlech and Caerphilly, which are due to open during the first week of August. Chepstow Castle in South Wales, as well as Conwy and Beaumaris Castles in North Wales, will be following – also in early August. Tintern Abbey and Caernarfon Castle also plan to reopen their doors during August, with a final date yet to be confirmed due to capital investment work being carried out at both sites. This work will be brought forward for completion as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the Welsh Government has issued guidance for heritage destination and venues not managed by Cadw. The advice states: “We recognise that the coronavirus pandemic will continue to create particular practical challenges for many people and organisations responsible for historic assets. For example, many historic buildings and sites will remain closed to the public for the time being and they may be vulnerable to damage or a target for heritage crime. Other concerns may arise as the pandemic continues.” The guidance, which also applies to arts and other cultural venues and sites, is available to download at gov.wales. q

Advice published for Scottish heritage sector [

THE HERITAGE SECTOR in Scotland has also begun preparing for a phased return to business. On 13 July Historic Environment Scotland (HES) published a Policy and Guidance for the reopening of the properties in its care. HES has also announced plans for the phased reopening of some of its most iconic attractions, including Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle (pictured) and Urquhart Castle. Its COVID-19 Policy and Minimum Operating Standards outline the

requirements that must be met before sites will be able to reopen in line with official government guidelines. They have been developed from a wide range of sector and industry advice, guidance and best practice, and set the benchmark for the safe reopening of sites and resumption of operational activities. The Operating Standards have been published so they can provide a resource for the wider heritage sector, and support and assist other organisations with their own resumption planning. Dr David Mitchell, director of conservation at HES, explained: “We have been undertaking an extensive exercise to carefully assess the requirements for the gradual reopening of our vast and diverse estate of over 300 unique properties. The Policy and Guidance we have published today provides a detailed and robust basis for our approach to reopening, which above all has the safety of our staff and visitors at its forefront. “We hope that this guidance will not only set out a clear and transparent approach to the reopening of the properties in our care, but also offer a resource for the wider sector to assist other organisations in the resumption of their own activities.” The document can be downloaded from www.historicenvironment.scot. q

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Lottery funding keeps heritage railways on track [THERE IS LIGHT at the end of the tunnel for heritage railways stopped

in their tracks by the COVID-19 crisis. As lockdown began in March, the plethora of small-scale railways were getting ready for the busy summer season. Suddenly the signal was on ‘Stop’. Usually, UK heritage railways welcome thousands of passengers, support around 4,000 jobs and contribute some £400m to the visitor economy. They also play a key role for apprentices and trainees to learn vital heritage skills. Now, turnstiles remain still, carriages empty and workshops silent. As well as a large number of staff being put on furlough, the closure of heritage railways has had a huge impact on its volunteer workforce. Paul Blount, project engineer at Strathspey Railway explained: “I cannot stress enough the benefits volunteering has for wellbeing. This crisis has put a big part of our volunteers’ lives on hold. Many of them are in the ‘at risk’ age group and are very concerned about when they will be able to return safely.” Now, a number of heritage railways have received vital funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund’s Heritage Emergency Fund. The funding is enabling bills and salaries to be paid and essential repairs and maintenance of tracks, engines and trains to continue. It is also helping organisations look towards reopening for business. Many heritage railways say the emergency funding will help them to bring back apprentices and trainees earlier than they would otherwise have been able – either through online courses or in the workshops. They say they will play a key role in getting heritage railways moving again. The funding is also helping heritage railway organisations to look to the future by:

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• Establishing online booking and access management systems which • could help visitors plan their trips safely and the railways to carefully • manage people on site • Exploring options for diversifying income in the future • Providing consultants, advisors and the opportunities to develop • recovery plans and new business models Paul Blount continued: “There are so many things we need to consider: how will we safely accommodate passengers on narrow platforms and usually busy coaches? With all the safety measures in place, will we be able to generate an income still?” In the meantime, however, extinction has been avoided. q

Earliest gasworks gain scheduled monument status [

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS of what is thought to be the world’s earliest surviving gasworks, used to light an early worsted mill at Dolphinholme near Lancaster, has been added to the National Heritage List for England as a scheduled monument. The gasworks were built in 1811 and Dolphinholme Mill was one of the first mills to be lit by gas during an experimental and pioneering phase in the gas industry. It is also the subject of one of the earliest known drawings of a gas-lit building. The gas lighting was installed by the acclaimed engineer Samuel Clegg, before public spaces or homes had gas lighting. Clegg went on to build the first public gasworks at Westminster in 1813, before bringing gas lighting to towns and cities across England. The surviving remains of Dolphinholme Worsted Spinning Mill, built in 1795, include the walls of the water wheel house, the wheel pit and the mill race. It was a water-powered mill equipped with two of Richard Arkwright’s water frames to spin worsted yarn. Gas lighting was installed in 1811 and the surviving gasworks include what is thought to be the earliest remains of a ‘gas holder’ in the world – consisting of the gas tank, counter-weight, drains, pipes and enclosing wall (but not the metal ‘gas bell’ or cylinder) – as well as remnants of the gas flues, chimney, and the ‘retort house’, which contained ovens where coal was burnt to produce gas. Through gas illumination, mill owners could save the expense of up to 1,500 candles per night. The gasworks also lit the mill owner’s house and the village street. The mill and its adjoining gasworks operated until 1867, after which the mill’s water wheel and buildings were dismantled.

©Historic England The original, early 19th-century drawings held by Lancashire Archives show the layout of the site and the gas lighting. The site is on private land and there is strictly no public access. However, photographs can be viewed on the list entry. Announcing the listing on 15 July, Historic England’s chief executive Duncan Wilson said: “Dolphinholme Worsted Spinning Mill and gasworks are exceptionally rare as one of the earliest surviving sites that connect us to the Industrial Revolution. This pioneering era of our history shaped the modern world. It is vitally important we protect sites like these for generations to come so we understand how engineering, industry and our wider society has developed.” q

Drone reveals hidden WWII bunker

[BRITISH AMATEUR MILITARY HISTORIAN Gary Sterne

has been featured in US TV show Expedition Unknown as dronemounted LiDAR technology was used to uncover a hidden German bunker close to the D-Day beaches. Together with presenter Josh Gates, he watched as Isabelle Heitz from Aird’eco-Drone scanned a field for seven hours with her drone, equipped with a YellowScan Surveyor LiDAR system. The system emits 300,000 pulses of light per second and allows the generation of a ‘pointcloud’ that is transformed into a map. Trees and vegetation were ‘removed’ electronically to reveal bare earth and identify the hidden World War Two structure. See a You Tube video of the episode via a link at the website www.yellowscan-lidar.com. q

Helixcopters Ltd

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

CRE postpones Sandown show – but you can still take part at Home [ DESPITE THE GRADUAL easing of lockdown, it is still unlikely

that large-scale indoor events will be permitted in the autumn. CRE National at Sandown Park, Esher, has therefore been postponed for 12 months – until 12-14 October 2021. Announcing the postponement back in June, event director Brett Pitchfork said: “Though October is still four months away, we thought it best to make this difficult decision sooner rather than later. Even if government restrictions are lifted, we doubt enough people will feel confident about attending an event of this kind in the autumn. We have taken the decision with a heavy heart but feel it is the responsible thing to do and appreciate the thoughts and prayers of our visitors and exhibitors as we plot our way through these difficult times.” In its place there will be a ‘virtual CRE’ – taking the form of online seminars, interviews and features, accompanied by a speciallyprinted handbook – CRE at Home 2020 – listing all the exhibitors booked in at either CRE National next year or the next scheduled event, CRE South West – or both. The handbook will be mailed out free to thousands of past and prospective CRE visitors, backed up by an extensive online campaign through email and social media. It can also be ordered from the CRE website at creonline.co.uk. It is still planned for CRE South West to take place as scheduled, on 17-18 March. The venue will be Westpoint in Exeter (pictured). “By March next year we are confident strict new guidelines will be in place to ensure sufficient protection for all our visitors and exhibitors,” said Brett. Before lockdown in March, 42% of exhibition space at CRE South

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West had already been taken and organisations considering exhibiting in Exeter are invited to make contact with the CRE sales team. The first in the region for six years, CRE South West has been welcomed by the Right Revd Robert Atwell, Bishop of Exeter. “Since CRE was last in the South West lots has happened at local church level,” he commented. “There are new worshipping communities, new leaders, new volunteers taking up important roles – and lots of exciting projects in our local communities. I want to help people to be inspired in their faith and get the support they need to make a difference where they are. CRE is a great opportunity to access new resources, ideas and practical tools to meet the many challenges of local ministry.” q

No cash? No problem!

The future of giving is in the app [ CASH IS LOSING RELEVANCE in society

generally; and that presents both a problem and an opportunity for all churches: how can people give during the offering without it? That question led to the creation of Givt – an app designed for church and charity use to allow people to donate in all situations. COVID-19 has changed the way people interact with the church and has revealed a flaw in the majority of cashless solutions. Givers want to give, not pay, and give regardless of where they are. What is needed is a solution like Givt, which utilises a smart phone app for all donations. It allows people to give while watching an online service, or while sitting in the church building, on their phone – instantly. That allows churches to keep the ‘giving moment’, even when we are all apart. “We fully believe that giving is more than a financial transaction – it is also a relational transaction,” said Sjoerd van Oort, the co-founder of Givt. “All current solutions for donations only provide the financial side of the transaction. We are convinced that if we optimally support the person donating, that person will give more freely. Giving becomes fun.”

Post COVID giving The church building is special, not only as a place to worship but also as a place to come together as a community. As churches begin to reopen people want to come and interact in that space, and the collection is a part of the tradition. Givt allows churches to keep the collection in the service without the need to pass around a collection bag: simply give from your seat with your phone – based on your location or by finding the church in the list. Using the Givt location feature, the app will recognise that the giver is in a particular church and allow them to give directly, without the need for a terminal. That is the safest way to have an offering and allows people to use the same system for giving at home and in the church building. When normal services resume Givt can equip collection bags and plates with small beacons which allows people to have the physical experience of giving and passing the bag – fitting seamlessly into the service.

Sjoerd van Oort explained: “The majority of people will continue to interact with the church online through streamed services, newsletters and websites for some time to come. We believe that keeping the giving moment during these interactions is more vital than ever, as it allows the congregation to come together and participate in the act of giving. “Through QR codes and a list in the app of all churches using Givt, your congregations can give easily, anonymously and any amount they wish, exactly as they could do with cash in the offering bag. “QR codes have the added benefit that they can be created for specific collections – say a mission fund – allowing people greater flexibility with their giving than standing orders or direct debits. We understand that these are great ways for people to give, but they lack the interaction and the moment that comes with giving during a service.”

Gift Aid Givt also simplifies the Gift Aid process. Said Sjoerd: “Gift Aid solutions currently on the market for cashless giving are cumbersome for both the giver and the church. Our solution to that is to automate it for you. Rather than filling out extensive details, our users simply select the Gift Aid button in the app and all subsequent donations are Gift Aided. For the church, we will claim all these Gift Aided amounts on your behalf through the full Gift Aid scheme, each week. HMRC will then transfer the Gift Aid directly to your account. “That means that, unlike with cash, you can get the benefit of full Gift Aid without any administrative burden. We will also tell you what amounts you can claim under the Small Donations Scheme, so you get the best of both systems. We can confidently say that this is the best Gift Aid solution on the market for both givers and churches.” q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

Guidance will help keep your site COVID safe The Government, in partnership with Historic England, has issued guidance for people who work or volunteer in heritage locations, to help them understand how to work safely and keep customers and visitors safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. The guidance, which has been produced in consultation with English Heritage, the Church of England and the Health and Safety Executive, among other contributors, provides a practical framework to help organisations to continue or restart their operations during the pandemic. Here, GREIG MCGARVA of SafeSite Facilities, provides a summary.

[SOME CHURCHES ACROSS ENGLAND have now opened their doors for public services of worship once again. Churchgoers will have already noticed some changes, as services must now take place under strict social distancing guidelines. That currently means that singing is prohibited and parishioners must follow hygiene measures and keep two metres apart. Vicars have been advised to wear face masks and visors. Some churches have held their first-ever drive-in services, with worshippers asked to sing in their cars to limit the risk of spreading infection. Services across the country have also been live-streamed, with congregants joining together in virtual worship. Many ecclesiastical and heritage organisations rely on volunteer support to deliver their daily operations and the aim of the Government guidance is to ensure that volunteers are provided with the same level of health and safety protection as employees and the self-employed. When considering how best to manage health and safety risks, heritage site operators are asked to consider staff and visitors, including members of the public and contractors visiting the site for work. Measures which should be taken include:

Cleaning and clearance Cleaning procedures not only protect your site, but during a pandemic they also help to reduce the risk of infection transmission. Careful consideration should be given to the cleaning procedures at heritage sites, not least because the very fabric of the building, in comparison to modern structures, can be vulnerable to damage if strong chemical-based cleaning formulas are used. Alternative options, such as leaving longer periods between contact and access or using temporary covers over delicate surfaces, might be more appropriate than heavy-duty cleaning regimes. During the summer months make the most of natural ventilation by opening doors and windows, where it is safe and secure to do so. Notifying visitors and staff about any changes to your processes which might affect their work or experience at the site, and explaining why they are necessary, is important. You may also want to gently place some responsibility on visitors and encourage them to take their own litter home.

Hygiene and sanitisation Taking steps to promote good hygiene, such as displaying clear signage to raise awareness of good hand-washing techniques, will reduce the risk of germs spreading. Make hand sanitiser available on entry to public spaces and toilet facilities, and ensure there is a good supply of handwashing and drying products

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available to staff and visitors. Creating and displaying a visible cleaning schedule will ensure your facilities are regularly checked and adequately stocked, as well as providing reassurance that appropriate hygiene measures are being taken to protect people. Consider installing portable hand hygiene stations, such as those from safety and security experts SafeSite Facilities, at entry points around your site to encourage regular hand washing and sanitisation.

Social distancing Sites should limit the number of visitors and worshippers, to maintain safe social distancing. Those attending may be asked to leave their name and contact details for track and trace purposes, and attractions should clearly explain how and why the data will be used in the event an infection is detected. One-way routes and clear floor markings will help guide visitors around venues safely. Social distancing safety barriers may also be helpful in areas where queues usually form, or to create safe walkways between car parks and your venue.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) Contractors will routinely wear PPE if any building or restoration works are being carried out at your site. This may be extended to staff to protect the wearer against any possible health or safety risks at work, such as wearing a face covering where social distancing is not possible. That will provide additional reassurance to staff and visitors that you are taking personal health and safety seriously. It is worth noting that the Government’s guidance emphasises that managing the risk of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace – except in healthcare settings – is most effectively carried out by maintaining social distancing, good hygiene practices and working in small, fixed teams – and not through the use of additional PPE. q • Further information about working safely during the coronavirus can be found on the Government’s website at www.gov.uk. To contact SafeSite Facilities call 0800 114 3194, email info@safesitefacilities.co.uk or visit the website at www.safesitefacilities.co.uk

Every church needs one of these… bespoke hand sanitiser stations [IN A SIGN of the times a local church recently approached

Fullers Finer Furniture of Weston-super-Mare in connection with the provision of purpose-built hand sanitiser stations. The church was in the process of undertaking risk assessments to take into account the additional precautions necessary to enable the building to be COVID secure and safely re-opened, in due course, for gathered worship. Fullers Finer Furniture is a well-known company specialising in the manufacture of bespoke furniture for places of worship, education and the like. In response to the church’s request they have designed a freestanding hand sanitiser station (pictured). The unit is 1,475mm high x 290mm wide. It is finished in a hygienic, easy-clean real oak veneer. Each unit is supplied with an easily-refillable dispenser. The unit has a clip frame for a church to insert its own A4-size printed notice. Given the current situation and the on-going importance of hygiene within the church, the unit is designed with practicality and durability in mind. It weighs about 9.2 kg and can easily be moved and placed appropriately for use on entering the building, approaching the servery/dining area etc. A wall mounted option is also available. Fullers are currently offering the sanitisers for sale at £120 plus VAT and delivery. To place an order, or simply to find out more about the hand sanitiser units or Fullers quality bespoke furniture, email info@fullersfinerfurntiure.co.uk or telephone 01934 618111 – they will be very happy to assist. q

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Stabilising a rotating tower takes special skills

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LOCATED JUST 20 MINUTES north of Lancaster, the Grade Two-listed St Oswald’s Church stands in the heart of the village of Warton and has served the local population for over 600 years. There has been a church on the site for over 1,000 years and the ruined remains of the medieval rectory still survive next to the present vicarage. Since its establishment the church has had various work carried out, including the construction of the tower in 1480. It was paid for by the local Washington family, who were ancestors of George Washington, the first President of the United States. That connection attracts tourists to the church and the American flag is flown from the tower on 4 July each year in commemoration.

Contract awarded In the summer of 2018 the hard cementitious render had been removed and some lime mortar pointing work had been undertaken, but due to complications the work was stopped. A revised project was devised and the contract awarded to UK Restoration Services of Burnley. They commenced work in June last year, with HPA Chartered Architects as contract administrators. An independent access scaffold was erected on the chancel gable and flank walls, which was not tied to the building and included retractable transoms to allow for access during the rendering process.

Tracery arch Structural engineers Curtins monitored the gable for movement where two large cracks had formed above the tracery arch. The outer arch section had also started to rotate outwards, separating from the internal masonry curvature. One of the initial tasks was to install needle propping above the arch. That involved installing bracer timber and scaffolding clamps externally to stabilise the inner masonry leaf and large props and scaffolding tubes internally to brace the props. That was a challenging process due to the 750mm thick walls and it took approximately two weeks to core out 12 holes in the masonry to install the needles. In order to safeguard the internal walls and chancel floor, protection was installed, including a dust curtain to prevent dust migrating into the nave. Director Phil Braithwaite takes up the story: “Once the needles were positioned we removed the gable copings and stripped back the slate roof to allow the dismantling of the masonry. We disassembled the gable masonry down to the arch to enable us to carry out structural works on the rotating outer arch. All the copings and masonry were lowered to the ground using a scaffolding hoist due to the weight it would impose on the scaffolding structure. “After the masonry had been dismantled on the tracery arch we cleared the

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joints of the voussoirs, then grouted them with a mix of NHL5 hydraulic lime, prompt and fine aggregates. A flow agent was also added to help the grout mix spread along the voussior joints. Other areas of the tracery arch windows also required grouting as the joints had eroded over time.”

Bespoke tie bar fabrication The structural repairs consisted of tying the internal arch to the external. UK Restoration Services fabricated some unique stainless steel tie bars in its fabrication workshop, comprising threaded bar that would be drilled into the inner arch with a welded cramp to fix to the outer arch. Phil Braithwaite continued: “We formed a groove in the outer arch to accommodate the cramp, and having made a mould from modelling clay we poured molten lead into the cramp pocket. That would hold the cramp firmly to the outer arch. The inner threaded bar was simply fixed using epoxy resin.” Once all eight voussoirs had been cramped the rebuilding of the gable pike was commenced. Hot-mixed lime mortar was used for the masonry work, and bespoke stainless steel wall ties were fabricated from 9mm helical bar to tie the internal and external walls. The centre of the wall had packing installed, with a little lime mortar to bind. The packing was carefully laid to ensure the maximum bond between the masonry leaves.

Nave parapet The project also involved the dismantling of the nave parapet due to internal water ingress. Phil explained: “We dismantled the three sections of masonry parapet after recording the existing layout and fabricated Code 5 lead cover trays on site – the first of which was to run alongside the lead roof gutter and under the masonry to turn the water out of the wall.” The second tray was installed below the coping and flashed to the roof gutter. The lead was painted with two coats of bitumen paint and coated with a fine sand – the bitumen being used to prevent the lime mortar from eroding the lead and the sand enabling the lime mortar to grip the lead. Each course of masonry was pinned together with stainless steel bars. The bars were fixed into the lower stone using epoxy resin. Lead collars were then lead-welded onto the tray to prevent water ingress around the bars. The top stone was cored out to accept the bar and collars; no epoxy resin was used there to allow dismantling of the parapet at a later date. The parapet was then rebuilt using lime mortar. “We used a hot-mixed lime mortar blended with a hydraulic lime, which was used hot,” said Phil. “Our restoration technicians ensured the vertical joints were fully mortared with the minimal joint size and the excess lead was trimmed from the parapet then neatly dressed to the masonry. All corners were lead-welded to ensure a water-tight seal.”

Chancel gable The hard cementitious mortar was removed from the chancel, revealing large voids in the masonry where the original lime mortar had decayed. Phil continued: “Using a hot-mixed lime mortar, we packed and filled the voids in the masonry. Pinning stones were required where the voids were large and we applied a heavy gauge pointing to the masonry ready to receive the two harl coats. “The mortar for the two harl coats was again hot-mixed lime mortar gauged with a hydraulic lime. We used our large pan mixer for the harl as the render was required in large volumes. Three coats of hot-mixed lime wash were subsequently applied to the render.” The harling process was documented using a time-lapse video which can be viewed on UK Restoration’s website at www.restoration-services.uk.com.

Stone repair The final phase of work was the mortar repair to the voussoirs on the tracery arch, where water penetration of the joints had caused erosion of the stone. The team from UK Restoration Services installed carbon fibre armatures on the projection, followed by stainless steel wire wrapped around the carbon fibre to create a tie. Mortar was then worked up in layers and tooled back to reform the voussoirs’ profile. The vicar of the United Benefice of Warton and Borwick with Yealand, Rev Robin Figg, said: “It was a pleasure to work with both HPA Architects and UK Restoration Services on the chancel repair project at St Oswald’s Church. As custodians of the Grade Two-listed building, the Parochial Church Council was mindful of its responsibility to ensure a high standard of work was carried out to help secure the future of this important feature within the local community. “We were impressed throughout the project with the high standard of craftsmanship by the UK Restoration Services team as they worked on the stone, lead and lime rendering. We look forward to involvement with UK Restoration Services in further repair work on the church building.” q

Replacement windows at Harvington Hall Farmhouse [HARVINGTON HALL FARMHOUSE is a Grade Two-listed

property, located to the east of Harvington Hall – a Grade One-listed Medieval and Elizabethan moated manor house. The old farmhouse is believed to date from the early 17th century, though parts of the building had been remodelled c1700 and extended in the mid 19th century. However, some late 20th-century alterations have been made, including low quality softwood casement windows and steel side hung casement windows from the 1950s, which were generally in poor condition. The existing timber window frames were swollen and difficult to open. There was significant decay due to the high internal humidity, mainly caused by condensation forming on the inside of the single glazing, which had to be cleaned down regularly to avoid moisture pooling on the cills. According to the owner, the whole house smelt of damp, was always cold and the air inside was stale and musty. Various options for the windows were reviewed with the local conservation officer, including the repair of the existing timber frames coupled with secondary glazing or the introduction of slimline doubleglazed units, which were considered too heavy for the existing frames.

The pre-application advice had listed Pilkington Spacia™ as an approved glass for the refurbishment of certain listed buildings, as the 6.2mm vacuum glazed units were the slimmest available that could fit into the existing frames. However, as the timber frames were so very badly degraded, it was decided that completely new windows would be the most sensible option. Having decided to use vacuum glazing, the owner got in touch with Gowercroft Joinery, a Pilkington Spacia™ dealer specialising in the manufacture of high-end windows with a traditional handcrafted aesthetic. After discussing the project, it was apparent that their Richmond flush casement would be a good fit, as it had an overall sympathetic period look with slender sections and traditional styled ironmongery. Modern features required for the performance of the window, such as the seals and gaskets, were neatly concealed within the joinery. The new windows are pictured on the left, the ones on the right are the originals. The planning application was passed without issue and a total of 25 Richmond casement replacement windows and two heritage-style doorsets were installed in Accoya® with Pilkington Spacia™ glass. The impact of these changes to the fabric of the building has been positive, bringing a unity to the fenestration and, according to the owner, the air feels ‘healthier’ and the house is warmer and more comfortable. q • For more information about Gowercroft Joinery call 01773 300 510, email info@gowercroft.com or visit the website at www.gowercroft.co.uk www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

Renovation completed against the elements [

HOUGHTONS OF YORK were appointed as main contractor for an interesting renovation project on the west coast of Scotland. Cul Na Shee, a Landmark Trust property is located in the small village of Saddell, Kintyre, about a 25 minute drive from Campbletown. The only access is through a narrow archway at Saddell Castle followed by a rough track, and finally a 60m walk along a picturesque gravel beach. While this makes for a lovely approach to the property it made delivery of materials to site a rather tricky process, with large delivery trucks needing to be unloaded into a small van for the track before being carried by hand along the beach. The trust had a bat survey completed as they were known to use the building, and the company’s bat specialist obtained a licence for work and carried it out in a manner so as not to disturb the bats. Peaceful new modern homes were provided by way of bat boxes located in the woodland. Working the whole of October meant the harsh Scottish weather was against them at times but the local subcontractors took it in their stride. The early works involved stripping the external walls of all the old materials, replacing all decayed timbers and the application of woodworm treatment/fungicide. Before replacing the existing insulation, which was posing a fire risk, the plywood was renewed and a vapour barrier introduced. The final layer was prefinished galvanised corrugated metal sheets. Black was chosen for the walls as in the early days the building had been coated in tar rather than paint and the roof, which had originally been coated with red lead, was reflected in new

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‘terracotta’ colour roof panels. Externally, the gradual build-up of debris since the 1920s, especially at the rear of the property, meant some landscaping and land drainage was necessary. That was covered with a dressing of local beach gravel, making the area both more visually appealing and usable. The internal work comprised a full rewire, new kitchen, new enlarged bathroom and improved heating, along with a full redecoration. The internal walls were clad with knotty pine boards which had a waxy finish. They were painstakingly stripped and the boards prepared ready for a specialist primer, followed by top coats of brush applied paint for a traditional look. The decorating team also had the job of thoroughly sanding all of the wooden floors – not an easy task! Following this they stained and polished the floors, the end result being beautiful warm looking floors throughout the building. The original bathroom was small, cramped and uninspiring. A cylinder cupboard was removed and relocated to provide more space and an improved layout. Drainage was altered for the new bath, toilet, basin and shower. New LED lighting and extraction were installed. The resulting new layout gives space, looks fresh and creates an inviting and pleasantly warm atmosphere. Old inefficient storage heaters were replaced with modern, low energy, controllable heaters, providing warmth when and where required – quite important when the outside weather can change rapidly along this stretch of coast! q

Lead thefts continue despite convictions Leadwork training

emerges from lockdown

[DESPITE RECENT successes in

disrupting lead theft gangs, the lure of the metal for thieves continues. Police are appealing for witnesses following the theft of lead from the Town Hall roof in Sudbury in Suffolk. The incident occurred on the night of 16-17 June. Approximately 7 metres of lead was stolen. Access to the roof was gained using a ladder and climbing over the conservatory roof. The Grade Two-listed Town Hall building was built in 1828 by Thomas Ginn of Sudbury and features an impressive pediment with Ionic columns. Anyone with information about the theft, or who believes they saw anything suspicious, is asked to contact Suffolk police.

[ LEADWORK TRAINING at the Lead Sheet Meanwhile, the trial of three men accused of a spate of lead thefts across a number of counties has been adjourned to 21 August. The case involved police forces across three counties and the thefts took place from churches in Lincolnshire, Suffolk and the West Country. q

Repeated thefts force change of policy [PARTS OF THE historic Tredegar House in Newport, South Wales, will have lead roofs

replaced with an alternative metal following a spate of lead thefts from a number of its buildings. Insurers of the building warned that they would not pay out for another theft if lead was used again. The change of policy has been approved by planners at Newport City Council following the latest outrage. The buildings involved are the workshops and the Gardener’s Cottage within the estate. According to a report by the South Wales Argus, a heritage impact assessment said the thefts had made the change necessary, although ideally lead would be used. It is normally a condition of listed building consent that replacements be of a like material. The assessment states: “The dilemma is that a replacement material will need to look like lead so that it is does not stand out and be at odds with the historic character of the building. However, if it is a very good match it may fool the thief into thinking it is the real thing. “If this is only recognised after the theft event has occurred, then it is too late and the damage is already done, even if the material is later rejected.” Tredegar House is a late 17th-century house based on a medieval estate, managed by the National Trust. q

Training Academy (LSTA) resumed on the week ending 10 July, with courses restricted to four participants in the short term, with no mobile courses yet available. A spokesperson for the academy said: “The team has worked incredibly hard to ensure the LSTA is COVID-19 secure and has all the procedures and processes in place ensuring we minimise the risks to our staff and those attending lead and hard metals training.” Commenting on the first City & Guilds Basic Bossing and Welding course that had been held since March, the spokesperson added. “I am pleased to say that all candidates successfully completed the course and the LSTA would like to say a big thank you to all trainees for adhering to our new procedures regarding physical distancing and hygiene. We look forward to seeing them again on their intermediate and advanced courses.” Feedback from the participants was positive. One trainee commented: “Outstanding teaching; polite and positive staff. I am looking forward to completing all courses with the LSTA.” Another wrote: “Top trainer teaching the course – didn’t make you feel uncomfortable; asked plenty of questions and received 100% answers; went above and beyond. Top course: 10 out of 10.” Courses are being booked up quickly, so to find out more information or to book a place call 01622 872432 or email info@leadsheet.co.uk. 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

Black Dog Roofing T: 01249 321969 M: 07808 840491 E: blackdogroofing1@outlook.com W: www.blackdogroofing.co.uk

M P Hare Ltd

Specialists in: • Conservation Roofing • Lead Sheeting Association Standard • Leadwork including Welding • Slating, Tiling and Stone Tiling

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

Landsdowne Close, Calne, Wiltshire SN11 9DR

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

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

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Why it is important to save the artistry of early craftsmen [

ORNATE DESIGNS in lead – whether beaten, twisted, cut or cast – bear out the skill and artistry of early craftsmen: and surviving examples are under threat. The artistic skills of the leadworker have typically found expression on rainwater heads, downpipes, water cisterns and roof embellishments, as well as statuary. Employed on numerous ecclesiastical and important secular buildings, decorative leadwork reached its apogee in the period from late medieval times up to the end of the 18th century. Despite the fine craftsmanship, much of Britain’s historic leadwork has been lost or is threatened. Not only is there a lack of appreciation of decorative leadwork and its conservation, even non-ornamental plumbing leadwork skills are now scarce.

What are the techniques for decorating leadwork? Decoration is formed either by working lead sheet with tools or casting molten lead directly into moulds. Plumbing leadwork skills such as joint solder wiping and pipe fabrication are required, as well as specialist decorative techniques. Decorative interest can be created by a number of techniques: • Dressing lead over moulds to form • shapes such as faces (repoussé work) • Carving with gouges or forming pierce • tracery with chisels, punches and knives • Beating into ornate finials, crestings etc • (wrought work) • Casting into open sand, chill or other • types of mould. Surface decoration is also possible.

Was leadwork colourfully decorated in the past? The answer is: frequently. We have become accustomed to the attractive silvery grey finish of architectural leadwork. Historically, whole roofs, girouttes, flèches, ogee domes, lanterns, pennons and spires offered dazzling displays of chequer-work and chevrons. Rainwater heads and cisterns, too, were treated colourfully. Surface decoration was achieved by gilding, tinning, painting and sometimes through artificial patination, mastic inlays or etching.

In what ways can decorative leadwork deteriorate? Though lead is highly durable, degradation can occur. Some problems are associated with lead in general, such as acid corrosion, or with roofs, thermal stress failure. Defects specific to decorative leadwork range from the deterioration of wrought-iron armatures and cores in cast objects, to damage by birds

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to delicate tracery. Weathering degrades gilding, tinning and paint.

How is decorative leadwork repaired? Lead is the perfect material to repair. It is possible to cut out a damaged section and insert a matching new piece (sand-cast or milled, as appropriate) to produce an invisible joint. Soldering and solder wiping are often used there, and for making good small splits and pin-holes in decorative work. Where a rainwater head is in very poor condition, a new lead reservoir can be made and placed inside, with suitable reinforcement. Occasionally a case exists for reshaping distorted leadwork, such as when a piece no longer functions as intended because the lead is obstructing water flow. Work may also entail casting new parts or the replacement of corroded wrought-iron armatures with stainless steel.

Why might leadburning be inappropriate with decorative leadwork? It is important to copy the original method of jointing lead, in most cases to avoid changing the fundamental nature of a historic piece. There are many examples where unskilled individuals have tried to replace soldered joints by leadburning (welding) inside restricted rainwater head reservoirs, leaving globules of molten lead that cause debris to collect. Smooth wiped soldered joints would have

been easier to perform to the benefit of water flow. Regardless of the method, it is important to remember fire safety with all hot work.

Is it appropriate to apply colourful surface decoration on old leadwork? Gilding, painting and other forms of surface decoration might be considered where it is known to have existed originally and would be to the benefit of the architectural whole. Lead-based paints were used historically, but legislation now restricts the sale of these for use on Grade One and Two*-listed buildings, scheduled ancient monuments and also works of art, which some decorative architectural leadwork objects might be classed as. Listed building or scheduled monument consent may be required before reinstating decoration. q • Courtesy of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) www.spab.org.uk

Don’t despair – the skills are still out there [

FORTUNATELY, there is a reservoir of traditional leadworking skills in the country, many of whom are still producing highly decorative pieces – either for repairs to ancient buildings or as features to adorn modern buildings. Three notable exponents of the craft have been chosen to illustrate the depth of craftsmanship still available. The pineapple fountain with copper leaves (pictured right), by Turners Ornamental Leadwork, is an original lead and copper design by Brian Turner inspired by the texture of the pineapple. The design is ideal for use as a fountain centrepiece, as the surface texture has been specially crafted to work against the water to create a beautiful sound. The pineapple would also be ideal for use as an ornament or finial. The original piece was created from 100% recycled materials. For more of Brian Turner’s stunning work visit www.turners-lead-collection.co.uk. The ornate bay roof pictured below was devised by Brighton-based M Marchant Specialist Lead Roofing Contractors Ltd – a family-run company of professional roofing and leadwork specialists with over 30 years experience. They can take on any size job, from a small repair to a full re-roof, and offer the high standards of craftsmanship demanded by the Lead Contractors Association. The main areas covered by M Marchant include general leadwork – dormers, flashings, flat roofs, lead cladding, chimney flashings, lead fire walls and minor roofing works. They can supply and fix both milled lead sheet to BS1178 and traditional sand-cast lead sheet to meet any contract specifications. Fot further information on their work visit www.mmleadroofing.co.uk.

The ornamental hopper head pictured on the right was produced by B S Leadwork of Ashford in Middlesex – a family-run business boasting skilled craftsmanship that provides a complete lead repair and replacement service. The company’s craftsmen have 21 years experience and hold City & Guild qualifications, which ensures a professional service. B S Leadwork use traditional skills and techniques in order to maintain the beauty of our heritage throughout the UK, maintaining the tradition of decorative leadwork for a range of applications. For more examples of their work visit www.bsleadwork.co.uk q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

Stainless steel replaces lead following theft

[A RECENT LEAD THEFT from St John’s Church in Pewsey,

Wiltshire, posed a difficult dilemma for the church: do they replace the lead with another lead roof and fit alarms and security to help prevent further vandalism, or should they rethink the roof covering and replace the aisle roof with terne-coated stainless steel? Churches are particularly vulnerable to that type of crime, with lead roofs proving a desirable target for a thief. With many roofs not being visible from the ground, the damage caused by a theft can remain undetected for some time and can lead to major problems with water ingress to the building. The damage and expense caused to a local community church can be colossal, and the depletion of church funds can leave a heritage building vulnerable to further damage as routine maintenance is forgone to replace a stolen roof.

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Terne-coated stainless steel (TCSS) was decided on for the new roof covering. The contractor chosen for the job was Ellis and Co of Somerset and the works were carried out this summer under the instruction of Jessica Holland of Donald Insall Associates. The roof structure at Pewsey had suffered some timber decay and repairs were necessary. The rotten original boarding was removed and replaced with new redwood timber. To give a similar appearance to the original lead roof, it was decided to use TCSS with a roll detail instead of a standing seem – that gives the appearance of a typical lead roof bay connection detail. The timber rolls are cut with a 45˚ angle on the end and are screwed to the roof deck in the same way they would be on a traditional lead covered roof. The TCSS roll coverings are manufactured to give a watertight seal between the bays. The bays for the Pewsey project were measured on site and manufactured at Ellis and Co’s workshop in Shepton Mallet. Due to the considerable weight saving over lead, they could be transported using a van. The hard metals team proceeded to lay the roof bays in accordance with the Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing Contractors (FTMRC) guidelines. A Metmat underlay was used below the TCSS between the rolls to help reduce rain noise. The flashing details around the roof were redone using lead. That often gives better weather protection due to lead’s versatility when overcoming awkward details. The lead gutter detail along the north parapet wall remained in place during the theft. It was found to have been in good order and was checked and repaired accordingly. Once the roof was watertight again, the internal plaster and decoration was restored. q

Award nominees’ wait goes into next year [

As with past awards, the finalists in the Heritage Roofing category have ROOFING COMPANIES SHORTLISTED for this year’s UK Roofing been complemented by a number of ecclesiastical and heritage projects Awards will have to wait until 28 May next year to find out if they have been shortlisted in other categories. successful. The awards had already been postponed to October this year; The shortlist for the Heritage Roofing category itself currently features but in June, with no clear government guidance available regarding future five high-profile projects. The reroofing large gatherings, the decision was made of Carrickfergus Castle joins The to abandon them for this year and look Queen’s House, West Dean College forward to a bigger and better awards in West Sussex and Wythenshawe Hall ceremony next year. The venue will remain in Manchester in the line-up for the the same – the InterContinental at the O2. category, together with Bodley Court at All shortlisted entries will carry over for King’s College, Cambridge. the 2021 awards and nominations for There is also a specialist Lead Roofing 2021 project submissions will re-open later category, in which the finalists are the this year. All tickets and room bookings South Quire Tribune at Canterbury will be automatically carried over. For Cathedral, Barton Mill Road, Nunnykirk those unable to attend the rescheduled Hall in Northumberland and a new-build date, refunds can be obtained by emailing dome in London. events@nfrc.co.uk. Other categories have also proved to Commenting on the announcement, be fruitful for heritage roofers. Projects NFRC chief executive James Talan said: include the copper dome of Ludgate “We have taken the decision to delay House in London in the Fully Supported the awards with a heavy heart. The UK Metal category. The Heartspace project Roofing Awards are the highlight of the at the University of Sheffield is shortlisted year for many in the roofing community. in the Multi-Discipline category – as is the However, the threat posed by COVID-19 West Dean College project in what is its is still very much present. Social distancing guidelines are likely to be in place for West Dean College in West Sussex is shortlisted in two categories second category. Ecclesiastical projects see Holy Cross at least the short-to-medium term, and Priory in Heathfield pitted against a cemetery lodge in Essex in the Small avoiding a second peak is very much on everyone’s mind. The safety of the Scale Project <25K category, while the restoration of the Cathedral Yard attendees must come first. We, therefore, hope the industry understand why at Exeter Cathedral following a fire is also in the running, in the Single Ply we had to take the decision we did.” Roofing category. Perhaps the project that captures the imagination most among all of the shortlist is the El Alamein War Memorial in Egypt in the Reinforced Bitumen Membranes category. 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

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Complex roof tops off an [

ATHLONE HOUSE is a brick and stone Victorian mansion built in 1871, lying on high ground just beyond the northern edge of Hampstead Heath, within the Highgate Conservation Area. Over its 150-year history the house has been used as a private dwelling, a secret RAF school during World War Two, and more recently an NHS home for people with dementia. From 2003, however, it had been left derelict. Built in an eclectic Victorian style, the exterior façade features Dutch gables and a prominent stone tower, glimpses of which can be seen from parts of the Heath. The house has recently undergone major restoration by main contractor Knight Harwood, to bring it back to its former glory and transform it into a beautiful modern family home. The new scheme, designed by SHH Architecture, won approval from Historic England, who were keen to preserve the character and appearance of the Highgate Conservation Area. Initially it was hoped that the roof could simply be renovated and the old clay tiles reused. However, as Tina from roofing contractor Attley’s Roofing explained: “The roof needed to be brought up to modern roofing standards and there was not enough lap on the existing tiles by modern standards, and by increasing the lap we needed a greater number of tiles.”

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The old tiles also had no nail holes so they could not have been refitted onto the roof to modern standards. Moreover, it is not recommended practice to mix old tiles that have already done years of service on a roof with new tiles that are at the beginning of their lifecycle, so the decision was made to use a new replacement tile that was as close a match as possible to the originals. Following the pattern on the original roof, alternating bands of plain red tiles with bands of ornamental spade and fish tail tiles were to be laid, bringing a visual richness to the roof. Plain red smooth tiles by Dreadnought were specified, together with Dreadnought Staffordshire blue ornamental spade and fishtail tiles. Attley’s Roofing began by stripping off the tiles, but unfortunately found that much of the timberwork needed to be replaced. They were consequently forced to pull off site for three months while the new timberwork was put in place. Attley’s worked closely with Knight Harwood to create a number of mock-ups of the roof so the architects, as well as Historic England, could all be in agreement on exactly how the complex roofing details would work. There were a number of elevations with different roof pitches, and in order to match up the bands of ornamental tiles and the alternating red and blue colours Attley’s had to vary the lap in places, reducing it to 85-90mm at times. Dreadnought’s clay colours are produced naturally during the firing process by expert control of the kiln atmosphere, without

extraordinary restoration

the use of artificial stains and pigments, and their authentic Staffordshire tiles made from the finest Etruria marl clay provided the best match to the originals. A small number of the original bespoke ornamental ridges were able to be salvaged and reused, and Dreadnought created an exact copy to replace the 161 broken ones. David Sherry of Dreadnought Tiles explained the complexity of the job: â&#x20AC;&#x153;We often match bespoke pieces for heritage projects, but most bespoke ornamental ridges are extruded in one piece and are then worked on by hand to create the decorative detail; whereas this intricate ridge was much more complex: 11 separate clay pieces were carefully moulded together to make the right three-dimensional profile before the cut-outs were added to make the final ornamental details. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Normally, bespoke finials are the most complex components we are asked to make, and we would normally only make one or two of those on a project; whereas this job involved 161 of those ridges, as well as a small number of highly-elaborate ornamental finials which were so large, standing at over one metre tall, that each was made in four separate pieces and then assembled by the roofers on site.â&#x20AC;? This was no ordinary renovation project for anyone involved. A special free-standing scaffolding had to be built to give access to both the roof and the facades of the building, and to cope with the wind loading on the elevated and exposed site. The scaffolding, created by

Millcroft, was designed using 3D modelling and took a team of 25 experienced scaffolders 14 weeks to construct. The entire roofing renovation took approximately 18 months from start to finish and Athlone House is once again standing elegant and proud in its prominent position on the edge of the Heath. q

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‘Made to order’ radius gutter from Rainclear – true cast or mitred [SOMETIMES YOU NEED TO replace a radius gutter – guttering that

follows the shape of a circular roofline – on a conservation or renovation project and it needs to be ‘like for like’. The original pattern for ‘sand casting’ of that specific cast iron radius gutter may be long gone, but Rainclear Systems can use the pieces you still have to create new ‘patterns’ and cast new matching radius gutters for you. This is known as a true cast radius gutter. Cast iron gutters are available in four traditional profiles and primed for onsite painting in almost any colour, or factory pre-painted in seven traditional colours. They should last for over 100 years with proper maintenance which includes repainting every five years. In some cases you may be allowed to replace the original cast iron radius gutters with cast aluminium. Aluminium is less expensive, lighter to install and does not need to be painted regularly to last 25-40 years, depending on the environment. Rainclear can arrange for a new pattern to be made from the pieces that need to be replaced, and/ or using measurements and calculations from plans of the current roofline, and cast new replacement aluminium radius gutters for the client. Cast aluminium gutters are The casting process is pretty amazing to watch available in three profiles and in 26 standard RAL colours. Rainclear sales and customer service executive Danny Norris said: “Sometimes only a bespoke angle is needed where the corner on a

A ‘made to order’ true cast, cast iron radius gutter building is not the standard 90 or 135 degrees. This sort of request is right up our street.” Even on a new build project, Rainclear can use either of these processes or, if the project calls for a more contemporary style of gutter, they can ‘cut and mitre’ – that is welding together segments of machine mitred gutter to achieve a given radius – lengths of extruded or pressed A cast aluminium bespoke gutter aluminium gutter to create the angle supplied for a chapel in Wales curve necessary for the roofline. that was being converted into a Modern aluminium gutters family home are available in four profiles, including ‘box’, and 26 standard RAL colours. They also last 25-40 years depending on the location and environment of the building and require minimal maintenance.

The result of cut and mitre may not be quite as smooth as the true cast method, but it is obviously a less expensive solution and, as can be seen from a recent case study (above), is just as effective. Danny Norris explained: “Modern day technology improvements mean this can pretty much create the effect of a true radius. With machine cuts and accurate spot welding, once powder coated, the joins are hardly visible.” Radius gutters and bespoke angles can be made to order in any profile – half round, box, ogee or moulded – along with fittings to accommodate any situation. So, if your next project requires a bespoke solution or a radius gutter, get in touch with the friendly, knowledgeable team at Rainclear Systems who are happy to offer technical advice and quotations. q • Visit www.rainclear.co.uk to browse the metal gutter profile ranges online and if you have questions or need any help, call 0800 644 44 26 or email sales@rainclear.co.uk.

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Roofing training centre reopens for business [

AT THE END of June National Construction Training Services (NCTS) reopened its training centre at Hoddesdon in Hertfordshire. The number of trainees attending each course is currently limited to a maximum of four in order to provide the recommended isolation distances. All candidates and tutors are being asked to wear the appropriate face masks during each training session and hand sanitiser is positioned around the training facility. National Construction Training Services is a training provider for the roofing industry. Its training centre is designed to offer skills and development to anyone who requires access to specialist training across the many roofing disciplines. From beginner to experienced tradespeople, a range of industryrecognised qualifications is designed to help trainees make the next move in their career, improve in a niche area or simply gain more confidence. The training is carried out at the prestigious Richard Murdoch Training Centre for Excellence – named after the late ‘Mr Lead’, the recognised leader in leadwork excellence. NCTS is open to all construction sector employers and those looking to develop or start a career in the industry. Working with roofing federations and associations, roofing training groups, manufacturers and employers from across the industry NCTS can offer a variety of comprehensive training courses designed to fit all needs, no matter the level of skill. Courses currently on offer include leadwork, hard metals, roof slating and tiling, a basic competency programme and on site assessment training (OSAT). The On Site Assessment & Training (OSAT) course is an efficient route for experienced workers without formal qualifications who want to obtain recognition of their skills. They can do so by obtaining an NVQ Level 2 or Level 3 through this assessment programme. These assessments are carried out on site, therefore reducing the amount of time the candidate has to spend off site. In the past, experienced lead and hard metal workers were issued

CSCS cards through the Industry Accreditation, also known as Grandfather Rights, through employer recommendations rather than the achievement of a recognised qualification. CSCS closed this process to new applicants in 2010, but existing cardholders have been allowed to renew on the same basis. However, from 1st January 2020 all cards renewed under the Industry Accreditation or Grandfather Rights will expire on 31st December 2024, and CSCS will stop issuing the cards from 30th June 2024. This is a very important transitional period for all contractors who currently hold the Heritage Gold Cards to plan and allow sufficient time to gain the relevant recognised qualification. As the deadline approaches, working closely with contractor members, NCTS and their team of assessors can offer advice and guidance on an individual bespoke basis from initial enquiry through to certification. q • For more information call 01992 801914, email training@ncts.org.uk or visit the website at www.ncts.org.uk

New guidance explained to prevent thatch fires [

SINCE THE 1990s the number of fires in thatch roofed buildings has risen significantly. Evidence suggests there is a connection between that and the increasing popularity of wood-burning and multi-fuel stoves. In fact, recent studies have shown that those types of stoves are more likely to cause fires in thatch roofs than any other form of heating, including traditional open fires – although the actual mechanism and cause has long been a subject of contention. Historic England has produced new guidance on measures to reduce the risk of fires in thatched buildings with wood-burning and multi-fuelled stoves. The guidance is based on research carried out by the Fire Protection Association (FPA) on behalf of Historic England and NFU Mutual Insurance. The research disproved the widely-held theory that enough heat could be transferred via conduction from the chimney stack to start a fire. Instead, two main causes were established. The emission from the chimney of burning sparks and embers from a bird’s nest were proven to be one cause of a fire. Another cause was a combination of defective mortar joints or brickwork and incorrect operation of the stove or a blockage. As part of its Technical Tuesday webinar series, Historic England

assembled a team with expertise in the field to present the new guidance and explain the mechanics of thatch fires. The team comprised its own head of building conservation and geospatial surveys Alison Henry, together with Alan ‘Gilly’ Gilson of Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service and James Glockling, the technical director of the FPA who carried out the research. Alison Henry explained the importance of thatched buildings to both individuals and communities, before ‘Gilly’ Gilson outlined the effects of fires and the resources taken to fight them. James Glockling then gave a detailed account of the research and its conclusions. Measures were outlined that can be taken to reduce the risk of fire, such as regular sweeping, the installation of bird guards and flue linings, and maintaining a safe chimney height. The emphatic conclusion, however, was that wood-burning stoves should not be used in thatch buildings. In fact, James Glockling conceded that he had removed the stove from his own family home. The updated advice can be downloaded from historicengland.org.uk. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

Lightning protection: the CHRIS STOKES listens in to a webinar by Historic England

[IN MAY Historic England began a series of webinars aimed at

providing technical guidance for owners and operators of historic buildings, as well as contractors and heritage professionals. Tagged as Technical Tuesdays, the webinars are presented by senior members of Historic England’s technical conservation team. Each Tuesday in the week sees a webinar on a theme within a particular area of expertise. On 21 July the theme was Lightning Protection. It was presented by Historic England senior building services engineer Geraldine O’Farrell and the team leader of building services and principal engineer, Caroline Cattini. The session began with a brief explanation of what the webinar was aiming for. At base, it was to offer an explanation of Historic England’s guidance document for the new BS EN 62305 standard. Caroline Cattini added that there was also an aim to enable delegates to become ‘the informed client’, able to discuss requirements with designers and contractors. Both stressed that the design and installation of a lightning protection system is very much the job of a trained expert, while indicating that – heresy of heresy – it is not always essential to stick rigidly to the standard where it would be at odds with the need to preserve a historic building’s unique identity. Getting down to the technical nitty-gritty, the duo explained the changes from the previous standard, BS 6651. Geraldine then explained what lightning was from a scientific standpoint, together with some mindboggling statistics regarding the

temperature, electrical power and speed of lightning. The whole was illustrated by a comprehensive series of slides illustrating the complex process of designing and installing a lightning protection system – some taken from the English Heritage guidance, others from the standard document. A series of photographs illustrated the awesome power of lightning, together with the effect it can have on buildings. A series of pictures showed the strike on St Andrew’s Church in Ramsbottom. The tower

Cuttings

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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

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new standard explained carried only a single down tape on a corner pinnacle. When the lightning struck it hit that pinnacle and also another, which was blown apart and ripped through the church roof. The pictures showed both the damage to the tower itself and to the interior (pictured left). Another showed the effect of a ‘side flash’ on the pinnacle of Easton Maudit church in Northamptonshire. Amazingly, the middle section of the pinnacle was nearly blown out, leaving the top teetering (pictured right). The webinar then went on to explain the three main elements of a lightning protection system. First of all comes the air termination element – the familiar ‘lightning conductor’ spike. In the case of historic buildings a major concern is that terminals should not make an ‘undesirable mission statement of their own’. The same applies to the second element – the down conductors. They should be nestled into corners or run alongside downspouts – the downspout should not, however, be part of the system. Consideration should also be given to the anchoring clips. They should be fixed into ‘sacrificial’ materials such as mortar and not into ashlars.

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

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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

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Harrison Lightning Protection & Earthing Ltd

Unfortunately, the metal of the down conductors can be a target for thieves. Geraldine and Caroline offered the story of a church in Liverpool where the cable was attached to a 4x4 vehicle and pulled off the wall. The irony was that the police arrived to disrupt the thieves and the damage was caused for nothing. The final element of the basic system is the route to earth. A number of slides illustrated the kind of end terminal that can be employed. Things to avoid with a system were listed. In particular, bends in the down conductor should be avoided. Where bends cause overhangs there is the risk a strike could ‘jump’ across to earth directly. The webinar concluded with a consideration of testing. While the generally accepted interval for testing is 12 months, a preferable interval is, in fact, 11 months. That ensures the testing takes place at different months over the years, thus taking into account seasonal variations. All the link references and slides of the webinar have been made available to download, as is the guidance document itself. Visit historicengland.org.uk, where details of all the other Technical Tuesdays webinars are available. 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

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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

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Sound and lighting industry looks to next year [HAVING DODGED the

COVID-19 bullet for this year’s event, the Institute of Sound and Communications Engineers is already planning next year’s ISCEx. As has become the norm, it will be held at Coombe Abbey in Warwickshire, on 17-18 March. For those working in commercial audio system design, integration, project management or sales, ISCEx is the industry event. It combines seminars and lectures with a comprehensive exhibition on the second day and a pre-event networking dinner in the medieval surroundings of Coombe Abbey’s banqueting suite. Full details are available on the ISCE website at www.isce.org.uk. The other major event for the audio and lighting industry, PLASA 2020, has not fared so well and has been postponed until September next year. PLASA Show will return to Olympia London in 2021 from 5-7 September. PLASA is the Professional Lighting and Sound Association. Its managing director Peter Heath comments: “We are all hugely aware of how the events industry is suffering, and as it stands there is no end in sight. PLASA is focussing all its efforts into supporting the industry and we invite you to join the cause so we can all enjoy concerts, theatre shows and festivals long into the future.” For those who can’t wait until next September to find out about developments in the lighting and sound industry, PLASA Focus Leeds will be taking place at the Royal Armouries on 11-12 May. q

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How to clean your microphones [ WITH CONCERNS being to the fore

around the spreading of the coronavirus via droplets of moisture emitted when we speak, leading microphone manufacturer Sennheiser has published an article on its website on microphone hygiene. The droplets of saliva that we emit, the guide says, can accumulate on the windscreen of a microphone and although it is unlikely they will leave the screen there is a possibility of other users touching the windscreen with their lips and ingesting the droplets. “The virus can also be transferred when you replace a windshield and do not observe the necessary hygiene measures,” the guide says. “If you touch a windshield that has just been used and then touch your face, you may contract an infection.” The author, while confessing to not being a virologist, lists precautions that can be taken to ensure microphones, screens, transmitters and receivers are safe. One method that is not recommended is thermal treatment, as high temperatures can cause mechanical and chemical stress. The article stresses that its recommendations are guidelines and not definitive. They can be viewed at en-uk.sennheiser.com/microphone-hygiene. q

Live streams flowing from South London

[

AS THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC hit its peak and the full effect of the lockdown was being felt, churches across the country were digging out smartphones, brushing the dust off their webcams and signing up for YouTube and Facebook Live. Socially distanced services have been broadcast from sofas, studies, empty sanctuaries (and even sheds!) straight to screens in sitting rooms. One church in Balham, South London, turned to church audio and visual specialist Cunnings Recording Associates to help them live stream services from the empty church to their isolated congregation. Holy Ghost Roman Catholic Church is part of the Archdiocese of Southwark and the building, designed by the architect Leonard Stokes dates from 1897 although Mass has been celebrated in the parish area since around 1880. The church features a lady chapel, separated from the nave by folding doors, which, during normal times, is used by parents and children. A large screen in the lady chapel allows the congregation to see the

sanctuary and this formed the basis of the live streaming solution. Daniel Cunnings MInstSCE, business development manager at Cunnings who designed and commissioned the system, explains: “It is difficult to see the sanctuary from the lady chapel so a large LCD was installed a few years ago with a camera mounted on the front of the organ gallery giving an ideal view of the sanctuary. Wherever possible we like to use the equipment which a church already has in place to reduce costs and avoid duplication and this is the perfect example. So when Fr Thomas, assistant priest at Holy Ghost Church, first approached us about live streaming their services we immediately looked to use the existing camera feed to the lady chapel screen. “A signal convertor was fitted behind the LCD screen to allow the camera feed to be extended into the sacristy. From here the camera feed is connected, along with an audio feed from the sound system, to a new streaming encoder which we configured with the church YouTube channel settings. The end result is that the church can broadcast live online at the touch of a button using their existing audio and visual infrastructure without any additional work for the priests.”

Watching the live stream from Holy Ghost Church Fr Thomas said: “It has been great that parishioners can participate in services while the church has been closed and we have heard from a number of people who have been tuning in who wouldn’t normally come to church. We’re looking forward to welcoming them in person to the church.” And now, as lockdown eases and services resume, the live stream will continue to be an integral part of the church. Older and more vulnerable parishioners will continue to watch services from the comfort and safety of their homes and the live stream will be especially beneficial for weddings, funerals and other special events where family or friends can participate from different parts of the country or even from across the world. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

You don’t have to be tech savvy to use the latest in AV [

BROADMEAD BAPTIST CHURCH in Bristol is built on the foundations of one of the country’s earliest Baptist churches. Now, the completion of a dynamic audio-visual installation by Creative Audio-Visual Solutions has led to the church being fully equipped for all the requirements and challenges of worship in the 21st century. Creative Audio-Visual Solutions (CAVS) are a

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dedicated church audio-visual and technology integrator, working throughout the UK. The audio system at Broadmead Baptists is based on the latest Electrovoice EVC speaker – an extremely cost-effective enclosure providing high-quality, full-range music and speech coverage – with the addition of a matching 15” active subwoofer (EV EKX 15SP) to enhance low frequencies. That single flown

pair of speakers provides high levels of clarity and intelligibility to both the floor and balcony areas – and is ready for the vibrant worship band and all the other music and audio-visual requirements. Additional EV FM6.2 speakers (dual 6” recessed speakers) provide coverage under the balcony. The system is driven by a dual DSP level configuration: a speaker processor (DBX

Driverack Venu360) to manage room acoustic anomalies and actively monitor any feedback issues, and Dynacord amplification featuring speaker-matched configurations to maximise speaker performance and ensure long-term speaker protection. A Soundcraft Si Impact digital mixer console, along with a portable 16/8 digital stage box, provides over 48 active input channels for total flexibility. The stage box has multiple connection points, allowing the worship band to be positioned in different areas depending on the layout of the service or event. The mixer provides pre-set memorised scenes to quickly recall settings for different services and iPAD wireless control from anywhere in the church, via a dedicated managed wireless network infrastructure also installed by CAVS. New Sennheiser G4 radio microphones, with charging stations and remote antennae,

were also installed, to ensure the highest quality and reliability. A Denon media player (DN-500CB – providing CD/MP3 and Bluetooth connectivity) allows music playback from virtually any device and via the matching Denon DN-300R audio recorder. Service recordings can be started at the touch of a single button to USB media. The visual system features a 3m Sapphire dual motor winch screen which discreetly rises to the ceiling when not in use. The latest Christie 7,000 lumen laser projector, fitted with a telephoto lens, provides high-quality visuals, with lampless technology for reduced running costs and reliability. A 65” LED ‘comfort’ monitor is mounted on the face of the balcony to allow service leaders and musicians to view all projected images without needing to turn to the main screen. The projector, LED display and screen are all controlled via a Kramer RC-

208 keypad touch panel – negating the need for multiple remote controls and ensuring the system is simple to operate. Flexible HDMi connections are provided at the main console and platform for laptop/camera input. Overall the system was designed to be as tactile and approachable as possible, providing high levels of technical capability for more advanced operators but fully accessible and approachable for less confident users – enthusing all to maximise the system’s potential. q • For an on-site installation consultation or for advice on the right equipment for your church, call or email CAVS. Local references are available upon request. Plus, for the latest installation case studies and product news, ‘Like’ CAVS on Facebook (cavsolutions).

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Do you want to conference, stream…or both? For many years Exeter-based APi Sound and Visual have been installing sound and visual systems in churches in the West Country and beyond. Camera systems have often been installed to allow those in the same building to see on a big screen what is happening at the front, for example projecting close-up images of a baptism or other event to give everyone a ‘front-row’ view. Now, with COVID-19, APi are receiving many enquiries about ‘virtual worship’. Here, managing director ANDY PIDSLEY looks at the various options.

[AS WE MOVE FORWARD together into

some uncharted territory, it is more important than ever to maintain a sense of community. We can no longer physically meet on a Sunday, so we are left with meeting virtually. A benefit is that, for the first time in many years some have been able to join in services, where previously not being able to travel to a physical building precluded them from doing so. There are several ways to do this, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and suitability – depending on the meeting type we are trying to replicate. Basically, they fall into two categories: live streaming – like a radio broadcast, with one source to many listeners – or video conferencing: more like a council meeting with a chairperson and a number of participants. Here are some pros and cons for each. Live streaming is essentially a live broadcast and offers top-notch video and audio quality, depending on the source equipment. However, the potential for congregational feedback is limited to an associated text message feed. That can work quite well if the main presenter can interact well with the messages,

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but it doesn't allow for seeing each other or spoken/ video feedback. Image quality can be very high and audio likewise. Transmission equipment can vary from a smartphone, tablet or laptop to a sophisticated AV system. Platforms such as YouTube and Facebook are well suited to a Sunday service format. They can also be promoted, and anyone can join the service without a specific invitation. They are free to use, but you should have the correct CCLI licence to cover streaming to the public. As I mentioned, video conferencing is more like a council meeting, with a chairperson and a number of participants. Image quality is good, although the sound is not so good. Video conferencing platforms such as Google Meet, Microsoft Teams and Zoom offer the opportunity to see and hear all of those in the gathering as well as the chairperson. They also offer the facility to share the desktop of users, so that you can run a PowerPoint presentation or song words, for example. Many of the platforms offer a free service and subscriptions to others are very reasonable. This type of service is ideal for smaller churches of say 50 or less, as it gives more of a feeling of togetherness. However, strict discipline is necessary as people can talk over the top of each other. Due to the way that the audio is switched, the sound quality is not as good as a streaming service, but by asking participants to mute when not contributing it can be very good. I suggest that you keep things as simple as possible to start with – just using a phone or tablet as they all have built-in microphones and cameras and generally just work. There are plenty of helpful YouTube videos to help you get started. If you have a paid-for Zoom account you can also stream to Facebook or YouTube direct – for those who want to watch but not interact, or visitors who don't have the log-in details for the Zoom meeting. A personal example is that our church has Sunday meetings on Zoom weekly, with around 40 participants. My wife and I have led worship from our lounge and someone else has operated Easy Worship in their kitchen! There was a great sense of togetherness with many contributions and we even had coffee and chat afterwards. Since then we have had a daily Zoom meeting with prayer and worship, plus on Wednesday we have had a social gathering. That has been fantastic for those in self isolation. As churches slowly begin to reopen, thoughts turn to how everyone can be involved in services. A new importance has been placed on the ability to stream, and APi are able to upgrade existing systems to enable streaming relatively simply – depending on the age of the equipment and the availability of broadband, although we can offer 4G wireless solutions. At APi we frequently use ‘PTZ’ (pan, tilt, zoom) type cameras, as it is possible to steer them and follow the subject, and to save common preset positions for quick access. That will be recorded onto media such a USB drive or SD memory card. The audio input is usually taken from the existing sound system. As with all of our systems, we place ease of operation and reliability at the top of the list when it comes to equipment specification. We use simple push-button switching between cameras, dedicated streaming devices with just start/stop functions and avoid the use of computers to provide those functions, so that there is no risk of crashing and no updates to install. For your church that will mean multiple users are confident at recording without difficulty. As well as installing the equipment, APi will provide training. q

Make sure you’re legal [

A KEY CONSIDERATION for anyone venturing into livestreaming for the first time is copyright. For most churches the Christian Copyright Licensing International (CCLI) licence is the appropriate one. CCLI has introduced a streaming licence. It is available to any church which holds a CCLI Church Copyright Licence, which the majority of churches, particularly in the Church of England, do. And the Church of England includes a guide to the various copyright issues involved for churches streaming services on the various platforms within its A beginner’s guide to going live with your service or event for free. For example, the guide points out that, for churches streaming their services via YouTube or Facebook, the CCLI Streaming Licence will cover them for live worship music performed as part of that stream. However, for those hosting the stream or webcast on their own website, they will need the Limited Online Music Licence from the Performing Rights Society in addition to the CCLI Streaming Licence. For particular songs, the guide recommends consulting CCLI for clarification. It also lists particular issues regarding the use of Zoom. The guide is available to view on the C of E

website at www.churchofengland.org. Information particularly pertaining to music can be found on the website of the Royal College of Church Music at www.rscm.org.uk. Other issues to consider when putting together online services, which all the denominations offer guidance on, are the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) and photo permissions. GDPR comes into effect when contacting individuals electronically for a

stream. All contact details must be secure and only held for a specific purpose. Information on photo permissions can be found on the Church of England website’s Safer Environment and Activities section. In short, photographs are considered to be sensitive personal data under GDPR and permission should be sought to use an image of an individual, particularly a child, unless it is a wide viewpoint shot of a public event. q

Why live stream is now mainstream [

THE RESTRICTIONS AROUND the COVID-19 pandemic have led to many churches venturing into the online world in a much more comprehensive way than before. While most churches have had some kind of online presence and the Church of England has it’s A Church Near You site, the live streaming of services has become much more common. And modern AV equipment is perfectly suited to communicating via the internet. An irony is that many churches have found that they can now reach people who had been excluded by physical illness or disability from attending church services, and have acquired a whole new congregation. So live streaming is likely to remain the norm as the lockdown eases and churches open their doors again. It is a topic we shall be hearing much more about. q

New system finally supersedes 60s speakers [

THE CHURCH OF ST JAMES in Clapham was rebuilt in 1958, after the original 1820s building had been destroyed during the Blitz in 1940. In the mid-1960s an early sound system was installed. It included column speakers which were still in use until recently – having seen some 51 years of service – when Scanaudio were asked to install a completely new sound reinforcement and induction loop system. Scanaudio’s brief was to provide a modern, flexible system with touch screen control which could accommodate the wide range of services and activities in the church. The system was built around a Yamaha TF Rack digital mixer, four-channel Cloud amplifier and TOA F-Series loudspeakers. Five Audio Technica 2000 series radio microphones and two AKG goosenecks were installed for day-to-day use, along with three Image © Jim Grover Audio Technica AT8033 units for the music group. Video and laptop audio were relayed to the system via Sennhesier XSW Mini Jack transceivers. A perimeter induction loop was installed to cover the whole church, powered by an Ampetronic ILD500 loop amplifier. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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NHIG York CPD course set to go ahead [AT THE TIME of writing the National Heritage Ironwork Group

(NHIG) was still planning to go ahead with its popular two-day CPD event, Conservation of Architectural Ironwork. The course will be taking place at Jacob’s Well, Holy Trinity Micklegate, York (pictured) on 23-24 September. Aimed at craft practitioners and consultative professionals, the course is a ‘comprehensive introduction to the conservation of ironwork for those involved in its care’. The subjects covered include historical context, the metallurgy of wrought iron and steels, traditional tools, techniques and materials and design and manufacture. According to the NHIG: “With a focus on the processes of restoration, the course will also guide you through surface preparation and treatments, specification and standards for heritage ironwork contracts – including a procurement and pricing exercise. The lectures will be complemented by a site visit to survey historic ironwork and develop a strategy for its conservation. “Delegates will learn the basic principles of assessing historic ironwork in situ and making decisions about its care. Tender procedures often require the commissioner of the work to have knowledge of the medium in order to procure the best value. We aim to equip those wishing to commission work on listed ironwork with information they will find essential in the writing of specifications.” The tutors on the course will be Geoff Wallis and Bethan Griffiths. Both

have extensive experience in the field of historic ironwork conservation. Those completing the course will receive a NHIG CPD certificate recognised by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation. The course costs £250 for the two days, including lunch and refreshments on both days. In the event the course is cancelled because of COVID-19 restrictions all payments will be refunded, the NHIG says. q

Oldest swinger in Wales to get makeover [ THE METALWORK of the swing bridge at the north end of the famous Barmouth

Aqueduct is to be restored as part of a multimillion-pound project. The viaduct is located on the Cambrian Coast line, between Pwllheli and Machynlleth in North West Wales, and spans the River Mawddach. It is a Grade Two*-listed structure. Although primarily a wooden structure built in 1864 – indeed it is the only major timber-built bridge still in use – the swing bridge which allowed boats to pass through is a steel structure installed in 1900. The original swinging mechanism is still installed, although it is not functioning and will still not be following the completion of the restoration project in 2022. Components will be replaced on a ‘like-for like’ basis so it retains its heritage appearance. Bill Kelly, Network Rail’s route director for Wales and Borders, said: “We are investing £25m to give Barmouth Viaduct the biggest upgrade in its history, protecting our industrial heritage and ensuring this vital transport link can continue to serve local people and visitors, when the time comes, for generations to come. “We have been working closely with Cadw, Gwynedd County Council and other stakeholders over several years to develop our plans. I want to reassure the local community that we have adapted these plans to make sure we are following government guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.” To reduce the impact on the local community and tourism in Barmouth, Network Rail has carefully planned the work to take place over three years, with three shorter full closures of the viaduct rather than one longer full closure. q

How do you fit new ironwork into ancient settings? [

YORKSHIRE-BASED Bethan Griffiths was also the speaker for the first in a series of Second Tuesday Talks hosted via Zoom by the York Consortium for Conservation and Craftsmanship. The webinar took place on 11 July and was on the subject of Fitting the Old to the New: Designing New Ironwork for Heritage Settings, reprising the theme of her presentation at the NHIG’s 10th Anniversary Conference at the V&A last November. The installation of new designs into heritage settings will always stimulate debate. Whatever the nature of the design – it could be reticent and recessive or boldly contemporary – there will always be those either vehemently for or equally vehemently against. Working out of her forge in Thirsk, Bethan Griffiths is a specialist designer and consultant in decorative architectural ironwork. Her motto, ‘Beautiful work, skilfully crafted’, is at the heart of what she offers, providing inspiration and expert knowledge to both create and restore ironwork. After the talk there was a question and answer session. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

Lockdown eases for 50th anniversary [

ON 18TH JULY the gates of one of the country’s favourite visitor attractions – SS Great Britain in Bristol – opened to the public after lockdown. The date was of particular significance for the organisation that looks after the world’s first iron-hulled transatlantic liner. Sunday 19th July marked the 50th anniversary of the rescue of the vessel from rusting exile in the Falkland Islands and her return to her home in Bristol. It was also the 177th anniversary of the launch of Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s revolutionary vessel by Prince Albert. The SS Great Britain Trust made thorough preparations to make the ship and adjoining museums and docks safe to welcome back visitors from that Saturday. In July 1970, after months of being patched up and towed 8,000 miles back home, the hull of the SS Great Britain was manoeuvred back into the Great Western Dry Dock, from where she was launched on 19 July 1843. Days earlier she passed beneath Brunel’s Clifton Suspension Bridge for the first time. Matthew Tanner, CEO of the SS Great Britain Trust, said: “This is the first time in the SS Great Britain’s 50 years back home in Bristol that the doors have had to be closed, and so we are delighted to be able to reopen them to everyone in time to celebrate the 50th anniversary.” The 18 weeks of lockdown presented the trust’s staff with particular challenges. Meticulous monitoring of the carefully-balanced environment around the SS Great Britain’s iron hull had to go on around the clock to ensure the ship is preserved for future generations. Working from home, conservation engineer Nicola Grahamslaw

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made use of pioneering technological solutions, all of which could be controlled remotely. She commented at the time: “It’s essential that, even though we must stay at home, we continue to carefully control the environment around the SS Great Britain’s iron hull, which would otherwise deteriorate by corroding in Bristol’s climate. But, thanks to two custom-built dehumidifiers which circulate very dry air beneath a ‘glass sea’, her fragile hull will remain intact for generations. “The technology monitoring the humidity and air circulation 24-hoursa-day involves a network of sensors and controls. This means I can monitor and adjust the equipment over the internet from home and keep an eye on essential maintenance needs.” q

Renaissance Dutch glass is protected from the 21st century [ ST CLEMENT’S CHURCH is at the

centre of Outwell village in the Fens on the Norfolk-Cambridgeshire border. It has been described as a treasure-house of unique medieval sculptures and beautiful stained glass. In the east elevation of the Lady Chapel, or Beaupré Chapel, is a large transom window with a large tracery of 24 lights containing highly-detailed and technicoloured stained glass representations of saints – both local and international – heraldry and decorative motifs. They were installed sometime between 1515 and 1525, although it is thought that some lights have been repositioned within the window over time – perhaps after having been removed for protection during times of The tracery of the East Window of the Beaupré Chapel war. Despite a few losses of cohesive design work, amazingly they have survived intact corrosion, which had caused pitting of the glass surfaces. Left for 500 years. unchecked, that would continue until the glass became opaque or The hair colouring and drawing style suggests they were made by completely disintegrated. artists from the Netherlands. That The only way to halt that process is not uncommon for glass surviving was to fit them into an externallyfrom that era. Dutch engineers protective, internally-ventilated were drafted in to drain the Fenland system, generically known as around that time. Fellow artisans isothermal glazing. It required their worked on many buildings, and other removal and fitting into metal frames, churches and chapels in East Anglia. which were then secured onto the Among them was none other than inside of the stone. King’s College Chapel, Cambridge. Additional plain glazing was fitted The glass is skilfully painted and into the original glazing grooves, very thin, making its survival even replacing the stained glass panels. more astounding. There were some The gap between the two layers is cracks and some heavy-handed ventilated to the inside of the building repair work had been carried out. in order to equalise the temperature In January 2017 emergency repairs on both sides of the ancient glass – were undertaken by Susan McCarthy thus eradicating condensation on its of specialist glass conservators delicate surfaces. The new external Auravisions. Last year the company plain glazing protects it from the embarked upon a comprehensive ravages of the weather. repair effort. Susan McCarthy explained: The previous repairs were rectified, The Chalice and Host (left) and God the Father (right) “Conservation ethics require the least making them less noticeable by the possible interference with the original material, and also respect for use of specialist conservation resins and techniques. previous interventions. However, some interventions were replaced However, the main consideration was environmentally-related with more subtle methods, such as the removal of lumps of putty used to plug holes. Those had been added in situ; but having the panels on the bench, we were able to replace them with glass carefully selected and painted to match the original, or lead sections shaped to visually block the holes. “Fortunately, some lights contained much of their original medieval lead; and although it would not have been able to withstand more weathering, due to it being set into a new protective system we were able to retain it. “The project was several years in the planning, and the PCC and churchwarden worked long and hard to obtain the necessary funding for what was clearly a very worthy cause.” q

External protective glazing fitted into the original glazing grooves before securing the framed panels onto the inside of the stone apertures

• To find out more about the specialist conservation work undertaken by Auravisions call 01799 584108, email auravisions@gmail.com or visit the website at www.auravisions.co.uk www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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