Ecclesiastical & Heritage World Issue No. 86 by DMMonline

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COVER STORY

CONTENTS Notable house is sensitively reroofed – despite not being listed

The front cover of this issue features Queens Court in Kent. Although it is not listed it is a fine example of an Arts & Crafts home which, fortunately, is being lovingly restored by caring new owners. One of the main challenges has been restoring the roof to its former grandeur. The solution was a complete replacement, carried out by John Williams & Company (Contracting) Ltd: itself a long-established Kent company. The project has been shortlisted in the Heritage category of the 2020 UK Roofing Awards, to be announced online during February.

The full story can be read on pages 16-17

5 Reflections NEWS 7 NT’s Roman villa mosaic dates from 5th century 7 Grant aid gives boost to heritage planning in Scotland 8 Research puts a value on heritage and culture 9 HE looks back at 2020 listings 9 Minster clockface gets a timely refurb 10 Iconic tower takes step towards restoration 10 Binders keep craft alive, bucking the trend 11 Veteran loco goes home to ‘Donny’ 12 Welsh heritage body racks up record year pre-COVID 12 What makes better outdoor seating than…an oast cowl? 13 Northants heritage site offers free passes to locals 13 Entries open for 2021 M + H Awards 14 Research project will help identify endangered crafts 14 Tree surgeon invests in new Hinowa spider platform – and gets free rainbow 15 Historic abbey gives up more secrets 15 New commissions keep heating specialist busy ROOFING & LEADWORK 19 NFRC bows to the inevitable and cancels awards ceremony 20 Yorkshire gem sees roofing work continue despite pandemic 20 Seaside roof repairs help avoid winter blues 21 Metal roofing awards go ahead online 21 Lead and hard metal training carries on regardless

MASTIC ASPHALT 22 Mastic asphalt: the future of our heritage is black 22 New roof restores brutalist masterpiece – and rectifies design flaw 25 Award-winning project proves the value of mastic asphalt CRE 26 27 27

CRE South West to go ahead despite date change Do you dare to stream? Sandown beckons for resurrected CRE National

SOUND & AV SYSTEMS 28 Churches take to new technology as they always have done 29 New mixer adds to upgraded Zooming capacity 30 Latest installation ensures everyone can participate – whether in church or not 32 Annual sound and AV show rescheduled due to COVID 32 How to protect your church sound system during the winter ‘lockdown’ 33 Victorian church embraces modern technology 34 Experience is the keyword in professional systems 35 So, how do you choose an audio visual system? 37 Zoom into 2021 with ease – and MW mixers from KORG STAINED GLASS 38 Treatment redresses condensation damage CHURCH FURNITURE 39 New designer lightweight stacking chair is ideal for modern worship space 40 It’s “All Aboard!” for a project with a difference

CHURCH LIGHTING 42 Modern lighting brings the drama back to the church 43 Lighting systems reflect the character of all kinds of churches 45 Technical advances mean the future’s bright for lighting specialist 46 Lighting design had to take account of sacred, secular and security needs FIRE SAFETY 48 HE’s own historic building has fire resistance upgraded LIGHTNING PROTECTION 50 Now you see it; now you don’t: lightning protection can be skillfully concealed 51 Lightning protection and steeplejacking body passes third quarter century IRONWORK & METALWORK 53 Webinar programme is a hit with ironwork practitioners 53 Top London hotel gets its shine back 53 Thames-side lions roar again 54 Almshouse water pump shines forth once more MEMORIALS 55 Attacks on memorials remain static, but anniversaries draw attention 55 The Smart way to protect memorials is available for free TRAINING 56 Grant will support training in traditional skills 57 Roofing company establishes training academy 57 Get trained to work at height: the rules apply to everyone n

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[WHILE THE HERITAGE SECTOR itself has been closed for business for much of the past year – with staff

confined to quarters during three periods of lockdown, foraying out to replenish supplies or jog around the local park – the heritage building and maintenance industries have been working as near normally as is possible given the circumstances. In fact, in some cases building and restoration work has been able to be carried out more effectively precisely because there are no visitors or staff to work around. So it is that we are able to report on some heartwarming projects that have been completed during the pandemic. Restoration work is being carried out at Beverley Minster, for example, and last year saw the restoration of precious stained glass windows at a Roman Catholic seminary in Birmingham. Churches have also been able to take the opportunity to upgrade their heating, which has kept at least one specialist installer busy. • Things are moving a little more slowly at one of my own former haunts. Funding has been pledged to restore the Jubilee Tower in Darwen, Lancashire, and the local council has approved the restoration plan. Hopefully work will begin later this year. Darwen Tower, as it’s affectionally known, is a much-cherished local landmark and brought forth emotional reactions when news of its rescue emerged. It is a perfect example of how heritage is valued by communities. • It has not always been easy to quantify the value of such intangibles as culture and heritage, but now the DCMS has published research that enables us to do just that. Some of the results seem a little at odds with the principles of culture – a visit to an art gallery is valued at £5, for example, while a historic high street comes in at £7.80 a year – but the research could be a valuable tool in eliciting funding for a sector that has suffered more than most from the COVID scourge. • Part of the process of valuing heritage in this country is the process of listing. More than 400 sites were listed by Historic England during 2020 and they form a snapshot of centuries of British history. The listed sites represent highs and lows – from a memorial to lifeboatmen lost at sea to the epitome of the good life that is Selfridges. It is a sign of advancing age when sites are being listed that you remember being built, such as in my case St John’s Tower in Liverpool. • The other side of the coin to the valuing of heritage is the dwindling of traditional craft skills, as practitioners age and cannot find young people to replace them. It is a particular facet of the skills shortage and one that is being catalogued by the Heritage Crafts Alliance in its Red List of Endangered Crafts. Work is underway to produce a new edition this year. • Not all traditional skills are being lost, however. The art of the roofer is celebrated annually by a number of awards. The UK Roofing Awards have a specific Heritage category, which attracts entries from a wide range of high-quality roofing projects on sometimes-stunning buildings. One of the projects to be shortlisted in that category for 2020 is the beautiful Arts & Crafts house in Kent featured on the front cover of this issue. Unfortunately, the winner of that or any other category will not be able to receive the plaudits of their peers in person as the awards fell victim to COVID restrictions. The results will be announced online, however. • And online is where many of us are spending our lives these days. Church services are among the many activities that have adapted readily to an internet existence. Most churches had some kind of web presence pre-COVID, but the ability to live stream services has literally been a Godsend. It is a fact that congregations are generally ageing, so churchgoers have been overrepresented in the shielding population. Being able to attend church virtually has been a lifeline. Creating a virtual church service is, however, a technical skill requiring a certain amount of technical equipment if it is to be done properly. Fortunately, that equipment is available from a cohort of highly-knowledgeable individuals, who are also ready and able to offer any advice on its operation. They have also been kind enough to offer a wealth of advice via our pages. A good number of them are also regular exhibitors at the various Christian Resources Exhibitions. It is hoped that the first South West version of the show for six years can take place in June, followed by the annual CRE National in October. q

Chris Stokes

Editor, Ecclesiastical & Heritage World

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NT’s Roman villa mosaic dates from 5th century [ IN DECEMBER archaeologists

working at Chedworth Roman Villa in Gloucestershire received unexpected results following the radiocarbon dating of material uncovered during an excavation. The National Trust site is one of the largest Roman villas known in this country and one of the best preserved, with 35 exposed rooms and many significant features including fine mosaics. Recent radiocarbon dating has revealed that one of the mosaics was designed and created in the middle of the 5th century. Up until now it has generally been believed that, following the economic crash at the end of the 4th century, all towns and villas were largely abandoned and fell into decay within a few years. Charcoal and bone sealed within a foundation trench in the north range of Chedworth Villa have provided radiocarbon dates that show that the wall could not have been built until after AD 424 and that a mosaic must be later than that date. It is believed that the dated wall of the villa was constructed to subdivide an existing room and a mosaic was laid in the newlycreated room. As with many floors where the central area saw more wear and tear, the best preserved parts of the mosaic are on the margins of the room. The work that began in 2012 was part of a six-year programme of archaeological digs and research, which is shedding new light on Chedworth Roman Villa and the history of Romans in South West Britain. Research and dating on the mosaic however have only recently been completed. National Trust archaeologist Martin Papworth explained: “The 5th century is a time which marks the beginning of the sub-Roman period, often called the Dark Ages: a time from which few documents survive and archaeological evidence is scarce. “It has generally been believed that most of the population turned

to subsistence farming to sustain themselves and after the break with Rome Britannia’s administrative system broke down into a series of local fiefdoms. “What is so exciting about the dating of this mosaic at Chedworth is that it is evidence for a more gradual decline. The creation of a new room and the laying of a new floor suggests wealth, and a mosaic industry continuing 50 years later than had been expected.” The mosaic is of poorer quality than the well-made mosaics dating to the late 4th century in the villa, and contains several mistakes in its design, possibly evidence that the mosaicists had become less skilled by that time. Martin continued: “It is interesting to speculate why Chedworth Villa’s owners were still living in this style well into the 5th century. It seems that in the West Country, the Romanised way of life was sustained for a while. Many large, richly decorated Roman villas have been found in the countryside around Cirencester, which is around 8 miles from Chedworth.” The 5th century mosaic, along with some other mosaics in the exposed North Range at Chedworth, has been re-buried following the excavation to protect it from the weather. However, photographs and a 3D fly-through video of the mosaic can be seen online at www.nationaltrust.org.uk. q

Grant aid gives boost to heritage planning in Scotland [

HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND (HES) has been awarded grant-in-aid funding of £75.9m as part of the Scottish Government’s 2021-2022 Budget. HES looks after over 300 historic properties and their associated collections across Scotland on behalf of Scottish Ministers. That includes some of Scotland’s most iconic sites which have, like many visitor attractions across Scotland and globally, been affected by a decline in visitor numbers due to COVID-19. The funding reflects the impact of the pandemic on the work of HES and will help to protect jobs and ensure that HES can continue to deliver its core statutory and regulatory functions, including its designations and heritage management work, playing a key role in Scotland’s planning system and the reopening of sites in line with Scottish Government guidelines. The budget confirmation will also allow HES to plan for the next

12 months, including prioritising resources and activity through its Annual Operating Plan and continuing to invest in communities, projects and organisations across Scotland to support skills, employment and local recovery. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

Research puts a value on heritage and culture [THE Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has

published research that will improve decision making by valuing the benefits of our culture and heritage capital to society. People consume culture and heritage in many different ways, the DCMS says, from admiring a piece of modern art to learning about an area’s history from a visit to a local museum, or taking in the view of a castle on a countryside walk. And access to culture and heritage has many benefits, such as improving wellbeing, providing education and contributing to local identity. However, currently there is no agreed approach to measuring that contribution, which means that the value of culture and heritage capital is often understated. A new report published by DCMS, Valuing Culture and Heritage Capital: A Framework Towards Informing Decision Making, sets out how its approach will support the evidence base behind private and public investment in culture and heritage, which is consistent with social cost benefit analysis principles published in HM Treasury’s Green Book. While economic methodologies will take centre stage, a crossdisciplinary approach is needed. The programme will develop a robust evidence base for organisations in the culture and heritage sectors to use when making decisions regarding public and private investment. Culture Minister Caroline Dinenage said: “There is no doubt about the vast contribution culture and heritage make in all our lives: whether enjoying public artwork at a local gallery, visiting the library or enjoying the grounds of a historic house. I am pleased that this new research will help us to better quantify the value and benefit that these important local institutions bring and will help us to protect them for future generations.”

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The Commissioner for Cultural Recovery and Renewal, Lord Mendoza, added: “Our culture and heritage give us joy and make a huge contribution to society. We need to make sustainable, evidence-based decisions so we can preserve cultural venues and sites while enabling people to enjoy them. These new economic tools will make an important contribution to how we measure the value of culture and heritage.” The DCMS has also published new studies from both the department and its arm’s length bodies, developed by Simetrica-Jacobs and Nesta. That research has helped inform the DCMS framework and programme of research, with figures showing how much visitors value their engagement with culture and heritage. • Arts Council England has shown that people value a visit to a regional • gallery at an average of over £5. • Historic England has shown that households on average value the • historic character of their local high street at around £7.80 per year. • The British Film Institute has shown that users of its free Britain on Film • portal, which provides stories of UK life through the history of film, • value access to the service at over £3 a month. The evidence also demonstrates that people gain significant benefit just from the existence of culture and heritage sites through local identity or knowing continued access is available to family, friends and future generations. The evidence will help organisations to support the case for funding to invest in projects such as expanding an art collection, developing a music festival or continuing the maintenance of a historic train line. However, the tools that will be developed can be used by anyone who wants to demonstrate the value of their cultural and heritage investment. q

HE looks back at 2020 listings [ AT THE END of the year

Historic England published a retrospective of some of the 400-plus sites added to the National Heritage List for England during 2020. The highlights mentioned include a memorial to the nine lives lost during the fatal mission of the Beauchamp Lifeboat in Norfolk (right), the internationally renowned department store Selfridges on London’s Oxford Street, an extremely well-preserved 18th-century shipwreck in Kent, a rare survival of two 17th-century wall paintings in Hertfordshire and a Victorian train station café that was used to serve meals to British and allied forces during the Second World War. Historic England’s chief executive Duncan Wilson commented: “Every year Historic England works to protect the most significant historic sites across the country. Despite the challenges that the heritage sector has faced this year, 2020 has seen many brilliant additions to the list. From a picturesque footbridge in Essex to an excellently preserved Victorian railway station café in the Midlands, we want to ensure England’s rich and varied cultural heritage is protected so that the public can continue to cherish the heritage that makes their local places so important.” The Beauchamp Lifeboat Memorial is sited to the east of West

Caister Village Cemetery, near Caister-on-Sea in Norfolk. It was unveiled in 1903 to remember the nine crew members who lost their lives during a rescue mission in 1901 that gained national attention. Caister-on-Sea has a long lifeboat history, with the first one being sited there by the Norfolk Shipwrecked Mariners Association in 1845. The Beauchamp lifeboat was brought into service in 1892 and on a treacherously stormy night in 1901 was launched in response to distress signals coming from a ship near Barber Sands. Despite the severity of the storm, the crew managed to get the boat afloat and begin their mission. However, the boat capsized en route, trapping the crew beneath and taking nine lives. When asked at the inquest why they had persevered with the rescue, the three surviving crew responded: “Going back is against the rules when we see distress Photo © Historic England signals like that”, which the press abbreviated to “Caister men never turn back”. As well as a moving tribute that recognises the crew’s bravery and sacrifice for their local community – with their names and ages engraved on blocks around the base – the memorial is sculpturally notable. The broken mast, anchor, lifebuoy and laurel wreaths act as a visual reminder of the tragic loss of life at sea. q

Minster clockface gets a timely refurb

[DURING NOVEMBER last year,

Nottinghamshire-based clock restoration specialists Time Assured completed the restoration of the four copper convex dials at the Minster Church of St Andrew in Plymouth. The team from Time Assured spent a week carefully removing the dials and lowering them to the ground before restoration work could begin. The 7ft dials were removed to the company’s workshop, so they were protected from the elements to obtain the optimum result. Tracings were taken of the layout of the chapters so they could be faithfully replicated, after which the dials were chemically stripped back to their copper base. They were then painted before the templates of the chapters were applied and sized and gilded. The dials have now been reinstated at St Andrew’s. Time Assured is a family-owned company that specialises in the conservation, service and repair of church and public clocks. Their team of time-served clockmakers pride themselves on a friendly, reliable and

One of the dials before (left) and after restoration quality service that is tailored to reflect the needs of individual customers and their clocks. q • To find out more about their range of services for both traditional turret and modern electronic clocks visit www.timeassured.com. www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

Iconic tower takes step towards restoration [BLACKBURN with Darwen Borough

Council’s Planning Committee has voted to grant the permission needed to be able to carry out work on the Grade Two-listed Jubilee Tower in Darwen. Perched above the former Lancaster mill town, the iconic landmark – known informally as Darwen Tower – has deteriorated in recent years and temporary supports are currently in place. The restoration work will involve improvements to the observation decks at the top of the tower, repointing of the building with lime mortar, stone repairs, re-glazing of the windows, new handrails, replacement of rainwater pipes and more. The work has been made possible after the Darwen Town Deal Board successfully secured more than £750,000 of government funding for ‘quick win’ Town Deal projects. From that, more than £200,000 has been pledged for the works to the tower, which will be topped up with £80,000 raised by Darwen Rotary through support from residents. Chair of the board, Wayne Wild, commented: “Right at the very start of the Town Deal process it was clear that restoring the tower was really important to residents in Darwen; for many, it was right at the top of the list. “The tower is iconic – it stands proudly on the top of the moors and ‘Darreners’ always know they’re home when they see it. It also helps bring visitors to the town – something we want to really work on as part of the Town Deal. “To be able to secure the much-needed

funding was a proud moment for the board and this decision takes us another step closer to the work being able to start.” The tower commemorates Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897 and was also a celebration of the ‘right to roam’, following events in 1896 when access rights over the moors were claimed for the townspeople. That story was told in a video produced as part of the initial fundraising efforts. Cllr Phil Riley, Executive Member for Regeneration at Blackburn with Darwen Council and deputy chair of the Town Deal

Board, added: “During the recent lockdowns we have seen people young and old heading up there in their droves, enjoying the rolling countryside and the stunning views from the top. “I’m really pleased to say these works will restore it to its former glory so it can be continued to be enjoyed for generations to come.” Due to Blackburn with Darwen Council being both the applicants and the landowners, the decision will be referred to the Secretary of State for review. q

Binders keep craft alive, bucking the trend

[

BOOKBINDING IS ONE of our traditional trades; but in the digital age, sadly it is going through a decline. When you hear about organisations that are still involved in traditional trades that are doing well and upholding an important part of our heritage, it's genuinely heartening; and with over 50 years of collective experience York Bookbinding are doing just that. They are widely regarded as one of the leading lights in their industry, have a well-deserved reputation for being masters of their craft and have the proven track record to back it up. Founded by Philip Winskill back in January 2000, following the closure of the York University Bindery, in the years since they’ve gone from strength to strength. Philip has enjoyed a long and distinguished career in the industry, with 45 years of experience – having started out

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as an apprentice-trained bookbinder. He is well known for his unique skills in binding mostly periodicals, monographs and theses, and in book restoration and repair. His vast experience means he is an expert in all aspects of the trade, including presentation bindings and boxes to hold special collections. The high regard York Bookbinding are held in by their customers tells you everything you need to know about the quality of the service they provide and the honest and ethical way they operate. Their clients come from all over the UK and include a large number of universities and academic institutions. q • For more information on their work or any of the services that they provide visit www.yorkbookbinding.co.uk.

Veteran loco goes home to ‘Donny’ [THE FIRST OF TWO locomotives built in Doncaster has returned

home, thanks to a partnership arrangement between the National Railway Museum and Doncaster Council. The Great Northern Railway Atlantic class locomotive No 251 is the first exhibit to be formally announced for the town’s new Danum Gallery, Library and Museum, which is being developed in Doncaster’s Civic and Cultural Quarter on the site of the former Doncaster High School for Girls. The locomotive was designed by H A Ivatt and built at Doncaster Plant in 1902. After 45 years in service No 251 was retired in 1947. It will take centre stage in an exciting new rail heritage centre alongside another yet-to-be-announced locomotive. They will also showcase an array of memorabilia from the Doncaster Grammar School Railway Collection and other fascinating items which celebrate the importance of rail for Doncaster. Displayed on purpose-built rail tracks, people will be able to view it via a virtual tour of the building which will go live in March, prior to the building being opened to the public later in the year – subject to COVID-19 restrictions being lifted. The locomotives will remain part of the national collection and will be loaned to the museum as static exhibits for an initial threeyear period. The Mayor of Doncaster, Ros Jones, said: “Danum Gallery, Library and Museum is going to be a wonderful community asset where local people and visitors to Doncaster can learn and explore a stunning selection of exhibits that celebrate our past, present and future.” The locomotive arrived at the new heritage centre after travelling 90 miles via lorry from its current home at Locomotion, in Shildon, Co Durham. Once in Doncaster a team of specialist conservators and rail operations staff successfully manoeuvred the historic locomotive into place. Cllr Nigel Ball said: “Doncaster is, and always will be, a rail town, so it is fitting that we have two locomotives built at our famous plant works as the showcase attractions in what will be an incredibly enlightening rail heritage centre. “We are delighted the National Railway Museum has supported us and I can’t wait to see these two classic locomotives on display. As a past worker at ‘The Plant’ in the early 80’s I am really excited about this and what this means for Doncaster.” q

No 251 is carefully unloaded from its transporter and manoeuvred into place on its specially-laid tracks

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Welsh heritage body racks up record year pre-COVID [

ON 12 JANUARY the Welsh historic environment agency Cadw published its Annual Report for the financial year April 2019 to March 2020 – looking back to a happier and more prosperous past. The report revealed record-breaking income revenue of more than £8m: a rise of 4% on the previous year. Cadw cited the success as providing the backbone of its resilience through the ensuing pandemic – providing finance for everything from essential conservation projects to the Conwy Castle development of a new online ticketing programme by last summer. The report states that during the financial year Cadw’s innovative campaigns and events – such as the Kids’ History Festival in August – helped attract 1.26 million visitors to Wales’s historic sites, resulting in an impressive admissions revenue of £4.7m. Meanwhile, the number of Cadw members hit an impressive peak, with 44,100 registered by

the end of the financial year – generating an income of nearly £1m. Cadw attributes the successes largely to the organisation’s values of leadership, professionalism, passion, creativity, authenticity and respect – put in place by its new board, created in 2019. The agency’s head Gwilym Hughes said: “The outstanding results in our report for 2019-20 show how Cadw succeeded in fulfilling its remit to protect the Welsh historic environment, while improving public access and making Welsh heritage work for communities and visitors alike. “Since then the Cadw team has battled against many unprecedented challenges, but our remit is unchanged. Prior to the latest lockdown we worked diligently to reopen sites safely, continue our critical conservation work and undertake other activities that raise awareness of Welsh heritage.” q

What makes better outdoor seating than…an oast cowl? [

DID YOU KNOW that oast cowl specialists Dude and Arnette also do bespoke features? That’s right; every so often they get requests from clients to build something unique for them and it’s always great fun for the team. It not only allows them to put their tried-and-tested skills to good use, but also to flex their creative muscles to bring ideas to life.

and also carried out some roof repairs to ensure all the roofs were set and ready for the upcoming autumn and winter months. There was one last request: they got chatting – like you do – and the conversation led on to the creation of something new…the idea for a cowl seat was born!

First things first When a prospective client – we’ll call them Russel – approached the firm to do some work on their estate, they packed the van and headed over to assess what work was needed. Russel had heard of them while they were working on some other oast houses and was keen to get in touch. At first Dude and Arnett worked on building some new oast cowls,

A seat with a twist What’s so special about this artefact? Darren Hole of Dude and Arnette explained: “Well, it’s something we’ve always wanted to do; but most importantly, it’s something that has never been done before to such high standards. “The base of the chair was made out of steel at Laddingford Engineering. The oast cowl was made out of wood, using our perfected oast cowl construction methods, and then we fibreglassed it over the outside. Needless to say, our client was over the moon with his new cowl seat – the perfect place to read a book or to enjoy a good cuppa!” q • For more information on oast cowls – or bespoke cowl features – visit www.dudeandarnette.co.uk

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Northants heritage site offers free passes to locals [DELAPRÉ ABBEY in Northampton is

offering all of the 7,563 households in the Delapré and Briar Hill wards of the town free annual passes for the historic house for 2021/22. The offer is part of its commitment to ‘give back’ to the community and increase opportunities to access the property. The abbey’s programme of activity is supported by DCMS’s Culture Recovery Fund, administered by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Chief executive Richard Clinton explained: “We want to support our community, to celebrate and explore what Delapré Abbey has to offer; and what better way than removing the cost for those on our doorstep. Since taking up this role in April last year my priority has been to engage with the local communities in and around Delapré, an area that is brimming with community spirit and pride, and that’s something I want them to have in Delapré Abbey. “I believe any place-based charitable organisation must be mindful and really think about what direction it is taking and how it is

supporting people and their chances in life. We have an essential role to play in terms of not just heritage and culture, but also wellbeing and the environment, and it is essential our communities are part of all we do.” The initiative is one of many ambitious plans Richard and his team have for the abbey. Their business plans for this year aim to focus on a number of specific areas: heritage, culture, wellbeing, environment, and food and beverage. A three-year plan has been developed with heritage and interpretation specialists to further develop the heritage and exhibition spaces. In addition, initiatives and ideas for making more of the grounds are underway and will focus on blending the natural environment with art. They include a range of cultural events and activities that will be taking place in the grounds. On the theme of wellbeing, a new strategy is being developed with links to local organisations such as Action for Happiness, Northampton Leisure Trust and General Practice Alliance. The trust recently submitted a bid to the Thriving

Communities Fund worth £70k to deliver improved awareness and access to social prescribing activities. There are also plans to launch a ‘Green Gym’ pilot, to enable people to undertake soft physical exercise through green projects such as planting, cultivating, footpath laying and hedgerow trimming, and work is underway to refurbish the Orangery Café situated on the South Lawn. Despite the challenges and on-going restrictions caused by COVID, Richard and his team have worked hard to raise the profile of the abbey over the past 12 months, delivering a packed events programme. Cllr Anna King, cabinet member for community engagement and safety, said of the plan to provide free passes: “This is great news for our residents in Delapré and Briar Hill and we want to thank Delapré Abbey staff for their efforts in securing this funding, which will not only enable the local community to truly enjoy the abbey but will also boost their local knowledge and pride.” q

Entries open for 2021 M + H Awards [

ENTRIES OPENED on 1 February for the 2021 Museums + Heritage Awards. The heritage sector has been particularly badly affected by the pandemic, with all indoor attractions closed for much of the past year, but staff have proven to be incredibly resourceful in continuing to put the nation’s heritage on display and taking advantage of closure to prepare venues for even more exciting times ahead. Introducing the awards, organisers M + H Media Ltd said: “By any standards 2020 has been momentous. The pandemic crisis has been all-consuming and has stretched individuals and organisations in previously unimaginable ways. But against the most challenging of backdrops, it has been truly inspiring to

witness a collective energy to not only ride out the storm but to seize opportunities, to transform and to challenge.” The awards have therefore been adapted to reflect these unprecedented times, with categories designed to recognise and reward efforts made during lockdown. Those seven categories are free to enter and look specifically at the unique challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the time span for those awards has been adjusted to coincide with the first lockdown. They are being run alongside 10 traditional categories. A full list of all the categories, together with entry fees where applicable and entry details, is available from museumsandheritage.awardstage.com. Entries close on 31 March. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

Research project will help identify endangered crafts [

THE HERITAGE CRAFTS ASSOCIATION (HCA) has launched a six-month research project funded by the Pilgrim Trust, which will provide a major update and expansion of its groundbreaking Red List of Endangered Crafts, first published in 2017. The 2019 Red List of Endangered Crafts identified 71 endangered and 36 critically endangered crafts, which for a number of reasons – including a lack of effective training routes and an ageing workforce – faced an uncertain future. The HCA spent much of last year supporting the sole traders and micro-businesses that make up the UK heritage crafts sector through a particularly difficult time, as opportunities for direct selling and teaching their skills have been curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 edition of the Red List will consider the knock-on effect of this on the viability of the crafts skills themselves. The funding of £15,000 from the Pilgrim Trust will also contribute to a series of endangered crafts symposia gathering together experts in particular craft disciplines to more fully investigate the rarer skills and local variations that make up their craft. Mary Lewis, HCA’s Red List research manager, commented:

“COVID-19 has only exacerbated the challenges facing endangered craft skills, and our mission is to bring to light the knowledge and practices that are now on the brink, so that as a society we can have an informed debate on which parts of our intangible cultural heritage we want to keep as a resource for the future. “Over the next few months I will be reaching out to craft practitioners to renew and supplement the existing data, with both accuracy improvements and real world changes.” The 2019 version of the Red List is available to view on the website at www.heritagecrafts.org.uk/redlist. If you would like to contribute information for the new version, please email Mary Lewis at redlist@heritagecrafts.org.uk. The updated Red List will be published at a press launch in May. • The Pilgrim Trust aims to preserve and promote Britain’s historical and intellectual assets and to provide assistance to vulnerable members of society. Over half (60%) of its funding is directed towards projects aimed at preserving the fabric of architecturally or historically important buildings, or projects working to preserve historically significant artifacts or documents. q

Tree surgeon invests in new Hinowa spider platform – and gets free rainbow [

IT MUST BE a candidate for access platform picture of the year – and 2021 has only just begun! Tree surgeon Ian McClelland had been trimming fir trees from the basket of his Hinowa Lightlift 26.14 Performance IIIS spider platform when a rainbow appeared immediately behind him. Fortunately, his customer could spot a picture opportunity when he saw it and took a series of snaps before the rainbow faded away. Ian said: “I had my head down busy at work so didn’t know what was going on until after the rainbow had disappeared. “But the pictures are great. The rainbow couldn’t be more perfectly placed behind the spider platform and the clouds and sunshine together made for a dramatic shot. “It made a relatively straightforward job quite special. We’ll have to wait a very long time to get the same opportunity. No pot of gold this time either, but a great record of the occasion.” Ian McClelland – it’s the name of the business as well as its owner – in Ballymena, County Antrim, Northern Ireland, has just taken delivery of a new Hinowa LL 26.14 to replace one he has run for several years. The company also has a Hinowa Lightlift 20.10 Performance IIIS. Both spider platforms were supplied by Access Platform Sales (APS), the UK and Ireland distributor for all Hinowa products. Shane Paver, northern sales director for APS, said: “Wow! We’re pleased Ian shared the picture with us. It puts a smile on the face of everyone who sees it, and it shows the Hinowa in a very good light!” The project given the special multi-colour light show was a perfect example of why Hinowa spider platforms are a first choice for tree surgeons in the UK and Ireland. The large fir trees were in the back garden of a private home – and Hinowa spider platforms are designed to be highly compact and manoeuvrable so are ideal for reaching such constrained spaces. Ian McClelland said: “Access through narrow garden gates is part and parcel of our daily work, so having the Hinowa spiders is pretty essential if

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we want to work from access platforms, which we do for safety and speed. “Also, there are often other obstructions, like ponds, outhouses, sheds, plants and ornaments that we have to move around and work over. One or other of our Hinowas can cope with just about any situation.” The Hinowa LL 26.14 has a maximum working height of 25.7m and a maximum outreach of 13.6m. The Hinowa LL 20.10 provides a working height up to 20.1m and outreach up to 9.7m. The LL 26.14 is 990mm wide in tracking mode, and the LL 20.10 just 790mm wide. Both have an unrestricted basket capacity of 230kg and one button set up and stow – features that enhance safety and productivity. Ian added: “The Hinowa LL 26.14 is phenomenal for high tree work and the LL 20.10 has the advantage of being transportable on a trailer behind a 4x4 or van so we can get it anywhere off-road. “The service provided by APS is also second to none. Any technical questions we have get answered straight away and we get very fair deals when we renew our platforms. It’s an excellent service all round. The only thing they can’t guarantee every time is a rainbow!” q • For further information email sales@accessplatforms.co.uk, call 01480 891251 or visit www.accessplatforms.co.uk.

Historic abbey gives up more secrets [

A RESEARCH PROJECT has uncovered evidence of the original layout of the choir of Scotland’s historic Dunfermline Abbey – the final resting place of Robert the Bruce. Led by University of Stirling historian Dr Michael Penman, the three-year project – in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland (HES) – used a series of ground-penetrating radar surveys to study the abbey, with the results allowing the team to create a speculative plan of the lost medieval choir – an area left ruined following the Protestant Reformation in 1560. The surveys provided evidence of more than 15 potential elite burials – focused on the abbey’s 14th century Lady Chapel and aisle, as well as around a pilgrimage shrine erected around 1250 for Royal Saint Margaret, Queen of Malcolm III. The surveys also found radar and archival evidence for the lost high altar settings of the choir and a previously-unnoticed southern transept chapel and aisle dedicated to St John the Baptist. Richard Strachan, head of cultural resources at HES, said: “This project

has been very significant in reinforcing the importance of the role of the abbey church as a royal mausoleum. The royal burials are a key aspect of the history of the abbey, so obtaining a better understanding of this greatly aids our management, conservation and presentation of the wider areas of the site, as well as bringing an enhanced level of academic rigour to our knowledge of the mausoleum.” q

New commissions keep heating specialist busy [

IT IS TURNING OUT to be a busy New Year for specialist church heating contractor Mellor and Mottram and its managing director Stuart Mottram. Fortunately, in these strange times, it doesn’t involve a great deal of travel as the three projects they are due to start imminently are within striking distance of the firm’s Stoke-onTrent base. Two of those projects are in churches that are centuries apart in their ages. St Alphege in Solihull, West Midlands (pictured), is a Grade One-listed building, parts of which have stood on the High Street site for over 800 years. It is a flourishing parish church, one of three in the C of E Parish of Solihull. St Alphege is a lesser-known saint, a Saxon cleric who was appointed Archbishop of Canterbury in 1006. He was captured by the

Danes and martyred when he refused to allow the populace to raise the funds for his ransom. The church is now looking forward to more comfortable surroundings when it reopens after the national lockdown – hopefully in March. The new system to be installed by Mellor and Mottram will feature a Hamworthy Purewell condensing gas boiler (left) with pump and controls by Remeha. Over in Nottinghamshire, a Roman Catholic church which dates from only 1954 will be soon be feeling the warmth of Mellor and Mottram’s new boiler installation.

The Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is the second Roman Catholic church to be built in the suburb of Beeston after Catholic emancipation – the first, St Mary’s, having been outgrown before World War Two. It is built in the Romanesque style of Ibstock brick with a marble floor. Mellor and Mottram will be installing two Remeha boilers with associated pipework and controls. A Roman Catholic youth charity is the organisation that runs Alton Castle in Staffordshire as a retreat. Mellor and Mottram installed a new heating system there just over a year ago and have returned on site to carry out upgrades to the sanitaryware and heating in the rooms, together with the hot and cold water systems. Mellor and Mottram’s specialism in installing heating systems in churches and historic buildings is accompanied by a similar expertise in heating schools. It is with some anticipation, therefore, that Stuart Mottram is looking forward to moving on site at Denstone College in Uttoxeter. Denstone College is a flagship independent school that dates back to 1873. Its main building, hall and chapel are all Grade Twolisted, meaning the installation of a new heating system has to be carried out with the care and attention lavished on the most cherished of historic buildings – something Stuart and his team are well versed in. q • For further information call 0800 644 6240 or visit the website at www.mellorandmottram.com. www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

COVER STORY

Notable house is sensitively reroofed – despite not being listed

[QUEENS COURT is a charming Arts & Crafts house, built around

1911. It is situated in a peaceful and tranquil setting on the escarpment at Lympne in Kent, with spectacular views over Romney Marsh. The property is not currently listed, but is a fine example of the Arts & Crafts movement and well worthy of high-quality restoration. It had been ‘modernised’ and repaired by past owners – not always particularly sympathetically – and it was new owners Richard and Wendy’s dream to reinstate some of the original features and restore Queens Court to its original quality, while upgrading it as far as possible to provide a warm and welcoming home to bring up their family. The initial buyer’s survey commissioned by the new owners suggested that there might be a significant issue with the roof covering and rainwater drainage, and recommended that it should be inspected by a roofing specialist. Local heritage roofing and building conservation specialists John Williams & Company (Contracting) Ltd were invited to carry out an inspection and provide recommendations. Water ingress through roof coverings and leaking rainwater goods are major factors in building decay and can often go hidden for many years until erupting as a serious problem. Even what might appear at first sight to be insignificant damp can cause considerable structural damage over years if not identified and rectified at the earliest opportunity. It is to the owners’ credit that they planned to approach the project in a structured and logical fashion, ensuring that the external structure is sound before embarking on internal works. That may seem to be simple common sense; but sadly, it is not always the case and there are many examples where vast sums of money are spent on internal extravagance while the external structure is neglected – only for the new work to be seriously damaged when ‘Storm Narcissus’ blows through. The inspection carried out by John Williams & Company confirmed that the roof had reached the end of its useful life. The roof was covered with 11” x 7” handmade clay nib tiles hung on featheredge boarding. There was no underlay and the heads of many tiles were found to be delaminating and powdering, which was causing tiles to slip and fall. That is a common problem where clay tiles are laid on boarding. For clay tiles – particularly handmade clay tiles – to perform to their best they require a steep ‘fast’ roof pitch and good ventilation on the underside of the tiles: the ‘bed’. The ‘fast’ roof pitch allows water to drain quickly and the underside ventilation helps keep the tiles dry. Cross-cambered tiles will

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usually perform better in those circumstances because the camber allows better air flow through the roof covering itself. Where clay tiles are laid on shallow or ‘slow’ pitches frost erosion can be a significant problem and can be exacerbated if laid over boarding, which reduces ventilation. An expert eye is required to identify where damage or powdering has occurred to the head of the tile because the face of the tile – the exposed area of tile that is visible – often appears to be in excellent condition. That was the case at Queens Court. It was found that the cause of tile slippage was the erosion of the head and particularly the hanging nibs of the tiles, although the tiles themselves looked to be in excellent condition. It was predicted that about 30-40% of the tiles would be suitable for re-use and therefore it would be necessary to source the remaining 60-70%. The tiles are not a common size and so sourcing replacements was not going to be easy. Fortunately, one of the company’s network of trusted suppliers was able to provide suitable tiles – albeit salvaged from three different places. When using salvaged materials it is important to use trusted sources that can prove the provenance of the products and to be able to provide traceability back to the building that they were salvaged from. It is important not only to prevent crime, but also to ensure that the tiles will be suitable to perform in their new location. The same tile will perform very differently in a marine environment to a rural location or city building with its environmental pollution, and it is important to place the right tile in the right location. Samples of two different tiles were mixed with the existing salvaged tiles to an agreed ratio, which gave a very pleasing colour mix. It is important to be able to accurately calculate the potential number of tiles to be salvaged in order to allow replacement tiles to be mixed in as work proceeds. The alternative is to use replacement tiles only when the originals run out or to use the replacement tiles on specific roof slopes. Both methods give a patchwork quilt appearance if the tiles are not identical in colour and texture and, although the easier option, it is not ideal if the character of the building is to be maintained. Mixing tiles at the outset is a far better option although it can present the tiler with another challenge: different tiles that are ostensibly the same size are likely to vary by a few millimetres, making the careful setting out of the roof vitally important if laps and perp joints are to be maintained. That is where an experienced and skilled heritage tiler is vital.

Specific challenges Careful thought had been given to site-specific challenges which were likely to occur as a result of upgrading the roof covering. In particular there were restrictions as to how much the finished roof surface could be raised in respect to maintaining sufficient upstand heights under window sills and in relation to DPCs. The installation of insulation materials brought challenges in maintaining thermal integrity throughout the different types of roof void – from insulation quilt laid between and over horizontal ceiling joists to rigid insulation on ashlar walls and over sloping skeilings, and maintaining adequate ventilation above. Reroofing requires Building Regulations approval and part of the requirement is to install the new roof to comply as far as is reasonably practical with current standards. Fortunately, the regulations take into account the special circumstances which relate to heritage properties and allow a degree of flexibility to ensure that their special character is preserved. It was decided that, as handmade clay tiles perform best with good ventilation, both the roof void and the batten void would be ventilated. That was achieved by using a combination of continuous eave ventilation and lap vents to provide excellent, fully-hidden, low to high-level air movement without detracting from the clean lines of the roof covering. The owners’ wish to enhance the beauty of the roof by using bonnet hip tiles instead of a hip ridge meant that careful setting out was required as the roof slopes differed in pitch slightly. It was agreed with the new owners that bonnet hips would be much more attractive and would fit in better with the Arts & Crafts movement ethos of quality. New bonnet hip tiles were sourced from a local tilery, which enhanced the beauty of the roof covering and added to the overall impression of quality and charm. The original cast iron eave gutter was fixed with bespoke ornamental brackets, many of which had rusted beyond repair. Those brackets which were salvageable were thoroughly cleaned and treated before refitting, while a local engineer fabricated new brackets to exactly match the originals.

Project management Richard and Wendy’s passion for the project demanded that they project managed the work themselves. From the outset a mutual respect and empathy for the property enabled a strong bond of trust to

Inspection reveals link to company’s past

be established between client and contractor. It was agreed that daily updates would be made by email, backed up with photographs of progress, and any site meeting would be carried out at weekends to fit in with the clients’ work commitments. Company director Shaun Howland managed the project for the contractor, giving a one-stop point of contact for the client throughout the course of the project. Sample roof tile panels had been produced for the client to see and the colour/shade mix agreed with them. One important aspect of management was to source and have available the agreed mix of tiles from the outset. The predicted salvage rate proved to be spot-on and the resulting colour mix was well received by the clients. The site access had certain restrictions which meant that deliveries had to be carefully managed using small vehicles and scheduled delivery slots. Close liaison with the client ensured that the work was completed on time and slightly under budget.

Environmental management Waste from the project was close to 100% recycled. Sound roof tiles were reused and mixed in with recycled tiles imported from trusted sources. Roof tiles which were not re-usable were segregated and used for infill material elsewhere. The featheredge boarding was carefully removed and taken into stock for use on future projects. Boarding which was not salvageable was segregated for chipping. Lead flashings were salvaged for recycling via a trusted scrap merchant and new lead flashings installed. Cast iron gutters were refurbished where possible and re-fitted. All cast iron products which were not re-usable were segregated and recycled via a trusted scrap merchant. The only new products used on the roof were battens, underlay, ventilation, insulation, nails and mortar products, which in all accounted for a very small percentage of the overall material content. q

n The Queens Court roofing project has been shortlisted in the Heritage category of the 2020 Roofing Awards. The winners will be announced online during February.

[

THE QUEENS COURT project provided a totally unexpected link to the history of John William & Company (Contracting) Ltd. When some of the tiles were removed for inspection a percentage of them were found to have the words John Williams & Co Rotherhithe moulded into the bed or back of the tile. That was the parent company of John Williams and Company (Contracting) Ltd, whose history can be traced back to 1870. It is likely that the tiles were made by Greenwood Tileries at Barton-upon-Humber in Lincolnshire – a fully-owned subsidiary company which manufactured clay tiles. It is thought that embedding the name of its contracting division on the bed of the tile would be a promotional opportunity. Shaun Howland expressed the company’s delight at the discovery: “Finding John Williams 11x7 tiles on the roof was a remarkable moment. What are the chances that completely at random we would be chosen to survey a roof which possibly our own ancestors had tiled 108 years ago? It was a joy and a privilege to be trusted by our client to carry out this work.” q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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NFRC bows to the inevitable and cancels awards ceremony [THE SELECT BODY of roofing contractors

that have been shortlisted in the various categories of the 2020 UK Roofing Awards – including the Heritage category itself, but also for ecclesiastical and heritage projects shortlisted in other categories – have had their hopes of a belated awards ceremony in London dashed by the latest coronavirus restrictions. The event – already postponed twice because of the pandemic – was due to take place on 28 May this year. On 18 January, however, the NFRC announced the event had been cancelled, following the announcement of further national lockdowns across the UK. The NFRC recognised that no lifting of restrictions on large public gatherings can be expected any time soon and had taken the difficult decision to cancel the postponed live event. Shortlisted projects for the 2020 awards will still undergo the scrutiny of the usual judging process, and the winners in all categories will be announced to the NFRC membership, trade press and on social media during February. Subject to restrictions, trophies will be presented personally or dispatched by courier. Shortlisted projects are currently being shared on social media at #RA2020 and #RoofingAwards2020. The NFRC thanked the sponsors of the awards for being so understanding about the changes. Commenting on the announcement, NFRC chief executive James Talman said: “It is with a heavy heart that we have taken the decision to cancel the 2020 UK Roofing Awards live event. With lockdown restrictions on large public gatherings expected to last well into the first half of 2021, it looks very unlikely that the 2020 awards would have been able to take place as planned in May. “However, we felt strongly that the judging of the awards should still go ahead to provide much-deserved recognition for the extremely high-calibre projects that have been submitted. We hope to ensure that winners get as much exposure as possible and that they are also recognised at the 2021 awards. “I encourage everyone to keep an eye on the Roofing Awards social media channels over the coming weeks and see the incredible projects that are up for an award, as well as for the big announcement of the winners in February. While we can’t celebrate in person, I am sure we can all make some virtual noise to celebrate these fantastic projects.” The shortlist for the Heritage Roofing category itself currently features five high-profile projects. They include Queens Court in Kent by John Williams & Company (Contracting) Ltd, which features on the front cover of this issue. The project joins the reroofing of Carrickfergus Castle, West Dean College in West Sussex and Wythenshawe Hall in Manchester in the line-up, together with Bodley Court at King’s College, Cambridge. There is also a specialist Lead Roofing category. The finalists include the South Quire Tribune at Canterbury Cathedral by Full Metal Jacket (pictured top) and another John Williams project, Barton Mill Road also in Canterbury – both of which were profiled in our last issue. Nunnykirk Hall in Northumberland and a new-build dome in London complete the list.

Other categories that have also proved to be fruitful for heritage roofers include the copper dome of Ludgate House in London, the Heartspace project at the University of Sheffield and the West Dean College project in a second category. Ecclesiastical projects see Holy Cross Priory in Heathfield vying with a cemetery lodge in Essex. The restoration of the Cathedral Yard at Exeter Cathedral following a fire is also in the running. An unusual project among the shortlists, in that it is not in the UK, is the El Alamein War Memorial in Egypt (above). The Complete Roofing Company are finalists in the Reinforced Bitumen Membranes category for the project – which was also showcased in our last issue. 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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Yorkshire gem sees roofing work continue despite pandemic [ONE OF THE COUNTRY’S lesser-

known treasures is seeing its roofing lead replaced despite the COVID-19 pandemic. Work is well underway to renew the lead on the eastern end of the nave of Beverley Minster in East Yorkshire. Scaffolding is being erected on both sides of the Minster and a temporary roof cover installed to protect the building as the roof’s boarding, gutters and lead are all renewed. Essential repairs will also be carried out to the oak timbers, lightning protection and fall arrest system. The project cost of £875,000 is being assisted by a grant of £600,724 from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage. The grant is being administered by Historic England and the Church of England and is part of the Government’s £1.57bn Culture Recovery Fund. Match funding of £152,000 is being supplied by the Friends of Beverley Minster, with £42,000 coming from Beverley Minster Old Fund, £42,000 from the PCC and £38,000 from Beverley’s

Two Churches One Town charity – which works to secure restoration of the Minster and St Mary’s, another important church in the town. The main contractor for the work is Messenger Construction Ltd and the work is due to be complete by the end of March. The project is the second phase of a longer-term repair and conservation strategy for Beverley Minster and follows on from a project to re-lead the roof to the lesser south transept. Beverley Minster is the largest parish church in England and is recognised as one of the most important churches in the York Archbishopric. It was established as the monastery church of St John of Beverley, who died 1,300 years ago this year. Tim Carlisle, chairman of Two Churches One Town, said: “After Westminster Abbey – the twin towers of which it may have inspired – it is regarded as the most impressive 'non-cathedral' church in England.” q

Seaside roof repairs help avoid winter blues

[A BEAUTIFUL manor house in the historic village of Winchelsea in

East Sussex was recently the subject of a roof inspection and maintenance by Finnwood Roofing – themselves based in nearby Rye. The team from Finnwood repaired a number of internal valleys and secret gutters and fabricated a new Code 6 lead sump. They also removed defective cement pointing from some areas of the chimney stacks and replaced it with traditional lime mortar. Said Finnwood’s Scott Finnan: “It was a stunning area to work in and the customer now has peace of mind that these areas won’t be causing issues throughout the difficult winter season.” Finnwood Roofing carry out a wide range of projects, from full roof construction to small repairs. Age and environmental factors can cause all manner of problems on a roof, and ignoring them for too long can cause bigger, more costly issues further down the line. Regular roof inspections and maintenance can help keep a roof in good condition and help avoid expensive repairs. q

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Metal roofing awards go ahead online [ ON 5 NOVEMBER the Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing

Contractors held its first awards ceremony online. The Hard Metals Awards were to be presented at the FTMRC’s inaugural conference; but as chairman Chris Salmon candidly explained in his introduction: “COVID-19 sadly put a stop to that.” Chris went on to thank the awards sponsors before Jonathan Lowy, operational marketing manager of VM Zinc, introduced the first award – the FTMRC Commercial Award, which VM Zinc sponsored. A series of photographs of the entries were presented, after which Jonathan announced that the winner was Salmon Solutions for Charterhouse School (pictured right). Their entry pipped finalists H L Metals Ltd for The Engine Shed in Stirling (below right) and Norman & Underwood Ltd for Durham University. Next came the FTMRC Cladding Award, sponsored by ALM. The firm’s hard metal sales manager Michael Staff introduced the award, after which photos of the entries were shown. Michael then announced the winners: Zinc-It (Norwich) Ltd for the University of East Anglia in Norwich. They shaded Architectural Metal Roofing Ltd’s

Lead and hard metal training carries on regardless

[THE Lead Sheet Training Academy (LSTA) has stressed that it is still

Driftwood Project in Salcombe and All Metal Roofing Ltd for the RAM Quarter in London. The FTMRC Small Project Award was sponsored by Metal Solutions. Its Southern sales manager Vijay Singh introduced the award and the photos of the entries. He then announced the winner: Just Hard Metals Ltd for Ravenswick Hall in Yorkshire. The other finalists were H L Metals Ltd for Usan Tower in Montrose and Salmon Solutions for a residential property in Bromley.

The final award was the Ian Harvey Architectural Award, sponsored by Metra Metals Ltd. Ian Harvey – Ambassador for the FTMRC and its chief technical officer – introduced the award himself, after which the entries were showcased. Ian announced the winner: H L Metals Ltd for The Invisible House on the Isle of Skye. The other finalists were All Metal Roofing Ltd for Islington Square in London and Peters Roofing Contractors Ltd for canopies in Launceston Place in London. It is hoped that next year’s awards can be held in person at the FTMRC’s conference. q

open for bookings during the third lockdown, although it is working with a reduced number of staff to ensure people’s safety. Bookings are now being taken for both lead and hard metal courses during April. CITB funding is available for companies registered and paying into the levy scheme. Alternatively prospective trainees should speak to their local roof training group representative for more information on funding. Mobile courses have, however, been put on hold until further notice and until COVID-19 restrictions are further reduced. In a statement the LSTA said: “We are a COVID-19 secure business. Information is available on our website regarding risk assessments and in our COVID-19 booklet on how we will be managing the risk for individuals attending training, we have complied with the governments guidance on managing the risk of COVID-19.” For more information visit leadsheet.co.uk. q

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Mastic asphalt: the future of our heritage is black [

MASTIC ASPHALT is often perceived as a one-dimensional, traditional roofing material that is black in appearance. Certainly, it is a traditional material – having been developed in the 19th century – but that is becoming more and more to be seen as an advantage with the increasing importance being placed on built heritage. The heritage market is a key sector for the industry and mastic asphalt is frequently specified by the National Trust and Historic England, as well as other public and private owners of prestigious buildings, for refurbishment projects. Buckingham Palace is testament to the longevity of mastic asphalt. On top of the Royal household is a rooftop of mastic asphalt that has kept the building dry for well over 80 years. Other heritage applications include the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge (left) and Edinburgh Castle. The trade association for the industry is the Mastic Asphalt Council (MAC). The MAC represents more than 90 companies – including mastic asphalt manufacturers, the contractors responsible for its installation and associated suppliers of equipment and services. The Mastic Asphalt Council is a non-profit making independent body, which: • Promotes the use of mastic asphalt • Provides a technical information service to architects, surveyors and • other specifiers on the design of all types of mastic asphalt installation • Regulates quality and workmanship standards for the material’s • installation • Sets codes of good practice and promotes measures governing • the safety of operatives • Encourages high craft skill levels, backed by CITB-approved training • schemes, to a minimum of NVQ Level 2 and, ideally, to NVQ Level 3 Top quality products, design and workmanship are fundamental to the Mastic Asphalt Council. Membership is only open to those manufacturers and contractors that can satisfy the stringent quality requirements. Those strict membership requirements enable the MAC to justifiably claim that it represents the UK’s top 70 mastic asphalt contractors, as well as leading manufacturers. Only MAC members can use the MAC logo as a mark of quality and all mastic asphalt sold in the UK by the MAC’s manufacturing members is produced in the UK and not imported. The MAC has also produced a RIBA-approved CPD presentation – Black to the Future. Over the next few issues we will be looking in more detail at mastic asphalt and the Mastic Asphalt Council, including some notable case studies. The following pages detail two projects: one at a Grade One-listed church and the other at an Oxford college. q • To find out more about the MAC visit masticasphaltcouncil.co.uk, where you can view a four-minute video explaining the virtues of specifying the material.

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[ A MAJOR roofing and cladding project – using traditional

mastic asphalt and leadwork – was carried out over the whole of last year at St Antony’s College, Oxford, by leading industry experts SPV Group. The project, at the Hilda Besse Building, was completed as part of a larger scale refurbishment project – working in conjunction with CBRE Construction. Completed in 1970 by John Partridge, the Hilda Besse Building sits at the heart of the college and houses many of the college’s key social spaces, including the dining hall, common rooms and buttery, as well as private dining facilities and kitchen. It is a Grade Two-listed building and is said to be one of the finest examples of post-war brutalist architecture. The building won the RIBA Architecture Award and Concrete Society Award in 1971 – noted for its skilful application of concrete in a modern interpretation of a traditional hall. In 2019 a wholesale refurbishment of the building was commissioned by the college trust. The works were important both for the safety and longevity of the building itself and to improve its ability to serve the college community. Overall, it is estimated that the total refurbishment will cost in excess of £9m once fully complete. SPV Group assisted CBRE in the renovation of the mastic asphalt roof and the bespoke lead panelling that is duplicated on all elevations of the building. Part of SPV’s remit was to strip the existing asphalt roof, which was at the end of its useful life. The existing plywood deck was also defective and required replacement, with SPV supplying and installing a new vapour barrier, thermal insulation and mastic asphalt, creating a warm roof construction. The main challenge regarding the project was that all 88 rooflights had to be individually altered to accommodate the new roof design. A timber frame was created around each rooflight to incorporate a self-adhesive bitumen vapour barrier, followed by 110mm insulation. Every part of the timber frames needed to be prepared with a sheathing felt, followed by expanding metal lath to receive the correct application of the mastic asphalt. The installation

New roof restores brutalist masterpiece – and rectifies design flaw was carried out according to the recommendations of the Mastic Asphalt Council, the industry body for the correct installation of the material, in order to provide manufacturers’ warranties for the installation. Once prepared, three coats of roofing-grade mastic asphalt were applied to all of the upstands, with two 10 mm coats on all flat areas. That was followed by a two-coat asphalt fillet finish, which joined the upstands to the flat area using a warm and clean method – ensuring a solid seal. The whole roof was then completed with two coats of solar reflective paint in heritage grey colour. Only half the roof was under a protective temporary scaffold roof, adding pressure to delivery. SPV needed to ensure that the exposed half was sealed at all of the stages outlined as internal ceilings were being finished underneath by other contractors. Due to the nature, shape and size of the building, the gutters were laid to falls using the asphalt. SPV worked closely with the Mastic Asphalt Council and material manufacturer IKO throughout the works, with regular technical and QA inspections being undertaken throughout the project, to ensure that quality standards were met – taking into account the difficult nature of the project. In order to maintain and replicate the appearance of the original façade, and to ensure no issues with Planning Permission arose, replacement lead was specified once again as the primary material. In addition to the façade panels, bespoke lead box gutters with built-in outlets were installed, with those in the façade of the plant room walls at a higher level. The bespoke lead panels were sized from the original panels to ensure that fitment was not an issue. The original lead panels were severely weathered, leading to a poor appearance not in keeping with such a remarkable building. SPV Group’s experienced leadworking team created the new panels on site and finished them with a prefabricated lead dome to create the previous ‘button’ feature, which doubled up as a form of concealment for the mechanical fixings.

The new lead box gutters were also created on site to line the detail up within the façade drainage make up. When originally installed in the 1940s the downpipe that connected to the bottom of the box gutter protruded through the lead wall façade panel and was moulded from lead. The original design had an inherent design flaw which caused blockages due to leaves and debris falling and silt forming in the gutter. While maintenance teams had attempted to unblock the pipe, it subsequently caused damage to the lead lining and in extreme cases ruptured the lead welds. To combat that problem SPV carried out a series of welds as a future proofing measure. They welded copper flutes to stainless steel flexible pipe, then welded lead flutes to the copper flutes and finally welded the lead flutes to the lead box gutter and the outlets. The external plant room walls were entirely clad with lead, which required replacing. That posed significant issues, as the leadwork previously fitted was to a lower standard. The renewal of those lead panels had to adhere to the latest LSTA guidelines. SPV declared themselves ‘incredibly proud to have delivered this extremely challenging and interesting project’. q

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Award-winning project proves the value of mastic asphalt [BACK IN 2018 an impressive

roof refurbishment project was completed at the Church of St Mary and All Saints in Fotheringhay, Peterborough – a magnificent 15thcentury, Grade One-listed building. The project was carried out during one of the coldest winters on record by contractors BCC Asphalt – who are members of the Mastic Asphalt Council (MAC) – and was completed in just 14 days. The project was named the winner of the Challenge Trophy Award in the MAC 2018 Awards, presented at the Royal Horseguards Hotel in London. The Church of St Mary and All Saints has witnessed a number of significant historical events. They include the execution by beheading of Mary Queen of Scots at nearby Fotheringhay Castle in 1587. The church roof had never been protected with a roofing system since the structure was built and due to restricted access the roof had never been maintained. The natural stone and concrete substrate were allowing damp and water to penetrate into the building. Over the years moss had collected in the joints of the concrete on the roof, and the concrete itself was severely water-stained and absorbing water. Urgent repairs were required to the roof to prevent further water infiltration and other remedial work was also carried out to the rest of the building, including repairs to the stonework of the church tower and the replacement of leadwork and timbers on the tower. Funding for the project was raised by the Friends of Fotheringhay Church and benefitted from the patronage of HRH The Duke of Gloucester, as well as many other charitable donors – including a £700,000 donation from the HB Allen Trust, which funds the restoration of the fabric of churches. The architect specified the use of mastic asphalt for the roof refurbishment because of the building’s listed status and the fact that mastic asphalt has an outstanding track record of use in heritage projects such as Westminster Cathedral, St Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and Dover Castle. Traditionally consisting of graded limestone aggregate bound together with bitumen, today’s mastic asphalt systems are manufactured using advanced polymer-modified formulations, to ensure all the performance characteristics of traditional asphalt systems, with the added benefits of increased flexibility, enhanced handling and sustainability. The incorporation of modern polymers into mastic asphalt systems has helped lead to its resurgence in the construction industry. Three roofing contractors tendered for the work and BCC Asphalt were awarded the contract based on their competitive price, track record of successful mastic asphalt applications and the fact that they are members of the Mastic Asphalt Council. The listed nature of the building led to significant challenges in terms of the mastic asphalt application, which was carried out at a problematic working height in very difficult weather conditions. The church is situated at the top of a hill and the applicators had to contend with extreme wind and very cold temperatures. Four operatives from BCC Asphalt were involved in the roof refurbishment and the only access to the roof for the duration of

the contract was via two material hoists set in two stages of the scaffolding. One operative was on the ground mixing the mastic asphalt and hoisting it up to the first 50ft gantry and then to the second access point, which was approximately 100ft up at the top of the church tower. Once repairs to the stonework were completed and the existing surface had been cleaned and primed, sheathing felt was installed before two coats of a specially-formulated mastic asphalt roofing system were applied. Advanced polymer technology was used to give the ideal combination of long-term durability, increased fatigue resistance, improved temperature stability and ease of installation. Mastic asphalt was applied at a thickness of 20mm in two coats to existing falls, including the church’s perimeter gutter. Two coats of mastic asphalt were also applied at 13mm to the skirting of the stonework, before being painted with solar reflective paint. The building was kept watertight as works progressed and different contours and curves of gutters were expertly matched using mastic asphalt. Due to the tight access to the asphalt gutters it was extremely challenging for the roofing contractor to lay the asphalt skirting and complete the detail work. BCC Asphalt’s managing director Wayne Cooper began his career as a mastic asphalt apprentice, undertaking a four-year apprenticeship at Hackney College. He established BCC Asphalt with a former partner in 1992 and has been a member of the Mastic Asphalt Council for around 10 years. Commenting on the project at Fotheringhay, he said: “The Church of St Mary and All Saints project was one of the most challenging I have ever been involved in over the years. The application was undertaken in February during one of the coldest winters in many years and the wind circled around the church from morning till night. It was an awkward application with severely restricted access, and not much room for us to manoeuvre, but mastic asphalt was absolutely ideal for this job due to the Grade One-listing of the building and the detail work we could carry out using mastic asphalt. “We are getting more work for heritage applications where mastic asphalt has been specified and are being contacted by the likes of English Heritage. This job is the third mastic asphalt contract we have completed on a Grade One-listed building in the past two years and that looks set to continue as more people involved in heritage applications realise the benefits of mastic asphalt, and its proven ability to offer a design life well in excess of 100 years. We need more mastic asphalt applicators in the industry to help continue its legacy.” q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

CRE South West to go ahead despite date change [ THE FIRST Christian Resources Exhibition to be held in the South

West for six years has been moved from March to late June this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new dates for CRE South West 2021 are 23-24 June. “We took the decision to change our booking at Westpoint, Exeter as early as possible, with large-scale indoor events unlikely to be permitted on March 17-18, our original dates,” said CRE owner and MD Steve Goddard. “The pandemic has made it the most difficult year in our 36-year history, but we are delighted that, in spite of the virus, more than 50% of exhibition space has already been taken for our first visit to the South West in six years.” Dozens of experts will be available to assist churches on a wide range of practical issues – from effective use of new technology to successful fund raising. “Best of all”, added Steve, “you will often meet the person behind the product because, in our book, face-to-face beats mouse-to-mouse. In fact, nothing beats trying it on, tasting it, sitting on it, listening to it and comparing it.” The Association of Exhibition Organisers has worked closely with the government to suggest timely best practice to exhibition venues in light of COVID-19. With that in mind, new measures at CRE South West 2021 will include wider aisles, foot pedal-activated hand sanitisers, decontaminating spray, protective screens at visitor registration, messaging reminders, one-way systems and socially-distanced seminar rooms, toilets and breakout areas.

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“Who would have thought all this would be necessary 12 months ago?” said Steve. “But we are grateful to friends who have prayed for and joined us on an unexpected journey. Our prayer is that, as we look back, we will see how a greater good has come from these extraordinary days – and that being prepared to make the right decisions at the right time made all the difference.” q • To book exhibition space at CRE South West 2021, contact CRE’s sales team: Carol (email carol@creonline.co.uk; tel 0161 250 2467) or James (email james@creonline.co.uk; tel 0161 250 2306). For visitor tickets – from as little as £3 – go to www.creonline.co.uk.

Do you dare to stream?

The broadcasting of live services on the internet is extending local church mission beyond previous boundaries.

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WHEN COVID-19 threatened to wreck church ministry, the internet provided a way forward – bringing the Christian message into thousands of homes. A number of CRE’s exhibitors were among the first to respond to the need for expert advice on streaming – and many will be exhibiting again at CRE South West and CRE National. Tamworth-based Novum AV, for example, have helped dozens of churches put their Sunday services on the web. Managing director Tim Jacques said: “We were not only able to help get them into a position where they could stream their services, but many were grateful because they realised they could continue after lockdown.” Stuart Graham of Clarity SLV points out that many churches use low-cost systems – one even streaming from a mobile phone – which brings technical problems in its wake; whereas his company provides equipment which gives quality picture and sound. Andy Pidsley, managing director of APi Sound and Visual, said: “In these times of physical distancing, we are able to upgrade existing systems relatively simply, depending on the age of the equipment. We place ease of operation and reliability at the top of the list.” Iain Harvey-Smith of DM Music admits streaming can be a complex issue “…and churches may prefer to contact us and let us talk them through what is required.” Rock-Tech have built a number of bespoke live streaming solutions while Matt Sales, project manager at B+H Sound, believes churches should first ask why they want to stream. Is it so the congregation watch a service; is it to engage with the congregation or to open a new digital front door? “Answering those questions can affect the content of the service,” says Matt. “We need to consider the length of services and how the content will relate to someone sitting on a sofa at home. Is it engaging enough that people don’t get distracted and go and make a cup of tea?” A worldwide pandemic has devastated people’s lives; but it has also created an arena for awakening a search for faith and provided churches with tools to extend mission beyond previous boundaries. Find out how to harness the tools by talking to exhibitors at CRE South West in June and CRE National in October. q

Sandown beckons for resurrected CRE National [ THE NEXT CRE National exhibition will take place at

Sandown Park in Esher, Surrey, on 12-14 October this year. Last year’s national event was cancelled because of the COVID-19 emergency and was replaced by a ‘CRE At Home’ virtual event accompanied by a paper catalogue. It is hoped that the face-to-face version can be recommenced this autumn, when church leaders, laymen and anyone involved in Christian work and ministry are invited to spend a day discovering new ideas and resources and gaining specialist advice and inspiration. Over 200 organisations will be waiting to meet them, with everything from architects to AV equipment, banners to Bibles and puppets to pulpit supplies. Located just 15 miles from central London, Sandown Park is easily accessible by rail from London Waterloo and by road via the M25 and A3. Parking is free for exhibitors and visitors. Interested parties can see a list of those organisations already booked to exhibit at www.creonline.co.uk. More information about the seminars and features of the event will also be posted there in due course. Ticket booking will be open from May. q

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Churches take to new technology as they always [ have done

OVER THE PAST few decades churches have progressively embraced the technology available to deliver their message more clearly and with more punch. Sound systems deliver crisp and clear sound from both speakers and musicians, while AV systems can project the celebrant, band or video productions to bring services to life. This publication has been keen to offer a platform for the expert suppliers and installers that make those systems work – modern-day magicians, it seems to the lay observer. More recently, churches have been equally quick to embrace the even newer technology of the worldwide web. Most churches either developed their own websites or ‘piggy backed’ on collective sites such as A Church Near You. Then last year the systems and those magicians took on a whole new significance. Churches were closed and congregations were confined to their homes – many shielding from the threat the pandemic posed. Churches took to the internet to bring parishioners together. Indeed, in many cases they took to it with alacrity. Services could be streamed and congregations could not only see the process on their devices but also contribute to the proceedings. Despite the apparent ease with which streaming could be accessed, the fact is that to maintain the quality of experience churches had developed over the years, equal care had to be applied to the streaming equipment. In some cases a happy coincidence – to stretch a point – has meant the streaming kit could be installed alongside a new AV system that was

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New mixer adds to upgraded Zooming capacity

already in the pipeline. In fact, it may have already have been under consideration before the pandemic forced the issue. In other cases a modest extra outlay will bring in the additional equipment needed to ensure a good outcome. Where the equipment is already in place, all that may be needed is a little coaching in how to set up and operate the system. In all cases it is the people operating the system that are at its heart and are its starting point. In the following pages we have put forward examples of all those scenarios. Some of the country’s most respected installers describe some new systems and offer advice for those using existing kit. There is also advice on how to ensure AV equipment is kept in good condition during lockdown and a treatise on the priorities to apply when planning a new system. Plus, we bring you the latest position regarding the industry’s main annual exhibition and seminar event. q

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AN UPGRADE to the sound reinforcement system at First Church Christ Scientist, London, has recently been completed by Redhill-based Scanaudio. The upgrade provides a fully-interactive Zoom meeting experience for those members unable to attend church. The church took the opportunity to change the old audio mixer for a flexible QSC Core 110f processor to provide comprehensive control of the audio system, with echo cancellation for far-end Zoom participants and audio relayed over the local church loudspeakers. In addition, audio feeds were provided for the induction loop and ground floor foyer. The system is controlled via a dedicated iPad, using simple-to-operate touch screen controls. New microphones were installed for relaying the piano, soloist and organ to the Zoom participants alongside the existing reader’s microphones. All the control equipment was housed in an oak equipment case installed discreetly underneath the reader’s table. The system is future proofed with the installation of HDMI video cabling to allow for future camera upgrades to the Zoom system. q

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Latest installation ensures everyone can participate – whether in church or not [

A RECENT COMMISSION saw Creative Audio-Visual Solutions (CAVS) install a new AV system into Holy Trinity Church at Frogmore in St Albans. The new installation not only ensures the highest quality audio-visual solution for the church, but also provides a flexible and expandable visual streaming and recording system, to ensure those not able to meet at the church can continue to participate actively in services. CAVS are a dedicated church technology supplier working throughout the UK to provide the latest audio, visual, streaming and lighting requirements for the modern church. They are committed to ensuring churches can keep communicating with their congregation and the wider world, and a well-designed system

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will allow the church to be ever-present when fellowship and togetherness are perhaps more important than ever. As it was installed in conjunction with a re-ordering of the church décor, the system at Holy Trinity needed to blend with the aesthetics of the building while ensuring maximum flexibility for dynamic worship and multimedia display – with the ability to use the system in various orientations. The visual element of the system comprises a main, 7,500-lumen projector, with eight additional pillar-mounted LED displays for additional congregational coverage and platform ‘confidence’ monitoring. Operated via a dual-output switching scaler, the system can output independent images to

the projector and pillar displays. Cantilever brackets allow the LED displays to be turned inwards for ‘in-the-round’ services. For effective streaming a PTZ motorised camera provides clear coverage of all the main areas of the church, from the dais around to the font at the rear of the building. The streaming system is driven via a multiinput visual mixer, which provides a creative platform for camera and projected image mixing – and allows for numerous additional cameras to be integrated in the future. The system has been thoughtfully designed to ensure streaming can also run in the background without constant operation, through picture-in-picture capability (showing all images on a single screen) and keying

(text over the camera). Along with live streaming, direct audio-visual recording is also possible via removable solid-state media. An AV feed is also provided in the crèche room, to a wall-mounted 65” smart TV, for service relay as well as independent room usage. The audio system features six column array speakers designed to suit the pillar décor, with additional compact side aisle speakers – supported with dual discreet subwoofers to provide true full range sound amplification. A digital audio matrix processor ensures the audio system is fully tuned to the room and the likelihood of feedback and other acoustic anomalies is virtually eradicated. A digital mixer with wireless iPad control was installed, allowing for all types of operator, and simple recall for different types of service at the touch of a button. A portable digital stagebox provides up to 16 instrument inputs at any of three connection points around the front of the church – for flexible worship band set-up. New radio microphones were installed, along with audio playback and recording systems – including Bluetooth connectivity throughout the sanctuary. Finally, the system equipment was installed within a bespoke console – providing a tactile operating position for up to three engineers. Creative Audio-Visual Solutions can advise

and design the ideal system for any church – including specialising in streaming systems for the growing online church community. Many churches are already benefitting from this type of system from CAVS, so you

can ensure your church is present for your congregation in these difficult times. ‘Like’ them on Facebook for the latest installation case studies and product news at www.facebook.com/cavsolutions. q

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Annual sound and AV show rescheduled due to COVID [ HAVING CONSIDERED the impact of

COVID-19 on businesses in the UK – and particularly exhibitions and events – the Institute of Sound, Communications and Visual Engineers (ISCVE) has announced rescheduled dates for its annual seminar and exhibition event ISCVEx. The event is now scheduled to take place on 28-29 September rather than 9-10 March, as reported in the last issue of this publication. “We have taken the early decision to revise the dates for ISCVEx from March 2021 to September 2021 in the hope that this allows our members, supporting members and business partners in the UK to adapt to the changing business environments that COVID-19 is causing, and also in the hope that we will be closer to returning to some kind of new normality by this time,” commented Helen Goddard FInstSCVE, ISCVE president. ISCEx, as it was previously known – now renamed to ISCVEx following the realignment of the institute to embrace audio-visual engineers more in its membership – is an annual event held at Coombe Abbey Hotel in

Binley, Warwickshire, that is open to non-members and members of ISCVE. ISCVEx 2021 will be the inaugural event under the new banner for AV members and AV exhibitors to join ISCVEx, a busy two days of seminars, ECS H&S assessments, networking and exhibits from key manufacturers and distributors in each industry. The revised schedule for 28 September includes an ECS Health and Safety assessment session, a presentation by leading industry voices and a networking dinner event held at Coombe Abbey Hotel in the evening. For 29 September the new schedule includes three seminars and an exhibition of more than 30 leading audio, visual and communications companies. Those who have previously attended the event have commented how they like the intimate, personal approach, as they really get an opportunity to interact first hand with a number of leading industry manufacturers and industry voices. Further updates will be posted on the ISCVE website at www.iscve.org.uk. q

How to protect your church sound system during the winter ‘lockdown’ Many of us have had to close our buildings at the moment; and for those with older buildings, cold damp air causes problems for sound systems. Here, MIKE BELHAM of MPB Sound and Light Ltd outlines some things that you can do to protect your sound systems as they go into hibernation.

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FIRST OF ALL, remove any batteries from wireless microphones – if you can, take microphones home and keep them in a warm dry place. If your main equipment is not in a cupboard, cover it with an old blanket or install a greenhouse-style electric heater, designed to keep frost off plants. If the equipment is already cold and damp, try using a fan heater to gently warm it through and wrap it in plastic bubble wrap or an old blanket to protect it. Loudspeakers are usually out of reach, but if your building has heating installed it’s worth considering leaving the heating on just enough to keep the building above freezing. When you come to opening the building up again and using your sound system for the first time, remove any protective coverings and gently warm any cold equipment with a fan heater. Carefully check microphone connections for any white oxidation or damp marks. Use a proprietary electrical contact cleaner if necessary. Next, turn on the power, leaving the amplifier till last. Let the system settle for at least half an hour – you may well hear the odd crackle or other noise as connections ‘wake up’. Finally, replace any batteries and carefully check each microphone. My advice would be to do all those checks the day before you need to use the sound system. If you need help and advice, then don’t hesitate to get in touch. q

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Victorian church embraces modern technology

[THE YEAR IS 1873, in the middle of Queen Victoria’s reign. William

Gladstone is the Prime Minister of the day and Richard Benyon MP, then owner of Cranham Hall near Upminster in Essex, makes a generous offer to pay for the parish church to be rebuilt. The original parish church of All Saints’, built in the early 14th century, has fallen into a state of disrepair. Many years earlier the selling of silverware and altar equipment had funded repairs to the timber structure but on this occasion a new building was required. The medieval church was demolished just after Christmas 1873 and a new stone church erected in its place. The result was a modern and welcoming Victorian building with a warm internal appearance which remains standing strong. Nearly 150 years on and All Saints’ Cranham continues to embrace the modern – this time in response to the coronavirus pandemic. With various lockdowns and restrictions forcing the congregation to worship from home, the church approached church audio-visual specialist Cunnings

Recording Associates to consider the options for simple live streaming. “The most important request from the church,” explained Daniel Cunnings, “was for the equipment to be really easy to use. For smaller midweek services the equipment would be operated by the rector and, on Sundays, responsibility would fall to the warden. The church already had an established presence on Facebook so it was important for the live stream from the church to continue on this platform. We quickly settled on a single camera solution with a dedicated streaming encoder to connect to Facebook.”

After a demonstration of the proposed system Cunnings was appointed to install and commission the new equipment. The system uses a highdefinition controllable camera mounted on the front of the balcony to give the best view of the front of the church encompassing the lectern, pulpit and chancel. The streaming encoder is located in the vestry, fitted in an attractive wooden enclosure, to allow the live stream to be initiated at the start of services. This is linked to the sound system in church, previously installed by Cunnings. A small LCD monitor, fitted beside the warden’s chair, allows the camera view to be monitored and a control panel moves the camera to various preset positions so that focus can be moved from the wide camera view to the lectern, pulpit or altar at the touch of a button.

The result is that the church and its services can be brought into the homes and smart devices of the worshiping congregation regardless of what the coming years may bring. To find out more about live streaming solutions and audio-visual systems for churches get in contact with the friendly team at Cunnings. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

Experience is the keyword in professional systems

[WITH THE WEALTH of technological advance over recent decades, people are now used to high-quality audio – in their homes, in their cars and on the move. That progression in domestic and personal audio quality has echoed the advances in professional sound – for all types of venues and locations. Whether we are being informed by an announcement, listening to a speech, enjoying the atmosphere in a restaurant, or the excitement on the dance floor or at a live concert, professional audio is an all-important ingredient. One of the most established and recognised specialists in that field of professional sound and AV systems is Shropshire-based Richard King Systems. For four decades they have been at the forefront of harnessing the

capabilities of professional technology, to produce first-class performance. Their extensive experience in designing, installing, commissioning and servicing all types of systems means they are able to work with their clients to create the desired environment for a wide range of commercial audiovisual systems – with the value, quality and reliability that operators and listeners now expect. In particular, those 40-plus years of experience have led to an extensive portfolio of successfully-completed projects in places of worship, from medieval to modern builds. Richard King Systems consistently provide customers with first-class, reliable and cost-effective expertise for repairs, servicing and improvement projects across England and Wales. Just two of their customers’ comments speak volumes of the quality of their service.

Canon Quentin Bellamy of Colwyn Bay in North Wales wrote: “Quite simply there is nobody better! The service offered by Richard has been consistently superb over many years, and he has helped us to achieve excellence in ‘spreading the word’ and in getting the best sound reinforcement that we could have. Nothing is ever too much trouble and Richard is truly one of the best. I can heartily commend him to you.” His comments were echoed by a testimonial from David Kendall of Ashby Wesley Methodist Church in Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, who said: “We would highly recommend Richard and his team for their professionalism from start to finish. Planning and installation in the most cost-effective way to produce a system that has been a joy to work on. The initial teething problems were quickly resolved and the backup service is readily on hand. We look forward to working with you for many years to come.” q

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So, how do you choose an audio-visual system? [CHOOSING A SUITABLE

sound or projection system for your church may seem a daunting task, so we asked Andy Pidsley AMIOA MistSCVE, managing director of APi Sound and Visual, how to go about it. Andy (pictured) suggested starting at the end! By that he means the end user or end users: frequently the most ignored factor in an installation, but arguably the most important. No matter the quality or complexity of the equipment and installation, everything hinges Aesthetics are important at Plymouth Cathedral (left) and the sound and projection system St Mary Magdalene, Woodstock on whether the users know how to operate it properly – and those in front of the microphone or camera also to be visible when not in use. Equally important are the smaller details, such know what to do. as cable colour; that is all taken into consideration. Andy explained: “It is important to look at your people and find out Because of APi Sound and Visual’s many years of experience and technical who is interested, or available to be part of a small team operating know-how they can look at each project and tailor it to completely suit you the audio visual system during services. Often there is someone who is and your church. q much more knowledgeable and has a greater understanding of what is required and how things work – we call them ‘super users’, great to • To discuss choosing a suitable sound or visual system for your have around when things go wrong. However, I would suggest that the church, call 01392 677668 or email info@apicommunications.co.uk. system be designed around the average level of ability, so that everyone Their team will be pleased to help. Visit www.churchsoundsystems.co is comfortable operating the system; and if your super user moves to a for more information and case studies. different church you are not left floundering.” Nowadays there are some great products that allow you to achieve great sound and images in your church and still keep the user interface really simple. Many also automatically reset to the default settings, so you never get caught out if changes have been made by the previous users. A crucial part of any installation by APi Sound and Visual is a thorough handover, with training and full after sales support so that all users feel confident using the system. Andy continued: “Choosing a suitable system is an investment. In our experience a client expects a new sound or visual installation to last for at least 10 years without major attention, so choosing the right equipment to suit the style of worship and liturgy currently used – and looking at future vision – is important. An experienced installer will ensure that future expansion is built into any system.

A simple-to-use system at St Andrew’s, Cullompton in Devon “Equally important is reliability; and with a vast array of choice in every product area, from microphones to loudspeakers and from projectors to cameras, getting it right can be difficult. That is where knowledge from an experienced company is vital. That is not to say that buying equipment online, for example, is wrong, but there really is no substitute for experience with different pieces of equipment on past projects. A good system, suited to your church’s needs, should deliver a mix of products tried and tested in the church environment.” A sometimes-overlooked aspect of a system is its appearance. Particularly in a historic building, the ‘look’ of the system, both when in use and not, is very important. APi Sound and Visual will always provide an installation that is as unobtrusive as possible. In fact, their unique swinging arm – designed inhouse by their designers – is well suited for churches who require screens not www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Zoom into 2021 with ease – and MW mixers from KORG [LAST YEAR saw great changes in the way people

communicate and interact. The speed at which the changes emerged is unprecedented and has transformed everyday life for many. Before April 2020, the meaning of the onomatopoeic word ‘Zoom’ meant nothing more than getting a move on; but since then, when anyone mentions ‘Zooming’ it’s most often associated with online video communication. With churches and other places of worship facing unpredictable times, online options are increasingly being incorporated to help maintain contact and provide essential support to local parishioners. With many platforms available, setting up your own digital platform can be a technological minefield and a costly undertaking – but that needn’t be the case. Many of the free online solutions available work very well and have helped launch the successful careers of numerous internet personalities and influencers. Those online services will inevitably grow in popularity over time as people become more familiar with their convenience and general ease of use. A basic setup for hosting an online meeting requires a reasonable laptop, an internet connection greater than 4MBs, and free software such as Zoom or Google Meet – both are perfect for face-to-face meetings. Either of those software packages can be installed on a tablet, iPhone or Android device, should your audience want to participate more passively. As with all free services, there are some limitations; for example, with the Zoom non-paid option sessions are limited to 40 minutes but can be increased with a corporate paid account. For higher-quality and more formal broadcasts such as church services, attaching a digital camera with HDMI and connecting into your audio system will deliver a far richer experience to participants. And although slightly more complex, the task can be simplified by adding a few pieces of hardware to your existing meeting equipment setup. The key to success is ensuring your system is easy to operate, simple to troubleshoot and not reliant on owning the latest supercomputer. Minimising the number of devices connected to your host computer is important, as fewer ins and outs mean less load. A single, wellpositioned static camera will provide an excellent view; effectively it’ll be the best seat in the house! The audio element is a little more complex as it’s common for several presenters to be speaking during an event via additional microphones. And should music feature significantly as part of your message, further audio connections will also be necessary. Additional audio enhancements can greatly enrich the experience, with extra room microphones being strategically placed to pick up the ambience of large and grander spaces. A good-quality audio mixer can bring all of those sources together and offer fine control over each, to deliver a really professional end result. A mixer with a USB ‘out’ makes things simple by connecting to your host computer via a single, easily available cable. Facebook and YouTube live can also be used as a broader online, real-time delivery service. A chat feed is available within them for live interaction should people want to contribute and generally get more involved with fellow participants. A great advantage of both platforms is that the content remains online and can be viewed anytime, shared or embedded into email links. An additional piece of software is required to encode both video and audio, too; but again it’s free and relatively easy to set up. For audio duty, the KORG MW series mixers are a great choice. They have been designed with live use in mind, but are perfect for online services. While they provide many useful and powerful functions, they offer simple, intuitive and trouble-free operation. The MW Series is the shared creation of two leading figures from the world of pro-audio:

Gregg Mackie and Peter Watts. The results are compact, superb-sounding mixers with features usually found only on high-end studio consoles. Here are some of the features: • Mute memory allows you to switch off any number of channels at the push of a button – particularly useful, say if you need to silence an entire band when they’re not performing. • An integrated feedback canceller (right) removes the annoying highpitched howl sometimes encountered with PA systems. Feedback occurs when signals from the audio speakers are picked up by an open microphone in the same system, and can be difficult to eliminate quickly. It’s usually resolved by repositioning speakers, reducing volume or changing EQ settings dramatically – the latter requiring a degree of expertise. • For larger buildings, the subgroups (right) feature allows you to deliver a finely-tuned audio signal to different areas of the building without changing the main program of audio. • Two musicians headphones outputs provide a dedicated mix for performers that can be balanced to suit individual needs. • A break button (right) silences all audio except a separate feed of background music from a CD player or other audio source. Whether you are looking to update or replace your existing AV system, KORG MW mixers will integrate seamlessly with almost all modern systems. Their superlative audio performance is matched by a beautiful aesthetic, with solid, real wood side panels conveying an organic quality that will sit particularly well within places of worship. q • To find out more visit shop.korg.co.uk or call KORG UK Sales directly on 01908 304601. www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

Treatment redresses condensation damage [ ST MARY’S COLLEGE in Oscott, Birmingham –

often called Oscott College – is the Roman Catholic seminary of the Archdiocese of Birmingham in England and one of the three seminaries of the Catholic Church in England and Wales. Its origins date back as far as 1794. In 1838, the college moved to a new site, which came to be known as New Oscott. The new building was designed by Augustus Welby Pugin and Joseph Potter. Edward Welby Pugin, Augustus Pugin’s son, added the Weedall Chantry in 1861. As part of on-going conservation work at the college, at the beginning of 2020 Ark Stained Glass Ltd were asked to undertake the conservation and restoration of the nine sets of stained glass windows in the Weedall Chapel – which contains the Weedall Chantry. The stained glass was by John Hardman & Company and William Warrington. Five of the current key employees of Ark Stained Glass were previously with the John Hardman Studio. High condensation levels in the building had already caused severe damage to 60% of the windows. Condition reports were therefore prepared for each window. Once work was underway 27 stained glass windows were photographed, documented and removed from the chapel and sent to Ark Stained Glass’s Birmingham Studio. A significant number of windows had suffered paint loss and prompt action was required to halt any further damage. Once all test samples were conclusive, each pane was cleaned with a solution suited to the delicacies of the paint and glass by Ark’s conservator. Back plates were cut and the missing details from the original glass painted on before they were

One of the stained glass windows before (left) and after restoration copper-foiled to the reverse of the original glass, thereby restoring the original painted detail without altering the original. The pieces were also kiln formed to create a seal against the original glass, reducing any stress in the glass and parallax in the paint. It was left to the painter’s discretion and skill as to how much of the paint should be reinstated. With some of the paint almost completely gone, it was down to computer work to find out the missing details from the pigments of paint that were digitally enhanced. One of them included an inscription, dedicated to the donor of the chapel itself, which was unknown until that point. To deal with the condensation, an extremely fine wire mesh was added at key points to small sections of the sacrificial glass borders and to blank sections of glass at the top of each panel. That, together with a lead drip tray at the base of the stonework, will ensure the circulation of air within the room and limit the amount of any future condensation, stopping the loss of paint attributed to it. q

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New designer lightweight stacking chair is ideal for modern worship space

[THE MASS STACKING CHAIR is the newest addition to the

range of high-density options from Rosehill Furnishings. It has a slimline profile, with the backrests only 5.5mm thick, and that refined design will enhance any modern worship space. The Mass chairs are available in eight standard colour finishes and the steel rod frame is available in three standard finishes: black, grey or white. Multifunctional spaces within churches need seating which is not only comfortable, but also durable and flexible. The Mass chairs

stack an impressive 40-high on a transport trolley, with a height of only 1.7m. That makes them one of the best options when you need to frequently move and stack the chairs, and when storage space is limited. They’ll also stack 15-high on the floor. The chairs are incredibly lightweight, while remaining sturdy. For mixed age groups the weight of a chair is important, as lots of different people may need to move the chairs around. Optional extras on the chairs include adding an upholstered seat pad for additional comfort. This can be from an extensive range of fire-retardant fabrics or faux leather options. You can also add on linking to secure the chairs in rows, and arms for additional support if required. Rosehill have been working with churches for over three decades and have a wealth of experience in the market. They’re happy to offer advice on furniture options for all areas of a building. Samples are available on request and they have a showroom in Cheshire where you can view their full range by appointment. q • If you have a project for which these chairs would be suitable, contact Rosehill on 0161 485 1717 or email sales@rosehill.co.uk.

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It’s “All Aboard!” for a project with a difference [ IN JANUARY LAST YEAR Fullers Finer Furniture were approached in connection with a unique project. All Aboard is an exciting collaboration between Edinburgh charity People Know How and Polwarth Parish Church in the city, aimed at running a canal boat from Polwarth Pontoon. The project is designed to benefit the local community in a variety of ways. Polwarth Church is located adjacent to the Union Canal, which runs from Edinburgh to Falkirk.

The commission The church had received a legacy to be used specifically for the provision of a piece of furniture for the transept area, to display information relating to the canal project. The second part of the commission was for multipurpose moveable screens. In February last year Paul Fuller and his wife made a flying visit to Edinburgh to check out the project in more detail. On their return designs were drawn up for both items of furniture and by May the designs had been approved.

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Heritage cabinet The cabinet design included a display area behind lockable sliding glass doors and a surface to accommodate the folders etc relating to the canal project. The multitask unit also contained two double locking cupboards, a drawer to store wrapping paper and a pullout desk, for use by the floristry team. Mounted on wheels and finished in natural oak, the cabinet bears arches on the cupboard doors to complement those in the building. The finishing touch was a brass memorial plaque dedicated to the memory of the muchloved church member behind the donation.

Screens with style The final specification was for four moveable screens (pictured). Each screen is on four wheels and has been finished in oak, with 12 glass panels at the top. The glass panels (below) – made in North Somerset by Eligo Glass – are particularly noteworthy in that they are handmade and designed to pick up the colours of the canal water and complement the décor of the church. Each screen was decorated with arches as per the cabinet and finished with a hand-crafted angel in the righthand corner. The screens are currently used to hide chairs stored in the transept area of the church. They are very adaptable, in that they can be easily moved to accommodate varying chair storage requirements or equally can be used to divide any area in the church. Most modern screens are functional at best, likely to receive only a fleeting glance. These screens are very different: they combine durability and functionality with symbolic beauty. They ensure the unsightly is safely stored behind bespoke crafted furniture which is itself well worth a second glance. Paul Fuller’s wealth of experience in the bespoke furniture business means clients benefit not just from his own experience but also from his ability to collaborate with others

and incorporate the best artisanship into his furniture, for a totally unique result. “…the glass in the screens was so beautiful…there were many lovely comments…I am so pleased that I found your advert…it was such a pleasure to work with you.” Those are just some of the comments

made following delivery of these special items to Polwarth Parish Church. Everyone at Fullers wished Polwarth Parish Church and its community ‘all the best’ with their exciting venture and are pleased to have been able to contribute to the innovative and exciting project. q

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Modern lighting brings the drama back to the church [HISTORICALLY, churches were the focal point

more that can be achieved. Also, highlighting spaces for local communities. They served the purpose of within the church that were not designed to be seen a dramatic space, telling the story of The Bible to can detract from the impact of the building. people who by and large could not read themselves. The guide has this to say about new systems. Lighting that space was part and parcel of the role “When planning new lighting schemes, we the church played. Natural light was supplemented recommend options which minimise physical by candles and oil lamps and, more recently, gas impacts on historic fabric and which are not light. Stained glass windows played with the natural visually intrusive. This might include locating lights light, adding colour and texture. in discreet or high-level places, such as hidden at More recently there had been a tendency to flood the wall plate.” light into churches, enabling congregations to read Thought also needs to be given to the ancillary service sheets and hymn books. But with advances elements of the system. in lighting technology and in particular low-energy “You will need to carefully consider the routes lighting and electronic control, the use of light to of all cabling or equipment required to operate dramatise church services has staged a comeback. the lighting,” the guide says. “You will also need When the stage for that dramatisation is a to think about how to access the lighting for historic building, then particular care has to be maintenance.” The new lighting at St Bridget’s Parish taken to ensure any new lighting system is not In the 21st century, of course, thought has also to Church in West Kirby, designed and only sympathetic to the building, but also does not installed by Anthony J Smith (Glos) Ltd be given to the energy consumption of the system. interfere with the fabric. Here, modern lighting elements such as LEDs come Historic England offers guidance specifically aimed at new lighting into their own. And contemporary building philosophy requires that systems in historic churches. It begins with the premise that lighting any new work needs to take account of the energy efficiency of the can have a positive impact on the visual impact of a church – as well system over its operational lifetime. as providing light to read by. The guidance explains: “The cost of purchase, length of life, Simply flooding light in a uniform manner will not normally be quality of light and appearance of the lamp are all considerations in appropriate for a historic building, the guidance says. There is so much choosing which type of lamp to use.” q

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Lighting systems reflect the character of all kinds of churches [

WITH OVER 20 years experience of installing lighting systems in ecclesiastical buildings, Church Lighting Systems (trading as CLS Electrical Services Ltd) offer design and installation services for both interior and exterior church lighting. Their passion lies in making sure the best of modern lighting solutions are sensitively installed within churches – helping them to stand out as centres of heritage and worship in their communities. Their highly-knowledgeable team is totally dedicated to professional standards of service, using high-performing systems that are easy to maintain, cost-effective and eco-friendly. Whether a church is historic or modern, they make sure that every lighting solution they provide is in harmony with its character and meets the needs of its congregation. Here, we look at just two of the many installations that CLS has carried out in the past few months in churches of historic significance.

New system future-proofs timber gem St Margaret’s Church (above right) is a Grade One-listed building situated in the beautiful village of Betley, near Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire. With its wide and varied history, St Margaret’s has been through many changes over its existence. Although it dates from the medieval period and is essentially built of timber, it was substantially rebuilt in the 1840s under the direction of George Gilbert Scott. Last year CLS were asked to provide a lighting design and full specification, which included the replacement of internal electrical distribution equipment. The installation was costed at £42,000. The installation work was completed successfully over a threeweek period in September. It comprised a new DALI-controlled LED lighting system, which will reduce the on-going maintenance issues and help lower electricity consumption within the church. The existing distribution boards were replaced, bringing the complete electrical system up to date with current regulations.

In addition, provision was made to allow future installation of additional exterior lighting, which is to be carried out once faculty approval is granted.

Installation elicits client’s praise St Mary’s Church in Funtington, near Chichester, West Sussex (below left) is a Grade Two*-listed building. There has been a church on the present site since the 13th century, with a bell tower being added in the 16th. Most of the present building, however, dates from 1859. Last summer CLS were commissioned to design and install a new lighting system for the church. The £40,000 project was carried out over a four-week period during June. The team from CLS removed the existing tungsten light fittings and associated cabling, along with the banks of light switches that were used to control the original lighting. All of that was replaced with a new DALI-controlled lighting scheme with simple-to-use controls. A timeclock built into the system operates chosen light fittings during the daytime, allowing enough light for visitors to walk around safely. The work also included the renovation of the external lighting, as well as the installation of additional socket outlets inside the church. The existing distribution equipment was also replaced and decluttered, bringing everything up to date. The church were delighted with the result and commented: “CLS provided an excellent service to us for the rewire and new lighting our church so needed. The design stage was made straightforward by their full interpretation of what we wanted, and then enhanced by their aesthetic and technical ideas. “Installation went smoothly, with excellent, neat workmanship and disciplined working practices. We even caught them mopping the floors! On completion, full documentation was received a short while later. “Jamie and Adrian provide a friendly, expert service and are really at the top of their trade.” q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Technical advances mean the future’s bright for lighting specialist

[LOCATED IN THE heart of the UK in Sutton Coldfield, West

Midlands, Lighting Dynamics UK have recently expanded their development as one of the UK’s premier companies specialising in the interior and exterior lighting of cathedrals, churches and other places of worship across all religious denominations. Since its conception, Lighting Dynamics UK has established a reputation for creating practical and architecturally sympathetic lighting schemes. Wherever possible, discreet lighting equipment is specified and installed to produce suitable levels of illumination and to highlight both ecclesiastical details and any special architectural features. The company is dedicated to offering a totally independent, creative, imaginative and unbiased lighting design, as well as an in depth consultancy service and, where required, the supply of all associated or specified lighting equipment. Lighting Dynamics UK has a significant number of very prestigious church lighting projects currently in progress, with a number at advanced stages of planning and design. The entire team believe that this is a very exciting time in the development of church lighting, especially with such a great and diverse range of modern light sources now available. Company principal Gerry Browne explained: “Our comprehensive ranges of modern, energy saving, long-life lighting equipment is manufactured from the highest quality materials and takes into consideration many important factors such as reliability, durability, optical performance, overall efficiency, size, style and ease of maintenance, to mention but a few.” In recent times the company has also launched and continues to develop a brand new family of the very latest bespoke high quality ‘commercial grade’ LED luminaires, specifically designed for all types of ecclesiastical lighting tasks. Gerry continued: “This extensive range of LED products, along with a host of related LED luminaire lighting accessories, has been under development for some time and continually now takes our overall lighting portfolio to the next level of technical innovation. “Colour change lighting linked to DMX controls is also proving poplar for selected church illumination applications. Plus, we have an unrivalled knowledge and expertise of all modern intelligent dimming and smart lighting control systems.” While popular systems such as DSI, 0-10V and DALI all have their respective advantages and disadvantages, the company is also proficient in utilising alternative wired and wireless lighting control systems. The more recent Casambi controls system – a

Bluetooth low-energy wireless solution – can have a number of benefits for the end user client; however, the Casambi solution can prove to be somewhat restricted in older type church buildings, especially those with thick walls. In those scenarios further design solutions have been developed and implemented by Lighting Dynamics UK to overcome the operational limitations of the system. It has been established that most customers are increasingly looking for someone with the flair and experience to provide a quality lighting design, while also specifying top-grade, high-quality ‘commercial grade’ lighting equipment and controls that will provide longevity, reliability and overall flexibility for their specific ecclesiastical lighting upgrade project. In the main, end user clients no longer wish to see their completed church lighting project looking like an extension of somebody else’s lighting showroom or lit with floodlights to resemble an industrial style installation. However, achieving the optimum lighting design solution is a long-term process which involves educating, informing and demonstrating to all members of a specific project team what can be achieved. Lighting Dynamics UK are fully aware of the need to be energy conscious. In this modern age it would appear that the never-ending increase in new energy regulations is only surpassed by the cost of energy itself. With the advent of easy internet access and the more recent LED lighting technologies, many end-user clients have tremendous difficulty in differentiating between the various prices available online – and in particular understanding the differences between high-quality ‘commercial grade’ LED luminaires and their counterpart, lowcost alternatives, which in many situations would not even be deemed suitable for a domestic lighting application. The issue is further compounded when modern LED light sources need to be dimmed and linked to any form of separate lighting control system. Lighting Dynamics UK has, if required, a fullyqualified team of NIC EIC registered electricians able to carry out the installation of interior and exterior lighting systems to current electrical standards and regulations. The team is extremely experienced at working within all types of ecclesiastical buildings, including and especially those with listed status. In short, Lighting Dynamics UK can provide the complete lighting service. It provides a bespoke design service for each individual church lighting project – interior or exterior – from initial meeting and informal discussions right through to final focusing and commissioning of the completed project. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

Lighting design had to take account of sacred, secular and security needs [ A SPECIALIST LIGHTING DESIGN practice with a fully-

trained installation team in the niche market of heritage churches and listed buildings, CES LLP have been fortunate to have worked in some incredible buildings. St Matthias’s Church in Stoke Newington is a Grade One-listed Victorian building. The church was designed by William Butterfield, the renown Gothic revival architect, and was completed in 1853. In addition to its role as a functioning parish church, St Matthias’s has developed an important role supporting music and the creative arts as a venue for a wide variety of performances. When CES LLP were approached to produce a new lighting design

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it was essential that any proposals were sympathetic to the original architecture, the worship and liturgical needs of the church and the aspirations of those renting the church for musical events – while remaining within a realistic budget. The first challenge to be addressed was the near complete lack of voids or spaces which are usually deployed to hide the new lighting cables. CES LLP overcame the problem with the help of the church architect by chasing the plasterwork, burying the cables and reinstating the plaster surfaces back to their original condition. All LED light fittings require an electronic ‘driver’, which is usually remote from the fitting and concealed in the wall plates. Given the

complete lack of wall plates the nave fittings were selected from a range with integral drivers, while the aisle fittings had remote drivers contained within a discreet bespoke panel sited at low level. The end result was a lighting scheme with minimal physical impact on the existing fabric. As with all designs by CES LLP the lighting was zoned, with individually controlled functions to meet the lighting criteria for each area. Those areas are general architectural lighting (chandeliers and spot lighting in the nave, aisles and clerestory), focus lighting (pulpit and quire) and feature lighting (stained glass windows, ceilings, organ pipes, font, reredos and altar). The lighting was designed with the

flexibility to suit whatever type of function is being undertaken – sacred or secular. The external lighting was also a concern for the church with security being a priority. The church was offered a grant from the Home Office in an attempt to reduce crime in the area. CES LLP had to ensure that this element of the lighting design met both Home Office requirements and DAC approval. St Matthias’s Church was put forward for the Hospitality, Leisure and Faith Lighting Project of the Year category of the 2020 Lux Awards, where it came ‘Highly Commended’. A selection of images of the project, along with a 3-D virtual tour, is available to view on the website at at ces-lighting.co.uk. q

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HE’s own historic building has fire resistance upgraded

[LAST YEAR Historic England – formerly English Heritage –

initiated a programme of works to improve fire resistance at its two Northern offices. They asked specialist surveyors Smith & Garratt to inspect the offices and to recommend and oversee works to improve fire safety in the two listed buildings: Bessie Surtees House, Newcastle, which is Grade One listed, and 37 Tanner Row in York, which is Grade Two-listed.

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The York office is an impressive five-storey, end-of-terrace red brick building, and lies within a Conservation Area. Built as a railway hotel in the 1850s, it was originally known as The George Hotel and more latterly as The North Eastern. It contains one central staircase – a stone pen-check stair connects four storeys, with a minor stair down to the basement. Inspection revealed that partition walls on the staircase were out of vertical alignment, leaving corridors vulnerable to fires from below. Unprotected doors opened onto landings within the stairwell, there was open access from landings to corridors behind and it was discovered that the fire doors had significant gaps underneath – which could aid the spread of smoke and flames. Senior surveyor Hugh Garratt proposed the realignment and refitting of the partitions and fire doors, installation of smoke curtains to divide open corridors and improved intumescent fire stops. He also recommended replacing the fixed rooflight over the stairs with an automatic smoke vent. That recommendation went beyond the requirements of Building Regulations – which aim to protect life, health and wellbeing – in order to protect the building as well, by making the escape stair into a firefighting stair. Mindful of its raison d’être, Historic England instructed the recommendations to be implemented in full. Smith & Garratt prepared drawings and obtained listed building consent, which came with strict conditions for the smoke vent – York City Council does not lightly condone discretionary alterations to listed buildings. A competitive tender process ensued, resulting in CG Building & Restoration being appointed as main contractor. With offices on the

outskirts of York itself and in nearby Kirkbymoorside, on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, the company has a substantial track record in the restoration sector. The specialist subcontractors included S Taylor & Son (specialist joinery) and Coopers Fire Ltd (automatic fire curtains). The specification for a rooflight – identical to the old one but with a pair of opening panes – could not be met until Hugh Garratt spoke to Paul Trace of Stella Rooflight, a trading name of Metal & Glass Ltd, about their range of bespoke conservation rooflights. The Stella team worked closely with Smith & Garratt and CG Building and Restoration to produce an innovative design that would meet the approval of both Historic England and the council’s planning committee. As all Stella rooflights incorporate slender steel frames, which sit flush within the roofline, they were the ideal choice for maintaining the heritage of the building. Paul Trace explained: “We came up with a unique rooflight design, with electrically actuated central openings, that would provide the solution they were looking for while at the same time satisfying the planners.” The 2,185mm x 2,050mm rooflight consists of four double-glazed

casements. Upon detection of smoke in the central stairwell, two central side-hung opening panes are electronically operated by two pairs of high-performance chain actuators to open out by 90 degrees to clear the smoke and provide the desired ventilation. The two fixed side-panes are fixed at the same level as the opening casements. That is an important detail in satisfying the conditions of the consent, because the rooflight, when closed, is virtually indistinguishable from its predecessor. The glazing specification required a BioClean Natura Self-Clean and Solar Control outer pane, a black warm-edge spacer, filled with Argon gas, and a Planitherm One, Low E inner pane. The frames are made from marine-grade 316 stainless steel with C5 coastal powder-coating to protect against rust and prolong the lifespan of the unit. A bespoke, handmade hardwood liner provides the internal finish. Due to the considerable size and weight of the rooflight, CG Building & Restoration carefully craned the unit into position and fixed it in place, finishing the exterior using a pre-formed lead flashing kit provided by Stella. CG’s director Vernon Carter commented: “The rooflight went in like a dream, in about two-and-a-half hours.” q

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Now you see it; now you don’t: lightning protection can be skillfully concealed Lightning protection for historical buildings is particularly important in order to protect and preserve the heritage of the building; however, historic buildings weren’t constructed with lightning protection as a consideration, so it’s important that the appearance of the system isn’t out of character and intrusive. That’s according to ADRIAN BROWN of Nottingham-based Lightning Strike Ltd, who offers some tips on concealing unsightly but essential components.

[

AN 8mm circular copper conductor is popularly used on historic buildings, says Adrian. It can be sheathed with coloured PVC so that it blends in with its surroundings. The aim is to make the conductor appear to be part of the building, instead of contrasting with it. The positioning of the conductors is also important. According to Adrian: “It is possible for a lightning protection system to be fitted sympathetically, while still adhering to the relevant safety standards. An efficient system can be created by placing the conductors out of sight behind buttresses, leaving the building’s aesthetic appearance undamaged.” Features on the building can be used to hide the components. “The air termination can be hidden behind parapet walls and the down conductors can be placed behind pinnacles – they should be installed to follow the lines of the building. They shouldn’t be dressed

into each contour or crack of the stone on rubble or pitch-faced stonework, as this can create a poor aesthetic finish.” Psychology plays its part too, says Adrian: “The building’s own features can mask the visual effects of the conductor. For example, it is effective to shadow a strong feature on a tower or spire by following a stone quoin, as the eye tends to focus on the more prominent feature – not noticing a conductor placed next to it.” Most importantly, though, the installation of a lightning conductor on any historic building requires a qualified contractor, who understands the importance of the nature of the construction and installs the system sympathetically. For further information on lightning protection for historic buildings visit the website at www.lightningstrikeltd.co.uk. q

Cuttings

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Lightning protection and steeplejacking body passes third quarter century [THIS YEAR MARKS the 75th anniversary of ATLAS, the body representing

lightning protection companies and other access at height specialists. Its members have been at the forefront of the lightning protection and specialist access trades for many years and undertake access, inspection, repair and maintenance work on a range of structures – in particular churches and heritage buildings. Formed in 1946 as the National Federation of Master Steeplejacks and Lightning Conductor Engineers, the organisation has seen major advances in safety and professionalism in its long history. In 1976 the first steeplejack apprenticeships were launched, followed in 1994 by the first lightning protection apprenticeships. In the meantime NVQs were developed and CSCS cards introduced. In 1985 it launched BS 6651: Protection of Structures Against Lightning jointly with BSI. In 2003 the association changed its name to ATLAS – the Association of Technical Lightning and Access Specialists – following an extensive membership consultation. Under its new name it has been at the forefront of developing the latest standard for lightning protection installations, BS EN 62305. To celebrate its 75th anniversary, ATLAS has produced a new dynamic logo and will be launching a video later this year, including footage and photographs from its members. ATLAS will also be running a quarterly photo competition throughout the year, which will give members the chance to win a prize of £200 each quarter. Announcing the anniversary celebrations, a spokesperson sid: “We are proud to have represented the best in lightning Wiltshire Steeplejacks protection and specialist access for the last 75 years, and and Lightning Conductor Engineers look forward to celebrating the achievements of the industry Trading for over 40 years, we specialise in: throughout 2021.” q • Lightning protection systems

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

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

Dawson Steeplejacks Specialising in all areas of working at height

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

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

Harrison Lightning Protection & Earthing Ltd T: 01325 464464 E: contact@harrisonlp.co.uk W: www.harrisonlp.co.uk

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

• BS EN 62305 & BS 6651 • Earthing and resistivity testing • High maintenance work • Flagpoles • All rope access work • Full architectural surveys & cover meter surveys T: 01225 761330 M: 07973 397770 E: wiltssteeplejack@aol.com W: www.wiltshiresteeplejacks.co.uk The Coach House, 5 Court Street, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 8BR

A C Wallbridge & Co Ltd Steeplejacks and Lightning Conductor Engineers

Providing lightning protection services since 1978 Installation, maintenance and testing of lightning protection systems, utilising rope access systems for safe access. • Cathedrals • Churches • Towers • Sports Centres

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

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

Horizon Specialist Contracting Ltd

With over 25 years experience our in-house design team are trained and certified to the current British & European Standards BS EN 62305:2011 for Lightning Protection Systems and BS 7430:2011 for Earthing. • Lightning Protection Systems and Surge Protection Design • Testing and Inspection surveys • Steeplejack maintenance • Fall arrest safety systems

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

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Webinar programme is a hit with ironwork practitioners [

IN COMMON WITH all professional and crafts bodies, the National Heritage Ironwork Group (NHIG) has been unable to stage its planned series of meetings during the COVID pandemic. Also in common with many other bodies, the NHIG has successfully moved its educational and development work online. The NHIG’s Jessica Renison was enthusiastic about the success of the programme. Writing on its news site in December, she said: “Our new programme of online events has proved a great hit with a wide variety of people – and there’s still plenty more to come. The free Conversations Build Understanding series, in conjunction with Icon, has attracted sizeable audiences on a Wednesday evening and it’s often difficult to bring the discussion to a close; there’s so much to say. Equally well received are the more rigorous CPD lunchtime webinars, which explore topics in greater depth, offering relevant, targeted training for all those who deal professionally with heritage ironwork, and related built heritage.” Jessica lists a series of complimentary comments from those who

participated in the events, together with a detailed review from postgraduate student Rosanne Eardley, who is enrolled on Birmingham City University’s Conservation of the Historic Environment course. The programme of online seminars has continued into this year, beginning with a free session in January on Accreditation: Do Blacksmiths Need It? fronted by blacksmith Adrian Legge and James Grierson from the Institute of Conservation. On 10 February the issue of procurement is revisited with a CPD seminar led by Geoff Wallis, who discusses Delivering the Conservation of Ironwork. Geoff’s long experience as MD of Dorothea Restoration makes him the perfect choice to discuss the many potential issues involved in a collaborative conservation project and what to do when things don’t go according to plan (pictured). q • To find out more about the National Heritage Ironwork Group and its webinar programme visit nhig.org.uk

Top London hotel gets its shine back

Thames-side lions roar again

[

TOPP & CO have recently completed a commission to replace and repair wrought-iron balustrades at the Waldorf Hilton Hotel in London’s Aldwych. The decorative ironwork spans the entire façade of two floors at the building. The project included replacing much of the wrought iron railings and reproducing nearly 2,000 repoussé leaves, berries and flowers that had become badly corroded. It also involved replacing over 100 cast iron mounting feet. The Waldorf Hilton, London – formerly the Waldorf Hotel – opened in 1908 with 400 rooms. It was named after William Waldorf Astor, 1st Viscount Astor, and was established to follow the American tradition of a hotel as more than a place to stay but also a place to spend time. In 1913 its Palm Court witnessed the first tango to be performed there – scandalising Edwardian society. q

LAST YEAR saw the opportunity taken to restore historic bronze mooring points on the Thames Embankment between Westminster and Blackfriars bridges. The work was carried out by Dorothea Restorations and included repair of decorative bronze lions. Most of the lions had suffered some kind of impact damage, ranging from surface dents to sectional loss or complete loss, where components had fallen into the river. Dorothea Restorations cast some new sections; however nearly all of the components were able to be repaired. The project involved a full restoration plan, assessing the condition of the components and repairing the damaged material. It also involved cleaning and patinating the bronze ready for installation by others. Pictured is a section of a lion’s mane that had been damaged and has been repaired with a new section of bronze. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

Almshouse water pump shines forth once more

(Left) Ann Kenrick OBE, Master of The Charterhouse, Colonel Knaggs, Clerk of The Ironmongers’ Company, and Andrew Renwick of Ridgeway Forge at the topping off ceremony. (Middle) James Potterill and Tom Woolhouse operating a hand hoist on a tripod on reassembly.

[WHEN A PROJECT was put in hand to repair and conserve an

important piece of surviving Victorian engineering – a pillar hand water pump in the centre of Preacher’s Court at The Charterhouse in London – Ridgeway Forge were invited to carry out the assignment. The project was facilitated with the support of the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers, and Ridgeway Forge, Sheffield-based traditional blacksmiths and engineers, were delighted to undertake it. The Charterhouse is an almshouse, home to some 40 older men and women known as the Brothers. It has also been a school for the less fortunate and prior to that a Carthusian Priory and a grand Tudor mansion. The pump, as listed in 1972, comprises ‘an octagonal base and column, linenfold decoration to the upper part, enriched frieze cornice and ogee head with poppyhead finial, rectangular base with chamfered corners’. It is made entirely of grey cast iron, foundered to the highest standards

of the time (1820-1840) and arguably beyond the capabilities of most commercial foundries existing today. Over time there have been many running repairs employing some enterprising solutions: from expanding filler to plasterboard! The pump has not seen water since before World War Two, when Preacher’s Court was subjected to significant bomb damage during the Blitz. Andrew Renwick of Ridgeway Forge takes up the story: “The pump seems to feel right in its current location, although some speculation suggests that it has been moved from nearby within The Charterhouse; however, it is thought to mark the spot where potable water was originally pumped into the site from nearby wells when it was a monastery.” Risk assessments, method statements and diligent adherence to best practice, including the guidelines of the NHIG, were put in place before careful dismantling and marking of all components. Retaining the high-quality repairs and as much of the original fabric as possible – including all sorts of fasteners manufactured long before the standardisation of screw threads – was paramount. Previous decoration schemes were noted. Andrew continued: “Nowadays we are able to weld cast iron quite reliably; and this, with many mechanical solutions to remedy cracks etc, allowed the assembly to be steadily repaired over a number of months by a small but dedicated team of enthusiasts. Lady Gilder Mrs Kate Pickin “New pattern equipment was created in order to cast the embellishments which were attached with brass or stainless steel fasteners, with mating faces prepainted and then bedded onto sealants. Much consideration was also given for how the item may be dismantled again in the next 100 years and a Maintenance Manual was created. The internal workings have been restored, as has the trough with a grate in the bottom over the stone drain.” There was much deliberation on the decorative scheme and the final design included over £1,000 worth of 23.5-carat gold leaf – to add a little bit of joy to a site already full of the most beautiful architecture which provides a peaceful and happy home to so many. Ridgeway Forge thoroughly enjoyed all the stages of the project, including a COVID-sensitive topping off in November, with the Master of The Charterhouse, Ann Kenrick OBE, placing the gilded poppy finial back on the top being a highlight. A record of the team and the work carried out was engraved on a copper tablet, which was placed inside the pump for posterity. q • To find out more about The Charterhouse visit the website at thecharterhouse.org.

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Attacks on memorials remain static, but anniversaries draw attention [THE REPORTING YEAR 2019-20 saw levels of theft, vandalism

and other forms of anti-social behaviour directed at war memorials remaining static, the War Memorials Trust has reported. During that period the charity was made aware of 27 incidents, of which 11 related to graffiti, nine to vandalism, four to anti-social behaviour and just three to theft. That compares to a total of 29 between January 2018 and March 2019. There are likely to be more cases of which the charity is unaware. With an estimated 100,000 war memorials across the UK, such events are very rare; but the War Memorials Trust says it is still vital that it continues to educate people about the importance of respecting our

The Smart way to protect memorials is available for free [

ONE WAY for custodians of memorials to be proactive in deterring theft is by ensuring their war memorial is protected with SmartWater. The universally-acclaimed marking material is available free of charge through In Memoriam 2014 – the body set up during the lead up to the World War One centenary to record and protect war memorials. The SmartWater is posted out to custodians for them to mark the metal elements of their war memorials, whether that be single plaques, sculptures, fixtures or fittings – even the lead lettering. Initially running through the centenary of World War One, the SmartWater Foundation and War Memorials Trust have continued the project enabling communities yet to act to get involved via In Memoriam 2014. According to In Memoriam 2014: “Frequently, war memorials are the only remaining public record of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in armed conflicts and are a physical representation of the community’s pride, grief and commitment to remembering them. Many were paid for by the communities themselves and have remained the focal point for Remembrance Day parades for decades. “Sadly, in recent years, some of these memorials have been stolen by thieves who sold them as scrap metal, but the extra protection provided by the application of a unique SmartWater forensic solution has helped reduce the number of such incidents.” HRH The Duchess of Cornwall is Patron of the War Memorials Trust and has actively supported In Memoriam 2014 – including, on occasion, applying SmartWater to a number of high-profile, historic war memorials (pictured). q

war memorials and ensure we protect that part of our heritage. Some of the 2019-20 incidents appear to have been associated with specific commemorations. Over a quarter occurred in June 2019, around the 75th anniversary of D-Day. The trust said: “Sadly, anniversaries – which should raise awareness of war memorials as sites at which to pay our respects – can also make them targets. However, the trust is also aware that when interest in remembrance is high, greater attention is paid to cases of theft and vandalism with additional reporting of them.” The War Memorials Trust provides advice, guidance and potential grant funding to those affected by such incidents. Dealing with the results of such attacks inappropriately can cause further damage, so the trust highlights the importance of obtaining professional advice. The War Memorials Trust’s director, Frances Moreton, said: “Every time a war memorial is damaged it is not just the memorial itself which is attacked, but also the sacrifice of those commemorated by it – as well as the wider community, for whom our war memorials remain focal points of remembrance. It is important to recognise that war memorials remember those from all our communities and should be respected by all. “To help communities deal with incidents of theft and vandalism it is vital there is a record of our war memorials. The charity is seeking help from the public to record the UK’s war memorials – with pictures and condition information – on War Memorials Online at www.warmemorialsonline.org.uk. This will ensure that should the worst happen there are details which can help identify any stolen items or assist with repairs.” q

Professionals in Cleaning Stone Monuments All works undertaken to the standards and methods required by English Heritage and The War Memorial Trust. No use of chemicals, none damaging cleaning methods and current conservation methods used.

T: 07870 984556 E: i.m.i@ntlworld.com W: www.imi-cenotaph.co.uk 81 Main Road, Watnall, Nottingham, Nottinghamshire NG16 1HE

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Grant will support training in traditional skills [A £3.5M PLEDGE from the Hamish Ogston Foundation to

Historic England will fund a major in-work training and apprenticeships programme for the traditional craft and trade skills needed to repair and maintain historic buildings. The programme aims to help address a long-standing and severe skills shortage in the construction industry, particularly in the heritage sector where expertise in essential crafts such as bricklaying, carpentry and joinery, painting and decorating, plastering, roofing and stonemasonry are at risk of being lost, with consequences for England’s pre-1919 historic buildings. Research shows that around 90% of companies that carry out repairs and maintenance to historic buildings consider themselves ‘general construction’ firms. Yet evidence suggests that, due to a lack of traditional building skills in the construction industry, inappropriate and often more modern methods and materials are creating problems on pre-1919 properties. The new programme will bring the public and private sectors together to provide training for craftspeople to learn their trade at critical points in their career, acquiring valuable skills and knowledge. Apprentices will also be given the opportunity to work on Heritage at Risk sites in the North of England, gaining solid practical experience while helping to rescue some of the country’s most valued historic buildings and places. The Hamish Ogston Foundation’s funding is needed more than ever with the added pressures and uncertainties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specially-commissioned research is currently underway to

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understand the market for heritage apprenticeships in the North of England’s construction industry for those working on historic buildings, and will shape the nature of the programme to ensure it achieves maximum positive impact. Hamish Ogston said: “We are delighted to be partnering Historic England as funders on this major initiative. Our intention is to help create sustainable jobs at a time of great pressure and real need, both for people and buildings. “I am confident that this significant investment will create a flow of high-quality, hands-on apprenticeships that will lead to rewarding careers, help keep alive the skills needed to preserve our historic buildings and make a positive difference for heritage at risk.” q • Founded in 2019, the Hamish Ogston Foundation is committed to protecting the heritage of important sites in the UK and abroad. Its work aims to preserve those structures, their craftsmanships and many of the traditions they have cultivated over time.

Roofing company establishes training academy [AS ROOFING CONTRACTORS, SPV

Group are well aware of the current skills shortage and how difficult it is to attract new entrants to the industry. To help address the problem SPV have recently created a new Training Hub to encourage more young people to consider a career in construction. The CIOB has estimated that the construction industry needs 157,000 new recruits by 2021 to keep up with demand, but currently the rate of recruitment into the sector is far lower than the retirement rate. Attracting and developing young blood is key to the long-term success of roofing companies; however, recruiting and developing apprentices is not an easy process. Poor perception of the industry, outdated stereotypes and a lack of awareness of the opportunities within the sector have held the industry back for years. With that in mind, SPV Group have partnered

with Juniper Training to develop a free bespoke offer that will equip young people aged 16-18 with everything they need to be construction site-ready, to progress into employment or onto an apprenticeship. The course is delivered half from their purpose-built workshop in Walsall, which has been created to offer a safe and controlled environment, and half from the Juniper Training centre – also in Walsall. Upon completion students will have gained a CSCS card, Level 1 Introduction to Construction, having received training in manual handling, fire safety and asbestos awareness, as well as hands-on industry-specific practical training in all areas of the roofing industry. Throughout the course potential employers are connected with the learners in the expectation that they then progress into employment in the industry. q

• For further information visit the website at spv-uk.co.uk/training-academy/

Get trained to work at height: the rules apply to everyone [THE WORKING at height regulations cover all occupations and

places of work, placing duties on employers, employees, the selfemployed and persons who control the work of others. They apply to every workplace and all occupations – including volunteers who offer their services at ecclesiastical and heritage sites, stately homes, castles and even zoos. The regulations clearly state that works must be planned, organised and carried out by a competent person. During a recent conversation Brian Middlemiss of Nimrod Training Providers was astounded to hear that a surveyor carrying out a quinquennial inspection of a parish church was loaned a ladder from a parishioner (the local farmer) to gain access to the belfry. Brian takes up the story: “It was assumed that the surveyor was competent in the use of ladders and possessed the required knowledge, experience and training to use the ladder, although no formal checks on his competence were carried out. To assume competence can lead to accidents and prosecutions from the Health and Safety Executive.

“One could consider that, if the surveyor had been competent, he would have brought his own ladders – ensuring that they were suitable for the works to be carried out and were in good condition.” Brian continued: “A recent prosecution against a famous zoo and charitable organisation revealed that improper use of step ladders resulted in a subsequent injury to one of its volunteers. It led to a £160,000 fine; however, due to mitigating circumstances the fine was finally reduced by the judge to £50,000 – which is still a huge fine for any charity to pay! “It is important to check and record that your staff are fully trained and competent in the use of ladders and stepladders. Ensure the ladders are regularly inspected by a competent person as nobody wants an accident or a costly prosecution.” Accredited ladder training for both users and inspectors can be provided by the Ladder Association. Nimrod are members of the association and are happy to offer their guidance. q • To find out more visit www.nimrod-training.co.uk

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LIGHTNING PROTECTION

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 • Flagpoles • 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

T: 01158 752686 M: 07581 266493 E: info@lightningstrikeltd.co.uk W: www.lightningstrikeltd.co.uk 11 Bedford Grove, Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 9DE

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Lightning Protection Services

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

A C Wallbridge & Co Ltd Steeplejacks and Lightning Conductor Engineers

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

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

Direct Strike Ltd

LIVE STREAMING

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

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

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

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

Harrison Lightning Protection & Earthing Ltd T: 01325 464464 E: contact@harrisonlp.co.uk W: www.harrisonlp.co.uk

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

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