Ecclesiastical & Heritage World Issue No. 89

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COVER STORY

CONTENTS Lighting specialists install church lighting with a difference The front cover of this issue shows a number of church lighting projects installed recently by Lighting Dynamics UK. The Sutton Coldfield-based firm has established a reputation for creating practical and architecturally sympathetic lighting schemes and currently has a number of prestigious projects in progress.

The company’s latest range of lighting products includes high-quality commercial grade LED luminaires, recognising that these days customers require a lighting scheme that is more than ‘an extension of somebody’s lighting showroom – or lit with floodlights to resemble an industrial style installation’.

Read the full story on page 7

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Railway Museum’s expansion plans go out for consultation Funding boom is welcomed by heritage sites, sacred and secular Reinstatement is preferred option for Glasgow School of Art Medieval brooches found in Wales declared treasure SPAB Awards return for 2022 Survey can help heritage organisations make the most of their digital presence Family firm chalk up hat trick of awards successes Heating specialists look back on a year spiced with variety Leeds Town Hall project gets Lottery funding boost

LIGHTING 15 Latest lighting technology allows

many functions in one church 16 Historic England updates guidance

on external lighting 17 Up-to-date lighting shows off

church’s stunning features HS2 ARCHAEOLOGICAL FINDS 18 Panels chart town’s history from

Iron Age to Middle Ages 18 Archaeologists amazed by Roman

statues found on church site

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ROOFING & LEADWORK 19 Artist couple bring Arts and Crafts

gem back to life 20 Roofing Awards shortlist features

usual crop of heritage and

ecclesiastical projects 22 When heritage roofs need

attention, lead is a go-to material 22 Historic roof repairs form part of

major restoration project 23 And the winner is…Murdoch

Award winners announced online 23 Planter shows off leadworker’s skills

TRAINING 35 New partnership will promote skills training 35 Ecclesiastical extends its support for

UCL’s post-grad heritage course FIRE SAFETY 36 The challenges of ensuring fire

safety in heritage buildings ACCESS & LIGHTNING PROTECTION 37 New telescopic spider offers

‘unique’ performance 39 Lightning can be a benefit as well

as a threat

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CRE 24 Celebrations at Sandown Park

as CRE makes triumphant return 25 CRE speakers highlight the

resilience of giving in the pandemic

SOUND & AV SYSTEMS 27 AV industry’s main event opens for booking 27 Apprenticeship will plug skills gap

in AV industry 29 New KORG digital piano range

builds on 10 years of success 30 A clear vision for St Clement’s 31 Cathedral leads the way in

streaming Mass in Norfolk 33 Churches reach out to remote

congregations – thanks to expert advice 34 Cadfael’s abbey has a ‘fine’ new

sound system

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Video takes us on a lightning journey through 75 years of history

IRONWORK & METALWORK 40 Treasured garland is preserved at

Shropshire church 41 Ironwork group begins renewed

meeting programme PROJECTS 42 Bridge within a bridge will allow

heavy traffic to flow 44 Sensitive adaptation maintains the

beauty of Grade One medieval treasure BRICKS 47 Heritage projects collect

sustainability awards sponsored by

traditional brick manufacturer WINDOWS 48 Bespoke steel windows maintain

the ‘eyes’ of traditional British

educational establishments

FIND THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE YOU NEED IN CHURCH & HERITAGE SUPPLIES FROM PAGE 50 Richard Shepherd – Business Development Manager Advertising enquiries: Tel: 07429 516265 Email: richard@dmmonline.co.uk All other enquiries: Tel: 0161 710 3880 Fax: 0161 710 3879 • 61 Lower Hillgate, Stockport, Cheshire SK1 3AW Copyright Ecclesiastical & Heritage World. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of Ecclesiastical & Heritage World. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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THERE SEEMS TO BE no end in sight to the drive to begin this column with “As we emerge from the pandemic…”.

This issue is no exception. Of course, it is heartening to be able to report things getting back to normal – albeit slowly and to a different normal from the one we’re used to. So it is with pleasure that we are able to report on the return of Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) to an in-person event. CRE National resumed normal service in October. November will also see in-person activity resumed by the National Heritage Ironwork Group.

As this column is being written those craftspeople and supporting cast behind the shortlisted entries for the Roofing Awards are packing suitcases in preparation for the Big Day in London: another emergence from the online life. As usual, heritage and ecclesiastical projects figure prominently and we are hopeful of being able to report some successes in the next issue.

One awards scheme that did not manage an in-person event was the LCA’s Murdoch Awards. They were presented online again this year but still managed to impress with the quality of photography matching the splendour of the shortlisted entries. Our congratulations go to the winners of all categories and, indeed, to all who merited honourable mentions.

• Celebrations of a different kind are the order of the day for members of ATLAS, the trade body for steeplejacks and lightning protection specialists, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year. A new video has taken the novel tack of matching the years of the association’s existence with significant events. The choice is interesting in itself and includes the first Concorde flight and England winning the World Cup! Another novel approach to lightning has been taken by one Nottingham practitioner. A blog post on the website of Lightning Strike Ltd reveals the beneficial effect of lightning in providing plants with access to nitrogen. It’s well worth a read.

• In fact, the whole heritage industry had something to celebrate this autumn with the announcement of a substantial package of grants from the Culture Recovery Fund. A whopping £35m is being distributed to projects across the country, including nearly £13m for places of worship. The cash is intended to help heritage venues carry out repairs and restorations as well as improve visitor facilities.

• A major heritage development that has been on-going for longer even than the pandemic is the expansion of the National Railway Museum in York. Now the plan to develop a new Central Hall has taken a step nearer to realisation with the launch of a public consultation on the plan. York was the original Victorian railway city and the plans for the National Railway Museum look to re-establish that identity.

• Another consultation exercise that has moved a major project nearer to reality is the conclusion of the Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) for the rebuilding of the Mackintosh Building at Glasgow School of Art. The Mackintosh was twice nearly destroyed by fire this century. Incredibly, it burnt down while rebuilding work was being carried out following a previous conflagration.

The SOBC consulted with stakeholders and the wider public before considering a range of options for the rebuilding.

The conclusion – to the relief of many in the heritage sector – is the ‘faithful reinstatement’ of the building, albeit with the facilities necessary for a modern education in the arts.

• An artistic flair combined with unparalleled technical ability are evident in the lighting schemes gracing our front cover.

They are all the creations of Lighting Dynamics UK, a company that has been developing an enviable reputation for itself for excellence in the installation of such systems. q

Chris Stokes

Editor, Ecclesiastical & Heritage World

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COVER STORY

Lighting specialists install church lighting with a difference

[THE FRONT COVER of this issue showcases a range of church

lighting systems recently installed by Sutton Coldfield-based specialists Lighting Dynamics UK. Since its establishment Lighting Dynamics has set about establishing a reputation for creating practical and architecturally sympathetic lighting schemes. Now, from their base in the heart of England, they have developed into one of the country’s premier companies specialising in the interior and exterior lighting of cathedrals, churches and other places or worship of all religious denominations. They are 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 the associated or specified lighting equipment.

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. Their comprehensive range of modern, energy-saving and 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.

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 now is a very exciting time in the further development of church lighting, especially with such a great and diverse range of modern light sources now available.

extensive range of LED products – along with a host of related LED lighting accessories – has been under development for some time and takes the company’s overall lighting portfolio to the next level of technical innovation.

Colour change lighting, linked to the latest in DMX controls, is also proving popular for selected church illumination applications, and in addition the company has an unrivalled knowledge of, and expertise in, 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 proficient in utilising alternative wired and wireless lighting control systems.

The more recent Casambi control system – a low-energy Bluetooth wireless solution – can also have a number of benefits for the end user; however, the Casambi solution can prove to be somewhat restricted in older type church buildings, especially those which incorporate 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.

Energy conscious

Commercial grade lighting

In this modern age it seems that the neverending increase in the number of 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 clients have tremendous difficulty in differentiating between the various price points available online, and in particular understanding the prime differences between high-quality ‘commercial grade’ LED luminaires and their counterpart low-cost alternatives – which in many situations would not even be deemed suitable for a domestic type lighting application.

The issue is further compounded when modern LED light sources need to be dimmed and linked to any form of separate lighting control systems. Lighting Dynamics UK has, if required, a fully-qualified team of NICEIC-registered electricians to carry out the installation of its interior and exterior lighting systems to current electrical standards and regulations. The team is highly experienced in working within all types of ecclesiastical buildings, including and especially those with listed status.

The company provide a bespoke design service for each individual church lighting project, be it interior or exterior, from initial meeting and informal discussions right through to final focusing and commissioning of the completed project.

The company has recently launched and is continuing to develop a range of the very latest bespoke, high-quality ‘commercial grade’ LED luminaires, specifically designed for all types of ecclesiastical lighting tasks. This

• For an initial discussion contact info@lighting-dynamics.co.uk or visit www.lighting-dynamics.co.uk

Lighting with a difference It has been established that customers are increasingly looking for someone with the flair and experience to provide a quality lighting design, while also specifying top-grade, high-quality ‘commercial grade’ lighting equipment and controls that will offer longevity, reliability and overall flexibility for their specific ecclesiastical lighting upgrade project.

In the main, clients no longer wish to see their completed church lighting project looking like an extension of somebody’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.

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Railway Museum’s expansion plans go out for consultation [A CONSULTATION PROCESS has been

running on the National Railway Museum’s plans for a new Central Hall, part of its vision to be the cultural heart of York Central.

Central Hall is planned as a new welcome space and gallery located between the museum’s Great Hall and Station Hall. It will unite the museum buildings and is a cornerstone of Vision 2025 – the museum’s five-year journey to transform its offer and become the World’s Railway Museum.

The exciting vision also includes a new Wonderlab, aimed at inspiring children to think like engineers through experience, interactivity and play.

Central Hall will also feature a gallery showcasing the latest innovations in rail technology, a café overlooking the new museum square, a shop, flexible event space and new visitor facilities.

Sustainability is at the heart of the Central Hall design, with environmentally-friendly design principles and materials which are in keeping with York’s rich railway history and the surrounding area. Sustainable travel will also

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Image credit Feilden Fowles

be encouraged with EV charging points and cycle racks offered on site.

The consultation process for Central Hall follows a recent decision by the Secretary of State for Transport to approve the Stopping Up of Leeman Road. That is a step forward for the wider York Central scheme and will facilitate the building of Central Hall, transforming York’s only national museum, connecting its site and helping facilitate improved exhibits that will attract more visitors from the city and from around the world.

The museum’s director Judith McNicol

commented: “Central Hall is just one aspect of our journey to embed our museum in the heart of our community. We are excited to share the latest plans for the new building, which follow the principles agreed in the outline permission for the wider York Central site.

“This consultation helps provide further detail about the plans to unite the museum’s estate as never before and deliver Vision 2025. It’s really important that we gather feedback at this early stage in the process so that the plans can evolve to offer as many benefits to our neighbourhood and to our visitors as possible.

“These plans will provide a massive economic boost to York and the wider area, acting as a stimulus for a wide range of other businesses too.”

A planning application will be submitted in the coming months, following analysis of all the feedback from the consultation process. The improvements are expected to be completed by 2025, which will mark the museum’s 50th anniversary. Leading architect Feilden Fowles is the architect on the project, having won a UKwide competition in 2020. q

Funding boom is welcomed by heritage sites, sacred and secular [

HERITAGE SITES across England are receiving a boost of £35m, thanks to the government’s Culture Recovery Fund. Administered on behalf of the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport by Historic England, 142 sites are receiving support, bolstering local economies and supporting jobs across the country.

From Leicester to Liverpool, Wellington to Wigan, much-loved historic places will benefit from an injection of cash for vital repairs and major building programmes.

Many of them are currently on the national Heritage at Risk Register.

Money from the government’s £2bn Culture Recovery Fund is intended to open up heritage and the benefits it brings to everyone, helping to level up and improve life and opportunities for people in places that need it most. Many of the organisations and sites receiving funding enhance wellbeing and community connection, offering education, development opportunities and jobs in some of the most deprived communities hit hard by the impact of the pandemic.

From local churches to ancient buildings and landscapes, the UK's unique heritage makes our towns, cities and villages stronger, more vibrant and helps bring communities together.

The latest funding – announced the week before Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Spending Review – will help protect sites including Jane Austen’s House and Hampton Court Palace for future generations and help them build back better from the pandemic.

Funding will be awarded to places precious to local communities: for example the Grade Two*-listed Electric Palace in Harwich, Essex (pictured above) – one of the oldest surviving purpose-built cinemas in England – is receiving more than £151,000 for repairs which will enable it to continue as a community venue, hosting films and live music events.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, commented: “Funding from the government’s Culture Recovery Fund is hugely welcome at a time when the people and organisations who look after our vast and varied array of heritage urgently need support to carry out essential repairs. Heritage is a fragile eco-system, with an amazing cast of characters who keep our historic places alive, with specialist skills that take time to learn and experience to perfect. These grants will protect their livelihoods, as they use their expertise to help our heritage survive.”

Money from the Heritage Stimulus Fund will also keep our nationally and internationally significant heritage assets in good condition and sustain the skilled craft workforce that looks after them.

The Tower of London and Muncaster Castle in the Lake District have been awarded grants through organisations including Historic Royal Palaces, the Historic Houses Foundation

and The National Trust.

In addition, funding to major visitor attractions such as Kensington Palace and Leicester Cathedral, where the remains of King Richard III are reburied, is helping to make those attractions as accessible, exciting and inviting to as many people as possible.

A project to install handrails around the Wall Walk at The Tower of London will make navigating the uneven terrain at the centuries-old fortress easier and the site more accessible. At Hampton Court, work on the Little Banqueting Hall and its beautifully painted interior will provide an added attraction for visitors.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries commented: “From local churches to ancient buildings and landscapes, the UK's unique heritage makes our towns, cities and villages stronger, more vibrant and helps bring communities together. This latest funding – £35m from our unprecedented Culture Recovery Fund – will help protect sites including Jane Austen's House and Hampton Court Palace for future generations and help them build back better from the pandemic.”

The positive power of landscapes, gardens and waterways on mental health and wellbeing was discovered by many during the pandemic. A grant of £3m to the National Trust will fund 15 projects at 12 properties, including helping to bring the Grade Two*-listed Walled Garden back to life at the Shugborough Estate in Stafford, and for conservation work on the Sea Walk Wall at Seaton Delaval Hall, Northumberland.

Almost £1.5m in funding to the Canal and Rivers Trust will pay for repair work on the nation’s waterways. That includes the historic Grade Two-listed Locks 13 and 15 on the Ashton Canal in inner-city Manchester, which has been designated as a country wildlife site.

The latest £35m funding builds on £52m already allocated from the first round of the Heritage Stimulus Fund, which has supported works at 800 of the country’s treasured heritage assets. That included Blackpool’s iconic Tower Ballroom, the stunning Georgian landscape at Gibside in Gateshead and the tranquil Thornton-le-Beans Chapel in North Yorkshire.

None of those historic places would have been able to carry out crucial repair work during the pandemic without that support.

Nearly 13m of the £35m has been awarded to places of worship for essential repairs. It includes one grant of £400,000 to the Methodist Church, eight grants totalling £1.5m to Friends of Friendless Churches, 13 grants totalling £1.6m to the Churches Conservation Trust, 15 grants totalling £2m to various denominations via the National Churches Trust – including the United Reformed Church in Saltaire (left) – 17 grants to the Catholic Church in England and Wales, amounting to £2.9m, and £4.3m to the Church of England directly for 21 projects. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Reinstatement is preferred option for Glasgow School of Art

Image credit Alan McAteer

[THE Glasgow School of Art (GSA) has chosen a faithful reinstatement as its preferred option for the rebuilding of the Mackintosh Building – which has been extensively damaged by fire twice in recent years.

The GSA commissioned a Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC) from external consultants, in line with the HM Treasury Green Book guidance and Scottish Public Investment Manual. It involved detailed engagement with stakeholders including representatives of the local community, heritage sector, local and national government and GSA alumni, students and staff.

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One of the key recommendations of the Scottish Parliament’s Culture Tourism Europe and External Affairs Committee report was that the GSA should consider and consult widely on a range of options before making a final decision on the future of the Mackintosh Building.

The SOBC was the first stage in that comprehensive and structured process. It considered a wide range of options for the future of a building which has been core to the academic experience at the GSA, as well as being an important community asset and contributor to the cultural and tourism offer in the city.

The long list of options ranged from ‘do minimum’, a new build on the site or elsewhere on the GSA campus to faithful reinstatement, a hybrid, and a building elsewhere in the city. The options were analysed and rigorously assessed to create a short list of deliverable options: faithful reinstatement, hybrid and new build, which were further tested against a ‘do minimum’ option.

The SOBC demonstrated that the best option is to undertake a faithful reinstatement within the practical constraints of the regulatory environment, while innovating to make sure that digital technology and sustainability are at the building’s heart. The preferred option addresses the key success factors in each of the areas of the business case and will benefit the nation, students, the community, academe and the economy by delivering the GSA’s academic objectives.

Announcing the outcomes of the SOBC, GSA’s director Professor Penny Macbeth said: “The GSA is one of only three UK art schools to consistently rank in the top ten of the influential QS world rankings for art and design. The original Art School building is synonymous with the Glasgow School of Art and it was central to the GSA’s learning, teaching and research for over a century, as well as being an important part of Glasgow’s cultural life and heritage.

“One of the recommendations of the Scottish Parliament’s Culture Tourism Europe and External Affairs Committee report was that we should examine a range of options for the future of the building, and the Strategic Outline Business Case has done just that, subjecting each of them to a rigorous analysis.

“Core to the SOBC was a programme of stakeholder engagement and I should like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who took part in this programme, including our external Steering Group led by Professor John French, for their vital contributions and insight. We will continue to work closely with our stakeholders throughout the project.”

• The iconic Mackintosh Building – designed by world-renowned designer Charles Rennie Mackintosh, who is synonymous with Glasgow School of Art – was all-but destroyed by a fire in 2018, shortly before completion of a rebuilding programme following a previous fire in 2014. q

Medieval brooches found in Wales declared treasure [TWO SILVER BROOCHES found in

Pembrokeshire – both dating from the medieval period – have been declared treasure by Mr Paul Bennett, Acting Senior Coroner for Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire.

A silver medieval annular brooch was discovered by a detectorist in March 2019.

The brooch (pictured below) was a single find in a field under pasture in Penally Community,

Pembrokeshire and dates from the 12th-13th centuries. Tenby Museum and Art Gallery intends to acquire the brooch for its collection, following its independent valuation via the Treasure Valuation Committee.

Eloise Chapman of the museum commented: “It is always exciting to have the opportunity to acquire a treasure find for the museum. This lovely little brooch will provide an insight for our visitors into medieval fashion and everyday life in the Tenby area. As we don’t currently have anything like it in the collection, it would be a great addition.”

A second silver medieval brooch, missing its pin (pictured right), was discovered while metal detecting in April 2019. The brooch was also a single find, in a field under pasture in Ambleston Community, Pembrokeshire and dates from the 13th to mid-14th centuries.

Scolton Manor Park and Museum intends to acquire the brooch for its collection, following its independent valuation via the Treasure Valuation Committee.

Dr Mark Redknap, Deputy Head of Archaeology Collections and Research at

Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales, commented: “As a result of the Portable Antiquities Scheme and the provisions of the Treasure Act, we are building a more accurate picture of fashion in the medieval period.

Silver brooches decorated with niello were popular across medieval Wales and this small example may have fastened clothing made of fine cloth.” q

SPAB Awards return for 2022 [ENTRIES ARE NOW OPEN for the SPAB Heritage Awards.

Relaunched for 2022, the awards, which are promoted by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, celebrate old buildings and the people who champion them. Joining the existing John Betjeman Award and Philip Webb Award will be the Buildings Craftsperson of the Year Award, the Sustainable Heritage Award and the Best Loved Award. Entries close on 28 March, with the exception of the Philip Webb Award, for which entries run from 18 July – 12 September next year.

The five awards will be presented at a ceremony in the autumn, alongside SPAB’s Scholarship and Fellowship certificates, creating an event that showcases the outstanding achievements in the care and repair of old buildings. The range of annual awards recognises the communities who care for our built heritage as well as the expert craftspeople and other professionals who repair them. The SPAB Heritage Awards looks to the future, too, encouraging sympathetic new design and a sustainable outlook to building conservation.

The Building Craftsperson of the Year Award recognises the best upand-coming craftspeople and builders working with historic buildings or traditional materials and methods of construction across the UK and Ireland, while the Best Loved Award celebrates the love, care and attention given to buildings in the UK and Ireland to keep them well maintained and in good repair. That award will be voted for by the public. The Sustainable Heritage Award will be advocating for the best new design skills to be used in upgrading old buildings or adapting them for new uses in a changing environment.

The pre-existing awards are the Philip Webb Award, which celebrates and encourages the sympathetic reuse of old buildings and sensitive new design in an historic context, and the John Betjeman Award, which is given to celebrate excellence in the conservation and repair of places of worship of any faith across the UK and Ireland.

The event in the autumn will also see the presenting of certificates and showcasing of the SPAB Scholarship and Fellowship – celebrating the achievements of the SPAB Scholars and Fellows after their 6-9 month hands-on travelling training programmes.

To find out more and register for updates visit www.spab.org.uk/getinvolved/awards. q

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Survey can help heritage organisations make the most of their digital presence [THE National Lottery Heritage Fund is

urging all heritage organisations to address their digital needs by taking the DASH survey. The Digital Attitudes and Skills for Heritage (DASH) survey breaks digital down into a series of simple questions that cover a range of key areas.

By asking their staff, trustees, board members and volunteers to take a few minutes to complete the survey, they can paint a clear picture of the digital skills across their organisation. They can also discover what attitudes and motivations their people have towards using digital.

After the survey closes, research specialists Timmus Limited will send them their data and provide them with an online dashboard summary.

That professional-level service is available for free.

The survey’s results show heritage organisations how best to spend time, energy and resources putting digital to work. Taking the survey can help organisations to: • Identify digital strengths and gaps • Provide a clear framework for staff and volunteers to discuss and • understand digital • Compare their digital strategy with what’s really happening within • the organisation • Find out how their people feel about the support they receive • Identify untapped digital skills

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• Focus training efforts • Provide a clear benchmark to build on • and measure against Asking staff and volunteers to take the survey also sends a clear message that digital is valued in an organisation.

DASH is open to all types of heritage organisations, of all sizes, operating anywhere in the UK – from local voluntaryled organisations to large nationals. The results support heritage organisations at all stages of their digital journey, from beginner to advanced. Larger organisations can ask different departments to complete it to provide a nuanced picture across the organisation.

The survey is funded by The National Lottery Heritage Fund and run by Timmus Limited in partnership with The Heritage Alliance. The deadline for signing up has been extended to 21 November.

The Heritage Fund is also keen to hear again from organisations that took the survey in 2020. Not only do they have a valuable opportunity to compare their results to last year, measure progress and re-focus efforts, but by taking DASH again, they can also show how needs have changed over the past year.

Josie Fraser, head of digital policy at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “This year’s results will be vital for all organisations who support and work with the sector – and for the sector to continue to build on how it makes great use of digital.” q

Family firm chalk up hat trick of awards successes [

FULLERS FINER FURNITURE, which was established in 1985, has established itself as one of the market leaders in the supply of furniture for public buildings and places of worship. Over the past 30-plus years furniture has been supplied to buildings ancient and modern –­ from a small village chapel to an enormous ancient abbey and from a local school to a prestigious Russell Group university.

“The judges commend the dedicated designers and manufacturers for providing a personal, comprehensive and high-quality service.”

That was just part of the commendation issued by the judges in announcing Fullers Finer Furniture as the winner of the Bespoke Furniture Specialist category in the 2020/2021 Corporate LiveWire South West Prestige Awards. Fullers were delighted to attend the presentation ceremony on 10 June at the Escot Estate in Devon (pictured).

The awards recognise the success and hard work of smaller businesses. The winner is selected by a panel of industry expert judges, basing their decision on details supplied by the company together with reviews, testimonials and information provided on their website and social media platforms.

Coming close on the heels of that award, Fullers were shortlisted as a finalist for Britain’s Best Legacy Business in the Small Awards. Now in their fifth year, the Small Awards are the culmination of a nationwide search for the greatest small firms in the UK, across all sectors. It is organised annually by Small Business Britain, which champions, inspires and accelerates small businesses in the UK. Fullers were chosen as one of five finalists for the award that recognises the unique characteristics, challenges and strengths of a family-run business. The business must demonstrate involvement and contribution from family members as well as business success over time.

The citation read: “The Small Awards exist to celebrate and champion the amazing contribution of fantastic small firms like Fullers

Finer Furniture. We received a record number of applications this year, with an incredibly high standard of entry, so all of the small businesses shortlisted should be rightly proud of this achievement.”

To make up a hat trick of achievements, in July Fullers were awarded Best Bespoke Church Furniture Specialist in the 2021 Midlands Enterprise Awards. That was in recognition of their work, dedication and effort throughout the challenges of a global pandemic.

Company principal Paul Fuller said: “We are delighted to have won each of the awards and commendations; the recognition means a great deal to us. Our aim has always been and will continue to be the provision of excellence in design and craftwork, combined with the highest quality customer service. Praise and compliments from our clients and experts in the field remain our highest accolades and are always valued tremendously.”

Among those compliments are those from Central Derby URC, who wrote: “Just a note to tell you how much we are enjoying using our communion table and chairs.

They match everything so well,” and Kenmure Parish Church, who enthused: “The lectern looks great and undoubtedly will serve us well into the future.” q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Heating specialists look back on a year spiced with variety [

AS WINTER CLOSES IN and Christmas approaches a number of churches will be able to offer a welcome to their restricted congregations that will be somewhat warmer, in the literal sense as well as the metaphorical, than they could last Christmas – thanks to new or upgraded heating systems installed by Stoke-on-Trent specialists Mellor and Mottram.

Over the spring and summer we reported on projects on-going at two Grade Two-listed churches near the company’s base in Staffordshire – both of which trace their origins back to medieval times. St Mary’s in Grendon, Staffordshire, and St Bartholomew’s in Penn, near Wolverhampton in Warwickshire, are now enjoying not only new-found warmth, but also the savings in energy modern systems can produce. In these days of sudden energy price hikes, that can only be of benefit, not to mention the improvements in the churches’ footprints.

The two join St Alphege’s in Solihull, West Midlands (pictured) – a Grade One-listed building, parts of which have stood on the High Street site for over 800 years – and an altogether more modern church, the Roman Catholic Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Beeston, Nottinghamshire. That church dates from 1954 and is built in the Romanesque style. Meanwhile, the Roman Catholic retreat at Alton Castle continues to occupy Mellor and Mottram with its on-going programme of improvements.

The New Year will no doubt bring more precious gems into the portfolio of Stuart Mottram and his team.q • For further information call 0800 644 6240 or visit the website at www.mellorandmottram.com

Leeds Town Hall project gets Lottery funding boost [AN IMPORTANT heritage project to

protect and restore Leeds Town Hall’s stunning Victoria Hall has received a major funding boost. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has pledged a grant of £249,810 toward the scheme, which will restore the main decorative features of the magnificent performance space, including the impressive façade of the Leeds Town Hall organ (pictured).

Victoria Hall dates back to 1858, when the spectacular building was first opened by Queen Victoria and today it hosts a huge programme of concerts and events.

The years have begun to take their toll on some of the hall’s earlier decorative features, which have fallen into significant disrepair.

Without expert work being carried out some of those features are at risk of being lost, including sections of wall, columns and ornamental features. The project will see a team of specialist decorative artists strip back layers of dirt, dust and urban pollution to reveal an earlier artistic vision for the hall.

Work will also focus on fully restoring the decorative scheme on the Leeds Town Hall organ. It includes intricate hand-painted stencil designs on all the instrument’s façade pipes that have been hidden for decades.

Restoration works will take place during the planned closure of the building and will

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also see the full renewal of the organ and its internal components.

David Renwick, the National Lottery Heritage Fund’s director for the North of England, said: “Heritage is an incredibly powerful force for good, but it doesn’t work if we let it live in the past. Using heritage to engage people and communities can increase enjoyment of the places we live in or visit, boosting wellbeing and benefiting the local economy. The North of England has a huge range of heritage, from nature to buildings, from cities to the people who bring them to life.

“This variety is matched only by the diversity of our communities, and the potential we see in Northern heritage is enormous. The Leeds Town Hall project to restore the Victoria Hall and open it up to communities is a great example that we are proud to support.”

Cllr Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, culture and education, added: “It’s fantastic to hear that the project to restore Victoria Hall to its former glory has received such a significant funding boost and we’re grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund for recognising how important it is that this work takes place.

“Leeds Town Hall is one of Leeds’s most recognisable buildings and an absolutely integral part of the city’s story and identity, so it’s hugely important that we protect and preserve this beautiful example of Victorian architecture for future generations.

“The town hall is also a focal point for an extensive and diverse programme of events which not only generate income for the city but also help put Leeds on the map as a worldclass cultural destination.”

The restoration project will also include a farreaching community engagement programme with talks and presentations, workshops for families and young people and the commission of a new artwork by Pyramid of Arts.

The funding announcement came at the end of September, coinciding with a visit to Leeds and South Yorkshire by the Lottery Heritage Fund’s board of trustees – its first in-person visit outside of London since the pandemic hit. q

Latest lighting technology allows many functions in one church [

AT THE HEART of the East Devon town of Colyton is St Andrew’s Church.

With its unusual octagonal lantern tower sitting atop its 12th-century tower it has been the focus for community life for centuries – indeed there has been a church building in Colyton since around AD 700.

The main building dates from the 14th and 16th centuries, although it was substantially rebuilt following a fire in the 1930s. During that renovation a Saxon cross was discovered and is now on display in the church.

About six years ago it was decided that the lighting installation in the building was no longer fit for purpose.

It was over 30 years old, was expensive to run and maintain, and experienced the failures of several bulbs and fittings. In fact, one nave lamp actually exploded during a Sunday service!

As the wider electrical installation in the building had also begun to show its age the church decided that it would be wise to relight and rewire the whole building at one stroke, rather than treat the two elements as separate entities with separate contractors.

The PCC, led by churchwarden and project leader David Fouracre, began the search for a contractor. After unsuccessful encounters with a number of contractors the team visited a small church locally which had had a relighting project carried out

by Anthony J Smith (Gloucester) Ltd (AJS).

The senior people at that church were ‘very complimentary about their work’.

Said David Fouracre: “We decided that their sensitive, considered and can-do approach was much more in tune with our wish to get the very best we could for our wonderful building.”

The team from AJS visited the church initially in 2017, and following that an outline specification and a likely budget

cost was given. Future visits demonstrated carefully selected LED light fittings and a detailed specification was delivered for faculty approval following input from David and the PCC at St Andrews.

David takes up the story: “The DAC lighting advisor was called in at an early stage and gave useful advice. The faculty application seemed to take an eternity, and fine-tuning of the small detail of the work was similarly time-consuming. However, Neil Blake and Ché Polley from AJS held our hands with a light touch and immense patience throughout all the deliberations. They were professional in keeping us up to date with working schedules, and church activities always took priority.

“A vacancy in the middle of these planning stages didn’t help matters, and we successfully ‘sold’ the entire project to the new incumbent.

“We’ve benefitted from one huge plus: the Friends of St Andrew’s, a non-religious charity whose remit is to support the fabric of the church, were fully behind the work from the start, and met the lion’s share of the substantial cost of this extensive project.”

The new lighting installation comprises latest generation LED light fittings of various power outputs and focal beam widths. It is controlled

by a DALI dimmable scene-setting system, which gives many lighting variations.

David enthused: “AJS set us up with a few scenes to see us through the festive period, and we have programmed a further 10 following an initial tutorial and easy-to-follow instructions from Ché. This has given us lighting variations ranging from specific service scenes to settings for film screenings and concerts – all at the touch of a button. Magic!

“Working with Neil, Ché and the indefatigable Pete – the lead installer – was a true delight. While things were somewhat fractured by the onset of the COVID pandemic, in some ways this worked to our advantage – Pete and his colleagues could have unfettered access to the building with no one coming in to distract or disrupt their work.

“I suppose the best endorsements of the project have come from the local community.

The lighting side of things was completed just before Christmas 2020, and the response both to the internal and external lighting over Christmas and New Year was unanimously enthusiastic. Working with the team at AJS was a very positive experience and we would be happy to recommend them to any future clients and to show them the installation at St Andrews.”

Ché from AJS commented: “As with all churches we are involved with, it was a privilege to be invited to specify and install a new lighting system for St Andrews which both enhances the fine architectural features for the many visitors to the area and provides lighting flexibility for liturgical and community uses.”

A special service of thanksgiving for the new system was attended by the Bishop of Exeter on 3 October, at the culmination of the church’s flower festival. q • For further information call 01453 825130 or visit www.anthonyjsmith.co.uk www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Historic England updates guidance on external lighting [

MOST STORIES of creative lighting installations in churches and historic buildings concern the internal lighting. It is, after all, where most decoration and artefacts are to be found and where people need to see clearly.

Schemes to illuminate the exterior of a heritage building can also add immeasurably to its appeal. People passing by may not necessarily notice the lighting of the building, but the absence of illumination would certainly be noticed.

In common with interior lighting, exterior illumination has also become the subject of reassessment in light of current concerns over the environment – with the added complication regarding light pollution and dark skies.

In September Historic England updated its guidance on external lighting on historic buildings. The advice covers light fittings, types of lamps or luminaires, control systems, security, installation and maintenance. Crucially, it also now includes guidance on light pollution and its impact on wildlife and the environment.

Introducing the subject, the guidance says: “Light and architecture have always been important to each other. This has been so since before artificial lighting came into existence. Famous architects like Sir John Soane and G E Street used natural light to enhance their building interiors and architectural features. Some early 20th-century architects took the view that artificial light was only an extension of daylight, some that it offered the opportunity to view the building in a unique and different way at night.”

The guidance recognises that many historic buildings are ‘increasingly jostling for space’ in our towns and cities and can be dwarfed by new high-rise developments. Therefore, external lighting systems can be an attractive proposition to attract attention and enhance a building’s profile. It quotes research by the Church of England that shows lighting

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Photo © Phil Champion (cc-by-sa/2.0)

schemes can help the visibility and sustainability of churches.

However, the guidance points out that because a building is listed is not necessarily a reason for installing a lighting system and lists a number of considerations that need to be addressed before a scheme is proposed. It also adds the caveat that ‘external lighting can not only augment the view of a historic building but if done badly can produce the opposite effect by enhancing the negative aspects’.

However, the document says: “Well-designed external lighting can, with care and sensitivity, bring added life and scope to our treasured heritage landmarks. It becomes an extension to the architecture or place, improving the visitor experience by complementing the building’s shape, colour and form.”

Among the schemes used to illustrate the point is the lighting scheme for the Piece Hall in Halifax (pictured), which won the Lighting Design Award as Community and Public Realm Project of the Year in 2018 for Buro Happold. q

Up-to-date lighting shows off church’s stunning features

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DATING BACK to around 1863, St Paul’s Church in Langleybury, Hertfordshire, is a Grade Two*-listed building in the Gothic Revival style, featuring tall proportions and a prominent spire. Inside, a wealth of features include carved angels, which adorn the springings of the arches within the nave, a beautiful carved stone chancel arch, wall paintings, memorials and a stunning timber roof.

The existing lighting within the nave consisted of four outdated wall lights and five suspended pendants, of which one had failed completely.

Lighting within the chancel and baptistry had been replaced a few years ago, but consisted of cold, white external floodlights which provided little or no benefit at ground level and gave an overall bleak appearance, which did not complement the surroundings.

Church Lighting Systems – a division of CLS Electrical Services – provided an initial design, followed by a faculty-ready specification.

They were then commissioned to carry out the installation work, which took place over a four week period. All existing light fittings were disconnected and removed, along with the twin-and-earth PVC cabling.

New FP200 cables were installed throughout, along with a new DALIcontrolled lighting system. All the lighting now consists of 3,500lm 38W LED luminaires, which have a 3,000k warm white output. As well as general lighting, feature lighting was installed, which illuminates the roof space in all areas of the church. Specific features have also been highlighted, such as the pulpit and lectern, along with the font.

The main focus of the church – which is the altar and sanctuary – has been illuminated using a mixture of wide, medium and narrow beam fittings, specifically directed to provide high illumination within that area and creating a focal point for those looking forward from the nave.

The lighting is operated automatically upon entrance through the south porch. Any one of 10 scenes can then be selected from a simple push-button control plate. Each scene can be programmed to suit the needs of the church. The lighting can also be operated from anywhere within the church using a tablet or mobile phone.

Additional lighting was installed in the kitchen area at the west end of the north aisle and socket outlets installed on each side of the nave. q

www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Archaeological finds from two sites being excavated as part of the HS2 project provide exciting glimpses into a long-lost world...

Panels chart town’s Archaeologists amazed history from Iron Age by Roman statues found to Middle Ages on church site [EXHIBITION PANELS charting the ancient history of

Coleshill in Warwickshire, from the Bronze Age to the medieval period, featuring finds unearthed by archaeologists working on the HS2 project, have gone on display at Coleshill Town Hall.

The exhibition panels were given to Coleshill Town Hall by archaeological contractor Wessex Archaeology and HS2’s enabling works contractor LM JV. They include photographs, artistic reconstructions and 3D models to help people visualise the past.

Coleshill Town Mayor, Cllr Caroline Symonds, officially unveiled the exhibition on 18 October.

Speaking at the opening she said: “We have been delighted to work alongside Wessex Archaeology and thank them for producing these boards which hirers, members and visitors will enjoy reading as they visit our Town Hall. We will also be working with our partner organisations in the town, the Coleshill Civic Society and the library and we will ensure that they have copies of the boards in a form of media that is suitable for their available space and visitors.

“We wanted a launch event to thank all those people who have contributed to not only the successful archaeological digs themselves, but to giving the town a marker of its place in history as a longer-term record of it. We have many respected historians in the town, and I am sure that they will enjoy these boards in raising the profile of Coleshill's heritage.”

The area will now be accessible to the public, who are welcome to visit during Coleshill Town Hall opening hours to see how Coleshill has featured in three key historical periods: Bronze Age to Iron Age, Romano-British and Medieval.

The archaeological investigations at Coleshill have provided a remarkable insight into the exploitation and occupation of the local landscape over a period of more than 5,000 years.

There has been a breadth of historic activity documented on the site, with the team uncovering Bronze Age burnt mounds which heated water from the River Cole, Iron Age houses and funerary remains and evidence of Roman salt processing, not to mention Elizabethan gardens of national significance.

Jon Millward, HS2's historic environment manager, said: “HS2's archaeology programme seeks to engage with all communities both local and national, to share the information and knowledge gained as well as leaving a lasting archive for everyone to enjoy.” q

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[ARCHAEOLOGISTS WORKING on the HS2

project in Buckinghamshire have uncovered a set of rare Roman statues while excavating a Norman Church in Stoke Mandeville.

In the final stages of the excavation at the site of the old St Mary’s Church, archaeologists were excavating a circular ditch around what was thought to be the foundations of an Anglo-Saxon tower. As they dug down, they uncovered three stone busts which are stylistically Roman. Two of the busts comprise a head and torso which had been split before deposition, while the other was just the head.

The two complete statues appear to be one female adult and one male adult, with an additional head of a child.

The discovery of these amazing artefacts caused excitement among the team working on the site, who described it as ‘uniquely remarkable for us as archaeologists’. The work has been carried out by HS2’s enabling works contractor, Fusion JV, and their archaeological contactor L-P Archaeology.

In addition to the statues, an incredibly wellpreserved hexagonal glass Roman jug was discovered. Despite being in the ground for what is thought to be over 1,000 years, the glass jug had large pieces still intact. Archaeologists working at the site were able to remove what they believe to be almost all of the fragments. The team can only find one comparison for that: a completely intact vessel which is currently on display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Other finds include large roof tiles, painted wall plaster and Roman cremation urns.

Dr Rachel Wood, lead archaeologist for Fusion JV, said: “For us to end the dig with these utterly astounding finds is beyond exciting. The statues are exceptionally well preserved, and you really get an impression of the people they depict – literally looking into the faces of the past is a unique experience. Of course, it leads us to wonder what else might be buried beneath England's medieval village churches. This has truly been a once-in-a-lifetime site and we are all looking forward to hearing what more the specialists can tell us about these incredible statues and the history of the site before the construction of the Norman church.”

Mike Court, lead archaeologist at HS2, explained: “HS2’s unprecedented archaeology programme has given us new insights into Britain's history, providing evidence of where and how our ancestors lived. These extraordinary Roman statues are just some of the incredible artefacts uncovered between London and the West Midlands. As HS2 builds for Britain's future, we are uncovering and learning about the past, leaving a legacy of knowledge and discovery.”

The disfiguration of the Roman busts, namely the removal of the head of each, is not entirely unusual as it is common for statues such as those to have been vandalised in some way before being torn down. These are early examples of how statues and historic artefacts have been discarded as society has evolved over time. q

Artist couple bring Arts and Crafts gem back to life

Before the work was carried out – the property in 2018 as a plastic injection moulding factory (left); new Dreadnought plum red roof tiles and pyramid roof with end cap give new life to the listed building (middle and right)

[

IN 2018 designer Max Lamb and his wife Gemma bought the Grade Two-listed Old Mission House in Harrow. Designed by Arts and Crafts architect Edward Prior and built in 1884, the property had formerly been part of St Mary’s Church in what was then a rapidly expanding suburb. The building started life as the church hall but was later used to house a plastic injection moulding factory.

Now the couple are breathing new life into the historic building by transforming it into a wonderful family home.

The challenge Both artists by trade, Max and Gemma were keen to use authentic materials to restore the beauty of the listed building. They aimed to recycle as much as they could from the existing property, and where replacement was needed to use only natural materials wherever possible. The couple’s vision is working well with the historic building.

Clay is the dominant feature: as well as a clay roof there are many

brick details and beautiful terracotta dressings surrounding the windows and doors. At present, all of that brickwork and terracotta is being immaculately restored.

Max and Gemma were aware that Dreadnought clay tiles had been used on the building previously and there was no denying they were the perfect fit for their project.

Dreadnought Tiles have been manufacturing high-quality, traditional, single-camber plain clay roof tiles at their factory in Dudley in the West Midlands since 1805. They are widely recognised for their true Staffordshire clay colours, which come in natural shades of blues and brindles through to browns and reds. While manufacturing processes have changed over time and the Dreadnought factory uses the latest technologies, their clay tiles remain truly traditional.

The single camber shape and natural clay colour range are a good match for many historic clay tiles that are no longer produced or whose character and appearance have radically changed over time.

That makes them ideal for restoring listed buildings.

The old crushed tiles were laid as a cocciopesto floor. The E from the Dreadnought logo is clearly visible within the new floor The old clay tiles on the Old Mission House were therefore removed and new Dreadnought plum red smoothfaced tiles were fitted to restore the roof to its former glory.

A new light well that Max had constructed himself from zinc has replaced the old broken one and allows some light into the old hall. Arris hip tiles were made to match the old fittings on the small pyramid roof behind the concave parapet at the front of the building.

A bespoke end cap, handmade by Dreadnought’s heritage centre, was also used to neatly cap it off – in place of the four cut tiles previously used.

Although it was necessary to replace the roof, Max and Gemma have remained true to their word and recycled the old roof tiles to create a unique flooring solution! All 11,000 old roof tiles were crushed on site using a roller pan mixer, to create an aggregate with varying grades from 1mm-20mm. Two parts of crushed tile aggregate were mixed with one part hydraulic lime to form a cocciopesto which was laid on top of underfloor heating. Now polished, the naturally pigmented floor not only looks great, but also is extremely practical. Best of all, it literally encapsulates the building’s long history. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Roofing Awards shortlist features usual crop of heritage and ecclesiastical projects [ AT LONG LAST the shortlist for the 2021 UK

Roofing Awards has been announced. This year’s awards have been more eagerly awaited than usual due to the cancelling of last year’s process because of the pandemic.

Those involved in the ecclesiastical and heritage building sectors had perhaps more reason than most to anticipate the shortlist because traditionally the sector attracts more than its fair share of candidates for the ultimate roofing awards.

As always, the awards feature a specific Heritage Roofing category, and this year’s shortlist in the category pits four seasoned heritage roofers against each other. The four shortlisted projects are: • Craig House by Southwest Roofing Services • Little Sodbury Manor by Ellis & Co • Old Westbury Mansion House by Claude N Smith Ltd • Sospan by Greenough & Sons Roofing That is not where the involvement of ecclesiastical and heritage roofing projects in the awards ends. As usual, projects in the sector are in the running for a number of accolades in the various specialist categories.

Among the projects on traditional historic buildings featured are the reroofing of Glasgow City Chambers (pictured right) carried out by City Building (Glasgow) LLP ­– shortlisted in the Fully Supported Metal category – and Swaylands House in Kent by Infallible Systems Ltd in the Mastic Asphalt category. They are joined

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by the high-profile project at Leeds Town Hall by Harwood Roofing Contractors Ltd in the Roof Slating category.

Roof Slating has proved to be a fruitful category. A project at Old Radnor by Rowlands Roofing, a private house in Anglesey reroofed by

Greenough & Sons Roofing Contractors Ltd and the Marine Hotel in Troon by Southwest Roofing Services are all vying with the Leeds project on the shortlist.

Reflecting the growing trend for the preservation of 20th-century buildings, the roofing project at the eclectic San Remo Towers in Boscombe, near Bournemouth (pictured right), is up for the title in the Cold Applied Liquid Waterproofing category. That project was carried out by Roofsmiths LLP. It joins the Dome Cinema in Worthing, built in 1911 and reroofed

by Sussex Asphalte Ltd – also featured in the Mastic Asphalt category.

In the Reinforced Bitumen Membranes category a new building forming an outpost of a traditional museum is the Natural History Museum in Tring – part of the Natural History Museums – which was roofed by Premier Roofing Systems.

Two churches feature in the shortlists: Church of the English Martyrs in Essex by Premier Roofing & Construction in the Reinforced Bitumen Membranes category and the modernistic St Mary’s Episcopal Church in Port Glasgow (pictured below) by Ashton Building Systems

(Scotland) Ltd in the Single Ply Roofing category.

In the Small Scale Project < £25k category a charming project to reroof a Village Hall Turret, carried out by Emerton Roofing (Western) Limited, is in the running.

The Roofing Awards will be taking place as a live event on 5 November at The Intercontinental London – The O2. The winner of the Industry Choice award – picked by public vote from the shortlisted projects – will also be revealed.

We will be profiling winners involved in the ecclesiastical and heritage sectors in the next issue of Ecclesiastical and Heritage World. 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

www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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When heritage roofs need attention, lead is a go-to material [

ONE OF THE oldest materials in the roofing industry is lead – and it is still commonly used throughout the world today, particularly for repair and restoration of heritage buildings.

Lead roofing, and sand-cast lead in particular, is ideal for old buildings such as churches or historical renovations, whereas milled lead roofing is a mass-produced alternative.

Alternatively, machine-cast lead offers a very similar finish to milled and can be more cost-effective.

Lead as a roofing material offers a number of distinct properties: • Flexibility – an extremely flexible material, lead sheeting can be pulled taut and stretched around tricky shapes and areas for total coverage. Lead expands and contracts depending on the temperature, which is extremely useful for a roof in Britain due to the unpredictability of the British weather.

• Sealant – lead’s flexibility lends itself to giving excellent sealing properties when used with the correct neutral cure sealants.

Wherever there is a join between two surfaces, lead can provide a great seal. Lead can be used as a covering for guttering, too, helping make a roof 100% watertight.

• Longevity – a good quality lead roof can last as much as three times longer than other roofing materials. That Leadwork by Vintage Leadwork is the reason why many and Roofing historic buildings have lead roofing, as it is reliable and durable – which also makes it a cost-effective option in the long-run.

• Corrosion-resistant – as an extremely strong and resilient metal, lead is resistant to any type of corrosion. That can include pollutions in the atmosphere and damaging UV rays, helping it stand the test of time. It can also cope with a whole range of varying temperatures, making it perfect for different environments.

• Recyclable – lead has one of the highest recycling rates in the world and is one of the most recycled metals, overtaking recycling rates for aluminium, copper and zinc. That makes a huge contribution to creating a sustainable environment and therefore reducing carbon emissions.

All of those natural properties make lead a very attractive option for roofing, and it is clear now why lead has been used on so many different buildings, such as churches, cathedrals and listed buildings, for centuries! q

Historic roof repairs form part of major restoration project

[

REIGATE PRIORY SCHOOL is set in the beautiful surroundings of Priory Park in the Surrey town, and is a historic Grade One-listed building. It dates back to 1235 when William de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey, founded Reigate Priory for monks of the Order of St Augustine, who resided there for 300 years before the dissolution of the monasteries.

The priory played a further role in history. It was owned by the Howard family, one of the daughters of which, Catherine Howard, became the fifth wife of Henry VIII at the age of 19. She was executed in 1542, less than two years after the marriage.

In 2011 snowfall damaged the roof of the building that houses both the school and a museum, leading to the discovery of structural damage that needed extensive repairs over several years. Repairs to the leadwork of the roof were carried out by Sussex Leadcraft Ltd, using Code 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 lead, requiring fine craftmanship. The company has the highest available grade in the Lead Contractors Association q

• Article reproduced by kind permission of Trevor Corser, managing director of metal roofing specialists JTC Roofing

Vintage Leadwork and Roofing

T: 07730 233116 / 07983 982170 E: info@vintageleadworkandroofing.com W: vintageleadworkandroofing.com 25 Pelsall Lane, Rushall, Walsall WS4 1NA

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Sussex Leadcraft Ltd

T: 01273 584754 E: sussexleadcraftltd@gmail.com Unit 26, The Ridings, Telscombe Cliffs, East Sussex BN10 7EF

• Historic • Ornamental • Heritage • Conservation • Restoration

And the winner is…

Murdoch Award winners announced online [ON 6 OCTOBER the Lead Contractors Association posted the awards

ceremonies for its prestigious Murdoch Awards. The awards are now given in three distinct categories: the main Murdoch Award, the Murdoch Sponsors Award and the Murdoch Ornamental Award. The Murdoch Award itself has been the ultimate accolade for leadworkers for many years and when Associated Lead Mills (ALM) took over sponsorship in 2005 they added a second award, the Murdoch Sponsors Award, the following year for projects of under five tonnes. The third award, the Murdoch Ornamental Award, was introduced in 2019 and is sponsored by British Lead.

This year’s presentations, as last year, were purely online affairs and began by introducing the Highly Commended entry in the respective category. In the case of the Murdoch Ornamental award it was for a finial produced by Conservation Leadwork Ltd for Westminster Abbey.

Then followed films of the three finalists: Architectural Lead and Metalwork Ltd for a statue of Mercury, Bovill Lead Ltd for a pair of doves for a roof and Turners Ornamental Leadwork for a pineapple fountain. The winner was announced as Architectural Lead and Metalwork for the Mercury statue (top right).

In the running for the Murdoch Sponsors Award were LDN Leadwork Ltd for their work at St Paul’s Cathedral School, Architectural Lead and Metalwork Ltd for Hadley Lodge in London and Tim Fuge Leadwork Ltd for Northcliffe in Port Isaac. Highly Commended were Lead It Be Ltd for their Dulwich Vilage project.

Following stunning views of all the projects, from the gound and the air, the winner was announced as LDN Leadwork Ltd for St Paul’s Cathedral School (centre).

Finally, the main Murdoch Award was contested between N Lee and Son Ltd for Queen’s College, Oxford, A R Lead Specialist Ltd for Beverley Minster in Yorkshire and D Blake and Co Ltd for the Bank of Scotland headquarters in Edinburgh. Clarke Roofing Southern Ltd was Highly Commended for West Dene in Chichester.

Again, we were treated to splendid views of the four projects before the winner of the main Murdoch Award was announced as D Blake and Co Ltd for their Bank of Scotland project (bottom right). q

Planter shows off leadworker’s skills

[ THE PICTURES ABOVE show the installation of a

magnificent tree planter by Turners Ornamental Leadwork.

The planter was constructed for a private client in Norfolk as a central feature for a garden. It is three metres in diameter and over half-a-metre high, weighing in at around 1.6 tonnes.

The planter comprises five panels on a base. Each panel is decorated with motifs designed by the client and depicting

items of significance to their famiily.

Because of its size it was assembled on site over a period of a week using a derrick with two chain blocks.

Company principal Brian Turner said it was the largest single piece he had ever constructed – certainly the heaviest.

“The client was thrilled to bits with it,” he commented, “and I can’t ask for more than that.” q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Celebrations at Sandown Park as [ A POST-LOCKDOWN CELEBRATION

was how thousands of visitors to the Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) viewed their visit to the event at Sandown Park in October.

Steve Goddard, owner of CRE, commented: “People arrived with more purpose than I have ever known ­– to discover fresh, innovative ways to re-build their churches following the trials and tribulations of the past 18 months.”

One visitor commented on leaving: “I simply cannot believe there is so much happening in the church and so many organisations offering specific help. It has been a wonderful day.”

Visitor numbers totalled 2,395 across the three days from 10-12 October, plus 605 registered exhibitor staff – giving a total of 3,000.

“As expected, there were lower visitor numbers because of the pandemic,” Steve Goddard continued, “but the excellent quality of enquirer encouraged dozens of exhibitors to re-book for next year.”

Former Archbishop of Canterbury Lord George Carey (pictured above right) launched the second instalment of his memoirs, The Truth Will Set You Free. He was delighted with the return of the exhibition and considered how the church might continue to come out of the pandemic.

“I want our clergy to go out and be more vibrant in their preaching and teaching,” he

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said. “There is a long way to go but we have to give the world a greater vision of hope.”

Most seminars attracted good numbers, particularly those covering technical issues to do with live streaming. An initiative providing new resources for home groups was particularly well attended, too.

The Christian Resources Together book awards, held at CRE for the first time, attracted 110 publishers, retailers and associated personnel.

Jeff Lucas flew in from the USA to lead a series of studies on the book of Daniel and its significance in the light of COVID-19 and lockdown.

Roy Francis, who led an initiative looking at the Windrush legacy (pictured centre below), added: “It was a wonderful opportunity to talk about the arrival of Christians from the Caribbean and Africa, who changed the face of Christianity in the UK.” The next edition of the event, CRE South West, takes place at Westpoint in Exeter from 23-24 February next year.

“If our recent regional exhibitions in the North in 2018 and Midlands in 2019 are anything to go by, half of the visitors will discover CRE for the very first time,” said Steve. “That means exhibitors will reach a brand-new market of church leaders, officers and decision-makers from all over Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Cornwall, with more

CRE makes triumphant return coming from Bristol, Bath, Salisbury, Bournemouth and beyond.”

Easily accessible, just a mile off the M5 and with plenty of free parking, Exeter’s Westpoint Arena is an ideal venue. In spite of COVID-19, 70% of the floor space has already been sold.

To book a stand at CRE South West or CRE National 2022, which runs from 11-13 October next year, call Carol on 0161 250 2467, email carol@creonline.co.uk, or James on 0161 250 2306, email james@creonline.co.uk. q

CRE speakers highlight the resilience of giving in the pandemic [IN SPITE OF COVID-19, the on-

going effects of the UK’s withdrawal from the European Union and – more recently – the ethics regarding direct debits altered by energy companies hit by financial squeeze, charitable giving to churches is alive and well. That was a key message from speakers and exhibitors at CRE National 2021.

“We’re here to talk about generosity,” said Grant Forrest, chief executive of the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS).

Forrest spoke animatedly about what he describes as the emergence of Generation G: ‘not defined by age or other strict demographic, but by a desire, a willingness to give’.

“And not just to give but to give generously,” he emphasised. “It’s perhaps a difficult time to be talking about giving, but nevertheless what we’re seeing first-hand is evidence of increasing generosity. And that is about the link between the giver and the receiver.”

PGS, with its values of community, relationship and generosity, is designed to be an extension of each local parish church treasurer’s team, to ease the process of giving and ‘be the catalyst for Christian philanthropy’.

Reacting to the pandemic, PGS introduced a telephone line to augment the online and paper-based means of facilitating regular giving. The telephone operators have proved valuable in providing pastoral support to donors during a time of great uncertainty. Via that channel alone, from its introduction in April 2020 to date, more than 4,500 new direct debit mandates have been initiated, grossing in excess of £300,000 per month.

In Anglican churches supported by PGS, charitable giving has remained resilient throughout the coronavirus pandemic. “It’s important to us that direct debits are seen to be used as a safe, ethical way,” Grant Forrest added. “But it’s also about reframing the ‘ask’ of the donor and communicating needs cogently; regular giving and speaking more openly about generosity is the backbone…a gamechanger.”

In a Q&A session, Revd Dan Henderson, vicar of St Andrew’s Church in Hove, concurred. “You could see the change [in his congregation] between giving being a ‘chore’ and something we ‘had to do’ to becoming a joy,” he explained.

Alternative means of engaging donors were also explored in the CRE workshop led by David Lynch and Alice O’Brien from the UK arm of tech firm Givt.

In the Christian community,” said David Lynch, “giving is considered to be an act of worship. But with the challenge of hybrid church – where congregations may not be meeting physically together, or where antiviral practices require a rethink of major touchpoints – we have children today who don’t see the act of giving.”

Donating may still be occurring via BACS transfer or card payment, he said; but when unseen, the ‘trigger’ to give may not be as tangible.

Givt is therefore deploying technology to recreate the physical deed of giving. An app-based solution using a combination of Bluetooth-enabled ‘beacons’ in traditional collection plates and QR codes which can be displayed or projected in places of worship, Givt is a flexible and easy-

to-use tool that does not even require the donor to have internet access at the point of giving.

“What we find,’ said Alice O’Brien, “is that, as the options to give increase, so too does the generosity of the donor.

Givt is here to complement other forms of giving, and we want to be part of the conversation about how and when people are minded to give.”

And it seems to be working: Givt reports that, in 2020, just under twothirds of 18 to 25-year-olds gave through a mobile app.

Grant Forrest concluded: “While the buildings may have been closed, it’s been about the missional impact of generous giving in parish churches.

That’s allied with the on-going need for financial resilience – and all with a heartfelt desire to continue the work of transformational ministry and its practical impact in local communities right around the country.” q

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AV industry’s main event opens for booking

[ VISITOR REGISTRATION is now open for ISCVEx 2022 –

the annual conference and exhibition of the Institute of Sound, Communications and Visual Engineers. Taking place from 22-23 March at Coombe Abbey Hotel in Binley, Warwickshire, ISCVEx

Apprenticeship will plug skills gap in AV industry [

A NEW TWO-YEAR apprenticeship standard for AV technicians has been approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education in the UK, opening up opportunities to recruit apprentices who can begin training from January.

The aim of the Level 5 Audiovisual Apprenticeship Standard is to plug a long-standing industry skills gap. It has been developed

by Middlesbrough College lecturer Jack Laidlaw, with the help of employers and industry figures. Prominent among them was Graeme Massey of JacobsMassey.

Employers wanting to take on apprentices need to find an appropriate apprenticeship standard, which has just been achieved. They then need to find a training provider for 20% of the apprentice’s working week – a role that can be fulfilled by Middlesbrough College, which will take the apprentices on to a twoyear foundation degree in audiovisual technology.

The new foundation course, validated by the Open University, will be taught remotely. The college will also continue to offer a BSc (Hons) degree in audiovisual technology as a top-up degree, following on from the two-year foundation degree that forms the basis of the apprenticeship.

The new course was launched at an online event on 1 November, delivered from JacobsMassey’s Soho studio. It was hosted by chair of the AV Cultural Forum Chris Power in conversation with Jack Laidlaw, a representative from the Institute for Apprenticeships and the tutorial team delivering the apprenticeship. q

2022 is the big annual event for anyone working in sound or AV and is shaping up to be a fantastic in-person event.

The event kicks off with the institute’s Annual General Meeting and is followed by the annual Networking Dinner – an opportunity for informal networking with industry colleagues. In light of the past few years, that may be something everyone needs and deserves.

The following day sees the ISCVEx Exhibition opening. With 32 of the 38 exhibitors already confirmed, the ISCVEx 2022 Exhibition promises to be an excellent opportunity to engage with the industry’s leading manufacturers and distributors in a COVID-safe personal setting.

ISCVEx also includes three key seminars delivered by industry leading experts on hot topics, open to exhibition visitors completely free of charge. The 2022 seminar programme is close to being finalised, with the industry’s leading voices sharing insights and the latest industry developments.

Booking for ISCVEx 2022 is available via the ISCVE website at iscve.org.uk. q

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A clear vision for St Clement’s

[ AT THE HEART of the coastal town of Leigh-on-Sea, which

neighbours the well known Southend-on-Sea, stands St Clement’s Parish Church, a Grade II* listed building dedicated to Saint Clement of Rome, the first century martyr and patron saint of mariners. The church, with its 80ft west tower, sits in a prominent position on a hilltop overlooking the harbour and was traditionally an important landmark along the Thames Estuary. Built in the mid 15th century the church was extended and altered in the Tudor and Victorian years and is now home to two Dunkirk memorials.

The church has a long-standing relationship with church audio and visual specialists Cunnings Recording Associates who designed and installed the existing AV system to sympathetically fit around the architecture of the building without compromising quality.

Column speakers in the nave and aisles are largely hidden from view yet provide a clear sound for the entire congregation, regardless of where they are seated. Discreet bass speakers

enhance the sound for musical instruments and video clips which are an integral part of family services.

In the chancel a glass projection screen perfectly blends modern technology with the architectural heritage. When clear, the screen provides an unobstructed view of the hand-painted east window. At the touch of a button the screen switches to opaque to become a rear projection screen for hymn words, liturgy and video clips.

A further two projection screens are hidden from view in the rafters of the north and south aisles. These screens lower automatically when required and retract out of sight when not in use so that the technology doesn’t become a distraction.

The church has long made use of a controllable camera to display a view of the altar, chancel or font to the congregation seated in the aisles where the pillars obstruct the view. Recently the visual system has been upgraded to include a high definition camera to allow the service to be streamed directly to YouTube or Facebook.

The live stream can be started with the press of a button and priest-in-charge, Fr Clive Hillman, can show content on the screen and adjust the position of the camera from his iPad. For larger family services the AV system can be managed from simple control panels at the west end of the nave. From here the audio levels can be adjusted and the camera or various laptop inputs can be displayed on the projectors and screens. A small monitor shows the position of the camera for the live stream and preset camera positions can be recalled.

Through the use of technology St Clement’s continues to be a focal point for the parish, whether they are meeting in person in the building or joining the congregation online. q • To find out more about live streaming solutions and audio visual systems for churches get in contact with the friendly team at Cunnings.

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Cathedral leads the way in streaming Mass in Norfolk [

MANY IN THE CHURCH have turned to live streaming services to maintain their communication with their congregations and others seeking worship during recent difficult times. There are many ways to achieve that; however, audio and visual specialist Darren Butler from Norfolk-based Audio Electronic Design (AED) saw, very early on in 2020, a future problem when it came to providing a permanent solution, with many lacking the technical and practical knowledge associated with operating the technology, coupled with a need to be very considerate to the building while carrying out a fixed installation.

Most solutions used were born from personal web streaming, blogging and home-based DIY systems, often sourced via YouTube instruction videos. While professional systems have been used for many years, Darren (pictured), saw the cost and expertise needed to operate such systems as being an issue for many.

Director of music at St John’s Cathedral in Norwich, Daniel Justin, managed to set up a home-made webcam system in front of the altar, to provide a picture and rather echoey sound. However, he soon realised that a more professional and permanent solution would be needed and turned to Darren, who has supplied audio and audio-visual systems to literally hundreds of churches for over 30 years, including St John’s and two other cathedrals.

By applying the approach that the user would have almost no previous technical ability, his solution was to combine high-definition PTZ (pan, tilt and zoom) cameras, video processing and a custom-built interface to provide an engaging live streaming solution which is operated by a simple small remote control.

“The beauty of our system is that it can provide dozens of different shots from just two fixed cameras,” said Darren. “They can zoom, pan and tilt and the entire system is fully controllable from a small handheld radio-controlled keyfob that the priest or a member of the congregation can easily operate. There is no need for camera or control desk operators, as all the shots from the cameras are preprogrammed and transition automatically at the press of a button.

“I see this system being a simple long-term solution for those churches which want to stream services but want to do so with as little involvement as possible. It offers a sustainable solution which is both cost-effective and much more engaging for the viewer.

“In St John’s Cathedral we used two high-definition cameras in fixed positions: one close-up to the altar and the other one further back in the church to ideally give a wider view of as much of the church as possible.

We included a small TV monitor so that whoever is controlling the system can see what is being broadcast, and also a small computer to provide the stream to their platform.”

Darren added that the system can be adapted to suit the needs of everything from a cathedral to a small chapel.

Daniel Justin was full of praise for the new system. He told Network Norfolk, the Norfolk and Norwich Christian Community website: “People who have not been able to attend Mass for many years before this pandemic have been grateful for the opportunity to do so. We will be continuing broadcasting Masses from the cathedral as we return to public Masses, as it is clear they have meant a great deal to a great number. We have had people watching from America, Canada, the Philippines, Australia, and Dubai – it’s wonderful to be able to share

our liturgy and our wonderful building with all these people.

“The work of Darren’s team has been exemplary, and their sensitivity in installing in a Grade One-listed building has been really careful.

Every detail has been attended to, and the system has been a real investment. I have recommended AED to anyone who has enquired, and I will continue to do so.”

AED’s system has been continually developed and features added over the ensuing months, with multiple camera capability and zoom integration being the latest. The approach to simple operation by the user, coupled with the absolute commitment to protection of the building fabric during installation, has led to dozens of systems being installed, including at the Anglican cathedrals of Norwich and Bury St Edmunds, Worth Abbey, Pershore Abbey and many other sites throughout the UK. q

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Churches reach out to remote congregations – thanks to expert advice [

ENSURING THE MODERN CHURCH communicates in the best way possible is the core aim of Creative Audio-Visual Solutions (CAVS) – whether that is within the church with the latest audio-visual technologies, or more recently with outward streamed services.

Although we are looking to move way from lockdown, most churches are finding that many of their congregation are still watching from home – and straightforward, high-quality streaming systems are still very much in demand.

Often, adding a streaming system to a more basic church audio-visual system is challenging, with no console operating position to have tactile equipment laid out.

The solution found by CAVS for St James’s Church in Islington (pictured) utilises an iPAD to control not only the various installed cameras, but also the complete streaming program output.

It allows simple changes between cameras and projected images as well as changing picture-in-picture sources via a carefully created interface. That allows the streaming system to be fully controlled from anywhere within the church over Wi-Fi. The system fully supports the ethos of maximum system capability while ensuring straightforward operation for all users.

Getting the system right for the online platform a church is streaming to – such as YouTube, Facebook or Zoom/Teams – is vital, and CAVS

have vast experience of those different systems. They also provide full training, including helpful manuals/guides to support churches as they go online.

All of this support helps CAVS to live up to its stated aim of: ‘Meeting the needs of the modern church through a combination of technical knowledge and Christian values’. q

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Cadfael’s abbey has a ‘fine’ new sound system

[

SHREWSBURY ABBEY has a fascinating history dating back almost 1,000 years. It was founded in 1083 by Roger de Montgomery, one of William the Conqueror's principal counsellors. In the 20th century the Ellis Peters character Brother Cadfael was portrayed as a Benedictine monk and herbalist at Shrewsbury Abbey.

In 2019 The Abbey began to explore options for the replacement of the existing, poor performing and unreliable sound system. Following recommendations and detailed references The Abbey brought in Richard King Systems to design a new system to meet its needs looking forward.

Part of the process involved the submission of a detailed Faculty application to the Lichfield Diocese Advisory Committee. It included the technical information package from Richard King Systems, which was described as ‘exemplary’.

Operational from September, The Abbey is now benefiting from

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the comprehensive new system that, while providing first-class sound reproduction, has minimal visual impact. Best-in-class loudspeakers, painted to blend in with the interior, provide excellent speech intelligibility and high-fidelity full-range reproduction. Powerful signal processing has enabled the sound to be engineered for optimum performance while also providing simple-to-use wireless control for The Abbey’s operators.

The top-quality microphones include both cabled and wireless models for maximum flexibility and effectiveness, and for people with hearing impairment the loop system has been designed and tested to provide performance to the recognised standard IEC60118-4:2014, AMD1:2017.

In all, it is a fine sound system for a very fine building. q

New partnership will promote skills training [

IN RECOGNITION of their shared commitment to the preservation of heritage craft skills, City & Guilds and The Prince’s Foundation have announced a new partnership which will see students on a variety of the charity’s training courses receive internationally recognised qualifications.

Over the coming months and years, students undertaking training with The Prince’s Foundation in a range of curriculum areas that includes traditional craft skills will work towards City & Guilds awards.

Accreditation by City & Guilds is a globally recognised benchmark of quality for bespoke hands-on training programmes that enable students to graduate with formal awards.

Simon Sadinsky, executive director of The Prince’s Foundation, said: “At The Prince’s Foundation, we offer a diverse range of innovative and inspiring education and training programmes for all ages

and backgrounds, from traditional arts and heritage craft skills to architecture and design, science, engineering, horticulture, wellbeing and hospitality.

“We are delighted to add City & Guilds to our established suite of qualifications partners. This will enable us to offer qualifications in curriculum areas which do not currently benefit from formal recognition and will provide us with the opportunity to ensure that learners on many more of our programmes are able to be recognised for the skills they have developed.

“Many of those that have gained these awards have been part of our learning community for a number of years and initially joined us with no expectation of a qualification. That they have now gained an accredited qualification is a testament to the positive impact that this collaboration will have on many of our valued students.” q

Ecclesiastical extends its support for UCL’s post-grad heritage course [

SPECIALIST HERITAGE INSURER Ecclesiastical Insurance has pledged a further £72,500 to University College London (UCL) to support the development of heritage leaders. Since 2004 Ecclesiastical Insurance has donated over £350,000 to UCL to offer scholarships that support students studying the Sustainable Heritage MSc degree.

The Sustainable Heritage MSc teaches heritage management and conservation best practice. The course introduces students to

conservation policies, projects, methodologies and practices in the context of historic buildings, sites, landscapes and collections.

The latest donation will fund the Ecclesiastical Insurance Scholarship for a further three years within the UCL Institute of Sustainable Heritage.

The scholarships cover tuition fees as well as some living and travel costs. Students who have completed the course have gone on to take significant leadership positions in the heritage sector, including at English Heritage and the Churches Conservation Trust.

Faith Kitchen, customer segment director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: “As the leading insurer of Grade One-listed buildings in the UK, the protection of heritage skills is hugely important to us. We’re involved in a range of projects aimed at preserving the UK’s magnificent historic places and paving the way for the creation of our future heritage. We’re delighted to continue to support University College London’s Sustainable Heritage MSc, which nurtures the next generation of heritage leaders.”

UCL’s Professor May Cassar CBE responded: “As the first crossdisciplinary programme to bring together outstanding students from across the heritage sector and beyond to study sustainable heritage, we are delighted with the continuing financial support of Ecclesiastical Insurance. These scholarships ensure that funding is not an impediment to promising students who wish to further their ambition of becoming future heritage leaders. Since 2004 we have witnessed the positive difference that Ecclesiastical has made to so many students and the wider opportunities Ecclesiastical is providing to build capacity within the heritage sector.”

A former student is Tracy Stringfellow, chief executive officer at Royal Greenwich Heritage Trust. She added: “Without the Ecclesiastical Insurance scholarship I would not have been in a position to fund my studies. The support from Ecclesiastical enabled me to develop my skills, learn from great academic and sector leaders and benefit from meeting people in the heritage sector from all over the world.

“The programme is hugely flexible, so I was able to study sustainable heritage while working full time, which was invaluable. A blend of academic studies and practical hands-on experience during a two week placement in Malta meant I was able to apply these learnings directly to my day-to-day work.”

Ecclesiastical is a proud supporter of heritage skills. It sponsors The Prince’s Foundation Building Crafts Programme and Building Arts Programme and the Cathedral Workshop Fellowship (CWF), which provides a degree-level qualification in stonemasonry. It recently published its latest Impact Report to celebrate some of the many good causes it has helped. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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GodefroyParis, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The challenges of ensuring fire safety in heritage buildings

by RICHARD WILLIAMS, divisional director of Oculus Building Consultancy and the Assent Group

[

FIRE AND HERITAGE SITES don’t mix well. You need only think about significant fires at heritage sites in the past 40 years and you could probably name the three main ones that have made the news: Notre Dame, Windsor Castle and York Minster.

However, that only scratches the surface of the real story. Every year we lose heritage buildings to fire. Some are uninhabited or derelict, but many are in use today and the fires cause damage that is often irreversible, meaning that we lose more of our history.

Heritage buildings do present unique challenges for fire safety as they were built in a time when no fire safety regulations were enforceable or even in place. It is, however, the responsibility of the industry to ensure that any retrofit or works carried out to a heritage building involves compliance with the current fire safety standards, while trying to be sympathetic to the historic fabric and features.

There are a number of things that any building owner needs to do in order to protect a heritage site and it starts with the most obvious, which is to carry out a full Fire Risk Assessment. It is a legal requirement to have a Fire Risk Assessment carried out and because of the many intricacies of a heritage site it is also recommended that it is done by a competent assessor with an understanding and appreciation of fire safety in heritage buildings.

A Fire Risk Assessment should also be reviewed regularly to ensure that it is still relevant and that nothing has been done to the building that might alter the result of the assessment.

Every site should also have an Emergency Response Plan that includes details of contacts, site plans and log sheets. If the site contains artifacts of historical value a Salvage Plan should also be included that identifies the items that should be salvaged first, how to remove them and where in the building they are located.

Making a heritage building fire safe can be challenging but there are a number of different things that should be considered: • The use of compartmentation to reduce the risk of fire spreading

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either around the building or to other buildings that might be linked, through hidden voids, cavities, roof spaces and facades. Surveys can be carried out to identify those risks and put remedial works in place to help deal with the challenges.

• Automatic fire detection systems are critical to give early warning of a fire and advise occupants of the need to evacuate the building quickly and safely via the nearest route. These should always be installed in any retrofit of a building.

• While some heritage sites may have sprinkler systems and dry risers, they should be checked against current regulations as they may not have been installed to current standards. Automatic fire suppression systems should be installed to ensure the safety of the building, its occupants and its contents.

• It is highly likely that heritage buildings will have been constructed using non-compliant materials, including glass, wooden panelling, lath and plaster and occasionally asbestos. Consideration needs to be given to the effect that will have on fire safety and how best to mitigate it.

• Fire doors can be an incredibly effective way to prevent the spread of a fire in any building, but in a heritage building it is unlikely that any of the original doors are fire rated. It is not always possible to remove those doors and replace them with more modern and compliant doors, so it is worth considering the solutions that are available that can make an existing historic door more resistant to fire and heat.

The best advice for any owner or occupier of a heritage building is to get the building surveyed by a competent person. That person should be fully versed in the current fire regulations and can help to put an effective plan in place to make the building a safer place for its occupants, the general public and any historic artefacts. Fire can very quickly take hold and spread through a heritage site and any adjoining buildings, so ensuring regular checks and updates is vital. q • For further information visit www.assentbc.co.uk

New telescopic spider offers ‘unique’ performance

[

ACCESS PLATFORM SALES is preparing to launch an innovative Hinowa telescopic tracked spider boom in the UK that it says offers unique performance advantages.

The TeleCrawler22 boom lift delivers a maximum working height of 22m and outreach of 12.4m, along with smart technology that boosts productivity and speed of working at height.

It includes a new ‘go back’ function that automatically takes the platform back to the previous working position.

Also, just like Hinowa articulating spider platforms, one controller can be used to lift the TC22 vertically up a structure between 7m and 18m in height.

APS technical director Chris Banks said: “Articulating booms have generally been favoured in the UK, especially for working on heritage and church sites.

“But the Hinowa TC22 has a unique range of functions and performance that’s winning a lot of admirers.

“It has a big advantage for low level outreach without the knuckle swing of an articulating boom. It’s faster and simpler to get to height and its articulating jib still operates at maximum envelope.”

The Hinowa TC22 can also ‘narrow jack’ outriggers on one side to take account of constricted space. This creates a footprint the same size as a Hinowa Lightlift 17.75 articulating boom with no loss of

performance when working to the front or the wide jacked side.

The Hinowa TC22 can be supplied with full lithium battery electric power and all electric drive, eliminating the risk of hydraulic leaks, or bi-energy lithium and diesel, or diesel and 110v mains electric power. q • For further information visit www.accessplatforms.co.uk or call APS on 01480 891251.

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

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

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

Harrison Lightning Protection & Earthing Ltd

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

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

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

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

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

11 Bedford Grove, Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 9DE

Rafferty Lightning Protection

Horizon Specialist Contracting Ltd

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

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: 01782 834567 E: enquiries@rafferty1949.com W: www.rafferty-steeplejacks.com

T: 0115 965 7400 E: sales@horizonsc.co.uk W: www.horizonsc.co.uk

G & S Steeplejacks Ltd

Lightning Protection Services

Nash Peake Works, Tunstall, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 5BT

Over 30 years experience in the Design & Installation of Lightning Protection Systems.

• Annual Testing • Surge Protection • Inspection & Maintenance • Height Safety Systems

Unit 7, Burma Road, Blidworth, Nottinghamshire NG21 0RT

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

Churches, Schools, Hospitals, Universities, Colleges

South West Lightning Protection T: 01761 437796 M: 07974 184449 E: graham@gnssteeplejacks.co.uk W: www.gnssteeplejacks.co.uk

T: 07807 334441 E: south@lightningconductor.org W: www.lightningconductor.org

Unit 3, Bath Business Park, Peasedown St John, Somerset BA2 8SF

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

A C Wallbridge & Co Ltd

Cuttings

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

Design, installation and maintenance

Steeplejacks and Lightning Conductor Engineers

• 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

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The UK’s largest independent Lightning Protection & Earthing contractor • Lightning Protection • Earthing Services • Surge Protection

• Height Safety Services

Offices in London, Manchester, Sussex, Essex and Bristol.

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

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

Lightning can be a benefit as well as a threat [

TO MANY PEOPLE the idea of lightning being anything other than a threat to life and property would be unthinkable; but in a recent blog on their website, Nottinghambased Lightning Strike Ltd have pointed out that in many ways lightning can have a positive impact on the natural world.

The blogger reveals: “It may seem a strange statement, considering a direct lightning strike can destroy a tree, but it’s what happens afterwards that can benefit the land around it. While spring’s warm temperatures and rainfall both help to boost plants’ growth, bringing the landscape back to life, lightning gives nature an added boost, whatever the time of year.”

It’s all down to what is known as the nitrogen cycle. Nitrogen is essential to plants, which need to absorb it, and lightning generates enough energy to split nitrogen molecules into their constituent atoms so they can be absorbed by plants.

Moreover, when lightning strikes a tree and destroys it, the nitrogen in the tree’s bark is blasted into the atmosphere and helps plants to grow in the surrounding soil. That, the blog informs us, is known as ‘atmospheric nitrogen fixation’.

The blog explains: “The plants absorb the displaced nitrogen – a process usually carried out more slowly by algae and bacteria. The intense, sudden heat of the lightning strike causes the nitrogen to bond with the oxygen; creating nitrogen oxides that mix with the rain and watering plants with nitrate-rich rainfall.”

Even the rain that accompanies a lightning storm is healthier for plants than pure water because of the extra nitrogen it carries.

The fact that lightning can have such a beneficial effect on the natural world does not, of course, mean that we shouldn’t do everything in our power to prevent a lightning strike on our homes, businesses or churches – churches in particular are traditionally prone to strikes because of their towers and spires.

Lightning Strike’s blog goes on to relate that it was once thought that ringing church bells would repel lightning – a dangerous

practice, they point out, as the metal bells often attracted lightning strikes, killing the bell ringers.

“Between 1753 and 1786, it was reported that 103 bell ringers in France were killed by lightning,” the company reports, “thereafter, the custom was banned.”

Modern systems are, of course, more effective at preventing strikes and Lightning Strike Ltd can provide professional lightning protection systems to reduce the risks – including earthing systems, surge protection and safe strike ESE systems. q

Video takes us on a lightning journey through 75 years of history [

THIS YEAR MARKS the 75th anniversary of the Association of Technical Lightning and Access Specialists (ATLAS) – the trade body that represents the lightning protection and specialist access industry. To celebrate this poignant milestone in its history, ATLAS takes us on a journey through 75 years of history in a new video, comparing landmarks in its history to worldwide events.

They include England winning the World Cup and the first Concorde flight – starting back in 1946 when the federation was founded and taking us right through to the current day, demonstrating how much the industry has progressed over the past 75 years.

ATLAS has accomplished a great deal over the years, publishing numerous guidance documents, launching successful campaigns,

inputting into new British Standards and much more. The new video runs through some of ATLAS’s greatest achievements and highlights the work of its members.

Launching the video, an ATLAS spokesperson explained: “ATLAS members work to the highest standards in the industry, and we are proud to have represented such high quality in our specialist sector over so many years. If you are looking to contract lightning protection or specialist access work, choosing an ATLAS member means that you have an extra level of quality assurance, in that you are entrusting your work to those who have satisfied ATLAS’s strict membership criteria.”

The 75th Anniversary video can be viewed on the ATLAS website at www.atlas.org.uk q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Treasured garland is preserved at Shropshire church

by PETER MEEHAN BSc (Hons) ACR

[

JUST TO THE WEST of Shrewsbury in Shropshire is the small village of Shrawardine, with the Church of St Mary the Virgin at its centre. The church is listed Grade II* by Historic England and retains some 12th-century fabric.

A treasured feature of the church is the remains of a maiden’s garland. A maiden’s garland, or virgin’s crown, was made for girls or women who were not married at the time of their death.

They were displayed at the funeral and then usually placed in the grave. Some were displayed in the church in the years following, as a memorial.

One of the largest surviving collections of maiden’s garlands can be found at Holy Trinity Church in Minsterley, also in Shropshire.

An example, alongside a replica, is pictured (right).

The only surviving part of the maiden’s garland at Shrawardine church is a painted metal heart that may originally have been fitted to the end of a hanging pole.

An examination of the Shropshire archives by a member of the church’s PCC located a reference to the garland and a description of it: ‘a heart-shaped piece of black tin, on which were inscribed in gold letters D.N. died 1753 aged 15’. The initials ‘D.N.’ stood for Dolly Newcombe. Dolly was the daughter of Josiah and Martha Newcombe and was buried on 29 August 1753.

The Historic Metalwork Conservation Company was initially contracted by the PCC to prepare a detailed condition report on the heart, along with recommendations for its conservation and stabilisation. That conservation work followed, along with its careful removal from the wooden board to allow examination of the back of the heart and its remounting on an inert material.

The surviving heart was made of very thin charcoal iron that had been painted black. The remains of the gold lettering described in the archive document could also be seen. The heart was secured to the oak board with several decorative, gilded brass nails. There were also some small iron tacks around the edge. They were there because it appeared to have previously been folded up, so was no longer flat.

The painted heart was found to be in a poor condition, with over 50% of the original paint finish missing and the remainder lifting from the surface to expose the iron beneath. The thin iron sheet was very brittle, with old cracks and small pieces missing: partly because of it having been folded and unfolded in the past. It was most noticeable on the right lobe of the heart, where a large split in the iron had led to it lifting from the oak board.

The gilded brass cruciform fixings had some green copper corrosion products present on their surfaces. The oak panel was in a fair condition but had some woodworm damage to its lower edge. The front was carefully dry cleaned with a fine, soft paint brush to remove loose dust and dirt. Areas of loose corrosion were carefully removed by hand under magnification back to a sound surface. The remaining paint layers were consolidated with two coats of a 5% solution of Paraloid B67 in white spirit.

The heart was then very carefully removed from the oak board. Each of the decorative nails was lifted out and the head of each small iron nail was very carefully drilled off under magnification. The iron heart was lifted from the wooden board and placed on some padded layers of acid-free tissue paper. The gilded brass nails were cleaned using a solution of 2% non-ionic detergent in deionized water before being lightly abraded using a fine 3M Scotchbrite pad.

Examination of the back revealed that it had been originally painted black, but much of this was now lost. The faint outline of the letters’ ‘D’ and ‘N’ could be seen in each lobe of the heart. The back surface was carefully dry cleaned by gentle brushing before the remaining surface was also consolidated with two coats of 5% Paraloid B67 in white spirit.

The conserved heart was then mounted on a piece of 10mm thick clear acrylic plastic using the original fixing nails.

The conserved maiden’s garland was returned to the church where it will be stored in a polythene box containing silica gel to help keep relative humidity levels very low. q

(Left to right) The maiden’s garland before conservation; detail of decorative fixing; and the garland after cleaning and removal from oak board

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Ironwork group begins renewed meeting programme [THE National Heritage Ironwork

factors to consider can be daunting, and it can be difficult to know what Group (NHIG) resumes its in-person to prioritise. For those who are more conference series on 18 November with experienced, commercial pressures can Living in a Material World: Material limit possibilities to explore alternative Choices in Ironwork Conservation. material options. So how do heritage Taking place at The Gallery @ professionals balance knowledge and Alan Baxter Ltd in London, the onejudgement, prioritising competing factors day event will provide some insights to reach a decision on treatment? into material choices in ironwork Living in a Material World aims to conservation – bringing together a range address those issues. An impressive lineof professionals to share their decisionup of speakers includes: making processes.

•Alan Williams – archaeometallurgist According to the NHIG, some at The Wallace Collection of the most important decisions in Photo: Coode Conservation Partnership • Metals conservator Peter Meehan, conservation and restoration relate to who will speak on his extensive material selection. In some cases, using experiments with coating longevity on wrought iron inappropriate repair materials can even reduce the lifespan of an object • Conservation blacksmith David James on ‘lead’ as a traditional more than leaving it alone. But deciding which materials to use is not material. He will also present a technique case study always a straightforward matter, based as it is on a complex balance of • Dr Dave Gent, structural engineer who specialises in wrought iron knowledge and judgement. and early steel bridges.

That involves an understanding of the existing fabric, potential repair A number of COVID protocols will be in place. The room will not be materials, any existing coatings and the likely interactions between crowded and will be well-ventilated. Lunch will be served in individual those three. Other considerations are decay and corrosion mechanisms, boxes and hand-sanitiser will be available throughout the day. ethical standards and policies, and the available budget.

Places can be booked via the NHIG website at www.nhig.org.uk. q For those starting out in conservation, the NHIG says, the range of

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Bridge within a bridge will allow heavy traffic to flow [

THE ADAM BRIDGE spans the Swardon Burn in the park of Marchmont House at Greenlaw in the Scottish Borders. It was designed not by any of the famous architectural Adams, but by George Paterson – described as the most reasonable and reasonably-priced architect of his day.

Built in 1759, the Category B-listed decorative, single-arch stone bridge stood over the end of a curling pond, providing access from an Adam-designed mansion house to the ancient church nearby.

Although built to carry horse-drawn traffic, it carried much more – until deemed unsafe because its spandrels had burst (pictured above).

Now, 20 years on and under a new owner’s regime, specialist surveyors Smith & Garratt are preparing to rescue this 18th-century structure using 21st-century techniques.

“Because it is to carry any vehicle that can go on the road, including timber lorries and bulk loads of biomass woodchip, the plan is to build a full-spec modern bridge inside the historic bridge, and afterwards

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restore the historic masonry,” senior surveyor Hugh Garratt explained. “That method allows us to open the road after only 16 weeks, even though the masonry works may be spread over two years.”

The method is illustrated in a twelve-panel drawing dubbed ‘the cartoon strip’ (right).

Essentially, piles will be driven down behind the abutments 15 metres to bedrock.

The crown will be exposed, repaired and grouted, then pile caps will be installed and prestressed concrete beams will be lifted in.

A membrane and drains will follow; inner spandrel walls will be built using concrete block and the void will be filled with dry aggregate to provide compression to the arch. Then the running surface can be reinstated for traffic. Painstaking restoration of the stonework can then be undertaken in safety and at leisure.

The bridge has been scanned in 3D; every stone is identified and numbered. When each missing or broken stone is precisely re-drawn in its proper place the drawing is exploded similar to ‘Airfix’ model instructions. The missing and broken stones are extracted, made into 3D shape files and exported in STL format to a stone supplier with a CNC cutter. Petrographically-matched stone is purchased by the block, to be cut by the computer-driven cutter into new stones that will fit exactly into the bridge.

The masonry will be restored in seven phases as funds allow – wings and spandrel upstream, downstream, and then the decorative balustrades. The repaired spandrels will be fixed back to the inner block walls for added stability.

“My stone procurement has been criticised as taking bread off the stonemasons’ plates,” said Hugh, “but there just aren’t enough skilled masons to cut and dress all these stones as well as assemble them in the bridge. Some bread is going on the plates of skilled computer draughtmen instead, and there is a massive saving to the client, which will fund repairs to other structures.”

Work on site is due to begin next spring. Working alongside Smith & Garratt are consulting engineers Robertson Eadie, piling contractors Technik GS, stone suppliers Hutton Stone and stonemasons Sandy McLean & Co. q

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Sensitive adaptation maintains the beauty of Grade One medieval treasure [

A BEAUTIFUL PIECE of precious history, such as a church building, is so much better when it can be used today. Its colours and textures can be felt, evoking a sense of history so much richer than just walking through it as a monument.

The lovely Grade One-listed St Mary’s Church in Purton, Wiltshire, is built in Cotswold stone and dates from the 13th century. Its twisted

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ribbed roof structure and medieval paintings reflect the soft colours of its ancient lime plaster and its crooked pillars and limestone arches tell of the hands that crafted them.

William Butterfield did re-build parts of the chancel and introduced the pewed Victorian seating arrangement in 1872, on wooden pew platforms and tiled walkways, but he was very respectful of the

centuries-old architecture. Recently, JBKS Architects were honoured to have been employed to adapt the church for more extensive enjoyment and use today – adding usefulness, but also bringing to life the beautiful features with careful lighting and finishes.

Like so many historic churches, St Mary’s was cold and poorly lit.

It was difficult to navigate through because of changes in level. It was inflexible and had no toilets or refreshment facilities: all in all, therefore, ill equipped to serve the needs and desires of the nearly 4,000 population of the village.

Although gorgeously rural in its setting, St Mary’s is only three miles from an M4 junction and the same distance from Wooton Basset and Cricklade. It was crying out to be made more inviting and welcoming; not least as a place in which people could discover God and grow in the riches of the Christian faith, with no preclusion of sumptuous community events that might need a fabulous space to be housed in.

Working hard with a limited budged and an amazing client and consultant team, JBKS Architects led the design effort to redefine the nave space with a graceful new carpeted and oak trimmed stepped dais, which adds warmth and welcome. A mix of direct and indirect LED lighting breaks open the spacial flow of the different spaces and picks out the features of the medieval paintings.

The new heating system is essential and will create a cozy feel which is also enhanced by warm white light. The new kitchenette, in keeping with the oak wood finishes, is neatly placed in the back of the south transept.

The three new toilets required breaking through a medieval stone wall, but they are cleverly shoehorned into the old boiler house extension.

One modern feature is the addition of large plate glass screens with oak frames and mullions. Some might think that they are too contemporary; however, they order the spaces, create useful rooms and add sparkle and reflection, which really lifts the interior to a level of wonder and enjoyment above the merely practical. Equally, the loss of the pine pews may be regretted, but the careful choice of oakframed chairs upholstered in velum adds a sense of quality, dignity, and comfort that is so inviting. Credit to the client team!

The opening by the Bishop of Bristol in September 2021 attracted nearly 200 people. David Nettleton, chair of the renewal management team said: “We now have a flexible building able to provide for traditional and contemporary worship and for teaching children.

Thanks be to God.” The Rt Revd Vivienne Faull, Bishop of Bristol held the Renewal Service on 5 September 2021 to celebrate the restoration of this very special church. q

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Heritage projects collect sustainability awards sponsored by traditional brick manufacturer [

ONE OF THE principal award categories at the RIBA Regional Awards is the Sustainability Award. The prestigious category has been sponsored by Michelmersh Brick since 2019 and the company has been proud to announce its continued sponsorship for this year’s awards.

RIBA’s Regional Awards consist of various awards, including Project Architect of the Year, Conservation Award, Building of the Year, Client of the Year Award and region-specific awards in addition to the Sustainability Award.

Over the past 50 years the awards have recognised and celebrated the greatest architecture in the world, no matter the form, size or budget. The 2021 RIBA UK Regional Awards were announced between 9-26 August on RIBA’s website and social media channels following the selection of the shortlists for the 2020 Awards for the RIBA regions in England, RIAS in Scotland, RSUA in N Ireland and RSAW in Wales. All regional winning projects are now eligible for the 2021 RIBA National Awards, which will take place later this year in October, together with the announcement of the Stirling Prize winner.

Michelmersh is excited to continue to support the Sustainability Award category in 2021. Sustainability is one of Michelmersh's four company core values. Using modernised production methods that emphasise sustainable building solutions and adhere to the most stringent production requirements, Michelmersh guarantees high-quality product standards with a low ecological footprint. With over 500 acres of land, Michelmersh encourages the re-introduction of habitats and wildlife to its former quarry sites to allow nature reserves, lakes and natural spaces to flourish.

As a British manufacturer of clay bricks, providing highly-sustainable, reusable and recyclable building materials for inspiring architects, Michelmersh is proud to sponsor an award that reflects the company's commitment to sustainability.

The Sustainability Award is a highly-accredited award for projects that go beyond statutory requirements and demonstrate elegantly and durably the principles of sustainable architecture. The award is judged on ‘meeting the challenges of climate change, resource depletion, pollution, biodiversity decline and raising our collective understanding of the measures that must be taken to integrate sustainable solutions within the management and curation of our built environment’.

Each Sustainability Award winner will be presented with a sustainably, locally and specially produced Michelmersh box, featuring the award certificate and a bottle of champagne. The special box is FSC-approved, made in the UK from sustainably sourced and recycled materials – and with water-based ink – to replicate the materials used by Michelmersh for all their samples.

Among the RIBA Sustainability Award winners in 2021 are a number of heritage projects. They include: • The Oglesby Centre at Hallé St Peter's, designed by Stephenson Hamilton Risley STUDIO. The Oglesby Centre is a sophisticated piece of urban architecture, providing a new home for the Hallé, contained within a contemporary building that adjoins the existing listed St Peter’s Church in Ancoats.

• The Fitted Rigging House designed by Baynes and Mitchell Architects – a project to bring life to unoccupied floors in one of the two historically significant buildings of Anchor Wharf Storehouses at the Historic Dockyard, Chatham.

• Leeds Playhouse, designed by Page\Park Architects. The Leeds Playhouse has been transformed by a radical reconfiguration and extension of the existing building to create a new face for the organisation and improve accessibility for all.

• Imperial War Museums Paper Store, designed by Architype, is a next-level take on creating a new-build storage facility for the paper collections of Imperial War Museums.

• The Story of Gardening, designed by Stonewood Design, is an ambitious, scenic underground museum, designed with South African steel and timber, and with a grassed roof inhabited by the estate’s deer herd.

The RIBA Sustainability Award recognises advancements in environmental design. Architects are asked to address the wider aspects of each project’s myriad of sustainable features, describing efforts made to reduce embodied energy, improve social sustainability and implement long-term energy monitoring.

Michelmersh believes it is important for both designer and manufacturer to address sustainability at every level, including the entire life cycle of the product, ecologically-friendly material selection and low-energy production to distribution, use and after-use. It is for that reason that its national sponsorship is perfectly suited to Michelmersh’s ethos and reflects its commitment as a sustainable and environmentally responsible business.

Frank Hanna, the company’s joint chief executive officer, commented: “These awards have championed architectural excellence for the past 50 years, so we are delighted to support and acknowledge the regional and national winners. Sustainability remains an integral part of our business: through product development and modernised methods, the latest technologies and distinct designs, we aim to exceed the expectations of architects and retain our reputation for beautiful, durable, naturallooking clay products. We are thrilled to be involved in celebrating the best sustainable architecture across the UK with the RIBA.” Michelmersh offered their congratulations to all RIBA Regional Award 2021 winners and those shortlisted. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Bespoke steel windows maintain the ‘eyes’ of traditional British educational establishments [

A BRITISH EDUCATION is still highly esteemed, even in the 21st century, and the UK is home to some of the most famous schools and universities in the world. But the appeal is not just the superior teaching on offer among the hallowed spires of the country’s universities, schools and colleges; for many it is the centuries-old architecture that houses those academic establishments, with its promises of strength, stability and lofty ambition.

A vast number of academic buildings are listed. Restoring those buildings to their original splendour, updating them to meet the requirements of modern students or simply maintaining them for the benefit of future generations brings a number of challenges.

One particular task is how to repair and update the windows, so often referred to as the ‘eyes’ of the building and thus arguably their most prominent feature. Steel windows are often specified for these sensitive restoration projects due to their inherent strength and stunning good looks.

The versatility of steel as a material means that the often-complex design of the original windows can be accurately replicated – and new steel windows provide added security and modern thermal performance.

One of the leading manufacturers of steel windows is Clement and they are proud to have worked on a number of restoration projects involving academic buildings. Some of their favourite examples are outlined below.

King’s College, Cambridge The remarkable Market Hostel, which occupies a position on the edge of Market Square in Cambridge, dates back in parts over 400 years.

Again, the particular challenge of the project was to bring together three different buildings dating from the 17th century to the 1960s, creating new accommodation for students at King’s College.

Photo: Charlie Birchmore

The University of Manchester The project involved three late 19th-century Victorian buildings: The Beyer Building, the John Owens Building and the Christie Library. All three buildings are listed and have significant historical importance both regionally and nationally, which is why specifying the appropriate window suite was incredibly important.

This time Clement’s versatile EB24 steel window range was selected, meaning one suite of windows could be used for the project in two completely different styles. EB24 with clear glass, single-point locking and top-hung vents was specified for the more recent parts of the building, whereas EB24 with genuine steel T bars was specified to replicate the original design of the windows in the most ancient parts. As security was a paramount consideration, multi-point locking was added in exposed areas for enhanced security.

Virgo Fidelis Convent School Virgo Fidelis Convent School was founded in 1848 to offer a place of refuge and education to Catholic orphans. Previously the stunning building was known as Norwood House, the residence of socialite Mary Nesbitt – who had welcomed King George III as a guest.

Photo: Silver Cloud The Clement W20 range of windows was used throughout and its flexibility meant that each window could be tailored to the character of the individual building in which it was installed. The windows were finished with a matt cream polyester powder-coat paint to blend seamlessly with the existing architecture, and also benefitted from 16mm double-glazed units.

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Photo: Murray Scott

The beautiful Gothic style, club-head windows with feature tear drops are a particular feature of the building. The original single-glazed windows were made from cast iron and offered very poor thermal performance and minimal security. A window system was required that could not only replicate the original design but also meet modern performance criteria such as being Part L compliant. Clement’s EB24 range met those requirements.

Removing the original cast-iron windows and fitting the new windows was particularly challenging. Due to the nature of the original casting process every window frame was exactly the same size, as they had all been made from the same mould. When the original windows were installed the stone surrounds were close fitted around them, meaning every window had to be cut out and removed piece by piece so as not to damage any of the original façade.

Henley College Henley College, a sixth form college in Oxfordshire built in the Victorian Gothic style, featured original white steel windows, which after 150 years of use were no longer fit for purpose. Clement’s EB24 range of windows was chosen for one of the college’s sites – Rotherfield (above) – due to their elegant appearance, security, great energy performance and ability to be moulded into beautiful patterns to match the existing windows.

Unlike the Victorian originals, the new windows are dual colour: white on the inside to match the interior décor and anthracite grey on the outside, skilfully creating the illusion of a less visible frame. That the stunning shaped windows could be fitted direct to stone was an added benefit of the range.

Photo: Silver Cloud screens for both private residences and commercial projects. They provide a complete service, from the provision of technical drawings through to manufacture, installation and after sales support, whatever the project.

They work closely with architects, conservation officers and other building professionals to produce window designs which are visually stunning and offer high technical performance, while respecting important heritage and conservation objectives. They also manufacture a selection of conservation rooflights, available from stock in either a tile or a slate profile. q • For further information call 01428 643393, email info@clementwg.co.uk or visit the website at clementwindows.co.uk

Framlingham College Framlingham College was founded in 1864 in memory of Queen Victoria’s husband, Prince Albert. The land on which the college was built was originally part of the Framlingham Castle estate, left by Sir Thomas Hitcham in 1636 to Pembroke Hall, Cambridge.

Photo: Paul Studd

Included in a £4m development initiative by the school governors was the restoration of the original metal windows in the school’s boarding accommodation. Clement’s W20 range of steel windows was selected to replace the windows in both the Stradbrook and Rendlesham buildings. To replicate the original windows with their unusually-shaped heads, a W20 window with vertical pivots and genuine T glazing bars was specified.

Once again, the new windows had to be fitted directly to the beautiful, old stonework.

Clement manufacture an innovative range of steel windows, doors and www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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LIGHTING

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Lightning Protection Services

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