Ecclesiastical & Heritage World Issue No. 90

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COVER STORY

CONTENTS Award-winning projects mark David’s journey For 60 years David Armitage has been involved in brickmaking and during that time he has been the guiding hand behind some of the most notable examples of the brickmaker’s art, such as the Saddle Cellar at the Forbidden Corner – part of Tupgill Park in North Yorkshire – which features on our front cover.

David took over York Handmade in 1988 and has since turned it into one of the foremost traditional brick manufacturers in Europe. Among his many successes has been the Belvedere Folly at Dumphries House – part of a project overseen by the Prince of Wales.

Read the full story on page 6

5 Reflections NEWS 9 Cathedral’s development plan boosted by Wolfson grant

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Scotland celebrates its Year of Stories Large-scale tannery discovered at Fountains Abbey Lady Godiva’s timely appearance is assured by skilled clockmakers Aberfan clock to go on permanent display Modern listed buildings picked out for 2021 showcase HS2 reveals more finds Oil thefts are on the rise Don’t neglect your heating system

DISABLED ACCESS 17 Ensuring rights of access to heritage sites

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Late surge in bookings as CRE prepares to head west!

Themes and seminars fill the day Live streaming: church AV experts ask ‘is the stream still flowing one year on?’

Co-operation and collaboration – working for the future If you’re renovating a heritage building, having the right insurance is a must Presenter and cancer campaigner Simon Thomas to open CRE SW

CHURCH LIGHTING 24 LED lighting has transformed medieval Cotswold church IRONWORK & METALWORK 25 Webinar will offer a new view of Sutton Hoo stand 25 Ironwork award has been relaunched SOUND & AV SYSTEMS 27 C of E streamers mark 100th service 27 Guide offers tips on speaking clearly into a microphone 28 New streaming system is as easy as ISAC! 28 Live streaming leads to restructure for Norfolk AV contractor 29 How much do you need to spend on a microphone?

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ROOFING 30 Record numbers at Roofing Awards ceremony see heritage projects shine 31 Roofing the world! Welsh slate is latest World Heritage Site 32 Athlone House scoops brace of roofing awards

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LEADWORK 33 Acclaimed leadworking course returns 33 Lead producers welcome new sourcing standard ACCESS & LIGHTNING PROTECTION 34 Poster campaign highlights role of modern steeplejacks in church maintenance 35 Is your church covered against lightning damage?

WINDOWS 36 Replica windows help turn former church into luxury homes REGENERATION 37 New report says embedding heritage-led regeneration key to historic towns’ future PROJECTS 38 Light and airy Atrium leads into a thriving church BRICKS 41 Stirling Prize winner showcases brick from leading manufacturer

FIND THE PRODUCT OR SERVICE YOU NEED IN CHURCH & HERITAGE SUPPLIES FROM PAGE 42 Richard Shepherd – Business Development Manager Advertising enquiries: Tel: 07429 516265 Email: richard@dmmonline.co.uk All other enquiries: Tel: 0161 710 3880 Fax: 0161 710 3879 • 61 Lower Hillgate, Stockport, Cheshire SK1 3AW Copyright Ecclesiastical & Heritage World. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of Ecclesiastical & Heritage World. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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ONE OF THE HIGHLIGHTS of the year for this publication is the announcement of the NFRC UK Roofing Awards. It is with a certain amount of smugness that we report the usual cavalcade of award-winning projects in the heritage and ecclesiastical sectors, carried out by traditional roofers that are at the top of their game. This year was no exception: in fact heritage roofers are extending their sphere of interest into other awards schemes. The Pitched Roofing Awards were announced in November and among the heritage schemes recognised was the complex reroofing of Athlone House in London. That project won two awards: Best Use of a Heritage Roof and Best Use of Concrete & Clay Tiles for a Domestic Project.

• Awards are also the stock-in-trade for York Handmade, which has prospered under the direction of David Armitage since he took over the firm in 1988. It accounts for just over half of David’s 60-year career in brick manufacturing. He has some impressive gongs to his name, as you can find out from our cover story.

British brickmaking at its best has also been incorporated into this year’s Stirling Prize-winning building, the Town House at Kingston University in London. As a future heritage building, it will carry the flag to new generations.

• The place of heritage buildings in the future of our towns and cities is becoming more and more apparent. One of the towns that is benefiting from the £95m High Street Heritage Action Zones scheme is Bacup in Lancashire, home town of this writer. The effect the scheme is having on alerting the local population to the heritage of the town is tangible.

A new report looks in depth at the possibilities of heritage-led regeneration and the imperative of embedding such schemes into future planning for historic towns.

• No heritage site can be said to be sustainable if access is impossible for those with disabilities – a fact enshrined in the Equality Act 2010. There is a flair to balancing the practicalities of providing access with the need to preserve the fabric and character of the historic building. An expert with just that flair explains how it can be done.

• Providing access opportunities can involve substantial building work. One of the less obvious elements involved in planning work on historic buildings and churches is how it will impact on the insurance policy of the building: nevertheless it is vital that the insurance implications are investigated and dealt with. Not only must the work be properly insured, but any effect on the insurance of the building itself must also be addressed. Again, we are fortunate to have expert opinion on the matter.

• A more ethereal way to provide access to church – and one that has been the subject of numerous articles and debate in this publication since the pandemic led to the closure of churches – is live streaming of services. Such has been the impact of the trend that whole ranges of products have been devised to provide the wherewithall for streaming. We showcase a selection of markworthy projects and products, as well as offering some advice on the start point of any programme – the microphone.

• AV set-ups and online services will be just some of the goodies on show and under discussion at CRE South West in Exeter in February. It forms the on-going emergence of CRE shows from the purdah of COVID and is the first return to the region for five years. It will be opened by sports presenter Simon Thomas, who will be outlining some of the work he engages in to raise awareness of the cancer that claimed the life of his late wife. q

Chris Stokes

Editor, Ecclesiastical & Heritage World

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COVER STORY

Award-winning projects mark significant points on David’s 60-year journey in brick

[THE SADDLE CELLAR at the Forbidden Corner – part of Tupgill

Park in North Yorkshire – which features on the front cover of this issue, is one of the most notable projects carried out by the York Handmade Brick Company, the award-winning specialist brickmaker.

Reminiscent of the crypt of a historic church, it is a favourite achievement of the company’s founder and chairman David Armitage, acting as a landmark in his 60 years (and counting!) in the brick industry. David (pictured) joined the industry in 1961 as an apprentice fitter with his family firm George Armitage & Sons, based at Rothwell near Wakefield. He moved into sales in 1963, eventually becoming sales director and later marketing director when the business boasted a £20m turnover.

The business was sold in 1988, 27 years after David joined, so he decided to set up on his own and bought the York Handmade Brick Company, based at Alne near Easingwold.

Recalling the significant changes he has seen throughout his time in the brick industry, David said: “The two new factories at Swillington and Howley Park at Morley, combined with an upturn in trade in the 1970s, changed the fortunes of George Armitage & Sons. For the first time bricks were handled by machine, improving quality and reducing waste, thereby increasing productivity and the value of our output.”

Moving from a mass-market producer to a small-scale supplier of handmade bricks marked a dramatic change for David, but he explained: “We haven’t stood still at York Handmade and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved here with a loyal and dedicated staff.

“It is fair to say that York Handmade’s market is extremely varied, but on a generally smaller scale. Conservation is an important area for York Handmade, along with high-quality one-off selfbuild homes, which have been the mainstay of our operation from

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when we first started. More recently we have been involved in highprofile schemes away from the housing sector. These have included Chetham’s Music School in Manchester and London Bridge Station and The Shard in London.

The past year has seen the company being highly commended in the prestigious 2021 Brick Awards for its work at St Albans Cathedral (pictured below), in the hotly-contested Public category. It was one of three projects for which York Handmade was shortlisted. Run by the Brick Development Association (BDA) in conjunction with Building magazine, they are considered to be the brick industry’s ‘Oscars’.

The project also won a string of other regional and national awards, including the Royal Institute of British Architects’ East Award and East Conservation Award 2021.

David Armitage said: “Huge thanks are due to the management team and employees at York Handmade for their imagination, enterprise and hard work, which all combined to make these projects so successful and so memorable.

“It is vitally important to stress that these entries are completely different jobs in design and execution, graphically illustrating our ability to work in a wide variety of colours and styles. We believe we can tackle any brickwork project successfully.

“St Albans is the home of some of the earliest examples of brick use in Roman Britain, so as a brick-maker we are very humbled to supply one of the birthplaces of brick in the UK. St Albans Cathedral stands on the site of St Alban’s execution and burial. He was the first Christian British martyr.”

Another major conservation project carried out by the company – which was applauded by Prince Charles – was at the magnificent Dumfries House. Over 47,000 speciallymade bricks were produced for the pioneering Scottish restoration

project, masterminded by the Prince of Wales himself. The bricks were used to restore the famous Walled Garden and the Belvedere Folly (pictured right).

The project won for the company the accolade of Best Outside Space at the 2015 Brick Awards.

David commented at the time: “This was an extremely exciting and challenging project for us. It involved creating bricks which fitted in perfectly with the ravaged boundary wall of the Walled Garden as well as unique specials for the Belvedere Folly and the Education Centre at Dumfries House. To our delight, the project won the Brick Development Association’s coveted award for Best Outside Space in 2015.”

More recently, a move to a different brick size has posed its own problems. “More technically,” he explained, “specific change has come about because architects now favour a brick with a different size format to the one which has been traditionally used during my 60 years. This is a longer, thinner brick measuring from 40mm in thickness up to 440mm in length. This makes a dramatic impact on the finished brick building and I believe this may well herald a big renaissance in brickwork as a whole.”

The company has seen a major upturn in its fortunes in the past few years.

“It would also be wrong not to mention the dramatic changes which have

Gift of bricks helps rebuild damaged wall [YORK HANDMADE has helped a little village church near to

taken place at York Handmade itself,” explained David. “When I bought the company the works were almost derelict apart from a good reserve of high-quality clay and some battered old kilns. During the last 33 years we have scrapped the old kilns and built state-of-the-art computer-controlled modern ones, while we have just invested in a brand-new £1.2m plant – a fitting way to celebrate my 60th anniversary.”

David has also been heavily involved with the Brick Development Association, the brick industry’s trade association. In 1979 he became chairman of its publicity committee, which was the main marketing committee, leading to excellent relationships with all the leading marketing people in the industry.

“This was a fantastic learning experience for me and one I much enjoyed.

At that time we introduced the Brick Awards, which have now become the showpiece annual event for the brick industry. Much later, in 1994, I became chairman of the BDA: a position I held for three years up to 1997.”

Summing up, David said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my 60 years in the brick industry, meeting some wonderful characters from the shop floor to the boardroom. Indeed, the people I have worked with are my abiding memory and the highlight of my career.

“I have always thoroughly enjoyed the camaraderie of the industry. I have met some wonderful characters and some fantastic workers who work incredibly hard and give the lie to the myth that the modern British worker doesn’t know what hard work is. They do and it’s always been a real pleasure to work alongside them, especially at York Handmade.” q

its North Yorkshire headquarters to rebuild its historic wall after it was demolished by a reckless driver. The company donated the bricks free of charge to St John’s Church in Minskip, near Boroughbridge.

This gift has enabled the church wall to be completely rebuilt and, according to church warden Robert Beaumont pictured (right) with David Armitage, it looks exactly as it did before the accident.

He commented: “We were absolutely devastated when we saw the extensive damage the out-of-control car had done to our wall: it was heartbreaking. As a small church we were struggling to find the funds to restore the wall to its former glory, so this gift from York Handmade has made all the difference.

“The reckless driver and his passengers left the scene as soon as they could, taking their smashed-up car with them, but they left their registration plate embedded in the wall. They were subsequently traced by the police, but no-one admitted to being the driver, meaning a conviction would be hard to achieve.

“This left the church council feeling very angry indeed and we are currently pursuing compensation. But the generosity of York Handmade has improved our mood, underlining the fact that kind acts often follow selfish and destructive ones.”

York Handmade chairman David Armitage commented: “We are absolutely delighted to help St John’s Church. As luck would have it, we had some bricks which almost exactly matched the 19th-century church wall. Looking at the wall now, I think it’s impossible to tell where our bricks begin and end.” q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Cathedral’s development plan boosted

by Wolfson grant [THE DEVELOPMENT PLAN for Exeter

Cathedral has received a major boost in the form of a £400,000 award from the Wolfson Foundation. Launched in 2020 with The Prince of Wales as Patron, the appeal aims to raise funds for a programme of heritage conservation, building work and improvements.

The award is the latest in a series of good news stories for the cathedral’s development effort, which includes the construction of a new cloister to replace one torn down during the Civil War more than 400 years ago. Plans for that design by architects Acanthus Clews (pictured below) were approved by Exeter City Council just before Christmas. Earlier last year the project was awarded development funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Commenting on the latest award, the cathedral’s Dean, Very Rev Jonathan Greener said: “Exeter Cathedral is widely acknowledged as one of Europe’s great cathedrals, and as one of the most significant buildings in Devon. However, it needs urgent investment now if we are to safeguard this symbol of local and national heritage.

“We also want to make it fit to continue to serve the whole community of Devon – and visitors © Acanthus Clews from further afield – for generations to come.”

Plans to preserve and improve the cathedral include building the new Cloister Gallery, conservation work, improvements to sound, heating and toilets, improved visitor experiences to help tell the story of the building and a new Treasures Gallery to display the cathedral’s significant library and archive collections. Funds will also support a new programme of activities and events designed to appeal to a wider audience.

It is a project that fits perfectly with the aims of the Wolfson Foundation, which supports communities by investing in science, health, heritage, humanities and arts projects.

The charity’s chief executive Paul Ramsbottom OBE explained: “It is a joy to be supporting Exeter Cathedral – one of Europe’s great medieval cathedrals, an exemplar of English architectural heritage, a place of worship and a community focus for Exeter and the South West.

“But this project also demonstrates that the glory of Exeter Cathedral is not simply limited to architecture – and we are delighted to be backing the cathedral’s noble ambition to open up their collection of early books, records and art for the enjoyment of visitors.” q

Scotland celebrates its Year of Stories [HISTORIC ENVIRONMENT SCOTLAND (HES) and Visit Scotland

have come together to declare 2022 the Year of Stories – heralding a series of themed events throughout the year.

The Year of Stories (#YS2022 #TalesOfScotland) will spotlight, celebrate and promote the wealth of stories inspired by, written or created in Scotland. From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland’s Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to stories, past and present.

Historic Environment Scotland kicked off its contribution with the announcement of Unforgettable, an exhibition featuring the previously untold stories of 12 people from Scotland’s history. The exhibition opens in April at Blackness Castle and celebrates the stories of people from marginalised communities whose lives shaped or were shaped by Scotland – showcasing their contribution to Scotland’s history.

Individuals featured in the exhibition include Walter Sholto, a trans writer who was the illegitimate child of the 16th Earl of Morton, and Agnes McDonald, who was executed in 1714 and was the last Scottish Gypsy/Traveller hanged under anti-Gypsy legislation in Scotland.

Visitors to the exhibition will also discover the stories of Ethel Moorhead (1869-1955) and Tom Jenkins. Ethel was an artist who became one of Scotland’s most vocal suffragettes, leading hunger strikes for women’s suffrage and famously throwing an egg at Winston Churchill. Tom was the son of a West African King and slave trader and is thought to have been Scotland’s first black schoolteacher.

Alex Paterson, chief executive of Historic Environment Scotland, explained: “Stories are vital to our culture, our communities and our understanding of our past, and many of our Properties in Care, including Stirling Castle and Blackness Castle, are linked to these stories, both old and new.

“Our heritage and the stories which shaped it are of course more than

the bricks and mortar, and through the themed year we want to take the opportunity to highlight Scotland’s unknown stories and provide a voice for the individuals and communities who went before us.

“As a key partner in Scotland’s Year of Stories, we hope to encourage and inspire people to experience and share Scotland’s story as part of this themed year and we look forward to what I am sure will be an engaging, inspiring and immersive programme of activities.” q

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Large-scale tannery discovered at Fountains Abbey [THE LARGEST TANNERY yet discovered at a monastic

site in Britain has been identified at Fountains Abbey in Yorkshire – revealing some remarkable new evidence about the community of monks and lay brothers who lived there and their central role in spreading Cistercian worship.

It had always been a puzzle what a long ‘bowling alley’ type extension of the east side of the Fountains Abbey precinct could have been used for. Now ground-penetrating radar, backed up by other geophysical survey methods, has made unexpected discoveries of unknown monastic buildings filling the whole width of the World Heritage Site.

The surveys – carried out by the University of Bradford, Guideline Geo, Geoscan Research and Magnitude Surveys, in partnership with the National Trust – reveal two substantial stone buildings, 16m wide – one of them at least 32m long and more than a single storey in height – with lined pits, tanks and other structures around them. Along with the proximity to the river for water, they were a key requirement for the tanning process – leading to the conclusion that it was the tannery serving the community of Fountains Abbey.

Tanning was a vital part of the abbey economy. Animal hides would be de-haired and cured to make leather for uses such as clothing, belts, bedding, book bindings and vellum or parchment for reproducing religious texts by the monastic scribes. Nevertheless, the sheer scale of the discovery, and where it is sited close to the rest of the abbey community, has surprised archaeologists.

to explain the very large number of burials previously discovered in the monastic cemetery nearby. Monks and lay brothers were buried together as equals.

Mark Newman added: “The scale of the operations we’ve discovered here really takes one aback, but it all fits the bigger picture once you get over the initial surprise. The Cistercians – and especially the community at Fountains – were pioneering farmers and land managers on an industrial scale. They had to be, to support the enormous religious community that rapidly built up and the vast building projects they undertook, in praise of God.” q

Photo © University of Bradford

A ground-penetrating radar scan of the tannery site Mark Newman, National Trust archaeologist, explained: “A tannery of this size, spanning such a large area of the site, reveals an operation on an industrial scale, meeting the needs for leather and other processed animal skins for the community of hundreds of people in the growing monastic community. Its scale also reflects an aspect of the productivity of the huge herds the abbey acquired and managed.”

The latest findings probably also show the importance of lay brothers on the site. Lay brothers followed a different daily round of religious observance: they were not literate like the monks and were often recruited as mature men to bring crucial craft skills to the monastery, relieving the monks from most physical jobs so they could be free to dedicate more time to study, prayer and worship. However, lay brothers were ’Separate but Equal’, according to St Bernard, creator of the Cistercian Order – not intended to be inferior to the monks.

The need for leather and parchment continued throughout the abbey’s life, and while in later years the numbers of lay brothers reduced, due to social changes such as better economic and other opportunities outside the abbey community, the tannery remained in operation right until the last days before the Dissolution of the Monasteries in October 1539.

Recognition of the scale of the community of lay brothers may help www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Lady Godiva’s timely appearance is assured by skilled clockmakers [

CENTRAL SQUARE in Coventry is host to one of the city’s most famous figures – Lady Godiva. Not only is there a bronze statue of her in the square, there is also an hourly reminder installed in Broadgate House in the form of an autonomous clock. Nottingham-based clock company Time Assured is responsible for the regular maintenance and upkeep of the clock.

Time Assured was formed in 1911 and its current clockmakers have over 100 years of combined experience. Two of them are in the early stages of their clockmaking careers. They either have, or are taking, qualifications which helps the company to be proactive with new technologies and ideas in undertaking projects such as the Lady Godiva autonomous clock.

The mechanism and tracks for Lady Godiva's horse and Peeping Tom were designed and made by City Apprentices from the local college, with the aid of Donald Gibson – Coventry’s celebrated post-war City Architect. The Lady Godiva figure, her horse and Peeping Tom were carved from wood by Trevor Tennant, a sculptor who was working on other projects in the city. The doors from which Lady Godiva emerges have the symbol of the Earl of Leofric on them: a black eagle on a yellow background.

The internal workings of the mechanism have been upgraded by Time Assured to ensure their reliability. That consisted of installing electronic

Aberfan clock to go on permanent display

actuators to open all the doors and a series of motors to control the movement of Lady Godiva and her horse, as well as Peeping Tom. The system is computer controlled and is synchronised to the time showing on the dial.

For the 12 months from May 2021 Coventry was awarded the honour of UK City of Culture. With many events being held in the square and visits by several dignitaries, it was essential for the clock to be running reliably. Time Assured assisted with ensuring that by pre-emptive maintenance and quickresponse visits on the rare occasion an issue arose. The operation of the Lady Godiva automaton can be viewed via several videos available online. q • For more information about Time Assured Limited, contact them on 01623 627850, email info@timeassured.com or visit www.timeassured.com

[A KEY ITEM linked to the Aberfan pit disaster in 1966

has been donated to the permanent collection of Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales. A small clock that stopped at 9.13am – the moment the disaster struck, as a hill of mining spoil descended on Aberfan village school – will now be part of the collections at St Fagans National Museum of History.

The clock has since been kept safely at the home of Mike Flynn, the son of a local postman – also Mike Flynn – who attended the scene on 21 October 1966 as a Territorial Army paramedic. The clock will now be transferred to the care of Amgueddfa Cymru for future generations to remember one of Wales’s worst disasters.

Mike Flynn commented: “I am delighted that Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales has accepted the clock. I always thought I would like to see the clock and similar items go on permanent display in a location like St Fagans National Museum of History, because it is a museum of Welsh history and that would be the most appropriate place for it.”

Sioned Williams, Principal Curator of Modern History at the museum, responded: “We’re very grateful to Mike for donating the clock to Amgueddfa Cymru, enabling us to tell the story of an important part of Welsh history.

“Once it is transferred here to St Fagans we will display it as soon as possible in the Wales Is…gallery, which explores the stories of Wales across the ages – available for all to see. And we at St Fagans look forward to working with Mike and the community in Aberfan as we prepare to display this important part of Welsh history. We hope to collect many more items linked to the Aberfan disaster.” q

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Modern listed buildings picked out for 2021 showcase

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THREE VERY DIFFERENT BUILDINGS built in the second half of the 20th century have been included in a list of highlights from last year’s listings compiled by Historic England – illustrating the growing number of modern buildings being chosen for listing.

The newest of them is 22 Shad Thames in Southwark (above left) – part of the London Docklands redevelopment. Built between 1988-1991, it is a simple glazed, concreteframed box. The building features a mix of high-tech cladding, high-specification glazing, distinctive lead panelling and a stair tower constructed of bolted steel plates.

22 Shad Thames was built for designer and manufacturer David Mellor, who was very involved in its construction, and it was later purchased by Sir Terence Conran, whose firm occupied it until 2020. The

building remains in use as offices.

The Dome in Mildenhall (above centre) is a sports hall built in 1977 using the highlyinnovative Bini system. The system was invented in 1963 by Italian architect Dante Bini, who saw in it a means of achieving economy and speed in construction. The system works by covering a giant neoprene membrane with concrete and inflating it.

The rights to the system in Britain were taken up by NorWest Holst Construction, naming the system ‘parashell’ for the domestic market.

The company built just three domes, only two of which now survive. The only other surviving parashell building is the Edinburgh Dome at Malvern Girls College, also built in 1977.

The oldest of the three is All Saints Anglican Church in Langley, Greater Manchester (above right). It was built between 1963 and 1964

to a design by Albert Hilton Walker of Leach, Rhodes & Walker of Manchester.

The focus of a large post-war housing estate, All Saints was commissioned to serve a population who had been shifted wholesale due to inner-city slum clearances. It has a prow-like west end with a full-height window set at zig-zag angles. It is brick-built, with a concrete frame featuring a geometrical pattern of intersecting concrete crossbeams to the interior, and was conceived to be a dualpurpose, flexible space to cater for worship and church hall activities.

The three buildings – all of which are listed Grade Two – are among 23 chosen by Historic England as highlights from the 362 listings, 41 scheduled monuments (including 3 shipwrecks) and 13 parks and gardens added to the list last year. q

HS2 reveals more finds

[ARCHAEOLOGISTS working for HS2 Ltd have uncovered one of the

most significant archaeological sites on the project to date near a small village in South Northamptonshire. Over the past 12 months a team of around 80 archaeologists from MOLA Headland Infrastructure have been excavating an Iron Age village which developed into a wealthy Roman trading town.

The presence of such a significant archaeological site in the area has been known since the 18th century, and initial survey and analysis by HS2 gave some indication of what could be discovered there. However, the scale and quality of the discoveries on site have surpassed expectations.

The original use of the site, known as Blackgrounds after the black soil found there, began in the Iron Age, when it was a village formed of over 30 roundhouses that have been uncovered alongside an Iron Age road.

Evidence from the dig shows that the settlement expanded over time, becoming more prosperous during the Roman period, with new stone buildings and new roads emerging.

Running through the site is a 10m-wide Roman road which is exceptional in its size. It indicates that the settlement would have been very busy with carts simultaneously coming and going to load and unload goods. Over 300 Roman coins, discovered as if lost or discarded, have been recovered – an indication that a significant volume of commerce was passing through this area.

MOLA’s site manager James West commented: “This is certainly one of the most impressive sites MOLA Headland Infrastructure has discovered while working on the HS2 scheme. A particular highlight for me has been understanding the emerging story of Blackgrounds, which we now know spans multiple time periods. Uncovering such a well-preserved and large Roman road, as well as so many high-quality finds, has been extraordinary and tells us so much about the people who lived here. The site really does have the potential to transform our understanding of the Roman landscape in the region and beyond.” q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Oil thefts are on the rise [IF YOUR oil-fired heating system stops

working it might not be the boiler – your oil could have been stolen!

Oil prices in the UK are reported to have hit a four-year high, and so have heating oil thefts – having increased by over a half in just six years.

Church insurers Ecclesiastical have offered some tips to help protect against the theft of oil: • Conceal the location of the tank – it should be • away from any gates and out of sight of the • road • Monitor the level of oil in your tank regularly • If the tank is situated inside a building, make • sure doors are locked securely at all times • Consider installing security lighting to cover • the tank • Ask nearby residents to be vigilant and report • any suspicious activity to the police • Padlock the valve. That may not always prevent • thieves as they may smash the valve completely, • but it can act as a visual deterrent • Fit hoses with a hardened, flexible casing, that • will make them harder for thieves to cut through • Lock the gates at night to make it more difficult • for a thief to escape with oil • Consider installing alarms or CCTV. q

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Don’t neglect your heating system [WITH NEWS of the lifting of COVID

restrictions in England and Scotland at least, churches are looking forward to returning to some kind of normality. It is still winter, however, and the church heating system will be shouldering its normal load – possibly after being on a frost-free setting for some time. It’s time for some maintenance.

In some cases maintenance is a legal obligation, such as in the case of oil tanks. The regulations governing the storage of oil are the control of Pollution (Oil Storage) Regulations for England, Scotland and Wales respectively.

Stuart Mottram of church heating specialists Mellor and Mottram told us of one such maintenance visit to a church in Cheshire, St John the Baptist’s in Chelford (pictured). The company carries out regular surveys and inspection visits even though the oil boiler, tank and flue liner were only recently replaced.

Oil is still a common fuel for church heating, even in these environmentally-conscious times.

Stuart believes there is a possible renaissance coming in the use of oil thanks to modern, nonfossil fuels such as the HVO fuel being marketed by North West-based Crown Oil, which is already a greener alternative to diesel. Watch this space!

Among the green heating projects that Mellor and Mottram have already carried out are a number of ground and air source systems – in particular a ground source system at Denbigh Castle in Wales and an air source system in nearby Llanrhos. q • For further information call 0800 644 6240 or visit the website at www.mellorandmottram.com.

Ensuring rights of access to heritage sites

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

[IN 2010 the Equality Act came into force

requiring all buildings to have disabled access.

The access requirements go further than just the obvious as they also cover people who are visiting and/or working in the building. Heritage sites must ensure equal access for every user or visitor into all parts, including the historical part of the building.

Part M of the Building Regulations provides designers with guidance on access to and use of buildings but there are so many intricacies involved with historical sites that to meet every requirement can often be challenging or difficult.

This may be due to the building’s layout or the strict planning controls that affect any alterations or works to these types of building.

Access is an important part of a sustainable approach to caring for our historic environment and sensitive alterations will always consider what it is that makes the building significant or special.

The guiding principle when it comes to heritage sites is to make them accessible, at the same time as ensuring responsible care of the historic environment. This can be achieved with thoughtful and effective design that is sympathetic to the existing structure.

Part M of the Building Regulations stipulates that the aim is to improve accessibility where practically possible, provided the work does not prejudice the character of the building or increase the risk of long-term deterioration to the building fabric or fittings.

Garden access When considering alterations to a site, operators, designers and contractors should also be thinking about the gardens that frequently go hand in hand with the building itself. Whilst alterations to the gardens may seem simple, planning permission may be required and, at the very least, professional guidance on appropriate alterations should be sought. It’s about balancing the needs of access with the needs of conservation. Here are some examples of adjustments that should be considered and evaluated: • Replacing existing gravel surfaces with self • binding gravel to provide a firmer surface • Incorporating a level route within an area • which has an uneven surface • Providing alternative routes and adding • appropriate signage • Using interpretation or multimedia devices to • provide alternative access to areas that • remain physically inaccessible • Using trained staff and guided tours as an • alternative to making physical changes

Historic England has many more suggestions as to the ways in which gardens and the surrounding areas of historic sites can be altered to provide the greatest level of access.

You will find this in their guidance document Easy Access to Historic Buildings.

Structural alterations When considering alterations to the structure of a heritage site, an access strategy will be needed which sets out what it is you intend to do and why. This should provide details of why the solutions being employed have been chosen and give the design team and building owner an opportunity to set out their vision for the finished works. This is particularly important if the suggested design falls outside of the accepted parameters. The strategy should start by asking six simple questions: • What needs to be improved – is it the • building itself, the way it’s managed or a • combination of the two?

• What would be a reasonable adjustment?

• What are the statutory obligations that • must be met?

• Which are the conservation considerations • that must be considered?

• Who is responsible for balancing these?

• How much will it cost and how long is it • going to take?

Historic England recommends early consultation with building control, planning departments and in some cases the fire brigade to help ensure that the correct processes are followed and that the design is both sympathetic, compliant and safe for the users/occupants.

Solution for steps For many heritage buildings, narrow points of entry or steep steps without handrails can

cause issues which can be dealt with under the Equality Act 2010. There are several solutions when considering steps, each providing a different way of dealing with access to ensure those in wheelchairs or with limited mobility can gain entry to some of our most historic properties.

The following solutions have all been successfully implemented at heritage sites in the UK. They need to be assessed individually for their suitability for a specific building and should form part of a well-managed environment: • Provide flat and level access. This will • require significant works to be done to the • structure of the building to change the • existing access point.

• Provide temporary ramps. These can be • removed at a later point and are not • an ideal solution but can provide a short • term measure to enable access.

• Provide semi-permanent ramps. This is • particularly useful if a longer-term solution • is being sought but the site is holding an • event that is likely to increase visitor • numbers significantly. Temporary ramps • need not necessarily look temporary but • are often built from materials such as wood • which can be sensitively removed.

• Provide a permanent ramp. This will either • be shallow or steeper in its gradient which • will be determined by the building itself and • its proximity to other structures.

• Install a platform lift. Lifts can either have • a rise of less than or greater than 1m.

• Platform lifts are a good way to provide • access but there can be challenges around • volume of users and speed. Some users can • also feel slightly ill at ease in a platform lift.

• Install a retracting stair lift. The design of • stair lifts has improved significantly and • they can now be designed to be completely • sympathetic to the surroundings, often • almost completely camouflaged.

• Horizontally retracting stair lifts can be • installed either with a lift below 1,000mm • rise or above a 1,000mm rise. Vertically • retracting stair lifts are also available where • space is at a premium.

Access to heritage sites is a complex and difficult area to tackle when it comes to making alterations to a building. The best approach is to speak to both planning and building control early in the process and take advice from people who have experience of successfully delivering these types of projects. They may be able to offer insight that saves time and money and delivers a more comprehensive solution. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Late surge in bookings as CRE prepares to head west! [

A SUDDEN SURGE of interest in the New Year from companies and individuals wishing to exhibit at the Christian Resources Exhibition South West, running from 23-24 February, led the organisers to increase the number of stands available at the exhibition.

“Most people are optimistic we are at the beginning of the end of the pandemic,” said CRE event director Brett Pitchfork. “They are keen to get back where it really counts – face to face with customers, clients and supporters.

Safety is still paramount for all, so we are instigating similar precautions to those we introduced at Sandown Park in October – including wider aisles – and remain hopeful that churches throughout the South West will support our first exhibition in the region for seven years.”

New resources from more than 100 exhibitors will be available at CRE South West – often dubbed the ‘ideal church show’. Areas covered include new technology, financial management, fundraising, safeguarding, cyber security, mission, youth and children’s work: all helping churches to recover from and build beyond the pandemic.

The exhibition has been welcomed by the Bishop of Exeter, Rt Rev Robert Atwell. “CRE was last at Westpoint in 2015 and much has happened at local church level since then,” he said. “It is a great opportunity to access new resources, ideas and practical tools to meet the

many challenges of local ministry.”

Expert advice will be on hand at 40 seminars with several speakers from the region, including the Bishop of Crediton, Rt Rev Jackie Searle; the Archdeacon of Exeter, Venerable Andrew Deane; Canon Sarah Yardley of Creation Fest; Paul Friend of South West Youth Ministries; and Tim Moyler of Agapé UK. The director of communications for the diocese of Exeter, Chloe Axford (pictured below), will be sharing valuable tips in a seminar on developing a digital ministry. Chloe will explore the various digital tools open to churches to help them in worship, mission and engagement with their local communities.

“So much of our lives are now spent online,” she said, “and churches need to be confident in that space. We need to be using 21st-century communication tools to be telling the eternal story in fresh and relevant ways which will connect with people. This isn’t about having lots of expertise, money, time or volunteers – this is about making the most of what you do have and using digital in a way that is right for where you are.”

A short introductory video to CRE South West can be viewed at creonline.co.uk, where developments can be followed. Entry to the exhibition costs as little as £3 by booking in advance, or £8 on the door. q

Themes and seminars fill the day [ CRE SOUTH WEST will feature a full programme of

seminars and special features to enrich and inspire a day at the show. Activities will revolve around five principal themes.

At Church Gen Z, South West Youth Ministries will offer churches new ideas for effective work with young people, while at Church Digital visitors will discover how effective use of social media and live streaming can help their church adapt and thrive.

For those whose churches are facing a decline in donations during the pandemic, at Church Resilient David Saint of Action Planning and others will explain how to respond positively to changing patterns of giving.

Aptly for an exhibition in a diocese rooted in the countryside, Church Rural will show rural churches how to plan projects, apply for grants, work with local communities, get help with building maintenance and organise special events.

Further afield, Mission on the Map – featuring organisations from SWAN (South West Agencies Network) – will help churches to make the most of the new opportunities in world mission that are expected to open up beyond the pandemic.

Both days of the event will feature a seminar programme

across four theatres. All five themes will be explored, together with stand-alone seminars and performances by the IDMC Soul Gospel Choir. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Live streaming: church AV experts ask ‘is the stream still flowing one year on?’

[ALMOST A YEAR after installing web streaming and CCTV

equipment at the Grade One-listed Our Lady Help of Christians & St Denis in Torquay, the team from audio-visual specialists APi Communications revisited the beautiful church on the English Riviera to see how it was being used.

APi manging director Andy Pidsley commented: “It was great to see how Canon Michael Lock, the parish priest, and his team are now able to offer parishioners and the wider community access to a variety of parish services which are streamed daily via You Tube – search for Potts

Chatto. Other significant events, including weddings, baptisms, funerals and parish celebrations are also live-streamed and have attracted almost 7,000 views and 77 followers to date.”

Finance committee buildings lead Richard Stead, who alongside other members of the parish team live-streams on a daily basis, said: “Being able to stream has enhanced how we engage with our congregation. We started streaming in February 2021 and I have to say we haven’t looked back. We are also very grateful to the Lottery Community Fund for their support in this venture.

“People who are unable to attend church services in person obtain great spiritual benefit from the streaming option, which is part of our wider outreach programme. They have the option to join us online and maintain some routine and sense of normality in what has been a difficult time during the 22 months of the pandemic. This, along with other elements of our outreach programme, will continue for the foreseeable future.”

Built in 1869 by the Potts-Chatto family, the church of Our Lady Help of Christians & St Denis was solemnly opened in 1881. The site includes a convent which was completed in 1871. Being of such historic value the church is Grade One listed and therefore required special consideration

by APi when installing the streaming equipment and CCTV. For example, cameras and cables are discretely hidden so as not to detract from the incredible architecture and statues on display.

Richard continued: “I was amazed at how simple the whole process from installation to live-streaming was. APi were extremely efficient – they just got on with the job and are clearly familiar with working on listed buildings. Their expertise was evident before and during the installation.

“APi also provided training on how to use the equipment, which I was able to explore and expand. I am responsible for programming the service schedule and I have trained other team members to operate the equipment independently. This means that the system is very straightforward to use and reliable: and APi are always on the end of the phone for any additional support if required. I highly recommend using APi Communications for any streaming and CCTV applications.” q • To find out more about streaming in your church, contact APi Communications on 0845 557 8350 or via email at info@apicommunications.co.uk. A member of their team will be happy to help.

APi Communications will also be attending CRE South West from 23-24 February 2022 at Westpoint in Exeter. If you would prefer to discuss your sound and visual requirements in person, you can visit them on Stand D10.

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Co-operation and collaboration – working for the future

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THE AMALGAMATION of two churches in Harwood, near Bolton, paved the way for a major redevelopment project, involving demolition of the church hall and former manse to make way for the new building.

Opened in July, the facilities at the new Harwood Methodist Church comprise a worship area, activity hall, meeting rooms, kitchen and café.

All-in-all, it is a busy social hub with a variety of activities catering for all age groups.

During the redevelopment the church engaged Fullers Finer Furniture to design and build furniture for their beautiful new state-of-the-art building. Fullers Finer Furniture are a multi award-winning bespoke furniture manufacturer, with over 30 years’ experience in crafting furniture for places of worship. Equally happy in a new building, an ancient building or anything in between, they were delighted to work with the church on the project.

The furniture needed to be practical and robust, with a presence and beauty worthy of a modern place of worship. It comprised a font, lectern, Communion table and two crosses.

The font Every baptism is unique. Fullers understand the importance of providing a font that reflects that fact, and which is truly up to the occasion. Supplied in solid European oak with a circular ring top, the font is a three-legged design with a three-point foot pattern. Supplied with a beautiful hand-blown glass bowl, courtesy of Loco Glass, and finished in blues and whites to represent water and match the décor in the building, the overall design combines practicality, beauty and individuality. Displayed in the entrance hall when not in use, it is easily moved and an impressive sight for all those entering the building.

sizeable enough to provide presence and a focal point, yet effortlessly manoeuvrable on its castors. Finished in natural oak, to match the other furniture supplied, the lectern was fitted with a microphone socket, tablet lip, power sockets and other features ready to connect with the technical equipment in the church.

The table Holy Communion is a regular part of worship at Harwood Methodist Church and any commission to provide furniture dedicated to that important sacrament must be durable and practical as well as aesthetically pleasing. The table for the church was supplied with a central column, housing a locking cupboard with one shelf at the back for storage. It was also furnished with lockable castors for ease of movement.

Complete with its solid oak top, the table was finished in a veneered panelling bearing the Methodist Orb on the front of the column.

The crosses The church commissioned two matching crosses, carefully designed to complement the woodwork within the church. One was placed in the vestibule above the font and the second as a focal point in the main sanctuary. Each cross was made from European oak, finished in natural oak, with a distinctive larger cross behind finished in dark oak.

Service for future ages

The lectern

A successful merger and a state-of-the-art building, complemented

by Fullers’ practical furniture, mean Harwood Methodist Church is now equipped for future service for all the community of Harwood – from the most junior to the most senior and everyone in between. Fullers were delighted to be a part of the exciting venture by providing exquisitely crafted furniture to serve for years to come. q

Fullers’ award-winning York lectern was the natural choice for a building designed to be user-friendly for all. The lectern has a gas lift – a height-adjustable desk feature allowing adjustment in seconds to accommodate people comfortably, regardless of height. It is

• For further information call 01934 618111, email info@fullersfinerfurniture.co.uk or visit www.fullersfinerfurniture.co.uk.

You can also visit them at CRE South West on Stand E7. www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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If you’re renovating a heritage building, having the right insurance is a must LEIGH IDE, business development executive at Trinitas Church Insurance Services, shares some useful guidance on insurance and contract works for heritage buildings.

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PROVIDING ADVICE AND GUIDANCE on the insurance aspects of building works to existing Trinitas clients is a regular part of my role. Those works can be very wide ranging. Most of the buildings we insure are listed as they are Church of England parish churches, and there is often an extra dimension to the advice and guidance required.

Ensuring that the right insurances are in place can be a critical element of a building project. When that is delayed, overlooked or set up incorrectly it can lead to significant uninsured exposures being carried and also breaches in the contracts that underpin the works in question.

It is imperative that the owners of heritage buildings engage with their insurance providers early on in the planning of any significant building work.

In the current hardening insurance market it can be difficult and expensive to obtain more complex cover at short notice.

At the planning stage of building works most heritage buildings will require listed building consent – or faculty permission in the case of Church of England churches, due to their ecclesiastical exemption.

Dependent on the outcome of the works local authority planning permission may also be required. Details of the works and how they will be undertaken are often fairly limited at this stage as it is unlikely any detailed scope of works – and certainly any building contracts – will have been drafted and agreed. The insurer can therefore only provide an acknowledgement plus some general guidance; however, it does enable the insurance provider to highlight potential insurance issues in advance and the various insurance options that may be available.

The next stage, once a more detailed scope of works has been drawn up, is to refer to the premises’ insurer to see if they will impose any additional terms, conditions or exclusions due to the works. As anything other than very minor works could be considered as a material fact, it is something a policyholder is duty bound to disclose. Many insurers require their own building or contract forms to be

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completed for that purpose, in order to capture the relevant information.

The types of additional terms, conditions or exclusions can vary from insurer to insurer, with some automatically imposing cover restrictions within their policy wordings. An example of that is the exclusion on some policies of theft of external metal while external scaffolding is erected. Other common conditions are to operate a hot works permit system whenever there is the application of heat on site, or additionally protecting items such as pipe organs from dust or water ingress.

The final stage, once the building contract is agreed, is to establish whether there is a need for additional contract works insurance, and which party is responsible for arranging it. Most building contracts will utilise pre-worded contracts such as those provided by the Joint Contracts Tribunal (JCT), which contain various interchangeable clauses relating to insurance. It is the insuring clause – as it is generally known – that sets out which party to the contract is responsible for arranging the property damage cover for the contract works, and in some cases also the existing structure.

One particular issue that can arise is whether terrorism insurance has been included or excluded within the insuring clause. If it is included, but the underlying property damage insurance does not already include terrorism insurance, that will need to be added for at least the duration of the contract. As many heritage buildings such as churches have significant property damage sums insured that can be an expensive undertaking.

If the existing structure is insured it can make sense for the party who insures it to be made responsible under the contract to insure the contract works. Many property owners’ package policies have free built-in contract works extensions for modest contract values, or are willing to offer cover for higher contract values at preferential terms. There also remains the option of taking out a stand-alone contract works policy: for high contract values that is usually the only option available.

Some larger contractors have annual

contract works insurance policies – again usually with a contract value limit – and if that is the case it may be a cost-effective option for the contractor to be responsible for arranging the contract works insurance. It should not be overlooked that if the contractor has to bear an additional cost then that is likely to be passed on within the contract price. If it is anticipated that the cost of contract works insurance is going to be significant it would be advisable to check out the various options for the insuring clause with your insurance broker in advance of agreeing the contract, in order to consider all the available options.

Finally, it can also be vitally important to establish who will be the ‘Employer’ in any works contract, as that can dictate how any contract works insurance can be provided. I recently dealt with a case where the property owner had set up a separate development company to fund and be the ‘Employer’ in the building contract. That scenario, in conjunction with the insuring clause that was initially selected, made it extremely difficult to arrange the contract works insurance without incurring a huge premium. With only four days’ notice it took a great deal of work and negotiation with insurers and the parties to the contract to agree an amendment to the insuring clause and arrange the insurance needed in a correct and cost-effective way, in time for the commencement of the works. q

Presenter and cancer campaigner Simon Thomas to open CRE SW

• Leigh Ide Dip CII has worked in various roles within general insurance for 37 years, with the last 21 years in the church and charity sector – which has involved responsibility for a significant number of heritage buildings. For the past six years Leigh has provided technical guidance in his role as a business development executive at Trinitas Church Insurance Services, a Gallagher company. Prior to that he was a specialist church insurance consultant and surveyor with Ecclesiastical Insurance.

For more information call Leigh Ide on 01483 462862, email leighide@trinitaschurchinsurance.co.uk or visit the website at www.trinitaschurchinsurance.co.uk. You can also visit them on Stand D11 at CRE South West.

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CRE SOUTH WEST will be opened by former Blue Peter and Sky Sports presenter Simon Thomas, on 23 February.

Simon, whose wife Gemma died suddenly from acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) four days after being admitted to hospital, has dedicated himself to increasing awareness of AML. Survival rates for that aggressive type of blood cancer are dreadfully low: only about 15% of the 2,500 people who contract AML in the UK each year survive for five years or more.

Simon launched the Gemma Thomas Fund to raise awareness and money for research and is president of Blood Cancer UK. He has also written a book, Love Interrupted: Navigating Grief One Day at a Time (Trigger Publishing).

“I want to make sure more people are made aware of the signs and symptoms of all blood cancers, so we can improve early diagnosis and give people a fighting chance,” he said. “I have known about CRE for some years and will be delighted to see, at last, the many ways the exhibitors help the church in its mission.”

The son of a Church of England vicar, Simon worked on Blue Peter for six years, during which time he ran two London Marathons and made more than 40 solo sky dives. On one of his early dives his parachute didn’t open until two instructors jumping with him bumped it to make it open!

He is currently presenting football coverage on Prime Video, streamed by Amazon. Last year he married Derrina Jebb, daughter of a Methodist minister.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, he said: “Right from the early stages she had this empathy towards me. She's a Christian as well and that's important to me as a man of faith.”

His son Ethan was one of the best men at their wedding in Norwich Cathedral.

Following the opening ceremony at CRE South West Simon will give an interview with Chloe Axford of Exeter Cathedral, which in turn will be followed by a performance by the IDMC Soul Gospel Choir. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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LED lighting has transformed medieval Cotswold church

[THE NEW YEAR saw the completion of the latest project by Church Lighting Systems –

part of CLS Electrical Services Ltd – at Holy Cross Church in Ashton Keynes, Swindon. The team from CLS have implemented the lighting design to their usual high standard.

Ashton Keynes is a pretty village in the Cotswold Water Park, south of Cirencester. At the northern edge of the village, beside the earthworks and moat of a lost medieval castle, stands the parish church, dedicated to the Holy Cross.

The church we see there today was begun in the 12th century, but may stand on the site of an earlier building erected by the monks of Cranborne Abbey. After 1102 the church was appropriated by Tewkesbury Abbey, which held the right of presentation until the Reformation.

The transformation of the beautiful church highlights all its beautiful architectural features. The arch uplighting is impressive – much to the delight of all members of the church council. All lighting is LED and DALI controlled to allow scene setting for any service, event or concert. q

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Webinar will offer a new view of Sutton Hoo stand [

A WEBINAR by the National Heritage Ironwork Group (NHIG) will cast a new light on a familiar object excavated from the Sutton Hoo ship burial site. Since its discovery in 1939 the appearance of an iron stand has been the subject of postulations by a number of academics. Now, blacksmith and historical ironwork specialist Rowan Taylor has suggested that the appearance of the object may have been different from the current reconstruction.

He has published his findings in the journal of EXARC, the international cultural heritage network, and will present them to a virtual audience at the webinar on 29 March.

According to NHIG: “In this webinar, which will appeal to those with general interest as well as ironwork and archaeological specialists, Rowan will explore the constructional evidence provided by the object itself, and explain how the conclusions drawn from that evidence might affect the appearance of the object.”

Rowan Taylor has reconstructed the iron stand by reverse engineering the object based on constructional evidence. At the webinar he will explain the process and reveal how he thinks the stand might actually have looked.

Tickets for the webinar are available from NHIG at www.nhig.org.uk. Early bird booking is available until the end of February. q

Ironwork award has been relaunched [

THIS YEAR sees the relaunch of the NHIG’s Award for Ironwork Conservation, which was postponed from 2020 because of COVID restrictions. The inaugural award, which seeks to recognise and celebrate excellence in ironwork conservation as an inspiration to all, will be presented at the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths’ Awards Lunch in October.

Any aspect of heritage ironwork – on any scale, in a public or a private setting – is eligible. Individuals or teams can enter themselves or be nominated by a third party. The award will be presented to the practitioner(s) who carried out the work, rather than to those who commissioned or specified it, although joint entries by architect and blacksmith, for example, are also welcome.

Submitted work must have been carried out in the past five years in accordance with current conservation philosophy.

The judges will be looking for appropriateness of materials and techniques used, the extent to which loss of original fabric was minimised and the quality of craftsmanship. A panel of experienced judges drawn from members of the NHIG Council and the WCB Craft Committee will assess the entries.

Applications opened on 13 January and will close on 30 April. An application form is available on the NHIG website at nhig.org.uk. q

www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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C of E streamers mark 100th service [

MEMBERS OF A new ‘cathedral’ of online worshippers formed since the first lockdown played a key role in the Church of England’s 100th national online service, streamed in January. The first national online service was broadcast from the crypt chapel at Lambeth Palace on Mothering Sunday 2020 as the nation went into lockdown. Since then a service has been broadcast every Sunday – with additional services broadcast over Easter, Advent and Christmas.

The milestone 100th service was led by the Vicar of St Martin-in-theFields, Dr Sam Wells, with a sermon from Rev Dr Isabelle Hamley, who

Guide offers tips on speaking clearly into a microphone [

ISCVE – the Institute of Sound, Communications and Visual Engineers – has launched a new guide designed to help users learn how best to use their microphone to promote clear communication.

A Guide for Training Microphone Users of Sound Systems and other Communication Systems presents best practice, covering topics such as choosing the right microphone, adjusting microphone settings and effective speaking techniques. The new guide is perfect for both first-time microphone users and experienced users looking to improve their skills.

“We are really pleased with this first edition of the Guide for Training Microphone Users.

It is due to the hard work, determination and expertise of ISCVE members that have contributed to its production,” said Jim Smith MInstSCVE, chairman of ISCVE’s working group.

“The guide is intended to assist in making a better listening experience, where the quality and intelligibility of speech broadcasts is fundamental to imparting clear information or instruction, particularly in emergency situations. We hope this first step in ISCVE’s Talker Training programme is well received as we now embark upon developing further Talker Training initiatives.”

ISCVE president Helen Goddard added: “We are really excited to release this new training guide. It is our hope that it will help emergency planners and responders around the world, to safely and effectively use microphones in emergency and everyday situations.”

The guide is available to download from the ISCVE website at iscve.org.uk. q

oversees the Church of England’s national online services. Dr Hamley described the ‘bittersweet’ milestone of the 100th service after the ‘grief, pain and anxiety’ suffered because of the pandemic. The success of the online broadcasts has highlighted the number of people who were previously excluded from in-person worship.

"We now know there is a regular worshipping community online, alongside many others, who meet as a community and pray for each other,” she said. “This is something that is new and has taken us by surprise. This was never something we set out to do but a truly diverse and international community has formed in the comment section while watching the services.

“It's a bit like an online cathedral – we have a solid core of worshippers and lots of visitors who stream a service occasionally.”

The Church of England website has received more than 92,000 page views for its blogs to help church leaders with live streaming and online services since they were launched in March 2020. Half of the 20 mostread blogs on the website are on live streaming and video skills.

The Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, said: “In the last two years we have seen a kind of digital coming of age. The national online services from the Church of England have enabled many people to be part of a worshipping community during this most difficult and potentially isolating of times.

“There is a real place for these online communities and we recognise online worship is here to stay; not as a replacement for worshipping in person, but as a way of worshipping and building community in innovative and accessible ways.

“The national services have been a great team effort. Services have been put together each week. I am very thankful to all those whose creativity, faithfulness and commitment have been a part of making it happen.” q

• On the following pages, Paul Dougherty of Blaydon Communications Ltd offers some advice on choosing the right microphone for particular applications. www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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New streaming system is as easy as ISAC! [

COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST Belltron has designed its own ISAC (internet speech audio codec) system which allows parishes to stream Masses and other church events for parishioners to enjoy in the comfort of their homes via smartphone, tablet or PC. Belltron’s ISAC is easy to use for both the parish priest and the parishioner. The priest simply installs the BST-4000 module by connecting it to the church amplifier and its internet network. They then install the camera in the desired position, switch on and parishioners can follow the Mass online. There are no follow-on costs for the parish, such as memory storage or usage charges.

Parishioners simply download the free dedicated app, with no subscription required from either Apple or Android App stores to watch live or recorded services. They can also log on through the Belltron website and select the parish of their choice to watch Mass.

Mass can be watched live or deferred to later, as it will be available for viewing until the next Mass overwrites it, and there is a ‘Save’ facility for PC or laptop.

Camera features include: • High quality images with 2MP resolution • Clear images against strong backlight, thanks to DWDR technology • Excellent performance in low light conditions, thanks to Darkfighter • technology • 15x optical zoom • Water and dust resistant For those who are unsure about the technology, Belltron’s engineers will be happy to install the system for them. q

The picture shows Mass being livestreamed from St Mary’s Catholic Church, Aughnacloy, Co. Tyrone, using the Belltron system

Live streaming leads to restructure for Norfolk AV contractor

• For further information call 028 4375 1504, email info@belltron.co.uk or visit www.belltron.co.uk

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THE CONTINUING DISRUPTION faced by many houses of worship due to COVID-19 has seen on-going demand for the automated live camera streaming system, manufactured and installed by Audio Electronic Design (AED).

Its unique approach to providing an engaging video stream, with multiple camera views, in high definition and streamed to the platform of the customer’s choice, has seen the company restructure its operations to cater for the needs of its customers in that market.

The system is operated by a small, simple, remote key fob, which is key to its success. Its popularity is down to three major factors: it’s affordable, it’s simple to operate and its implementation into the building is totally considerate and in keeping with the sensitivity of the building’s structure.

In the past few months AED has installed systems at St Margaret’s Lowestoft, St Nicholas North Walsham, Eaton Christchurch Norwich, East Sheen RC London, Eaton St Andrew’s Norwich, Our Lady RC Poringland, All Saints’ Pakefield, St Mary Heacham and St Mary East Burgholt.

Orders for new systems in 2022 continue to keep the Norfolk-based company very busy.

Further enhancements to the live camera system were carried out at Norwich Anglican Cathedral, with the installation of removable monitor screens for live coverage (pictured). The ability to use the streaming system for live coverage, organ recitals and during special events – including the recent visit by ‘Dippy the Dinosaur’ – adds further value to the camera system installed earlier in the year. AED designed and built custom brackets which allow the screens to be placed precisely and removed safely in seconds.

Since the original design of the live camera system in 2020 its development by AED has been rapid, and now has the full integration of Zoom and similar platforms as a means of bringing into the church those who are unable to attend. q

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How much do you need to spend on a microphone?

by PAUL DOUGHERTY, managing director of Blaydon Communications Ltd

[THIS ARTICLE isn’t going to get too in-depth from a

technical point of view, so don’t worry; but it does steer close to it. The question of whether or not you need to spend a fortune on a microphone is a difficult one to answer. As with all things in life, you need to buy the best you can afford and that will yield the best outcome for you and your pocket in the long run. Having said that, sometimes it is worth saving a little longer and spending a little more than you’d planned for.

All microphones aren’t equal Many people say: "Well, a microphone’s a microphone, isn’t it?" – but they couldn’t be more wrong. When choosing a microphone there’s a lot to consider, and price is probably one of the lesser things to think about in the early stages.

There is no doubt that you will find a microphone for any price you set, but if it doesn’t work for you you may as well drop your hard-earned cash down the drain.

When starting your search for a suitable microphone you will be much better off speaking to an audio expert who can tell you what you should be looking for based on your specific application. An audio expert will have a good knowledge of what all those weird graphs, confusing spec sheets and multitude of random numbers mean when searching for a microphone.

While it is difficult to put your trust in someone and hope they don’t just take you for every penny you have for the sake of it, you will need to put your faith in someone and judge them on the outcome. There are organisations, such as the Institute of Sound, Communications & Visual Engineers (ISCVE), that have a list of members who adhere to a code of conduct and can be trusted. If it all goes wrong and the ‘expert’ fails you, then I’m sure the ISCVE would be happy to help!

It can be quite daunting to pick up the phone and speak to an expert about anything, but most of us are human and are keen to help. That is definitely true for our staff! In advance of your call to the selected expert, it could be a wise move to be prepared for the type of questions that may be thrown at you. The following paragraphs cover some of the things we would ask, and also give a brief explanation of why we need to know.

The first consideration, and therefore the first question, would be to determine what you actually want the microphone for? Is it for picking up speech, reproducing vocals, or maybe to pick up an instrument? All of those will have an impact on microphone selection: for example, a lectern gooseneck mic would be no good whatsoever for an aerobic instructor, nor would a ceiling microphone be of any use in a cavernous cathedral.

So think about what you really want the microphone for and what you’re expecting to get from it.

You may be asked about how many people want to use the microphone.

If it’s only one person, then a wireless microphone system may be the answer.

That would allow freedom of movement for the user and there’d be no cables to install. If it is likely there will be more than one person – maybe at a lectern – then something like a flexible gooseneck would be more suitable. The information will help when working out the next steps, such as how to physically mount a microphone based on the intended use.

Can you hear the noise?

The audio expert will also be keen to know about some of the acoustics and the sound source position. Don’t worry; you’ll not need a degree in acoustics to

answer those questions: it will be a basic request regarding how noisy the space is, or how much echo there is. That information, combined with an understanding of how close the sound source (human or instrument) will be to the microphone, will help to determine the required microphone’s sensitivity. Sensitivity is important, as microphones that are too sensitive can give feedback issues and microphones that aren’t sensitive enough simply appear not to work.

There was a brief mention of feedback there, which is the howling noise a sound system makes when a microphone is too close to a speaker; and there is another microphone characteristic that can help with that. We’re talking about directionality, so it’s always worth considering the direction that you want the microphone to pick up audio from. There’s a vast range available, from the all-round pick-up type through to the latest digital microphones that can really home in on a specific area.

There are several other considerations, such as cable length to the amplifier, microphone head type, power requirements, frequency response and tonal quality, but we would need to delve into a technical abyss to explain them in a written document. I’m sure the audio expert you speak with would be more than happy to grab a coffee and keep you on the phone for an hour to talk through them all, but they’ll also be aware that not everyone is experienced in that type of thing – and not everyone has an hour to spend talking about microphones!

To sum up, you really need to speak with an expert about microphone selection, have a reasonable budget in mind and take the advice that is given to you whenever possible. To answer the question from the start of the article, we do believe that you should always spend a decent amount of money on a microphone; and if you don’t have a decent budget, then save up a little bit more before purchasing.

Live by the motto ‘Buy Once, Cry Once’ and you’ll not go wrong. It may hurt the pocket a little more at the start, but it really is worth it. At the end of the day the microphone is the first part of your audio broadcast; and if that’s no good, there’s no amount of tech that can correct it. q • For further information visit the website at www.blaydoncomms.co.uk www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Record numbers at Roofing Awards ceremony see heritage projects shine

[

NOVEMBER SAW a record turnout for the 2021 NFRC UK Roofing Awards at the InterContinental London – The O2. The awards ceremony, hosted by racing driver and TV presenter Tiff Needell, was the first UK Roofing Awards live event to take place in over two years due to the impact of COVID and over 1,000 guests celebrated the return to something like normality.

It has almost become the norm that a clutch of ecclesiastical and heritage projects would win awards in the various categories, spearheaded by the Heritage Roofing winner – in this case Ellis & Co’s Little Sodbury Manor (above left). It pipped Craig House by Southwest Roofing Services, Old Westbury Mansion house by Claude N Smith Ltd and Sospan by Greenough & Sons Roofing.

The project by Harwood Roofing Contractors Ltd at the historic Leeds Town Hall was named winner in the Roof Slating category. It was joined by a period Manor Farmhouse by Clarke Roofing Southern Ltd in the Roof Tiling category.

A fantasy of Los Angeles Hispanic style on the Bournemouth seafront (above middle) scooped the accolade in the Cold Applied Liquid Waterproofing category for Roofsmiths LLP. The charming Village Hall Turret

by Emerton Roofing (Western) Ltd completed the list of winning heritage projects with the award for Small Scale Project <25K. The ecclesiastical sector was represented by the impressive circular roof of the Church of the English Martyrs in Essex (above right), carried out by Premier Roofing and Construction, in the Reinforced Bitumen Membranes category.

Commenting on the announcement of the winners, NFRC chief executive James Talman said: “My congratulations go out to all those who have won at this year’s UK Roofing Awards. It takes a lot to win a Roofing Award at the best of times, but this year it has been even harder, with all the projects entered having been completed during the pandemic. You should all be incredibly proud.

“I am delighted that we were able to celebrate in person at our largestever UK Roofing Awards. While our 2020 Awards live event wasn’t able to go ahead, we were still able to recognise the 2020 winners through a feature-length film which was played during the 2021 ceremony and will be available online.”

He went on to thank all of the awards’ sponsors. q • Pictures of all the award winners, together with a list of the finalists and all the sponsors, is available on the awards website at www.nfrc.co.uk/uk-roofing-awards/winners/2021-winners.

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

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

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www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

Roofing the world! Welsh slate is latest World Heritage Site [ IN JULY the World Heritage Committee – which selects the sites to be listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites – approved the inscription of the Slate Landscape of north west Wales on the World Heritage List, bringing the number of World Heritage Sites in Wales to four.

The Slate Landscape World Heritage Site celebrates the contribution made by the quarry communities of Gwynedd to the industrial transformation of society.

At its heyday during the 19th century slate from the quarries of north Wales was carried around the world and can be found covering the roofs of buildings on nearly every continent. It can be truly said that ‘Wales roofed the world’!

Led by Gwynedd Council, the inscription as a World Heritage Site is the culmination of over 15 years of hard work by partners to record, safeguard and recognise the living legacy of the slate landscape of Gwynedd.

The new World Heritage Site is a serial property in six parts, including spectacular quarry landscapes such as Penrhyn, Dinorwig, the Nantlle Valley and Ffestiniog.

It also includes the National Slate Museum in Llanberis (pictured), Penrhyn Castle and the famous Ffestiniog and Talyllyn Railways, built to transport the slate from quarry to markets around the world and both later

transformed through the dedication of volunteers into heritage railways.

Full details of the World Heritage Site can be viewed on its dedicated website at www.llechi.cymru. q

www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Athlone House scoops brace of roofing awards

[

WHEN THE Pitched Roofing Awards were announced on 26 November, one outstanding project won both the Best Use of a Heritage Roof and Best Use of Concrete & Clay Tiles for a Domestic

Project categories. That project was the reroofing of Athlone House in North London using tiles produced by traditional manufacturer Dreadnought – whose pedigree in clay tile production dates from 1805.

Standing on high ground just beyond the northern edge of North London’s Hampstead Heath, within the Highgate Conservation Area, over its 150-year history Athlone House has been used as a private dwelling, a secret RAF school during WWII and more recently an NHS home for people with dementia.

The house has recently undergone major restoration to transform it into a beautiful modern family home. The new scheme, designed by SHH Architecture, won approval from Historic England, who were keen to preserve the character and appearance of the Highgate Conservation Area. The roof was replaced by Attleys Roofing.

In the award citation for the Heritage category, the judges said: “The spectacular roof, which defines this historic building with its alternating dark bands of plain tiles, spade tiles and fishtails, has been faithfully restored using Dreadnought Tiles in traditional Staffordshire red and blue colours that closely match the originals. Meticulous planning and collaboration was required to follow this complex pattern, whilst tying in the various elevations (all of which have different pitches), allowing its visual richness to flow seamlessly from one elevation to the next.” q

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Acclaimed leadworking course returns [

NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION TRAINING SERVICES (NCTS) has announced the return of its popular five-day leadwork course, Essential Lead Welding and Bossing. The course will be held at the premises of TRAIN4ALL in Taunton, beginning on 28 March.

The course begins with three days of instruction in welding techniques and practical exercises, including front apron, saddle, ridge detail and back gutter. It is followed by a day of bossing techniques. That includes downstands, chimney back, internal and external corners and front apron details.

The final day features a lecture covering the various methods of lead manufacture and a 20-question examination, which on successful completion leads to the Basic Competency Programme (BCP) qualification – a step towards gaining the CSCS card.

Previous staging of the course elicited extremely favourable reviews, with many rating it five stars. Comments included: ‘Can’t speak highly enough of NCTS and would definitely recommend’.

‘It was a seamless service from start to finish, from booking with Jo to the team finishing the course with Nigel. Every single person came away saying how much they learned’.

‘Excellent instruction/training; gained a wealth of knowledge and confidence in bossing lead and welding. A great course’.

To book a place on the course call 01992 801914 or email jo@ncts.org.uk. q

Lead producers welcome new sourcing standard

[A NEW STANDARD that supports responsible sourcing of lead

and other metals has been conditionally approved by the London Metals Exchange (LME). The joint due diligence standard helps producers of metals traded on the LME to demonstrate compliance with the exchange’s responsible sourcing requirements.

Welcoming the news in January, Dr Steve Binks, Director of Regulatory Affairs at the International Lead Association, commented: “We are delighted that the LME has recognised the joint due diligence standard.

This is a significant milestone and will help lead metal producing facilities demonstrate that they are meeting internationally recognised standards for responsible sourcing.”

The standard allows sites to be assessed by either the Copper Mark Assurance Process or the Responsible Minerals Assurance Process. It is accompanied by a due diligence tool helping brands implement the LME’s responsible sourcing policy as well as shared training resources – including frequently asked questions and animated training modules available to support implementation. The standard is available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Japanese and Russian.

The decision by the LME to recognise the joint due diligence standard is a testament to the robust framework established by the standard and is a product of the extensive and valuable collaboration between the ILA, Copper Mark, the International Zinc Association, the Nickel Institute and the Responsible Minerals Initiative. q

Vintage Leadwork and Roofing

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

Sussex Leadcraft Ltd

T: 01273 584754 M: 07837 773584 E: sussexleadcraftltd@gmail.com Unit 26, The Ridings, Telscombe Cliffs, East Sussex BN10 7EF

• Historic • Ornamental • Heritage • Conservation • Restoration www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Poster campaign highlights role of modern steeplejacks in church maintenance [

THE LATEST EDITION of ATLAS’s 21st Century Steeplejack Campaign – which raises awareness of the diverse range of access methods and services its members can offer – focuses on the role of modern steeplejacks in working on churches and other religious buildings.

Aware that many people still only associate steeplejacks with ladder access to churches, the campaign involves a series of posters being distributed to different industries and ATLAS members. The first focused on process engineering plants and the second is concerned with ecclesiastical buildings.

As ATLAS points out, the conservation and preservation of the nation’s historical and ecclesiastical buildings – including cathedrals, churches, listed buildings and monuments – is crucial in preventing their decline.

The steeplejack industry has an established track record in the restoration and maintenance of those highly-valued, iconic buildings, to ensure that they remain safe, structurally sound and visually stunning.

Conservation at height According to ATLAS: “Due to the age, value and public use of many heritage buildings and structures, it is essential that any work is carried

The following companies are all specialists in Lightning Protection Systems:

out sympathetically and with as little disruption as possible. Access can often prove challenging because of the fragile building façade or intricate architecture and ATLAS members have experience in providing appropriate solutions whatever the project using a combination of traditional steeplejack methods, rope access, specialist scaffold, mobile elevated work platforms (MEWPs), mobile towers and even industrial drones.”

What may be less obvious is the fact that the building materials used in historical and ecclesiastical structures are often more susceptible to damage than those used in more modern structures. That is where the skills of a specialist contractor are required when it comes to their repair and maintenance.

ATLAS continued: “By working closely with organisations such as the National Trust and English Heritage, as well as architects, surveyors and facilities management companies, ATLAS members undertake a wide range of specialist repairs and maintenance to heritage buildings.”

ATLAS has created a poster to demonstrate a sample of its access methods and services available at ecclesiastical sites. The poster is available to download from the ATLAS website at www.atlas.org.uk.

Copies of the poster can also be ordered in the post by completing a form on the same website. q

Testing & Installation

E: contact@harrisonlp.co.uk

T: 01325 464464 W: www.harrisonlp.co.uk

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

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

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

E: enquiries@directstrike.co.uk W: www.directstrike.co.uk

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

18 Canberra Road, Gretna, Dumfriesshire, Scotland DG16 5DP

11 Bedford Grove, Bulwell, Nottingham NG6 9DE

Rafferty Lightning Protection

Horizon Specialist Contracting Ltd

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

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

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

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With over 28 years experience our in-house design team are trained and certified to the current British & European Standards BS EN 62305:2011 for Lightning Protection Systems and BS 7430:2011 for Earthing.

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

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

Is your church covered against lightning damage?

[AS CHURCHES BEGIN to welcome their congregations once more, thoughts might naturally

turn to the risks involved – and to the relevant insurance policies in place. One of the risks traditionally endured by churches is that of lightning strike. Although there are fewer lightning strikes in the UK than elsewhere in Europe and indeed the world, the architecture of places of worship makes them particularly vulnerable.

According to leading church insurers Ecclesiastical, most damage from lightning strikes these days is to electrical equipment. Injury to people is mercifully very rare.

Insurance for damage by lightning is, says Ecclesiastical, included in most church insurance policies. The company also has guidance on the kind of lightning protection churches should have.

The guidance states: • A lightning conductor is not a condition of cover, but Ecclesiastical does advise having one fitted • if the risk assessment indicates one is required.

• Simple level 3 (loss of cultural heritage) and level 4 (loss of economic value) lightning protection • systems found on most churches need to be formally tested every four years as per • recommendations provided under BS EN 62305.

• Older lightning protection systems do not have to be upgraded unless the upgrade has been • identified during one of Ecclesiastical’s risk assessments of the church.

• Installing surge protection equipment can prevent damaging electrical power surges.

• Any work on a church’s lightning protection system should be conducted by a competent contractor.

Most authorities recommend that systems should be inspected and tested at an interval not exceeding 12 months, and Ecclesiastical states that an inspection and test is also advisable following a strike or suspected strike, as some damage may have occurred. q

LIGHTNING PROTECTION Earthing Equipment Supplies Southern Ltd is a well-established, ATLAS accredited, company offering a wide range of lightning protection services. ATLAS is the UK governing body for lightning protection. 30 years trading.

• BS EN 62305 2012 • System Installation • Upgrading • Remedial Work • Testing • Earthing

• Materials Supply • Risk Assessment Calculations • Soil Resistivity Testing • Surge Arrester Quotes • Site Visits

T: 0118 976 0239 / 07502 934466

E: sales@earthingequip.com W: earthingequip.com

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

Lavender House, Church Lane, Arborfield, Nr Reading RG2 9JA

The Coach House, 5 Court Street, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 8BR

G & S Steeplejacks Ltd

Lightning Protection Services

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

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

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

Cuttings Lightning Protection, Steeplejack and Flagpoles

The UK’s largest independent Lightning Protection & Earthing contractor

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

• Cathedrals • High Rise Office Blocks • Towers • Schools • Churches • High Rise Residential Blocks • Sports Centres • Hospitals

Design, installation and maintenance

A C Wallbridge & Co Ltd T: 01722 322750 E: mail@wallbridge.co.uk W: www.wallbridge.co.uk

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

Unit 7, Centre One, Lysander Way, Old Sarum, Salisbury SP4 6BU

• Lightning Protection • Earthing Services • Surge Protection

• Height Safety Services

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

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

www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Replica windows help turn former church into luxury homes

[THE TRACERY, a new development housed in a former church

in Shropshire, features new steel windows, doors and rooflights manufactured by the Clement Windows Group.

A chapel was first built at Swan Hill in Shrewsbury in 1767. In 1868 it was demolished and replaced with the current building. Schoolrooms were added in 1880.

Sensitivity was key to the conversion, with the majority of the original features being preserved. The walls and roofs were insulated and energy-saving measures implemented to create a comfortable, efficient living environment.

Although it was possible to restore some of the original fenestration,

double-glazed replacement steel windows were still required throughout the building. Charters Property Ltd, who purchased the deconsecrated church and transformed the building into four fabulous homes, chose various Clement ranges to meet the different criteria of the project: the Brooking range for the beautiful arched head windows on the front elevation, EB16 for other windows where silicone fronting was not required and W20 to make the steel doors.

Clement’s Brooking, EB16 and W20 bespoke steel windows and doors are modern replicas of original windows, offering improved thermal performance and security. Manufactured from hot-rolled steel window sections, generally in compliance with BS 6510, they are produced from recycled steel source material, hot dip galvanised to EN ISO BS:1461 and with a polyester powder coat paint finish to BS:6497 or BS EN 13438.

In total, over 30 windows were specified in various shapes and sizes.

Clement 2 and 4 Conservation Rooflights were also installed throughout the development, allowing masses of light in through the beautiful, high ceilings. The rooflights are offered in two profiles – slate and tile – and silicone fronted to give the appearance of traditional putty glazing. Available in eight standard sizes from stock or made to measure, the range achieved a BFRC Window Energy Rating of A+. Manufactured from mild steel sheet to ISO 9001 quality systems, they are all supplied with 24mm insulated glass units, argon gas filled and with self cleaning glass as standard, with a polyester powder coat paint finish to BS EN 13438.

James Charters, director of Charters Property, commented: “We were very pleased with the attention to detail and finish of the steel windows. Clement took ownership of their section of the project and were able to deliver a complex scheme on time and to a very good standard. We have used Clement rooflights on numerous projects and appreciate the fast delivery and easy installation. Their products have met with local authority approval on all of our heritage-sensitive work. This means we can specify a great looking product in the knowledge that it will also fulfil our planning criteria.”

Clement Windows Group manufacture an innovative range of steel windows, doors, screens and rooflights, specialising in conservation work for both private residences and commercial projects. Based just outside London in Surrey, they regularly supply to overseas clients, particularly in North America. q • For further infirmation call 01428 643393, email info@clementwg.co.uk or visit the website at clementwindows.co.uk.

Pictures courtesy of Charters Property, taken by Laura Kelly of Lskphoto

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New report says embedding heritage-led regeneration key to historic towns’ future [

EMBEDDING heritage-led regeneration within wider investment programmes aimed at revitalising high streets and enhancing local and regional infrastructure, will more effectively drive the growth and renewal of Britain’s historic town centres, says a new report from national planning and development consultancy, Lichfields.

The Historic Opportunities report comes at a time of changing fortunes for the nation’s historic towns and sheds light on the environmental, economic and social contributions that heritage-led regeneration can deliver long-term for hundreds of locations across the country.

It considers how long-term thinking and a holistic approach to regeneration are keys to success, recognising that the most effective way to plan for strong and vibrant future high streets and town centres is through projects focused ‘more than ever’ on repurposing heritage assets in ambitious and creative ways to meet society’s changing needs.

The report builds on the themes contained in Lichfields Moving on Up? report, which analysed over 100 bids for three key funding streams aimed at delivering town centre regeneration: the £3.6bn Towns Fund, the £1bn Future High Streets Fund (of which £95m is set aside for High Street Heritage Action Zones) and most recently the £4.8bn Levelling Up Fund.

This revealed that heritage-led regeneration is among six key themes underpinning these bids; the reasons for this are considered in greater detail within the Historic Opportunities report. The report demonstrates that when done well, heritage-led regeneration is not just an expedient ‘sticking plaster’ applied to cover up deep-rooted problems, it can also be a powerful and recognisable indicator of change that inspires confidence, local pride and further investment.

Almost half of the current buildings in retail use and 33% of office buildings were built before 1919 with many of these suffering from chronic neglect or having been poorly adapted in response to various cycles of economic and social change. However, while targeted investment in the restoration and reuse of heritage assets to deliver wider economic and social benefits is not a new approach, the report finds that the way heritage-led regeneration is being implemented has evolved and is now far more complex and multi-layered.

The report highlights that the tendency to think that simply restoring historic buildings and adding new shopfronts and usable floorspace will be enough to deliver regeneration and attract new occupiers, has given way to more effective heritage-led

reflect changes in retail and growing demand for leisure activities, creative and flexible workspaces, and housing in sustainable and accessible locations.

“It’s also about bringing the history of towns to the surface, engaging communities in heritage projects and enhancing places with the aim of attracting new businesses, visitors and residents.”

The Historic Opportunities report also considers two case studies – North Shields in the North East and Grimsby in Lincolnshire – and how they are now looking to a brighter future on the back of far-sighted heritage funding. This funding is continuing to revitalise these places as part of long-term regeneration strategies, which are delivering transformative change whilst also revealing a rich heritage.

Lichfields has produced a new report that says embedding heritage-led regeneration is key to historic towns’ future regeneration projects that are predicated on clearer business and investment strategies.

These are designed to complement and form an embedded part of wider investment programmes, which are aimed at improving local economies through investment in infrastructure, new industries and technologies.

Embedding heritage-led regeneration in this way harnesses investment’s potential to inspire action and promote initiatives as well as delivering more effective and sustainable regeneration results.

James Fryatt planner and heritage consultant at Lichfields’ Newcastle office James Fryatt, planner and heritage consultant at Lichfields’ Newcastle office and the report’s lead author, said: “Heritage-led regeneration projects need to be focused more than ever on reusing assets in ambitious and creative ways to respond to people’s changing lifestyle, work and shopping habits.

In the high street for instance, this will see historic buildings increasingly adapted to

Nick Bridgland Lichfields’ heritage director

Nick Bridgland, Lichfields’ heritage director, added: “This is an important report and comes at a time of rapid change for our historic towns. Heritage-led investment must be far more dynamic because it’s such a valuable tool for regeneration. The key to long-term success is to see it as part of an overarching holistic approach embedded within wider programmes of investment aimed at revitalising places that have been left behind.

“There are many positives on the horizon and our report points to a successful future for those historic towns that take advantage of the available funding and adopt a fresh approach to heritage-led regeneration work.”

Founded in 1962, Lichfields offers a range of planning services including economics, heritage, sustainability and GIS. Its clients include local authorities and government bodies, as well as developers, landowners and operators in the housing, retail, leisure, commercial, waste and recycling and infrastructure sectors. q • A copy of the ‘Historic Opportunities’ report is available at lichfields.uk/content/ insights/historic-opportunities www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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Light and airy Atrium leads into a thriving church [GREYFRIARS CHURCH in Reading has recently seen the

opening of a new foyer, coffee shop and bookshop – with a new, wide doorway through into the church’s West End. It is light, contemporary and full of life. It is called The Atrium.

The church dates back to 1285 on its current site. It was a Franciscan Friary, but was restored as a Victorian church in the 1860s. In 2000 it was re-ordered by Maguire & Co – predecessors to JBKS Architects, who designed The Atrium – and has since grown and developed into a thriving evangelical Anglican church. They had been desperate for more facilities and space for years, but the site was too constricted and difficult for any solution to be viable.

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Then God sent a breakthrough. Two adjacent properties, with their gardens abutting the Greyfriars site, came up for sale. They were both owned by Reading Borough Council and used as offices. It was ideal: the houses could be used for Greyfriars’ staff offices and the two gardens combined with the existing Greyfriars site to make room for a spacious, sky-lit link leading to much needed toilets.

JBKS Architects had been trying to squeeze in a solution before, but it was impossible and unsatisfactory. Now, suddenly it was all possible; not just for toilets and offices but for a whole new glassfronted west end. That would replace the 1970s fortress-style building, which was working hard but way past its use-by date.

After its fair share of battles to gain permission, the project has now been completed by Ash Contracting Ltd and is open. There is a welcoming coffee shop, foyer space, a fully stocked and bright bookshop and – something this church has never had before – a wide-open access into the church through the west wall. That access was a major feat of construction. It was necessary to cut through a one-metre-thick solid flint wall, just below a fine traceried stainedglass window.

JBKS Architects’ partner Jeremy Bell explained: “The temporary works alone were like railway bridge-sized steel girders. For those who are interested, I reviewed the steel calculations, and the beams were 11 times stronger than required to hold up the lintel. That was because they were especially designed to ensure no danger of deflection, for the sake of the beautiful medieval stained-glass window above.

“By comparison, it was far easier to build the stunning, curved glass exterior wall with the Grade One-listed west wall behind. This is now a graceful statement of contrast and harmony – the old and the new.”

With The Atrium now complete, the foundation piles have already been poured for Phase Two, to which it will be linked. Phase Two replaces the old sports hall, which has also passed its use-by date. It was a noisy badminton type hall; working hard, but shabby and beyond restoration.

Jeremy Bell continued: “The church has been bold in investing in God’s church in a way that is worthy of His message: one of ‘A hope and a future’ (Jeremiah 29 v 11).

“Great credit should go to the Greyfriars client team, who have indeed been courageous, but also professional, intelligent, and good leaders. They have persevered over hurdle after hurdle, as well as through refusals and appeals.

“In addition, even more credit should be given to the Greyfriars congregation, who have supported the vision and more or less paid for the project. It is eye-watering to realise that it is out of the pockets of ordinary people that most of the funds have come. They seek no individual recognition.

“Their chief motivation is what God has done for them, through the blessing of salvation, and His constant presence and support for

them in their lives. Without these humble but amazing people, the vision would never have become reality.”

At the opening ceremony Greyfriars’ vicar the Rev David Walker commented: “After 20 years of planning and preparing we are delighted to announce that Phase One of Greyfriars’ redevelopment project is complete and the new atrium is open!

“The Atrium at Greyfriars is a light and welcoming space for Reading, with a new coffee shop facing onto Friar Street, a Christian bookshop and lots of flexible space for the people of Reading to build community together. Our vision for The Atrium is that it is for every person in Reading; from the youngest to the oldest and from those in great need to those who want to serve and help others.

For 710 years Greyfriars has been serving the poor and sharing the Gospel and we look forward to marking this new phase of the church’s life with you.” q

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Stirling Prize winner showcases brick from leading manufacturer

[THE 25th Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stirling Prize

has been awarded to Kingston University London – Town House.

Designed by Grafton Architects, Town House incorporates bricks from producer Michelmersh.

The jury for the 2021 RIBA Stirling Prize was chaired by Lord Norman Foster and included RIBA president Simon Allford, architect Annalie Riches – 2019 RIBA Stirling Prize winner – and artist Dame Phyllida Barlow. The panel was advised by architect Mina Hasman, a sustainability expert.

RIBA’s Stirling Prize has been awarded almost annually since 1996 – except for 2020, when it was delayed due to coronavirus – to recognise buildings deemed to have the most significant impact on British architecture.

The Town House extends the public realm as it is set back from the street, boldly presenting a 200m-long, six-storey structure with a colonnade that beautifully showcases Michelmersh’s Freshfield Lane First Quality Multi Bricks among the shelves of connected public space.

The value of social cohesion and the spirit of learning were successfully captured through the conscientious and dynamic design by Grafton Architects, who created a democratic and open space, allowing for a sense of home and belonging. The open spaces that permeate the building break down barriers between the university and the local community, showing that the Town House is a place for everyone.

Commitments to sustainability are showcased throughout by thoughtfully-placed colonnades that create solar shading – cooling the building and reducing energy consumption – by urban draining, a photovoltaic array, roof gardens and landscaping. The outer brickwork also provides increased thermal retention, adding to the sustainable credentials of the building. The Town House received an environmental certification of BREEAM Excellent.

Internally the building is considerate of the different uses students and staff have for the space. Dance studios, libraries and theatres are incorporated seamlessly with an acoustic design, allowing for them to operate with minimal overlap. On the ground floor, open, transparent façades allow passers-by to view the activities happening inside, with views being more shaded in the upper levels.

Speaking on behalf of the 2021 RIBA Stirling Prize jury, Lord Norman Foster said: “Kingston University Town House is a theatre for life – a warehouse of ideas. It seamlessly brings together student and town communities, creating a progressive new model for higher education, well deserving of international acclaim and attention. In this highly-original work of architecture, quiet reading, loud performance, research and learning can delightfully co-exist. That is no mean feat. Education must be our future – and this must be the future of education.”

Kingston University Town House was described by RIBA judges as ‘high quality at every scale’ and Michelmersh was proud to contribute high-quality products towards such an architecturally notable building.

The company’s joint-CEO Frank Hanna was keen to relay congratulations on the project. “Seeing Grafton Architects incorporate our Freshfield Lane First Quality Multi Bricks into the project is great and it is fantastic to see brickwork recognised at the pinnacle of architectural excellence,” he commented. “Grafton truly deserve the praise they receive for designing such an excellent project. Incorporating open spaces into the building is a unique way to coalesce the natural zeal of a university with the thoughtful consideration of a welcoming environment.” q Images copyright © Ed Reeve

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