Parishioners’ kindness alleviates COVID restrictions [
THE TOWER and spire of St Thomas’s Church in St Helier, Jersey, stand approximately 196ft above ground level. They are constructed from Brittany granite and are of mid-Victorian Gothic design – and are on the main public highway into the town. The spire houses the main cross beam that supports an ornate cast iron cross. Four steel rods are hooked under small decorative openings. The cross beam and rods provide compression for the spire stonework. After the church was struck by lightning, Stokeon-Trent company Rafferty Specialist Access Services Ltd were asked to undertake a review of the existing lightning protection system. That was in 2019. A risk assessment revealed that the existing lightning protection system fell short of what was required in accordance with BS EN 62305. Rafferty’s were employed to install a modern system. During those works it became apparent that serious problems existed with the spire stonework and the cross steelwork. The church employed Colin Smith Partnership (CSP) to project manage the works. The initial concern faced by Mark Cashion of CSP and Nick Rafferty was the potential danger to life due to the unstable stonework and unsafe steelwork. In addition, stone finials on the spire were rocking on their stems: the dowels and bonding mortar had completely perished. The original 1880s steelwork was heavily corroded. Swift action was needed to avert a major incident.
The following companies are all specialists in Lightning Protection Systems:
In January 2020 Rafferty’s designed a scaffolding that was capable of protecting the church and the public, allowed the work to be completed without incident and was more cost effective than a full scaffolding from ground level. The scaffolding was commented on by members of the Jersey government as being an achievement to be admired. Then the COVID virus struck. While everything had been made as safe as possible, the loose stones and corroded steelwork were still in place and needed immediate repair. However, the project had to stop until clear guidance had been received. Thanks to a massive effort by Canon Dominic and Mark Cashion, Rafferty’s were back in Jersey at the end of June 2020 to remove the cross steelwork and repoint the internal stonework. The steelwork supporting the cross was replaced with stainless steel and the cast iron cross refurbished and gilded. The external spire stonework was fully repointed and the top section rebuilt. For certain stages of the works the men had to remain on church property. The kind response from the parishioners and church members went beyond what anyone could expect. Home-cooked food was delivered daily; it was a kindness that will be remembered in Rafferty’s history. Canon Dominic commented: “The scaffolding really was a work of art and will be long remembered by the locals and myself. Rafferty’s will be a name forever associated with St Thomas’s Church, Jersey.” 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
452 Watnall Road, Hucknall NG15 6FQ
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
44
www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk
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
