Ecclesiastical & Heritage World Issue No. 96

Rising from the ashes: insurer mobilises to help rebuild historic Salford church

When fire all-but destroyed the cherished Church of The Ascension in Salford, Greater Manchester, a campaign to restore the much-loved community asset was begun almost immediately. At the same time the church’s insurer, Ecclesiastical, swung into action to ensure the building was made safe without damaging anything that could be saved.

The team from Ecclesiastical then worked with the church and the local community to rebuild their facilities, including the special little touches that mean so much.

The result of the collaboration is a fully-restored church that has the added infrastructure of a modern building.

Read about the complex and demanding rebuilding programme on page 6

5 Reflections

CHURCH LIGHTING

24 When it comes to church lighting ...experience matters

26 Thameside church receives a new night-time lighting upgrade

ARCHIVE STORAGE

27 Recycled board makes archive boxes as strong as elephant hide rth

SOUND & AV SYSTEMS

29 Dates announced for next year’s ISCVEx

29 The world of AV returns to Olympia

31 When it comes to creative solutions, it pays to keep it in the family

32 Bournville Parish Church gets sound system upgrade

33 Hearing loops: why your venue should have one

MANCHESTER TOWN HALL

34 Conservation work reveals Town Hall’s decorative glories

ROOFING

37 Heritage projects shine in UK Roofing Awards

37 Slating skills on display at Royal Highland Show

BRICKS

39 Repurposing project features in clutch of brickmaker’s RIBA winners

[ LOWER BROUGHTON, IN SALFORD, is not a place many people have heard of; but for any alumnus of the university there it holds a fond place in memory. It has for many years been the centre of a thriving church community, so when the church suffered a catastrophic fire in 2017 that community was traumatised. A massive effort resulted in a rebuilding programme that has restored the church to its former place in the community, aided greatly by the efforts of its insurer Ecclesiastical, as can be seen from the front cover of this issue.

• As the case of the Church of the Ascension demonstrates, a go od insurance company can be a make-orbreak factor when disaster strikes; and with an increase in lightning strikes being predicted as a result of climate change, more churches will be looking to their policies to ensure they cover indirect damage such as that suffered by electronic systems due to power surges. An expert urges us to make sure we have the correct cover.

• One of the secondary consequences of the need to rebuild a church or other heritage building is the opportunity to include modern facilities – in addition to the sound and AV systems that are vulnerable to lightning strikes. Access for disabled people is now a legal obligation, and can pose a puzzle for designers to come up with a solution that is in keeping with the building’s character.

St Paul’s Cathedral is a case in point. The solution is an award-winner in its own right.

• A disability that often goes unnoticed is hearing loss. Nevertheless, people with hearing loss have the same rights of access as anyone with a more obvious disability.

The usual way of providing access for people with hearing loss is the hearing loop. While installing a loop may provide a feeling of ‘job done’ for building managers, it is of little use if it is not maintained and tested on a regular basis.

• Hearing loops, church insurance and all the panoply of goods and services that keep the wheels of a church well oiled need a shop window. For many years now Christian Resources Exhibition (CRE) have been offering a platform for all those businesses that provide that oil – initially in London, then Surrey and later around the UK. The show even ventured across the pond on one occasion. Although that endeavour was not exactly a success in numbers terms, it resulted in one of the most highly-regarded series of Bible notes. We hear from a number of regular CRE-ers on why they keep coming back year after year.

• The whole spectrum of services that keep churches operational also apply to heritage buildings across the board. A number of heritage attractions and museums are this year flinging open their doors to visitors after refurbishment programmes delayed by COVID (yes, it still rears its ugly head). One such is the Ragged School Museum in London. Anyone brought up in an industrial environment, North or South, will be aware of the influence of the ragged schools on the education of the working classes in the 19th century.

• With the huge variety of museums offering insights into their subject matter, deciding on a favourite is a monumental task. Fortunately, most of us don’t need to perform that exercise: the judges of the Art Fund Museum of the Year, on the other hand, do. This year they have chosen the Burrell Collection in Glasgow for the prize. It recently reopened after a major refurbishment. I for one am looking forward to paying it a visit. q

Chris Stokes

Editor, Ecclesiastical & Heritage World

RISING FROM THE ASHES

INSURER MOBILISES TO HELP REBUILD HISTORIC SALFORD CHURCH

[ AT 11.20PM on Sunday 12 February 2017 a fire broke out at the Grade Two-listed Church of the Ascension in Lower Broughton, Salford, Greater Manchester. A total of six crews from Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service battled for hours to contain the blaze, which ultimately devastated the building.

The much-loved church is considered a key component of Lower Broughton’s identity and plays an important role in both spiritual and social terms as an inclusive community space and is accessible to all.

It had recently undergone a £250,000 restoration project which people in the community had helped to fund. A Paradise Garden had been created aimed at delivering practical skills training, ‘learning by growing’ activities and work experience for volunteers within the community: greatly improving their confidence, skill set and employability, as well as providing a sense of collaboration, shared ownership and social connection. There was a native species cottage garden, organic vegetable plots, fruit trees and lawns. There were also bee hives producing honey.

Following the fire, many members of the local community gathered outside the church building to survey the damage, some reduced to tears.

Dealing with the immediate aftermath…and beyond

Immediately following the fire, the church’s insurers Ecclesiastical carefully assembled a team of experts to attend the site as soon as it was authorised by the fire service.

The local authority was concerned about the structure being unsafe

and had sent a machine to demolish parts of it. Ecclesiastical’s staff were able to work with them to assess and determine what could be made safe, so nothing was demolished unnecessarily. They even managed to take the opportunity to remove the cross from what remained of the remaining roof so it could be restored and reinstated. Drone technology was used to assist structural engineers with the initial assessment of the structure.

After the initial priorities it was time to move on to what the restoration would look like. What should be kept? What could be modified to make the space fit for purpose in the future?

Ecclesiastical’s specialist claims consultant Paul Humphries explained: “It’s not just the building work that is complex. We work closely with the church and other interested parties to ensure that the rebuild is undertaken in a way that preserves as much of the history of the church as possible. However, it is also important to consider the current and future needs of the church and wider community: it’s about reaching a solution that works for everyone.”

It’s often the little touches that mean so much to a church and community that Ecclesiastical take the time to understand. Helping them access the apples from the fruit trees when they were ripe; moving the precious beehives to another location until they were able to be moved back home again was greatly appreciated by the church community.

The project was split into two phases and Ecclesiastical ensured carefully selected experts were appointed to complete the works.

Phase one: the exterior

Repair work began in October 2018. Specialist architects and a civil engineering firm were appointed to work on the first phase alongside the construction company who would lead phase one of the £2.46m structural works.

The work was preceded by a blessing ceremony led by Canon David Wyatt and the Bishop of Manchester, Rt Revd David Walker.

Phase one included reinstatement of the structural elements of the building, such as columns, roof structures and slate coverings, stone and brick repairs, stained glass window and window guard replacements and ceiling finishes.

The project's most challenging elements included replacing the columns, which were severely damaged in the fire. Internal scaffolding was needed to provide long-term stability to the remaining structure, but it wasn’t safe to enter the building due to the stone columns being significantly weakened by the fire – the eponymous Catch-22 situation.

It needed complex engineering solutions. A bespoke fabricated cage was lowered into the building to provide a safe place from which the columns could be sprayed with concrete. That work could only be carried out when low wind speeds meant it was safe to proceed. The concrete increased the mass of the columns, providing sufficient stability to the walls above to allow the internal scaffolding to be safely installed.

Further engineering input was required to design a system whereby the high-level walls could be supported while the columns were removed. A supporting framework was carefully moved into position, while precision monitoring was carried out to identify any slight movement in the building. The columns were then removed two at a time and replaced by central steel columns to take the load, which were then clad with stone.

Phase two: the interior

The second phase began in September 2021, with a £2.5m internal refit of the church building.

As well as focusing on preserving the historical features of the church, as part of the restoration Ecclesiastical work with customers to build-in modernisations to enable them to make the space serve the requirements of today’s use.

In the case of the Church of the Ascension, heavy pews were replaced by movable chairs. The floor was levelled and toilets and kitchens were added to provide better accessibility for all. The restoration also provided an opportunity to think about improving sustainability. An innovative air-source underfloor heating system and motion sensor LED lights were installed to help the church improve its energy efficiency.

The eagle lectern was seen as a real symbol of the church: a connection to the past and a survivor of the fire, albeit a damaged one. Its restoration was particularly special to everyone.

Restoration of the building was completed by the end of September

last year, with the first service taking place in early October. On Saturday 19 November the church and community came together to mark the completion of the £5m restoration project with a rededication ceremony. The Revd Canon Falak Sher, Incumbent of The Ascension, declared: “The Church of the Ascension is risen from the ashes now after five years. The presence of the church at the heart of the community is uplifting for the people of Lower Broughton. I am very pleased to be able to serve the people of God here.” q

• To find out more about this wonderful restoration project just visit www.ecclesiastical.com/ascension or you can visit Ecclesiastical at CRE Midlands on Stand P29.

BURRELL COLLECTION NAMED MUSEUM OF THE YEAR

[ THE BURRELL COLLECTION has been announced as the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2023. Duncan Dornan, head of museums and collections at Glasgow Life, was presented with the £120,000 prize – the largest museum prize in the world – by the artist Sir Grayson Perry at a ceremony at the British Museum in London.

The Burrell Collection, in Pollok Country Park, Glasgow, houses the 9,000-object collection of Sir William and Constance Burrell. Managed by the charity Glasgow Life, it was officially reopened by King Charles in October 2022 following a major refurbishment and redisplay, which aimed to celebrate diversity through the museum’s rich and varied collection and create the most accessible, inclusive and sustainable fine and decorative arts museum in the world.

Jenny Waldman, director of Art Fund and chair of the judges for Art Fund Museum of the Year, commented: “The Burrell Collection is extraordinary: a world-class collection displayed in an inspirational building, in harmony with the surrounding landscape of Pollok Country Park. Reopened in 2022, the sensitive renovation and collection redisplay invite exploration and delight, with innovative digital displays offering new ways of understanding the art and objects in the museum’s light, welcoming spaces. All this was achieved with a strong shared purpose and with the involvement of local community groups in Glasgow.

“Huge congratulations to the talented team at the Burrell Collection for winning Art Fund Museum of the Year 2023 and to those who invest in supporting its important work. Thanks to them this museum is truly for everyone to enjoy.”

The Burrell Collection welcomed over 500,000 visitors in the year after its reopening and contributed £20m to Glasgow’s economy in its first six months. Over 100 pieces of unique digital interpretation, from immersive experiences to interactive games, give context and meaning to the collection on a scale and to a quality previously unseen with decorative and fine art collections.

The museum was one of five finalists for the prize. The other shortlisted museums were Leighton House in London, The MAC in Belfast, Natural History Museum and Scapa Flow Museum in Orkney. Each finalist will receive £15,000.

The prize is funded thanks to the generosity of Art Fund’s members who buy a National Art Pass. Pass holders enjoy discounts and benefits at the shortlisted museums and hundreds of museums and galleries across the UK. q

The 2023 judging panel, chaired by Jenny Waldman, included artist Larry Achiampong, historian and broadcaster Mary Beard, Art Fund trustee and author Abadesi Osunsade and Laura Pye, director of National Museums Liverpool.

CHARLES II’S PRIEST’S MISSAL SAVED FOR THE NATION BY NT

[ A 400-YEAR-OLD PRAYER BOOK

that once belonged to a priest who helped save the life of King Charles II has gone on public display after being bought for the nation by the National Trust. Father John Huddleston’s personal missal can now be viewed at Moseley Old Hall, near Wolverhampton: the house where he was Chaplain when Charles sought refuge after escaping Cromwell’s troops following the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

The book, bearing Fr Huddleston’s signature, was purchased by the charity at auction, thanks to a generous donation from a volunteer and support from the Friends of the National Libraries. The successful bid means the important piece of history has been saved for the nation and has returned to Moseley, some 363 years since it was first there.

Published in Paris in 1623, the rare copy of the Missale Romanum was possibly used to convert Charles II to Catholicism on his deathbed.

Fr Huddleston was a Benedictine priest who lived at Moseley Old Hall, dressed as a servant, with the Catholic Whitgreave family, who had stayed loyal to the Royalist cause following the execution of Charles I. He helped Charles II to seek refuge in his first-floor room, which had a view of the approach road as well as an escape route via a

back staircase. A priest hole, accessible by a trapdoor beneath the floor of a cupboard, provided a hiding space for Charles when armed soldiers turned up at the house. The ‘King’s Bed’, upon which Charles managed to get some sleep, fully clothed, also remains in the hall today.

Charles summoned Fr Huddleston to his bedside at Whitehall Palace in London in 1685, as he lay dying. Huddleston heard the King’s confession, administered the Eucharist and received him into the Catholic Church. The Duke of York is believed to have said that Huddleston saved the King’s life twice: first his body, then his soul.

The missal joins a collection that includes portraits of Thomas Whitgreave and Fr Huddleston, as well as a letter King Charles II sent to a young local woman, Jane Lane, thanking her for helping him escape to France.

Sarah Kay, cultural heritage curator, said: “We’re delighted to have secured this important book which is central to the story of Moseley. If we hadn’t acquired it, it is likely to have gone into private hands and not been accessible by the public. Displaying and interpreting the missal will provide a compelling focus and renewed impetus for telling the story of Charles II’s remarkable escape.” q

BOXFORD TIMBER IS OLDEST DECORATIVELY CARVED WOOD FOUND IN BRITAIN

[ A LARGE PIECE OF WOOD discovered by chance during the construction of a workshop in Boxford, Berkshire, lying in peat in excellent condition, has been identified by Historic England as being more than 6,000 years old – making it the oldest decoratively carved wood in Britain. It was carved 2,000 years before Stonehenge was built and 4,500 years before the Romans came to Britain.

Experts from Historic England, working with scientists from Nottingham Tree-ring Dating Laboratory and The Centre for Isotope Research at the University of Groningen, carried out radiocarbon dating of a timber slice from the wood. The data shows there is a 95% probability that the piece of wood dates from around 4,640 to 4,605 BC.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “It’s remarkable that, by doing routine building work, a piece of modestlooking decorative wood turns out to be the oldest ever found in Britain. This exciting find has helped to shine new light on our distant past and we’re grateful to the landowner for recognising its significance. Amazing

GUIDANCE HELPS IN THE DETERRENCE OF BIRDS

IN MARCH Historic England issued new guidance on bird deterrence for historic buildings. In the guidance HE points out that, while most birds do not harm buildings, “…where they are present in large numbers they may cause problems. Droppings can be visually disfiguring and damage surfaces such as stonework.”

The document summarises measures owners and managers of historic buildings can take to deter birds and reduce the problems.

“Bird droppings,” the guidance notes, “contain high levels of uric and other acids, phosphates, ammonia, potassium and chlorides. The acids can attack the chemistry of stone, particularly limestones, and lead to salts causing efflorescence and spalling. Inappropriate and unnecessarily aggressive cleaning materials used to remove accumulated droppings can also damage stonework and decorative details.

“Old nests, dead birds and droppings can block gutters and downpipes. Droppings can also be smelly and are a health hazard.”

An important consideration, HE points out, is that any deterrent must not stop birds from accessing active nests.

The guidance can be downloaded from the Technical Advice section of Historic England’s website at historicengland.org.uk. q

discoveries like these remind us of the power of archaeology to uncover the hidden narratives that connect us to our roots.”

The piece of waterlogged carved oak, named the Boxford Timber, is 1m long, 0.42m wide and 0.2m thick. It was discovered by landowner Derek Fawcett during groundworks for the building of a workshop. It was found approximately 1.5m below the surface not far from the present course of the River Lambourn in a layer of peat. Peat can preserve organic materials like wood over thousands of years because the normal processes of decay are slowed right down due to a lack of oxygen within the peat.

The timber was removed and later that day was cleaned and found to have some markings that did not appear to be natural.

The purpose of the markings is not known, but they are reminiscent of the decoration seen in early Neolithic pottery and are also believed to be similar to the body decoration on the Shigir Idol – a wooden sculpture found in the Ural Mountains of Russia which, at over 12,000 years old, is believed to be the oldest example of carved wood in the world.

After being notified of the find in 2019, West Berkshire Council’s archaeologist Sarah Orr contacted Historic England for expert advice. It is now being conserved at Historic England’s science facility at Fort Cumberland in Portsmouth. q

MARLEY ALUTEC HELPS TO SAVE AQUEDUCT COTTAGE

[MARLEY ALUTEC guttering solutions have been installed during a refurbishment project at Aqueduct Cottage in Derbyshire. The volunteerled project specified the company’s solutions to ensure a long-lasting, durable installation on the historic building without the need to bring in any external tradespeople.

First built in 1802, Aqueduct Cottage is a Grade Two-listed building, which sits alongside the banks of the Cromford Canal in rural Derbyshire. Unfortunately, following years of neglect, the cottage had fallen into a state of disrepair. However, since 2016, a group called the ‘Friends of Aqueduct Cottage’ have worked alongside the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust and representatives from the Derbyshire Historic

Building Trust to restore the building to its former glory.

Marley Alutec played an important role in the restoration. Working alongside the project team, the company supplied a range of its traditional half round 125mm cuttering and Tudor 76mm downpipe system to the cottage, in its popular Heritage Black finish. The textured surface is able to accurately replicate the look of traditional cast iron gutters and downpipes.

Marley Alutec’s Heritage Black solutions are regularly specified across restoration projects, including a location that the builder at Aqueduct Cottage had previously been involved with. While visually identical to cast iron, Marley Alutec’s highperforming systems are manufactured entirely from marine-grade aluminium. As such, the solutions only require minimal maintenance over their 50-plus year functional life expectancy.

What’s more, the engineered material helps to ensure the company’s solutions are considerably lighter and easy to install. For the project team at Aqueduct Cottage that allowed the restoration of the gutter and downpipe systems to happen in a straightforward manner. Thanks to the systems’ easy-to-follow installation methods, the team of volunteers was able to handle the process entirely by themselves.

Speaking on the project, Ron Common, a Derbyshire Wildlife Trust volunteer, commented: “We were thrilled with the role Marley Alutec played on this project. The company’s products came recommended to us by our builder who had worked on a similar restoration project in the past. Straight away, it was clear the solutions were going to enable us to update the cottage, while still maintaining its classic, historic look.”

Following a conversation with the project team, Marley Alutec volunteered to supply the products used at Aqueduct Cottage free of charge. The decision was taken on grounds of the important historical role the cottage plays within the local area and the non-for-profit nature of those overseeing the restoration process. Similarly, the company’s team made themselves available to assist with any technical queries throughout the build.

Ron Common commented: “We’re an organisation made up of volunteers, which is something Marley Alutec immediately

recognised. The company was very generous in supplying us its products with no charge, as well as helping to assist with a number of important technical questions. We were beyond delighted with the support we received throughout the build and would like to thank the company again for all of its help.”

The historic cottage was originally built as a lengthsman’s and lock-keeper’s accommodation by Peter Nightingale, the great uncle of Florence Nightingale. The site remained occupied for over 160 years until around 1970, when the last known occupant left. Following this, the site became inhabited but still served as a place of shelter for walkers on the nearby canal. In 2012, the cottage was gifted to its current owners the Derbyshire Wildlife Trust.

Work at Aqueduct Cottage is now nearly complete and, once open to the public, it is expected to receive thousands of visitors per year, thanks to its beautiful location within the Lower Derwent Valley, which is also within the UNESCO Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site.

Speaking on the company’s involvement in the project, Marley Alutec’s local area sales manager commented: “We’re delighted to have played a role in this historic building restoration. Aqueduct Cottage is a magnificent site and should be a source of inspiration to those who live local to it. Thanks to the work of the project team, this is now once again the case and it is something worth celebrating." q

• For more information about Marley Alutec visit www.marleyalutec.co.uk.

RAGGED SCHOOL MUSEUM REOPENS AFTER LOTTERY-FUNDED REFURB

[THE RAGGED SCHOOL MUSEUM, set in warehouses along the Regents Canal, which were converted into one of the largest ragged schools in Victorian England, has reopened its doors to the public.

The historic school provided a place of safety, free education and activities for thousands of the poorest children in London and was saved with £4.8m funding in 2020 by The National Lottery Heritage Fund. Restoration and refurbishment of the 19th-century building is now complete, and the popular museum is welcoming people of all ages to discover and experience Victorian life in the East End as it was felt over a century ago.

The museum’s director Erica Davies said: “The Ragged School Museum is witness to the movement for universal free education, and a tribute to the men and women who struggled to achieve it.

“We urgently needed to repair and restore this important building and preserve the stories of the children that are part of its history and the community that surround it.

“It has been a huge challenge, particularly as we were hit with the first national lockdown three days into the project in 2020. We’ve overcome challenges to expand under-developed areas, improve access and make it a desirable venue.”

The refurbishment includes extended exhibition space highlighting the story of the buildings and the ragged school movement, the social

history of Victorian London and the work of Thomas John Barnardo and Anthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury: one of Britain’s greatest social reformers.

Exclusive exhibits include Dr Barnardo’s Wooton Patent Cabinet Office Secretary Desk, complete with his handwritten labels still in place. Designed to meet the requirements of someone who wanted ‘everything in its place’, it was patented by an American inventor: other famous owners included Queen Victoria and President Ulysses S Grant.

The Ragged School Museum is one of a summer programme of heritage attractions across the UK reopening to visitors after major transformations, as a result of long-term investment of over £55m grant funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Erica Davies continued: “With thanks to National Lottery players, we are delighted to be able to share the newly renovated buildings with everyone; we will be combining a strong education programme, with hireable spaces and a new canalside café.”

Eilish McGuinness, chief executive of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, commented: “It has been fantastic to watch the progress of the Ragged School Museum, seeing this project transform from the earliest stages of planning for funding to developing ideas, facing and overcoming challenges and emerging with heritage not just saved and intact, but invigorated and with a fresh perspective.” q

HERITAGE BODIES SET OUT ELECTION MANIFESTO

[ AHEAD OF THE NEXT UK general election, the Heritage Alliance – a coalition of 200 heritage organisations in England – has published its 2023 Heritage Manifesto, demonstrating how heritage provides solutions to a range of public policy challenges and setting out a vision for the sector under the next term of government.

The Heritage Manifesto has been created to draw attention to the key policy measures needed to ensure the future of our shared heritage. It urges all major political parties to adopt a five-point plan to not only protect our heritage, but also to maximise the benefits it can create for communities and the environment. The Heritage Manifesto represents the views of the Heritage Alliance’s 200-strong membership, covering the breadth of the sector; from science to creativity; from museums, railways and gardens to shipwrecks, canals and theatres; from archaeological sites to places of worship and more.

The manifesto sets out five key priorities for all decision makers:

• Support community cohesion and put heritage at the heart of regeneration by investing in and empowering councils and communities to protect and make the most of heritage locally. That should include support for targeted regeneration schemes, removing permitted development on demolition, incentivising reuse of historic buildings and embedding culture-led regeneration and community ownership in future housing and community strategies.

• Embed the historic environment in nature recovery and net-zero strategies by ensuring Environmental Land Management schemes provide robust long-term funding to land managers of at least £4.4bn a year – which includes delivering heritage outcomes on an equal footing – reforming Energy Performance Certificates and bringing forward skills training, funding, standards and advice in a National Retrofit Strategy.

• Reform the tax regime to promote long-term sustainable growth by equalising VAT on repair and maintenance with new-build, simplifying and reducing the burden of business rates and continuing

support for the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme.

• Harness cultural learning and skills at every age and help ou r workforce thrive by encouraging youth visits to heritage sites in the curriculum through subsidised entry, implementing cross-subsidised shared apprenticeship schemes, reforming the Apprenticeship Levy and offering unsponsored and conservation skill-orientated visas for heritage.

• Futureproof heritage institutions at both a national and a local level by ensuring the adequate funding and continued stability of armslength heritage bodies, protecting the 20% share of Lottery funding for the National Lottery Heritage Fund, supporting statutory Historic Environment Records with ringfenced investment in local authorities for heritage expertise and supporting proposals for a National Centre for Archaeological Archives.

Launching the Heritage Manifesto, Lizzie Glithero-West, chief executive of the Heritage Alliance, said: “Heritage is our greatest national asset and plays an important role in solving many of the challenges we face as a nation, from climate change to wellbeing. It is the backdrop to our lives and a provider of prosperity.

“Our manifesto sets out a number of practical areas in which any future administration can make a tangible difference and ensure we use and don’t lose our heritage. Support for heritage is an investment, not a bail-out. We strongly urge all parties to adopt these measures in their manifestos.”

Dr Ingrid Samuel OBE, chair of the Heritage Alliance and heritage director of the National Trust, added: “This manifesto is the product of collaborative working and combined thinking between heritage organisations across the breadth of our sector. It presents a coherent and comprehensive overview of what matters most in supporting our heritage to thrive, benefitting both people and places. We urge all political parties to take note.” q

SHINE A LIGHT! WHITEHAVEN’S LIGHTHOUSE RESTORATION COMPLETES

[A PROJECT to restore two iconic 19th-century lighthouses in Whitehaven, Cumbria, has been completed. Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners oversaw the project to bring the North Pier and West Pier lighthouses back to their former glory.

The project included repairing the internal and external ironworks. Replacement balconies and handrails have also been installed, as well as new seating at the bottom of the North Pier lighthouse. Both lighthouses also boast new lanterns.

The Harbour Commissioners focused on using local suppliers throughout the project, including lead contractor CRS Facility Management of nearby Workington.

The project has been funded mostly by Sellafield Ltd’s SiX (social impact, multiplied) programme, as well as in-kind donations from individual people and companies.

John Baker, chief executive of Whitehaven Harbour Commissioners, said: “I would like to thank everybody that has worked so hard and persevered during what has been a challenging project at times.

“Everyone can now feel satisfied they have achieved something that will have tangible benefits for Whitehaven and the local community. The restoration of the lighthouses is part of a suite of improvements and projects around the town that will combine to make it a great place to visit, live and do business.” q

RESTORED STAIRCASE SET FOR REINSTALLATION

DOROTHEA RESTORATIONS have recently posted details of the restoration of a cast-iron staircase at Langford Veterinary College – part of the University West of England. It is set in beautiful grounds just outside Bristol.

The staircase sits on top of one of the old historic Grade Two-listed buildings. It gives access to a wooden octagon lantern to provide

views around the grounds.

The staircase was actually restored last year. Following completion of roofing works Dorothea Restorations are now beginning installation.

According to the post: “Missing sections of casting were copied and recast from original surviving sections whilst remaining elements, where serviceable, were pinned and repaired.” q

The restored West Pier lighthouse

CHURCH LEADERS MEET IN ADVANCE OF CRE MIDLANDS

At the meeting, Dr Peter Green, director of the Christian Family Trust, told the audience: "It blew my mind when I visited CRE some years ago. It was so exciting; you must bring all your people here. They will see dozens of things which can transform local ministry."

Rev Margaret Simmons, from the parish of St Matthew and St Oswald in Rugby, added her note of enthusiasm. “When I was a new vicar I went with members of my church,” she said. “There was so much to see and always an excellent talks programme – such a lot to inspire fresh ideas.”

Lynn Boulden, producer at UCB Radio, relayed how the station’s Word for Today bible reading notes, written by the late Bob Gass and sent to millions worldwide, owed a debt to the exhibition. UCB’s Ian Mackie had travelled to Washington and attended the only CRE ever held in the USA. While the event itself was unsuccessful, with only a handful of visitors attending, Mackie met Gass for the first time. The rest is publishing history.

Steve Goddard, current owner and managing director of CRE, said: “Bringing people together makes all the difference. The internet is a wonderful invention; but in our opinion face to face beats mouse to mouse – every time.”

[AT THE END OF JUNE, dozens of leaders from churches across the Midlands met at Cranmore Park in Solihull (above) – the purposebuilt exhibition centre that will be the venue for the upcoming CRE Midlands 23 on 8-9 November.

More than 150 stands at CRE Midlands 23 will offer products and services ranging from contactless card machines to customised keyboards for worship. Mission on the Map will bring together a dozen missions working nationally and internationally. Some 50 talks will

feature experts offering advice in various aspects of church life, from fund raising to faith sharing.

Birmingham-born Roger Jones will bring a choir to perform a revised version of his musical Saints Alive. The BIG Sing choir, who scored a hit with the judges on Britain’s Got Talent earlier this year (right), will help open the show at 10am on 8 November – the first-ever CRE at Cranmore Park and the first in Greater Birmingham for eight years. q

• The opening hours for CRE Midlands 23 at Cranmore Park, Solihull, are: Wed 8 November, 10am-5pm; Thu 9 Nov, 10am-4.30pm. Advance tickets available from £3 (£8 on the door). Visit www.creonline.co.uk for more information.

EXHIBITION-GOERS ARE BOWLED OVER BY PLANS FOR CRE NORTH

[LESS THAN A MONTH BEFORE England faced Australia at Old Trafford, news of CRE’s next innings in Manchester was outlined to more than 50 guests at the atmospheric venue.

Representing businesses, missions and churches from across the North West and beyond, those attending heard from Bishop Tony Porter, formerly vicar of Holy Trinity Platt in Manchester, and Mark Mitchell, founder of the Mitchell Group car dealership at Cheshire Oaks. They praised the vision of owner Steve Goddard for bringing CRE North to the BEC Arena on 15-16 May next year.

“The exhibition is a vital opportunity for Christians of all denominations to find something to assist them in their ministry and

witness,” said Mark, a former High Sheriff of Chester. In a wideranging interview he admitted to beginning his commercial life at eight years of age, selling hamsters in the school playground.

Having been set up in 1990 with £100 share capital and a £10,000 bank overdraft, the Mitchell Group now employs 100 people, with a turnover of £50m – in spite of the dealership not opening on a Sunday.

Mark recalled the time when a major car manufacturer wanted to change the franchise terms to ensure dealers were open on a Sunday. Despite the impact it would have on his company, Mark refused to continue with the manufacturer, telling them: “I am more accountable to my maker than any auto manufacturer.”

The interview followed entertainment from Wirral-based Christian magician Steve Price, a Gold Star member of The Magic Circle and one-time winner of the Circle’s Originality Prize.

Brett Pitchfork, CRE event director, explained how CRE North 2024 will be the first one in Manchester for five years.

“It was the preferred venue of the majority of our 160-plus exhibitors,” said Brett. “Within the first two weeks of stand sales more than 25% of the floor space had already been taken.”

Speaking before the event, Rt Revd David Walker, Bishop of Manchester, said: “We are delighted CRE is returning to Manchester. Here is an opportunity for dozens of organisations to bring skills, services, ideas and resources to the North and for members of all church traditions to come and draw inspiration from them.” q

• To book a stand at CRE North 24 contact James Batterbee on 0161 250 2306; email james@creonline.co.uk or Carol Malpas on 0161 250 2467; email carol@creonline.co.uk

WHEN IT COMES TO CHURCH LIGHTING...

...EXPERIENCE MATTERS

[WHEN ANTHONY J SMITH (GLOS) LTD was formed in 1976, it was initially as a general electrical contracting company carrying out work in domestic, commercial and industrial properties.

Anthony’s first foray into church lighting was when his own church, St Peter’s Catholic Parish Church in Gloucester, suffered from an arson attack and as part of the Fabric Committee –he is now chairman, and has been for many years – he was allowed to carry out lighting tests and trials.

It was not the first time that Anthony experimented with the effects of light: he remembers that, as a child, he used to carry out similar experiments in the garden with a bare lightbulb and the shiny reflector from an old two-bar electric heater.

The solution at St Peter’s was obviously deemed a success, as neighbouring churches in Gloucestershire and further afield invited him to share his experience and competence in transforming those most important of buildings through the implementation of new lighting systems.

At an early stage of the church work Anthony learned two things: that a new lighting system was only as good as a careful, considerate and sympathetic installation of cabling and that the correct solution could only be found following extensive trials and discussions – not only with diocesan representatives but also with the end users of the building, namely the congregation, the PCC and the Fabric Committee.

That ethos is still followed today and while the company are happy to work and advise alongside the church architects, they are also more than happy to work directly for the churches as it allows them to work on a nonfee basis.

While Anthony’s own input to the company has been reduced – he is considerably past retirement age, but still enjoys being involved – the connection of the company to the relighting of liturgical buildings remains

strong, with it making up at least 90% of the work that the company carries out.

The company has been involved in relighting many of the country’s finest liturgical buildings over many years and some of those are currently being worked on for the second time around – which is testament to the good relationships and partnerships being formed, not only before and during the time of the projects but also long after they have been finished.

The hard work and determination of Anthony and his team have been rewarded with nationally recognised lighting design awards for lighting projects, including the external floodlighting of Worcester Cathedral, St Mary Magdalen in Sandringham (above) and the architectural gem that is St Andrew’s, Kingsbury.

The company are proud to have worked in countless churches large and small, of all denominations, over very many years, including Malmesbury Abbey (left), Belmont Abbey, Mount St Bernard Abbey, Pershore Abbey (right), Malvern Priory, the Birmingham Oratory, St Chad’s Cathedral and the church on the Royal Estate in Sandringham, at which, directly after completion, Anthony was invited to read the first lesson in front of the distinguished worshippers.

A large project at the Catholic Cathedral in Plymouth was completed last year (opposite

page). This consisted of the complete design and installation of new lighting and wiring which included external colour change LED lighting for the visually dominating spire. q

• For further information call 01453 825 130, email the team at enquiries@anthonyjsmith. co.uk or visit www.anthonyjsmith.co.uk. Alternatively you can visit Anthony J Smith (Glos) Ltd at CRE Midlands on Stand A23.

THAMESIDE CHURCH RECEIVES A NEW NIGHT-TIME LIGHTING UPGRADE

[SITED NEXT TO the River Thames adjacent to the notable suspension bridge in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, the Grade Two*-listed All Saints Church has until now been illuminated externally for many years using old and worn-out sodium floodlights.

With spare lamps beginning to become harder to source and running costs increasing, Church Lighting Systems – part of CLS Electrical Services Ltd – were asked to provide a cost-effective energy saving solution to replace the 11 existing 250w sodium discharge floodlights with more energy-efficient LED fittings. Working closely with a UK manufacturer, CLS sourced a suitable replacement: an exterior slimline warm white LED floodlight that exceeds the light output of the sodium fittings but more than halves the power consumption.

Installation began in the early hours by disconnecting and removing the existing sodium floodlights, nine of which were ground mounted and two fixed to the tower, illuminating the spire. The existing wiring and controls were tested for insulation resistance and found to be suitable to be re-used with the new LED fittings, meaning no additional cost was incurred replacing them. In addition, the original concrete bases could also be re-used, reducing installation time and, ultimately, cost.

Work progressed very well and the favourable weather meant that the replacement fittings were installed in one day. The results speak for themselves; and to finish the team returned in the hours of darkness to position the new light fittings to provide optimal illumination to the exterior of the magnificent church.

Both ‘team CLS’ and the church wardens were left happy and following a quick photo shoot, they were left to enjoy their renewed lighting installation. q

RECYCLED BOARD MAKES ARCHIVE BOXES AS STRONG AS ELEPHANT HIDE

CONSERVATION BY DESIGN – CXD are manufacturers of archival storage boxes, folders and envelopes from its exclusive range of acid-free papers and boards. In addition to a number of stock sizes, the company has a huge collection of box, folder and envelope cutting dies designed to meet customers’ specific requirements and to which they are continuously adding.

The Premier Duo Archival Boxboard and Premier Archival Paper developed by the founder of CXD, Stuart Welch, has become the benchmark for quality when making acid-free paper-based products.

Stuart explained: “We can normally meet a customer's needs using our existing dies, which saves the cost of a new die. Setting up a die cutting platen takes time and we require an order quantity of 100 boxes or more. However, in 1992 CXD were the first company outside the USA to offer custom-made one-off items made on a computer-generated cutting machine. When we launched our Smart Box manufacturing service in 1992 we revolutionised the way that custom-made rare book and document enclosures are created”.

In CXD’s factory the process of die cutting generates waste trim around the edge of the paper or board from which the folder or box is cut. However, Stuart says that he is ‘proud of his waste’.

Stuart thought that the waste deserved to be recycled into something special which would also be of benefit to CXD customers. First, he hit upon the idea of making an Archival Millboard which he named ‘Superior Millboard’ for use by bookbinders and conservators of rare books.

“For more than 22 years we have been recycling our CXD Premier grade acid-free paper and board waste,” Stuart explained. “Re-pulping our waste gives it another life when it becomes our Green EcopHant Boxboard and Superior Millboard. We estimate that, not only have we created a fantastic ‘A’ Grade recycled fully archival quality millboard and boxboard, but have saved more than 600 tonnes of high-quality archival paper and board fibre from going to waste or being mixed with general paper waste and turned into a lower grade product.

“By managing our waste, CXD make it possible to offer a quality of board that we would be confident to guarantee for 500 years if that made sense. However, you only need to look at paper and boards made 500 years ago from high-quality fibre to see that it does, indeed, make sense.”

Millboard is made on a special papermaking machine known as an intermittent cylinder mould machine. The machine is a large drum which turns and picks up a layer of fibre from the pulp on every rotation until it has reached the required thickness. At that point it is cut from the drum and goes on for processing, which includes being pressed to a highdensity board suitable for bookbinding.

That kind of machine normally makes low-quality products and it was remarkably hard for CXD to find a mill which could achieve the quality required. They tried three companies before finding one who was willing to work with CXD to develop a board of the standard required.

It soon became obvious that the demand for Superior Millboard would not be enough to satisfy the amount of the CXD Premier waste being generated. At that time most archives in the UK were using a non-archival specification boxboard which had a recycled low-density pulp centre lined on each side with a stronger Kraft (meaning strength in German) paper. Some boxes are made with a board which has a polyethylene layer on the inside to act as a barrier against acid and other pollutants coming from the low-grade recycled centre of the board.

CXD decided to make a fully archival acid-free boxboard from its Premier Duo post-production waste. That board needed to be of a little lower density than the Millboard, otherwise it would be too hard to die cut and fold into boxes. Stuart named it EcopHant Archival Boxboard: partly because it was as tough as elephant hide and was eco friendly. He decided to make the Superior Millboard green, using a bleed-proof dye to distinguish it from the non-archival millboard available on the market. He called the colour Elephant Green. There was some resistance to start with from customers who were so used to their brown archive boxes and found it hard to make the change to the higher quality and more durable box. The EcopHant boxboard is enormously strong and offers great value for money. The standard EcopHant boxes are assembled using brass wire stitches or rivets.

Stuart continued the story: “In response to an enquiry from Essex Record Office we designed a new range of boxes, which we named after their first conservator Amy Lydamore. Those boxes are designed to be flat packed for self-assembly, which saves on transport and storage space for the customer when compared to stitched or riveted boxes. If requested CXD will assemble the boxes and deliver assembled. We are very fond of the design of these boxes, for which we also created an innovative pull tab at no extra cost.

“The waste trim from our EcopHant boxes also goes into our recycling mix and it all goes round and round and round, ad infinitum.”

Under the direction of Stuart Welch, CXD have always been known as innovators. They have developed many of the products which are now relied upon by conservators in the UK, Europe and around the world.

Stuart concluded: “We pride ourselves on the quality of our products and are the proud holders of a Royal Warrant of Appointment to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.” q

• For further information visit the website at www.cxdinternational.com.

CXD founder Stuart Welch with a sheet of Superior Millboard

DATES ANNOUNCED FOR NEXT YEAR’S ISCVEx

[ISCVE – the Institute of Sound, Communications and Visual Engineers – has announced the dates for ISCVEx 2024, its annual conference and exhibition. The event will take place at Coombe Abbey in Coventry on 19-20 March. Next year’s event promises to be the perfect platform for industry professionals from all sectors of the professional audio, communications and visual industries.

Taking place over two days, ISCVEx is a great environment for visitors to get inspired and advance their business with thought-leading seminars and inspiring talks. ISCVEx day one includes ISCVE’s Member’s Day, AGM and Networking Dinner, while day two includes three seminars and the exhibition with over 30 exhibitors drawn from distributors and manufacturers.

Those attending also get the opportunity to network with other top industry figures from all sectors of the audio, communications and visual

THE WORLD OF AV RETURNS TO OLYMPIA

[THE WORLD of live entertainment technology will once again convene at Olympia London from 3-5 September for PLASA Show 2023. The key international show, staged by the Professional Lighting and Sound Association, will connect over 200 exhibitors with around 5,000 visitors, who can register for free until 31 August.

PLASA Show will feature cutting-edge technologies from respected brands spanning pro-audio, stage lighting, audio-visual, staging and rigging.

In addition, the three-day event will host 70-plus keynote talks and interactive panel sessions. Taking place across four dedicated theatre spaces, visitors will hear thought leaders and technical experts discuss the most talked-about industry issues.

Not only that; PLASA Show offers plenty of practical training sessions and immersive demonstrations. They offer golden opportunities for visitors to get hands-on with – and up close to –highly acclaimed products, accompanied by bespoke advice from knowledgeable brand representatives.

The PLASA Awards for Innovation also make a return this year, with the Innovation Gallery featuring all the cutting-edge nominees right on the show floor. And the lucky winners will be announced on the Monday evening of the show in an intimate ceremony.

PLASA’s managing director Peter Heath commented: “The 2022 edition of PLASA Show really put the event back on the international map, and we’re excited to welcome back the world of live entertainment technology – in all its forms, from audio and AV to lighting and effects to staging and rigging.

“Whether you are a business director, creative specialist or technical end-user, you’ll have the entire industry at your disposal, all under one roof at Olympia London. See you in September!” q

industries. For anyone thinking of exhibiting, ISCVEx is an opportunity to increase exposure for their business, showcasing products and services in a friendly, professional environment.

Ros Wigmore, ISCVE’s business manager, commented: “This year, in addition to our regular attendees and exhibitors, we saw increased engagement from audio visual companies showcasing their businesses at the exhibition and attending seminars.

"Next year’s ISCVEx once again promises to be a worthwhile addition to the Industry calendar, with early interest levels already high from companies wishing to attend. We are currently considering the topics for the presentations at next year’s ISCVEx and invite companies and individuals to register their interest, too.” q

• To visit ISCVEx 2024 go to iscve.org.uk/iscvex-2024-register-toexhibit-and-visit-here/

WHEN IT COMES TO CREATIVE SOLUTIONS, IT PAYS TO KEEP IT IN THE FAMILY

Rob Alvis, sales director at Creative Audio-Visual Solutions (CAVS), describes one example of a church that has a long relationship with the company.

AS MUCH AS NEW BUSINESS excites us, as a company that values long-term relationships we especially treasure projects with current customers who feel that continuing to work with CAVS is the best decision for their church.

St Mary’s Parish Church in Watford originally had a large audio-visual installation from us almost 20 years ago, and although the strains of older technology were showing in its latter years, the system had always been reliable and flexible – aided by regular system servicing and support from CAVS.

The church had a major re-ordering project a few years ago, which mainly covered the aesthetics of the building – new seating, stonework etc – but also involved new cable infrastructure for the expected full audio-visual upgrade which was completed earlier this year.

This new work included the full upgrade of the system to digital/HDMi, with a Roland V8-HD production mixer to run both the inhouse projection images and separately mixed streaming output: with keying, overlay and picture-in-picture functionality. Three new highdefinition cameras were installed, one fixed for general central coverage and two motorised PTZ variants for flexible images of the font, lecterns, pulpit and altar, as well as entrances for weddings and funerals – with a network joystick controller for both manual and preset image operation.

The three existing projectors were replaced with an Epsom 7,000 lumen for the main chancel screen and two 5,000 lumen laser high-definition systems for long-term reliability and impressive image quality in daylight conditions. Pillar-mounted ‘confidence’ LED displays allow a clear view for the dais service leaders and the musicians and choir.

Although the speaker system generally remained as before, the control system was updated from a large and overly complex analogue mixer to the latest Allen & Heath AHM-64 matrix system with additional AR2412

stagebox: providing simple control via hardware fader controllers (IP8s) of up to 48 inputs and outputs . Clear labelling of all channels with multiple presets ensure the system is useable by all levels of operator, as well as in situations where no operator is present or control is needed via iPAD away from the console.

The radio microphone system was also upgraded to a multi-channel Sennheiser EW100 G4 system with lapel, headset and handheld transmitters. Antenna distribution and remote high-gain antennas ensure clear reception throughout the church. For ambient pick-up of both the congregation and organ, a number of AKG C1000S condenser microphones were installed – routed specifically to the streaming and induction loop systems.

The adjacent church meeting room and crèche features a 65” Philips commercial smart LED display and Polycom video-conferencing sound bar for both church service relay and local meetings, including Zoom and Skype calls.

Finally, CAVS were commissioned to upgrade the full church and wider building wi-fi network with cloud-managed Engenius access points – providing public and private access for the church staff and visitors, as well as ultrareliable control for the audio-visual system.

We look forward to a continuing relationship with St Mary’s and all our customers – bringing them our renowned high-quality, cost-effective audio-visual solutions.

To join our family, for an on-site installation consultation or advice on the right equipment for your church, call or email CAVS. Local references are available upon request. q

• For the latest installation case studies and product news you can ‘Like’ CAVS on Facebook (Cavsolutions). Alternatively call 01707 649355, email sales@cavsolutions.co.uk or visit www.cavsolutions.co.uk.

A new website is coming soon!

BOURNVILLE PARISH CHURCH GETS SOUND SYSTEM UPGRADE

[

BOURNVILLE PARISH CHURCH is located in the heart of Bournville, Birmingham, next to the famous Cadbury chocolate factory. Even though George Cadbury was a Quaker, he had always wanted an Anglican church to be built in his model village of Bournville.

Land had been set aside for a church and church hall by the Bournville Village Trust in 1905 – the Trust having been founded in 1900 to administer

and develop the village and its surroundings. The church building, designed by William Alexander Harvey, was consecrated in 1925. It has a Roman tile roof, with Lombardic eaves cornice and is in the Basilican style of a rounded-arch formation.

While the interior of the church is very pleasing on the eye the same could not be said of the sound reproduction from the loudspeaker system. With their extensive experience in the design of sound systems for places of worship, Richard King Systems were called in to explore the suitable improvement options. The brief was to produce a cost-effective solution that would both provide intelligible speech reproduction in the nave and chancel but at the same time not having a negative impact on the clean lines of church’s interior.

To assist the church in evaluating the suggested system design a temporary installation was undertaken with the selected model of loudspeaker. Following extensive listening assessments and faculty approval, an eight-cabinet system with bespoke brackets was installed to provide significant audio improvements while being visually very discrete.

In addition to the loudspeaker system, the microphone system has also been uprated to include high-quality radio and gooseneck microphones. q

• Visit Richard King Systems at CRE Midlands on Stand G25.

HEARING LOOPS: WHY YOUR VENUE SHOULD HAVE ONE

Hearing loss is the second most common disability in the UK. The number of people affected is increasing and estimates suggest that, by 2035, 15.6 million people in the UK will have hearing loss: that’s one in five of the population. Like every public building, places of worship and heritage venues should be accessible to people with hearing loss, normally by the installation of a hearing loop. A leading specialist in the field, Contacta, explains what the law requires.

A HEARING LOOP delivers the sound from a sound source, such as a microphone, direct to a user’s hearing aid. It amplifies only the sound a listener wants to hear and not the background noise. It helps hearing aid users hear clearly in noisy environments or when they are far away from the sound source and out of the effective listening range of their hearing aids.

Speech or music is picked up by the microphone and converted into a magnetic signal by an amplifier. The signal is transmitted towards users via a hearing loop aerial. That is often a ‘loop’ of cable around a room, or a small loop of wire contained underneath a counter in one-to-one situations. The signal is then picked up by a telecoil within a user’s hearing aid or cochlear implant, which converts it back into sound.

The law

The Equality Act 2010 states that everyone should be treated equally. It replaces previous anti-discrimination laws, including the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA).

In reference to the provision of hearing loops, the Act states that: “Service providers are required to make changes, where needed, to improve services for disabled customers or potential customers… and to provide auxiliary aids and services – such as information in an accessible format, an induction loop for customers with hearing aids.”

The term ‘potential customers’ is key. While venues might assume they don’t currently have anyone who needs a hearing loop, environments should be inclusive and accessible to all. Plus, it should be remembered that staff and volunteers can also benefit from assistive listening systems.

Regulations and standards

Part M of the Building Regulations 2010 provides guidance on complying with the regulations that cover the access to and use of buildings. It states that, to obtain the full benefit of situations such as discussions or performances ‘a person with hearing loss must receive a signal that is amplified in both volume and signal to noise ratio’ and that provision must be made for a permanent system in larger spaces.

Requirements of Part M are only met if a hearing loop – also known as an induction loop – or alternatives such as a radio frequency or an infrared hearing enhancement system, is accompanied by signage, so those who need it know it is there.

BS 8300 is a code of practice compiled by the British Standards Institution detailing the required design of buildings for meeting the needs of disabled people. Revisions in 2018 included specific reference to the needs of people with hearing loss, detailing where loops should be located, their installation, maintenance and staff training.

The common feature throughout both the law and the regulations is the need to offer an inclusive experience for people with hearing loss, to give them equal access and to ensure their safety. Assistive listening systems are essential for emergency announcements and alarms as well as entertainment, worship and good customer service.

Testing and maintenance

Installing a hearing loop is only the first step: systems should be regularly tested, which can be done by staff with a small portable device known as a loop listener. A maintenance plan, with annual visits from a qualified engineer, makes sure loops are performing to the correct standard. It also ensures venues continue to comply with the law and standards governing accessibility; and worshippers and visitors return because of the positive listening experience. q

• For more information about hearing loops and other assistive listening systems visit www.contacta.co.uk.

For me, the experience of using the hearing loop was like going to ‘heaven’. I left feeling uplifted and positive.”

CONSERVATION WORK REVEALS TOWN HALL’S DECORATIVE GLORIES

By Alison Aynesworth ACR, of Hirst Conservation

[MANCHESTER TOWN HALL, designed by Alfred Waterhouse and constructed between 1868-1877, is a neo-Gothic, Grade One-listed masterpiece, lying at the geographical and civic heart of the city and providing a focal point for its people in times of both celebration and despair.

At the centre of the Town Hall is the Great Hall, described by Ruskin as ‘the most truly magnificent Gothic apartment in Europe’. The vast chamber was designed to celebrate 19th-century Manchester’s global success in trade and commerce.

The lower walls of the Great Hall are decorated with 12 magnificent murals by Ford Madox Brown. Painted between 1879-93, the murals illustrate Manchester’s history through the lenses of Christianity, the textile industry and worldwide trade. Overhead, and to a height of 17.5 metres, is a wagon-roof ceiling richly decorated with 28 panels displaying the arms and insignia of Manchester’s principal trading partners. The decoration was created in 1876 by London-based stained-glass and mural makers Heaton, Butler and Bayne. Such incredible embellishments are a frequent gift from Victorian designers, perhaps unheeding of later generations’ obligations to preserve their masterworks. Certainly, the creators of Manchester Town Hall seemed aware of the threat posed to their work by Manchester’s damp, smoky environment: Heaton, Butler, and Bayne selected strong colours for the Great Hall ceiling in response to ‘…the great height of the roof and its semi-obscurity occasioned by the state of the atmosphere’ (Manchester Courier, 1877).

To combat damp within the Great Hall, Madox Brown adopted the pioneering Gambier Parry wax medium spirit fresco technique for his murals: the 19th century saw a revival in the use of such wax media for interior decoration as artists searched for a paint that was water-resistant and could replicate the matte appearance of true fresco. A similar system may have been adopted for the ceiling decoration, with the Manchester Courier further stating that it ‘…is painted throughout in wax media’.

Despite attempts to preserve their work, the condition of the murals and ceiling decoration in the Great Hall has been compromised by the usual threats from water ingress, salt migration, uncontrolled environmental conditions, pollution, vandalism and previous ad hoc restoration, along with the natural ageing of materials and occasional failure of the artist’s technique.

By the early 21st century the Town Hall was showing its age. In 2018 the ‘Our Town Hall’ project began, charged with the Herculean task of restoring and modernising the building and the adjacent Albert Square. The Town Hall is temporarily closed and is 60% of the way through the programmed restoration and refurbishment works.

A huge variety of conservation professionals are currently employed to conserve the building and its contents, working alongside local volunteers and apprentices. Hirst Conservation has been awarded several work packages, including architectural paint research throughout the building, stabilisation and protection of the Madox Brown murals and conservation of the decorated ceiling in the Great Hall.

Hirst Conservation found the Madox Brown murals to be in sound condition, confirming that they had been well looked after. Emergency stabilisation works included consolidation of flaking paint and the application of a tissue facing to protect the paint surface from vibrations and dust while major building works were undertaken in the Town Hall.

Viewed from floor level, the decoration on the ceiling panels appeared to be in a similarly sound condition, suggesting that the difficulties inherent in accessing such a high ceiling may have discouraged harsh historic interventions, thereby preserving the original ceiling. Therefore, during Hirst’s investigations and analysis of the ceiling to underpin the methodology for its conservation, it came as a considerable surprise to find that the ceiling panels had been cleaned and overpainted at least three times between 1894 and 1969.

Each restoration or decoration phase, high in the apex of the hall, was dated and signed with the scribbled names of those personally involved. Our conservation team were thrilled to find these ‘time capsules’. The names ‘Heaton, Bayne and Henry Marchant, Nov 9th, 1876’ were also found scratched into the paint alongside the Latin phrase Me Facit (Made Me): a delightful discovery.

Analysis showed that, within years of their creation, the decorated panels had become dulled with the grime of industrialisation, prompting cycles of cleaning and overpainting which would inadvertently cause damage to the original paint and design over the ensuing century. Further damage would have been caused by water ingress and an uncontrolled internal environment conducive to salt migrations within the fabric, flaking of paint layers and inevitably more repainting.

The design of two panels was deliberately altered as Manchester’s political and commercial ties evolved: Austria became New Zealand and Prussia became South Africa. The latter panel was sheeted over in the 1980s as part of Manchester’s anti-apartheid stance. Scores of holes in the panels were found to contain air gun pellets: legend has it that a council employee used an air gun to shoot down balloons that had floated up to the ceiling during parties.

(Left) Manchester Town Hall prior to commencement of the ‘Our Town Hall’ project, viewed from Albert Square; (right) The Great Hall, midway through the project, showing the Ford Madox Brown murals at low level, with protective facing tissue applied, and the decorated ceiling before conservation

Low intervention conservation of the decorative scheme and stabilisation of its environment was agreed by Hirst Conservation and the design team to address threats to the condition of the decorative scheme, while retaining alterations, graffiti and the pellet holes as part of the ceiling’s rich narrative.

Investigation of the ceiling panels included an assessment of condition, original techniques and later interventions. Digital mapping and salt, moisture and historic paint analysis further informed a safe and effective strategy for conservation.

Paint consolidation to prevent further loss of the decorative scheme was identified as the most urgent treatment required. That was achieved using synthetic adhesives applied to areas of flaking or powdering paint, assisted by the use of locally applied heat and/or pressure.

Removal of surface dirt was carried out to improve the clarity of the schemes, ensuring the process maintained visual harmony within and between the painted panels when viewed from ground level. The methods selected were tailored to each paint type and technique present, respecting variations in the paint surface caused by deterioration. Retouching was limited to areas of loss, ignoring existing overpaints.

Extensive works to the exterior as part of the ‘Our Town Hall’ project mean that the environment of the Great Hall now presents fewer hazards to the preservation of the artworks. The building is watertight and insulated; long-term environmental monitoring installed in the Great Hall will identify extreme fluctuations in conditions that could threaten the stability of the decorative surfaces; and dirt deposition will be reduced with the exclusion of indoor pollutants such as candles. With conservation work completed, the ceiling can now be viewed in all its polychromed glory as a celebration of Manchester’s past and present, doing our creative forbears – and the people of Manchester –proud. q

The decoration on the Great Hall ceiling after cleaning and conservation with access scaffolding still in place

Conservator from Hirst Conservation surveying the Ford Madox Brown murals in the Great Hall prior to their stabilisation and protection

HERITAGE PROJECTS SHINE IN UK ROOFING AWARDS

[WHEN THE WINNERS of the UK Roofing Awards were revealed in May they once again featured a number of heritage roofing projects – including the most prestigious of all, the Roof of the Year.

The awards were presented at the InterContinental London – The O2, in a glittering ceremony hosted by broadcaster Colin Murray.

The Roof of the Year award went to Stuart Wheeler Roofing Ltd for Yellow Sands, a 19th-century Arts and Crafts house in Devon (pictured). The project also scooped the Roof Slating award.

Other projects in the heritage sector to meet with success included Jane Austen’s House in the Roof Tiling category – won by Clarke Roofing Southern Ltd – Somerton Castle North East Tower by Matt Timby Ltd in the Leadwork category and The Riverside Pavilion by Emerton Roofing (Western) Ltd in the Small Scale Project <£25k category. At the other

end of the scale, BriggsAmasco won the Mastic Asphalt award for Battersea Power Station.

The Heritage category itself was won by Longworth Building Services Ltd for Derby Market Hall. Looking to the future, the award in the Green Roof category went to LRL Roofing Solutions for the new Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre in Cheshire.

The UK Roofing Awards, presented by the NFRC, have become an industrywide event that recognises and rewards outstanding standards of workmanship and safety within the UK roofing industry.

James Talman, NFRC CEO, 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 and your excellent workmanship, innovation and commitment to best practice in health and safety is deserving of this recognition. You should all be incredibly proud.” q

SLATING SKILLS ON DISPLAY AT ROYAL HIGHLAND SHOW

[THE National Federation of Roofing Contractors in Scotland returned to the Royal Highland Show in June, to deliver handson introductions to roof slating.

Operatives from two NFRC member companies, Compass Roofing and Taylor Roofs, gave visitors to the show, at the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh, the opportunity to dress a slate and fix it to a roofing rig, plus ask questions about the roofing industry.

Two roofing apprentices who won the NFRC Scottish Apprentice of the Year Award were among those helping visitors to dress and fix the slates correctly.

The visit was part of on-going efforts by NFRC in Scotland to introduce people – and particularly those of school age – to roofing careers and what the industry offers.

At other stands, visitors to the show could also try stone carving, surveying and clay pantile making. The event sees tens of thousands of people visit each year.

Scott Miller, chair of NFRC in Scotland, commented: “NFRC is delighted to be back at the Royal Highland Show to give everyone interested a mini-masterclass in roof slating. While the week is extremely busy, it is very enjoyable, with lots popping by asking for information on roofing. These events are just part of a far larger programme of school engagement, where NFRC in Scotland promotes construction as a career of choice to young people across Scotland, as we seek to make a positive change to the skills shortage across the construction industry.” q

Martin-Brooks (Roofing Specialists) Ltd

T: 0114 244 7720

E: mb@allroofing.co.uk

W: www.martin-brooks.co.uk

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

REPURPOSING PROJECT FEATURES IN CLUTCH OF BRICKMAKER’S RIBA WINNERS

[ THE BRINGING BACK into use of a heritage site is one of five winners of this year’s RIBA Regional Awards that have featured products from traditional brickmaker Michelmersh.

For more than 180 years the RIBA Awards have been commemorating exceptional accomplishments. Its esteemed awards and prizes are seen as a symbol of excellence worldwide, honouring first-class architecture, architects, research and students. This year, Michelmersh was proud to see a wide range of its products used by five Regional RIBA Award winners.

Houlton School

The carefully considered design of Houlton School in Warwickshire (pictured), by Van Heyningen & Haward (VHH), is the successful retrofit of a collection of historic Grade Two-listed radio station buildings. Its costeffective evolution into a thriving, sustainable secondary school comes from the careful integration of the previous buildings and by choosing to use products that fitted soundly within the pre-existing vernacular.

Throughout the project various elements of the building’s industrial past have been retained, with arched windows and high ceilings to ensure that the history of the nearly century-old building is revered but not overpowering compared to its newly-instated modern sensibilities. Michelmersh company Charnwood’s range of Cathedral Grey, Multi Brindle and Steel Grey bricks juxtapose with the original elements of the radio station to create a pleasing mix of old and new.

The other four award-winners include bricks from the Michelmersh ranges to create new buildings that are set to become the heritage of the future.

Chobham Manor

The current phase of Chobham Manor in east London is the first of five new neighbourhoods that are part of a vision to transform the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. London Legacy Development Corporation chose to create family-oriented designs outside of the apartments of the athlete’s village, with homes being child-friendly, sustainable and inclusive.

Blockleys Black Smooth, Freshfield Lanes Selected Darks and First Quality Multis are prevalent throughout phase one, with Blockleys Black Smooth providing strong visual contrasts and Freshfield Lane’s traditional clamp-fired stock bricks working harmoniously with the vibrant colours of the local surroundings to create a modern, bright aesthetic.

Eton Sports and Aquatics Centre

Built on the site of a former outdoor pool, Eton’s new sports and aquatics centre is a modern update that maximises natural light, open spaces and simple comfort. Internally, the open spaces work to give a traditionally hectic environment a sense of grace. Charnwood handmade bricks complement light-coloured timber finishes and floorto-ceiling glazing to create a warm, welcoming space.

RIBA praised the centre for its accessibility and community considerations, with creative layouts employed throughout the site to ensure comfortable multi-use opportunities.

Pears Building

The Pears Building by Hopkins Architects is a world-class immunology research and treatment centre built for University College London. One of only five similar specialist immunology centres in the world – and the only one outside of the US – the Pears Building offers world-class expertise to patients.

The building provides offices and research wings to house over 200 researchers and a 35-bed hospital for patients or visiting academics. The Pears Building uses Freshfield Lanes First Quality Multi bricks which provide subtle gradients and soft tones, perfectly contrasting the building with the lush greenery surrounding it.

Agar Grove

Agar Grove is a large-scale, regenerative residential development in the London Borough of Camden that was designed with peak energy performance and reducing fuel poverty in mind. One of the largest Passivhaus developments in the UK, Agar Grove is intentionally designed to allow residents to move through and ultimately contribute positively to the surrounding area.

Floren Meteor Rustic bricks were used in the construction of the newly-built apartments, which helped to create an exemplar of sustainable development. The unmistakable tones provided by Floren bricks help seat it with a strong urban identity that will thrive for many years to come.

Frank Hanna, joint chief executive officer of Michelmersh Brick Holdings Plc, commented: “As a business we are proud to be at the forefront of producing and supplying quality bricks for awardwinning projects. The group firmly believes that, by combining our commitment to sustainability with the production of highquality materials, we can make a positive contribution to the local built environment. These outstanding schemes not only showcase excellence in design and construction, but also emphasise the importance of creating environmentally conscious and sustainable spaces which will last for generations to come.” q

• For further information visit www.mbhplc.co.uk/inspiration/swatchbook

ST PAUL’S EQUAL ACCESS PROJECT IS AN AWARD-WINNER

[IN 2020 Oculus Building Control – a part of Assent group – was appointed in to work on the equal access project at St Paul’s Cathedral, alongside Caroe Architecture.

Assent is a well-established UK-wide corporate Building Control Approved Inspector that provides a complete solution for all building control services. Founded in 2005, Assent is at the forefront of building control in the UK and has an excellent reputation, offering a very high level of service. Assent builds strong long-term relationships with its clients and is dedicated to adding value.

The project at St Paul’s involved the installation of a permanent access ramp at the historic landmark. It also included a second phase, which saw the installation of a memorial within the inner portico of the building. That was the most significant change to the building’s exterior in 300 years.

Phase One: equal access

Given the nature of the historic listing buildings, Phase One of the project required a new approach to make sure the ramp was compliant, as well as aligning with the wider building from an architectural and aesthetic point of view. The use of traditional materials and a design that had to meet modern building regulations and needs such as drainage systems meant plans had to be carefully curated.

Assent worked very closely with the architects and designers to navigate those challenges. The proposed installation had to consider pre-existing steps that the new project would cover and a portico to work around.

Overcoming challenges

Every aspect of the planning and design had to be scrutinised closely to ensure all requirements were met. Consideration needed to be given to physical and visual accessibility, such as lighting, contrasting stone, handrails, shallow steps and paving, alongside the practicalities of the Building Regulations.

The project presented accessibility and functionality challenges and had to be designed to integrate seamlessly into the historical building’s design. Listed buildings always require a different approach for building control. In this case, the limitations of the project needed to be understood: identifying what was able to be delivered in line with building regulations while balancing the needs of the conservation officers.

An additional element to the complex project was that Assent had to face the pandemic. At the height of the pandemic it became difficult to get people to and from site due to travel restrictions, which ultimately changed how the building was inspected. Assent relied on its network of countrywide inspectors to overcome the obstacles and ensure there were no delays on the project. Furthermore, technology enabled inspections to take place remotely if needed and flexibility and responsiveness to the pandemic conditions drove the success of the project. Despite the pandemic, Phase One of the project was completed ahead of time.

Phase Two: the Remember Me memorial

The successful completion of the access ramp led to Assent working on Phase Two of the project: the Remember Me inner portico – a memorial for those who lost their lives due to COVID-19. That part of the project required rigorous research and assessment, which resulted in a contemporary design while remaining in line with the cathedral’s baroque architecture and heritage materials.

Commenting on the project, John Miles, group business development director at Assent Building Control, said: “The positive impact the project has had since its unveiling has been a highlight for the team involved, particularly being part in making one of the most iconic historic buildings in the world accessible for generations to come.”

The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul’s, added: “The team worked closely with the City of London, Cathedral Fabric Commission, heritage groups and accessibility organisations to make sure all accessibility needs were met whilst staying true to

Photo courtesy of Caroe Architecture – © Graham Lacdao

Christopher Wren’s iconic design. We’re delighted that the new access means we can welcome all visitors, staff and volunteers equally, regardless of their needs.”

Providing a sustainable, accessible and safe built environment can be complex. Assent provides a flexible resource for the client and all

design team members to ensure that building regulation compliance is integrated into projects from inception to completion.

The project has recently won a Civic Trust Award. The Civic Trust Awards recognise outstanding architecture, planning and design in the built environment. q

Photo courtesy of St Paul’s Cathedral

GIANT CISTERN IS MASTER LEADWORKER’S LATEST ACHIEVEMENT

[THE LATEST BESPOKE CREATION from traditional leadworker Brian Turner is a large cistern created for a historic house in west Norfolk. Cisterns are large vessels, made popular in the Georgian era, used to store rainwater for use in irrigation of a garden.

The particular cistern was commissioned for the rear of the house. The front elevation of the house, dating from the early 16th century, is depicted on the central panel of the cistern, together with design details of the building.

Brian commented: “The commission was to create a cistern using the design details that were used in the construction of this historic building. Due to its length I created it using one long panel and four smaller panels.”

The main challenge of the project was the size of the cistern. It weighs 963 kilogrammes, has a diameter of 2,400mm and is around 650mm in height with an average thickness of 9mm. The length of the main panel is about 3,680mm. A further challenge was to rotate the cistern into position to burn and solder the joints. Said Brian: “I soldered the rim and burned a moulding on the inside of the cistern to give it extra strength and stability – it will be around for a considerable time!”

Brian established Turners Ornamental Leadwork in 1977. He specialises in the art of architectural and ornamental leadwork and uses specialist techniques to design and produce authentic and original leadworks for clients throughout the UK. His expertise lies in fashioning bespoke, hand-crafted leadworks that are sensitive to history, form and function. He works with clients on an individual basis, so that each installation can be tailored to the exact location, scale and specification required.

Brian's exotic and breathtaking creations grace the gardens of many top companies and public figures. His pieces feature in design reference works and are regularly commissioned as centrepieces by well-known garden designers such as George Carter and Bunny Guinness.

He was recently made an Honorary Member of the Lead Contractors Association after many years of membership of the association. q

T: 01623 860425

M: 07930 377159

E: info@turners-lead-collection.co.uk

www.turners-lead-collection.co.uk

SPIDER OPERATOR ‘JUMPS AT CHANCE’ TO GO LARGE WITH HINOWA

[WORK AT HEIGHT SPECIALIST Fletcher Access has placed an order for the new Hinowa Lightlift 40.18 – the biggest spider lift ever produced by Hinowa – as it renews its platform fleet.

The Worcester-based company has also taken delivery of a new Hinowa Lightlift 20.10 spider lift, putting it to good use on a maintenance project at a 19th-century Grade Two-listed Greek Revival country house.

Fletcher Access has been one of the first UK platform operators to order the Hinowa Lightlift 40.18 Performance IIIS from Access Platform Sales (APS), the UK and Ireland authorised Hinowa distributor.

The company has selected a bi-energy lithium battery and diesel version of the platform, which is ideal for indoor and outdoor working and gives clients the sustainability advantage of zero-emissions and lownoise operation.

Company co-owner Simon Fletcher said: “We have been reviewing investment options for a while now. The performance, quality and operating system of Hinowa platforms are all first-rate.

“As soon as the Lightlift 40.18 came onto the market we jumped at the chance to have one. To now be able to have a lithium bi-energy Hinowa with 17 meters of outreach at 23 meters of height was not an option we wanted to pass up.”

The Hinowa Lightlift 40.18’s platform capacity of 300kg was another clincher, as it will allow the company's work teams and platform hire clients to carry extra tools and equipment at height.

Fletcher Access provides spider platform working at height maintenance and hire services across all business sectors, including building maintenance and inspection, construction, telecommunications, power transmission, and tree management.

Shane Paver, northern sales director at APS, said: “The confidence Simon and Anthony have in the Hinowa Lightlift 40.18 reflects the buzz it has created among APS customers.

“It has the same operating system as all other spider lifts in the Performance range, so is just as easy and safe to operate, with features such as one-button set up and stow, and Hinowa's trademark exceptionally precise proportional controls.

“As the need to work on tall structures – whether they be inner city apartment blocks, wind turbines or telecoms masts – grows across the UK, we are confident there will also be a growing market for the Hinowa Lightlift 40.18.”

The tracked boom lift has a maximum working height of 40.2m and a maximum outreach of 17.5m. It has an unrestricted basket capacity of

230kg, like all other Hinowa spiders, and a restricted capacity of 300kg to an outreach of 16.5m.

APS believes the bi-energy lithium battery and diesel version is likely to be the most popular, with the platform also available with bi-energy diesel and 110v mains electric power and with all electric lithium batteries.

The spider cherry picker’s 17.5m maximum outreach is achieved when the platform is at a 10m working height. It has a 17m outreach at a working height of 23m, and can also reach 4m below ground level to assist, for example, on underbridge work.

The spider lift can be elevated on its outriggers to a height under its tracks of 1.12m to assist in levelling on steep inclines or to self-load onto trailers.

Meanwhile, Simon Fletcher was putting the company’s new Hinowa Lightlift 20.10 through its paces with a roof maintenance project at Whitbourne Hall, near Broadwas, Worcestershire.

The country house, now flats and a wedding venue, had been the 19th-century home of Edward Evans, founder of what became the world’s largest vinegar factory in the centre of Worcester. The company supplied Worcester’s other famous condiment manufacturer, Lea and Perrins.

The Hinowa LL 20.10 was ideal for reaching up and over the roof to remove wooden boards, once used to help secure the lead roof, which had become loose, as well as vegetation growing above the hall’s impressive columned entrance.

The diesel and 110v mains electric platform has a maximum working height of 20.1m, a maximum outreach of 9.7m and can be towed on a 3.5t trailer by a 4x4 vehicle or van using a standard car licence.

Simon Fletcher said: “To be maintained properly, heritage buildings like this need constant attention. Hinowa spider lifts are ideal, because they can be used to carry out smaller tasks like this quickly and safely.

“The work can be done without the need for scaffolding or other access measures, which can be very expensive and unsightly, and may not even be permitted on some protected structures.” q

The following companies are all specialists in Lightning Protection Systems:

Direct Strike Ltd

Lightning Protection and Earthing Solutions

Lightning Protection

Inspection & Maintenance

BSEN 62305:2011

Consultancy & Design Services

Supply & Installation

Earthing Systems

Height Safety & Fall Arrest Systems

Surge Protection

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

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

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

Central High Rise Limited

Industry specialist in fitting both new and retrofit lightning conductor systems to all types of buildings and structures.

T: 0115 958 7637

E: info@centralhighrise.co.uk

W: www.centralhighrise.co.uk

Central House, Thoresby Avenue, Sneinton, Nottingham NG2 3GA

Lightning Strike Ltd

Lightning Protection and Earthing Specialist for Churches and Historic Properties

Earthing Systems

Surge Protection

Safe Strike ESE Systems

Lightning Conductor Testing

Earthing System Testing

Soil Resistivity Testing

T: 01158 752686 M: 07581 266493

E: info@lightningstrikeltd.co.uk

W: www.lightningstrikeltd.co.uk

452 Watnall Road, Hucknall NG15 6FQ

Horizon Specialist Contracting Ltd

With over 30 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

Wiltshire Steeplejacks and Lightning Conductor Engineers

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: info@wiltshiresteeplejacks.co.uk W: www.wiltshiresteeplejacks.co.uk

44 Eastbourne Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 7HW

G & S Steeplejacks Ltd

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

Annual Testing

Inspection & Maintenance

Surge Protection

Height Safety Systems

Churches, Schools, Hospitals, Universities, Colleges

T: 01761 437796 M: 07974 184449

E: graham@gnssteeplejacks.co.uk W: www.gnssteeplejacks.co.uk

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

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

Cuttings

The UK’s largest independent Lightning Protection & Earthing contractor

Design, installation and maintenance

Lightning Protection Surge Protection Earthing Services Height Safety Services Offices in London, Sussex, Essex and Bristol.

T: 020 8371 0001

E: info@cuttings.co.uk W: cuttings.co.uk

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

Lightning Protection Services

North(Head office): 01461 800323

South: 01582 511036 N.E: 01914 661145

• Lightning Conductor Engineers

• Steeplejacks • Flagpole Specialists

• High Level Access

Providing lightning protection and steeplejack services since 1978.

Churches Cathedrals Schools Hospitals

• High Rise Office Blocks

High Rise Residential Blocks Towers

Sports Centres

A C Wallbridge & Co Ltd

T: 01722 322750 E: office@wallbridge.uk W: www.wallbridge.co.uk

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

E: info@lightningconductor.co.uk

W: www.lightningconductor.co.uk

South West Lightning Protection

T: 07807 334441

E: south@lightningconductor.org

W: www.lightningconductor.org

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

CLIMATE CHANGE WILL LEAD TO MORE LIGHTNING STRIKES

[NEW RESEARCH has shown climate change could alter lightning patterns across Europe. The study, by researchers at Newcastle University and the Met Office and published in the journal Environmental Research Letters, finds there could be a picture of changing weather patterns.

The researchers found these changes could lead to an increased risk of wildfires over Northern Europe.

The study’s lead author is Dr Abdullah Kahraman, Senior Researcher in Severe Weather and Climate Change at Newcastle University and visiting scientist at the Met Office’s Hadley Centre.

Dr Kahraman explained that there could more frequent lightning strikes over mountains and in Northern Europe. However, in areas of Central Europe, there could be relatively fewer lightning hazards.

The researchers say the findings highlight the need to re-evaluate lightning risk to wildfires, properties and human life across Europe.

Co-author Professor Hayley Fowler of Newcastle University School of Engineering added: “This is just more bad news for critical national infrastructure in northern Europe, after the damning report Readiness for storms ahead? Critical national infrastructure in an age of climate change by the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy.

“Our paper has highlighted new risks from increases in lightning, previously unknown, which will require increased investment in climate adaptation measures. Further analysis is needed of the potential impact of these increases in lightning on energy and other critical infrastructure systems to enable policies and measures to be produced that are locallyand sector-relevant for adaptation planning.”

One immediate reaction to the increased risk is the decision to install a modern lightning protection system at historic Lancaster Castle (pictured). An application for listed building consent was lodged with City of Lancaster Council in June. q

POWER SURGES ARE AS MUCH A THREAT AS LIGHTNING ITSELF

[ACCORDING TO insurance expert Peter Stevenson of the Alan Stevenson Partnership, the UK was hit by more than 40,000 lightning strikes in just one day this year.

And in this day and age, what is just as damaging, if not more so, than the damage to fabric by direct lightning strikes, is the resulting internal power surge. Most heritage and almost all church buildings are packed with electronics. These range from telecommunications to sophisticated sound and video devices, all of which are vulnerable to power surges, and it is important to check that any potential damage is covered by business insurance.

Ian Wimpeney of Raiden Lighting Protection Services Ltd urges all these organisations to invest in specialist lightning and power surge systems and to test electrical systems regularly to safeguard against faults, as well as ageing and obsolete hardware.

“Lightning and power surge systems won’t just protect against lightning strikes,” he said “but internal electrical faults, electrical switching and overload events, and physical damage to power supply cabling.” q

NEW CLEMENT STEEL WINDOWS CONSERVE BRITAIN’S INDUSTRIAL PAST

[THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTON of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries famously led to Great Britain being referred to as ‘the workshop of the world’ by its European neighbours. The complete transformation of the British economy from a rural crafts base to one of mass production was certainly fast-paced, but unfortunately the decline seen since has been even quicker.

The large number of buildings which survive from our glorious industrial past are many and varied – comprising railway stations, water mills, processing plants, factories and warehouses among them – but they were allowed to fall into disrepair and disuse while globalisation and technology took over from traditional business.

In recent years, however, several ambitious urban regeneration schemes have got underway and these former monuments of industry are being repurposed as residential developments, bright, airy offices and other stateof-the-art facilities for a new generation.

Industrial buildings have great potential for a variety of uses while still celebrating their original function. The structures share a number of architectural characteristics such as cubic forms, an absence of ornament, brick and concrete facades and uniform rows of windows. Those features arose out of the engineering capabilities which were finessed during the Industrial Revolution.

As the buildings have been renovated and so-called ‘loft-style’ living and working has become popular, demand has risen in interior design for ‘the industrial look’ – stripped back architectural details such as bare bricks, natural materials and salvaged or recycled furniture and furnishings which reflect the mechanics of the original building.

A lot of industrial buildings were constructed with steel-framed windows, following the development of a process for hot rolling steel by Sir Henry Bessemer, which made steel windows possible. The inherent strength of steel meant these frames could support the large expanses which are frequently a striking feature of such buildings. The refurbishment of these buildings today often includes the replacement of the original windows with new doubleglazed steel windows to match the original fenestration, complementing the industrial character of the building, while also bringing modern benefits such as better insulation, weatherproofing and security.

The buildings at 10-11 Clerkenwell Green in London are a great recent example of former warehouse buildings which have been repurposed as stunning offices with new steel windows and doors and interiors that showcase the best of the industrial aesthetic.

The buildings were occupied from around 1910 until the 1990s by The Uniform Clothing & Equipment Company (Uniquip), a well known supplier of band uniforms, and are located in the centre of Clerkenwell Green, a

A wall of Clement patterned glass windows (top) and Clement EB20 steel windows (above left) at 10-11 Clerkenwell Green, London; Clement W20 steel windows at Bonnington Hydro Electric Power Station, South Lanarkshire (above middle and right)

Photo: Matt Chisnall

Photo: Matt Chisnall

formerly busy centre for specialised crafts and manufacture.

Stagg Architects obtained planning permission to refurbish and extend the original 13,000ft2 building by an additional 7,000ft2. The renovated building comprises a new roof extension, flexible spaces on the ground and lower ground floors and offices at the upper levels.

A four-storey side extension infill was constructed and Clement Windows Group were selected to manufacture the new and replacement steel windows and doors throughout the building. It was very important that the new windows were in keeping with the original building and did not detract from the character and appearance of the surrounding Conservation Area and adjoining listed buildings.

Windows and doors from the Clement EB20 steel window range were chosen and powder paint coated in black with the accompanying hinges and handles painted to match the frames. The huge wall of steel windows to the side of the building includes a patterned glass which allows light to enter while also providing privacy for the neighbouring properties.

The interior of the building consists of exposed brick walls and visible pipes and trunking, and the black steel frames of the fenestration provide the perfect accompaniment to this interior design style.

Ben Stagg, director of Stagg Architects Ltd, commented: “Clement Windows were selected following a lot of research, and ultimately because they were able to offer the slimmest profile metal sections. The appearance of the glazing is critical to the whole building design so we worked closely with Clement to achieve the desired appearance, with great success.”

Some buildings from the industrial age still have an industrial purpose but need to be updated to ensure their continued future functioning. One such example is the Lanark Hydro Electric Scheme, a remarkable and unique project which was completed in 1927.

The scheme refers to two hydroelectric plants in Clydesdale, South Lanarkshire: Bonnington and Stonebyres Power Stations. They both take water from the beautiful Falls of Clyde – Bonnington’s water comes from just above the Linn in New Lanark and Stonebyres’ from above Stonebyres Linn, near Kirkfieldbank. The abundant supply of water from the River Clyde continuously spins the power stations’ turbines providing a reliable and sustainable source of renewable electricity. Combined they create enough electricity to power over 17,000 homes in the UK.

The two stations have been exquisitely refurbished by Drax, who acquired them as part of a £702m deal. Both Bonnington and Stonebyres are Category ‘A’ Listed Buildings, the highest possible grading for a site of national architectural importance. That means it was imperative the new steel windows were as close a match as possible to the originals.

The Clement W20 steel window range with genuine T bars was chosen, polyester powder painted in striking RAL 6005 (Moss Green). Lodsworth handles complement the windows with matching peg stays in Antique Bronze finish. Clement made around 120 steel windows for the power stations, including nearly 400 individual fixed lights, but most beautiful are perhaps the enormous curved head windows on both sides of the buildings, which look spectacular and let in masses of natural light.

Drax Group senior civil engineer Anne Kerr said: “We are delighted with the service and quality of windows supplied and fitted by Clement. The new steel windows fitted in the refurbished building look stunning and exceeded our expectations.”

Numerous former industrial sites have been transformed into vibrant residential areas, encouraging new communities and infrastructure to develop in places which have lain dormant for years. Comet Works in Birmingham is a fine example of a former industrial site which has been reimagined as a high-end residential development.

During the Industrial Revolution, Birmingham was home to a number of foundries and workshops that made a variety of metal goods, including jewellery and guns. Rather than being produced in large-scale factories, the manufacture of those items required several different processes which would be carried out by independent specialists located in the same neighbourhood, reducing the need to travel long distances between workshops. Indeed, in the late 19th century, Showell’s Dictionary of Birmingham listed more than fifty

specialist trades involved in gun manufacture in the city.

Comet Works is located in an area of Birmingham known as the Gun Quarter. Clement Windows was specified to manufacture and install the new steel windows required for the site. Twenty residential units including authentic lofts apartments and mews houses have been beautifully created within this historic building which dates back to the 1830s.

Sensitivity was key when choosing a replacement for the original metal windows. Clement W20 steel windows were chosen to best match the existing windows – almost exact replicas but with the advantage of double glazing and an incredibly long lasting polyester powder coating.

Nigel Birch, owner of the contractors on this project, Springworth (Building & Interiors) Ltd, commented: “The Comet Works is a striking set of buildings that stand as a testament to Birmingham’s industrial past. Clement’s steel windows were the perfect product for the reinvention of these buildings, providing a strong heritage look as well as sound 21st-century innovation and performance.” q

• Clement Windows Group manufactures an innovative range of steel windows, doors and screens for both private residences and commercial projects. Based just outside London, in Surrey, Clement also supplies a selection of conservation rooflights, available from stock in either a tile or slate profile or bespoke to individual requirements. For further information call 01428 643393 or visit clementwindows.co.uk

Clement W20 bespoke double glazed steel windows at Comet Works, Birmingham

DORSET’S ‘FACELESS’ CLOCK CHIMES OUT THE TIME AGAIN

[ FOR THE PEOPLE of Yetminster village in Dorset, the clock at St Andrew’s Church has long been a cherished and familiar presence in their lives. Its rhythmic chimes and the sound of bells ringing out have been an integral part of the local soundscape for over 300 years – the value of those sounds only emphasised by the lack of any dials. Therefore, when the clock fell silent a year ago, it left a void in the daily life of the community.

Dating back to 1682, the faceless clock was made by Thomas Bartholomew of Sherborne. The frame bears a plaque with an inscription that reads “Thomas Bartholomew of Sherborne fecit. Benjamin Coome. Thomas Stone. William Bishop. Church Wardens of the Parish of Yetminster 1682”.

The mechanism is of national significance and has been an integral part of the village’s history. Not only is the clock one of the oldest working pendulum clocks in the country, but in 1897 it was fitted with a carillon which plays the national anthem at three-hourly intervals to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee.

Over the years the clock suffered the inevitable wear and tear that accompanies the passage of time. Recognising the importance of preserving what is a piece of history, a decision was made by the local community and the Friends of St Andrew’s Church to seek an extensive restoration of the timepiece: a task for which they approached mechanical clock specialists Smith of Derby.

While the church community were aware that their clock was in need of attention, only upon closer examination by the Smith of Derby team did the clock reveal its desperate need for attention. Among those components in need of repair were the pivots, with major wear afflicting the brass around each one. Clockmaker Mitch Eaton, who oversaw the restoration, skillfully bushed them, crafting new gunmetal inserts which will ensure their durability surpasses that of the previous softer brass which had served the clock for five decades.

New autowind units, complete with sprockets, were fitted to both the going and the strike side of the clock. One of the lantern pinions had snapped; but fortunately a repair through welding was achieved. The escapement, responsible for maintaining the clock's accuracy, had endured significant wear, particularly on the near side. To address that, a new escapement was fashioned by digitally scanning the old one and crafting a replacement made of robust gunmetal.

The wear on the escapement appears to have been caused by excessive play in the crutch arbour, which the team were able to correct by tightening the pallet release. Mitch also repaired the click on the fly vane: a component essential for ensuring the regulated discharge of energy when the strike train stops.

Beyond the technical repairs, the restoration team also paid careful attention to the clock's aesthetic aspects. They repaired the worn locating square – creating a new one that matched the appearance of the original, thereby maintaining the clock's visual integrity.

With the clock successfully reinstalled in the church by Smith’s clockmakers Paul Kilburn and Joe Mines, the feedback from Friends of St Andrew’s Church is that the clock is sounding wonderful once more. Reflecting on the restoration of the clock, Mitch said: “You can see the work that has gone in to making a clock of this age. It's been a real challenge, but it's been a great one to work on." q

• For further information visit the website at www.smithofderby.com, call 01332 345569 or contact Jane Betts at jane.betts@smithofderby.com

ANTIQUE FURNITURE RESTORATION

ARBORICULTURAL CONSULTANTS

ARCHIVE & CONSERVATION STORAGE

ARCHITECTS

BELLS

BOOK & PAPER CONSERVATION

BRICKS

ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT

BATHROOMS

BUILDING CONSERVATION & RESTORATION

CARVERS – MASTER CARVERS ASSOCIATION

CHURCH FURNITURE

DAMP SPECIALISTS

CLOCKS

DISABLED ACCESS

DISASTER RECOVERY

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

HYMNODY

JOINERY

EXHUMATION SERVICES

HEATING SPECIALISTS

LEADED LIGHTS

LCA MEMBERS

LEADWORKERS

LIGHTING

LIGHTNING PROTECTION

Raiden Lightning Protection Services Ltd

We provide consultation, installation and aftercare of lightning protection systems, in accordance with the BSEN 62305 code of practice. A high quality, competitively priced, safe and well co-ordinated service.

Free design & risk assessment

Surge protection services

Aftercare & maintenance

T: 0161 302 8766 / 07487 787 854

E: ian.wimpeney@raidenlps.co.uk W: www.raidenlps.co.uk

Unit 2 Ind Estate, Marsland Street, Hazel Grove, Stockport, Cheshire SK7 4ER

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

• Free Lightning Protection Quotes

• Free Lightning Protection Risk Assessment

• Risk Assessment Calculations

• Soil Resistivity Testing

• Surge Arrester Quotes

• Site Visits

T: 0118 976 0239 / 07768 566889

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

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

Igoe Up Height Services

Igoe Up employ fully qualified Steeplejacks and Rope Access Technicians to repair and maintain buildings with height. We use a variety of steeplejack access techniques to carry out high-level inspections, surveys, building maintenance and repair services.

Steeplejack and rope access services

Stone restoration services

Church maintenance

Drone surveys

• Roofing services

T: 01577 531307 / 07481 840581

E: Chris@igoe-up.com W: www.igoe-up.com

17 Dalhousie Gardens, Bonnyrigg EH19 2LP

G & S Steeplejacks Ltd

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

Annual Testing Inspection & Maintenance Surge Protection Height Safety Systems

Churches, Schools, Hospitals, Universities, Colleges

T: 01761 437796 M: 07974 184449

E: graham@gnssteeplejacks.co.uk W: www.gnssteeplejacks.co.uk

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

Wiltshire Steeplejacks and Lightning Conductor Engineers

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: info@wiltshiresteeplejacks.co.uk W: www.wiltshiresteeplejacks.co.uk

44 Eastbourne Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 7HW

Lightning Strike Ltd

Lightning Protection and Earthing Specialist for Churches and Historic Properties

Earthing Systems

Surge Protection Safe Strike ESE Systems

Lightning Conductor Testing Earthing System Testing Soil Resistivity Testing

T: 01158 752686 M: 07581 266493

E: info@lightningstrikeltd.co.uk

W: www.lightningstrikeltd.co.uk

452 Watnall Road, Hucknall NG15 6FQ

• Lightning Conductor Engineers

• Steeplejacks • Flagpole Specialists

• High Level Access

Providing lightning protection and steeplejack services since 1978.

Churches Cathedrals Schools Hospitals

• High Rise Office Blocks

High Rise Residential Blocks Towers Sports Centres

A C Wallbridge & Co Ltd

T: 01722 322750 E: office@wallbridge.uk W: www.wallbridge.co.uk

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

Lightning Protection Services

North(Head office): 01461 800323

South: 01582 511036 N.E: 01914 661145

E: info@lightningconductor.co.uk

W: www.lightningconductor.co.uk

Direct Strike Ltd

Lightning Protection and Earthing Solutions

Lightning Protection

Inspection & Maintenance

BSEN 62305:2011

Consultancy & Design Services

Supply & Installation

Earthing Systems

Height Safety & Fall Arrest Systems

Surge Protection

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

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

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

South West Lightning Protection

T: 07807 334441

E: south@lightningconductor.org

W: www.lightningconductor.org

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

LIME & LIME PLASTERERS

PAINTING & DECORATING

METALWORK

PEST CONTROL

PUBLIC RELATIONS & MARKETING

ORGANS

FTMRC

SOUND, AUDIO VISUAL & LOOP SYSTEMS

ISCVE

STAINED GLASS

TRANSPORT & STORAGE

STONE & STONE SUPPLY

WINDOWS

TRAINING

WOOD PROTECTION & RESTORATION