Ecclesiastical & Heritage World Issue No. 97

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COVER STORY

CONTENTS Weathervane restoration takes steeplejack’s craft to new heights Our cover shows the extraordinary achievement of the steeplejacks in removing the weathervane from atop Chichester Cathedral for restoration and regilding by Bob Harfield of Tarrant Group.

The dedication to craftsmanship is exemplified by Tarrant Group which has been plying its trade since the 1970s, when the country was still dominated by industrial chimneys alongside traditional church steeples.

Together with a specialist talent for the installation of lightning protection services, the steeplejacking trade is still in great demand – combining traditional with modern techniques.

Read about the range of services Tarrant Group can provide on pages 6-7

5 Reflections NEWS 9 Caerphilly Castle embarks on £10m transformation 9 Views sought on ‘at risk’ register 11 Bid launched to save ‘Brighton’s Guernica’

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Get ready to rock as sold-out CRE Midlands prepares for lift-off

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ROOFING 36 RAAC in roof forces museum’s partial closure 37 Training provider looks forward to another year of SAP delivery 38 Heritage roof project adds international prize to NFRC crown PROJECT 39 Rebuilding of arson-hit church is shortlisted in roofing awards 40 Restoration work reveals church’s artistic secret and draws plaudits BRICKS 43 Offsite manufacturing investment expands brickmaker’s offer IRONWORK & METALWORK 44 Ironwork group announces award winners

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Appeal aims to preserve free school heritage trips In stormy weather, look to your trees Survey shows condition of wrecks off Dunkirk London Wall section now exposed for the public to view

HEATING 16 Cathedral school warms to new boiler installations 17 Church’s new heating ticks all the boxes NET ZERO 18 C of E announces latest round of net-zero grants ACCESS & LIGHTNING PROTECTION 19 New custom-made flagpole suits existing fitting and lightning protection 21 Industry celebrates achievement of apprentices

CRE prepares to head north in 2024

SOUND & AV SYSTEMS 24 Get the lowdown on developments in AV 25 New church is blank canvas for sound system 27 Steerable speakers prove the solution to intelligibility issues 29 Anti-glare displays add shine to new installation 30 Why mosques sometimes require added ‘reverb’ 31 Scots language tour guide brings Linlithgow to life 31 An enhanced auditory experience: the infrared audio installation at RUSI INSURANCE 32 Heritage organisations unaware of Martyn’s Law 32 These Aces help combat theft and vandalism at churches 33 A treasure in every church – structure or chattel?

WINDOWS 45 Grade Two-listed school sensitively upgraded with new Clement Brooking steel windows

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Modern windows help in repurposing of local icon

STAINED GLASS 48 Window commemorates safe delivery of endangered child

A TO Z WEBSITE LISTINGS PAGE 18 | CHURCH & HERITAGE SUPPLIES FROM PAGE 49 Richard Shepherd – Business Development Manager Advertising enquiries: Tel: 07429 516265 Email: richard@dmmonline.co.uk All other enquiries: Tel: 0161 710 3880 Fax: 0161 710 3879 • 61 Lower Hillgate, Stockport, Cheshire SK1 3AW Copyright Ecclesiastical & Heritage World. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of Ecclesiastical & Heritage World. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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[OVER THE PAST WEEKS a number of fierce storms have buffeted the UK, one of which resulted in the tragic loss

of several lives; and more are expected at the time of writing. They are a sign that winter is approaching and it’s time to switch on the heating. For churches and other heritage assets, that can be a daunting prospect, particularly with the frightening cost of energy. Fortunately, modern heating systems are more energy efficient than of yore, and the C of E is helping out with its latest round of grants.

More than eight million trees were brought down in storms last year alone, according to the BBC, and they are not always the sick and rotten. As expert Ian Barnes explains, even a stiff breeze can cause healthy trees to lose branches – with potential consequences for the tree’s owners. A regular survey is essential, if only to ensure insurance cover.

• Assessing the many varied and often unique artefacts within a church or historic building for insurance purposes is a challenging task and one for an expert. An element most of us don’t even consider is whether an object is portable or permanent. It matters, apparently, as expert Patrick Bowen explains.

• The weather is a well-known obsession of the British; and a time-honoured indicator of where that weather is coming from is the weathervane atop the local church steeple. In the case of the burghers of Chichester the gilded weathercock on the cathedral steeple has performed that task for many centuries – not to speak of sailors in the English Channel.

That ornament has shone even more brightly since it was regilded.

The task of removing and reinstalling it was carried out by specialist steeplejacks from Tarrant Group, as featured on our front cover. Their gut-wrenching high-level activities are no doubt another challenge for insurers.

• The tops of churches are also a good place to fly flags. And when the pole starts to show signs of wear and tear it is a serious matter. Fortunately, access experts are on hand to install a replacement. Nowadays flagpoles are made from hard-wearing glassfibre, so hopefully will last longer than their traditional wooden forebears.

• A modern building material that has not stood the test of time so well is RAAC. The substance was widely used in the second half of the last century and is now starting to crumble. While its presence in schools has made most headlines, the stuff is also to be found in public buildings of all kinds – including heritage buildings. They include York Castle Museum, which has had to close part of its site.

• As a publication that looks to the twin sources of Heaven and the treasures of the past as its inspirations, we are proud to reflect the breadth of faiths in this country. Included in this issue are a campaign to save a threatened synagogue that contains important stained glass and an explanation from Paul Dougherty of the singular challenges of reproducing the acoustics of the mosque.

The Christian tradition leads us to highlight the more down-to-earth treasures to be found at the series of exhibitions that is CRE. November’s Midlands show is followed next year by events in Manchester and Milton Keynes.

As usual, Ecclesiastical and Heritage World will be on hand to distribute free copies to those attending, as you will know if that’s where you obtained this copy.

• Diversity within our isles is something we constantly strive for, and Linlithgow Palace is the venue for a wonderful initiative from Historic Environment Scotland which allows visitors to hear the audio tour in Scots as well as English.

We’ve included a taste of it – with a translation for the non-linguistically minded. q

Chris Stokes

Editor, Ecclesiastical & Heritage World

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COVER STORY

WEATHERVANE RESTORATION TAKES STEEPLEJACK’S CRAFT TO NEW HEIGHTS [ THE MAGNIFICENT ARCHITECTURAL MARVEL that is Chichester

Cathedral has long stood as a symbol of faith and history. Dating from the 11th century, it has been described as ‘the most typical English cathedral’. Its towering spire, reaching an astonishing height of 277ft, is the third tallest of any cathedral in England and the only one visible from the sea.

In 2011 a remarkable feat of courage and precision took place at the cathedral, as the famous weathervane was removed from its pinnacle for restoration and regilding.

The man behind the daring task was Bob Harfield of Tarrant Group, one of the steeplejacks entrusted with the mission. With a calm demeanour that belied the vertigo-inducing height, Bob described the task as ‘another day in the office’. It's a sentiment shared by many seasoned professionals in the field who understand that, when working at such heights, focusing on the job at hand is paramount.

The process itself was a spectacle to behold. The spire was adorned with ladders on its exterior, presenting a formidable structure, yet necessary to reach the pinnacle. A floating stage was carefully manoeuvred to the top of the spire, serving as a staging point for the removal of the cherished weathervane.

The weathervane, a small but iconic feature of the cathedral, was meticulously detached and lowered by hand. The delicate operation required the utmost precision, as any mis-step could have marred the centuries-old symbol of navigation and direction. Once safely on the ground, the weathervane underwent a transformation.

As a homage to tradition and history, the weathervane was treated to a rejuvenation process. It was painstakingly repainted using Fairtrade gold leaf, bringing back its former lustre and gleam. The meticulous restoration ensures that this piece of Chichester Cathedral's heritage continues to shine brilliantly, catching the eye of all who gaze upon it.

The removal and restoration of the weathervane from Chichester Cathedral's towering spire stands as a testament to the dedication and craftsmanship – exemplified by experts like those at Tarrant Group – required to preserve our cultural treasures. The daring endeavour not only safeguards an iconic feature but also reminds us of the intricate beauty and enduring spirit of historical landmarks like Chichester Cathedral. It is a reminder that, even at the most breathtaking heights, humans can achieve extraordinary feats when they come together to honour and protect our shared heritage. q

LIGHTNING CONDUCTOR AND STEEPLEJACK ENGINEERS N 01243 839992 (Chichester) / 0203 657 3850 (London) E damon@tarrantgroup.co.uk D www.tarrantgroup.co.uk 3-4 Temple Bar Business Park, Strettington Lane, Chichester, West Sussex PO18 0TU 20-22 Wenlock Road, London N1 7GU

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TARRANT GROUP:

THE HIGH-FLYING COMPANY WITH OVER FOUR DECADES OF SERVICE UNDER ITS BELT [THE ACCESSING of the weathervane at

Chichester Cathedral for regilding was one of a long list of prestigious projects to employ the steeplejacking talents of the Tarrant Group during its near-50 year history.

Founded in the 1970s, Tarrant Group is one of the most highly-regarded specialist contract companies in the UK, known for its impressive longevity. The firm originated as a small venture in the steeplejacking industry, since when it has achieved significant growth, expanding its footprint across the United Kingdom by securing substantial contracts nationwide.

With a collective experience of over 150 years, the team comprises respected leaders and experts in their field. An unwavering commitment to maintaining the highest standards of service and (Left to right) Bob Harfield, Alan Harfield and Adrian Tarrant, founder of Tarrant Group craftsmanship is matched only by a dedication to environmental responsibility.

An example of that commitment occurred when a storm damaged The craft espoused by the team at Tarrant Group embodies a long St Luke’s Church in Brighton. Tarrant swiftly organised repairs with a hydraulic tradition of high-level work, dating back to the middle ages – one of the platform, efficiently managed the logistics and fixed additional roof issues. first images of a steeplejack is to be found on the Bayeux Tapestry. At the The timeliness and quality of the work drew the following industry’s peak steeplejacks dominated the skyline, maintaining not only endorsement: “I highly recommend the Tarrant Group for their efficient church buildings but also the thousands of factory chimneys that sprang up and cost-effective service.” during the Industrial Revolution.

The range of heritage services available from Tarrant Group The shift away from high-rise chimneys during the UK’s post-industrial includes repair of roof tiles, shingle repair and replacement, era means that, in today's modern landscape, the age-old craft of the spire restoration and protection, lead repair and replacement, steeplejack is sadly on the verge of becoming a lost art. Tarrant Group is weathervanes, gutter clearance and much more. dedicated to preserving and revitalising that invaluable legacy.

They employ expert access techniques utilising specialised rope Steeplejacking offers a cost-effective solution for high-rise repairs without methods. That enables them to effectively tackle locations that would the need for costly scaffolding. Tarrant Group believes in the enduring value otherwise be impractical or difficult to reach using traditional approaches. and efficiency of this time-honoured practice. Their expertise runs deep, and The practice of rope access has a history spanning centuries. While their dedication to preserving heritage is unmatched. steeplejacks have historically utilised tools like the bosun’s chair, more contemporary methods such as twin rope abseiling have gained preference.

Preserving our heritage With over 40,000 churches and 42 Anglican cathedrals in the UK, our Lightning protection heritage is a huge part of our culture. Tarrant Group believes that the Going hand-in-hand with their expertise as steeplejacks, Tarrant upkeep and maintenance of that vast number of churches and cathedrals is Group are highly experienced in the installation and maintenance of important in preserving that heritage. lightning protection systems.

As the firm itself avers: “Lightning protection is crucial for safety, and regular maintenance and annual testing are paramount. Whether we installed the system or not, we're committed to ensuring its on-going reliability. At our core, safety is our pride and priority.”

As part of their services, they always begin with a consultancy process to understand the client’s requirements and align them with the BS EN 62305 standard. They consider various factors, such as the type of structure, the required level of protection, elevations, cost-effectiveness and the prevailing types of protection. Their engineers will provide recommendations tailored to specific needs.

BS EN 62305 emphasises the importance of a comprehensive risk assessment that considers both the structure and the services associated with it. Lightning protection cannot be considered in isolation, as the standard also addresses protection against transient overvoltage’s and electrical surges. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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CAERPHILLY CASTLE EMBARKS ON £10M TRANSFORMATION

An artist's impression of how the Great Hall will look after restoration

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THE LARGEST MEDIEVAL FORTRESS in Wales is being transformed by a £10m project taking place over the next three years.

Work has begun on the Caerphilly Castle Regeneration Project – part of a wider investment into Wales’s historic monuments – and is due to be complete by the summer of 2026.

The 13th-century castle will benefit from extensive improvements to facilities, visitor experience and conservation: bringing a state-of-the-art welcome centre, brand new café, toilets and an education room.

Of the total investment, £1m has been allocated to developing a new interpretative scheme, telling the fascinating stories of people who built and lived in the castle through the centuries.

Initial work began on the regeneration scheme in 2021 with the necessary conservation of the Inner East Gatehouse, in preparation for Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the project.

Phase 1 will see improvement works to the inner ward of the castle. It commenced on 7 August and is expected to be complete by July 2024. It will include the refurbishment of the medieval Great Hall, installation of visitor access paths and ramps, comprehensive new interpretation and the construction of a wildflower garden.

Work will also be undertaken to conserve and open visitor access to the medieval watergate, which once provided access from the water’s edge to the medieval Great Hall. This atmospheric entrance, with its long-covered passageway, has not been in use since medieval times.

Once the regeneration of the inner ward is complete, Phase 2 of the project is expected to begin in summer 2024 in the castle’s outer ward. That will involve construction of a new sustainably built Welcome Centre, refurbishment of the Cadw shop and the installation of a children’s play area.

Dr Kate Roberts, Cadw’s Chief Inspector of Historic Monuments and Buildings, said: “Caerphilly Castle is one of Wales’s most impressive historical landmarks with a rich past. It’s seen many sieges and battles and played an important role in the downfall of King Edward II. “Our aim is to conserve this unique historic place – the first truly concentric castle in Wales – and to transform the experience for the thousands of visitors that enjoy the attraction each year.

“We’re working closely with Caerphilly Council and other key stakeholders within the Caerphilly 2035 strategy to shape the town as an attractive place to live, work and invest, and to make the castle one of Wales’s biggest heritage attractions for us all to keep in years to come.”

Caerphilly Castle will remain open during the improvement works, with partial closures as work progresses. Visitors will receive a free guidebook to enhance their experience. Admission tickets are available to purchase online or at the castle. q

VIEWS SOUGHT ON ‘AT RISK’ REGISTER [ VIEWS ARE BEING SOUGHT on Scotland’s Buildings

at Risk Register (BARR). The register is maintained by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) and provides information on historic buildings at risk. They include those that are vacant, suffering neglect or threatened with demolition.

Just under 2,200 buildings are currently on the register, including churches, pubs, castles, stately homes and other buildings, many listed for their significance. The survey seeks to engage individuals, organisations, communities and professionals, who have an interest in reuse of historic buildings at risk.

Philip Robertson, from HES, said: “The Buildings at Risk Register is intended for use by anyone with an interest in bringing buildings back into use. That includes property developers, heritage organisations, investors, architects and individuals with an interest in renovating, re-purposing or saving these buildings. We want to further understand who uses the register and how they use it. ” The Buildings at Risk Register was established in 1990 in response to a growing concern over vacant listed buildings and those in Conservation Areas that had fallen into disrepair.

Philip Robertson added: “Reuse and regeneration of buildings at risk is a sustainable approach and it helps to contribute to successful placemaking and economic regeneration throughout Scotland. We’re keen to hear from community groups and others who are working to refurbish buildings at risk and to put them to good use. We want to hear how useful the register is for this purpose.”

A leading research agency in the heritage sector, Harlow Consulting, is leading on the extensive survey to help HES to understand the impact the Buildings at Risk Register is having. Harlow Consulting will also make evidence-based recommendations from the study that will inform long-term decisions about this resource by HES, and how best to bring buildings at risk back into use. q • To take part in the survey, visit harlowconsulting. welcomesyourfeedback.net/s/Buildings-at-Risk-Register.

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BID LAUNCHED TO SAVE ‘BRIGHTON’S GUERNICA’ [THE 20th Century (C20) Society has

submitted a listing application for Brighton and Hove Reform Synagogue, in a bid to save the modernist building and its extraordinary stained glass windows from proposed demolition. The site is unique in the UK in that it serves as both a Holocaust memorial and a place of worship, with its luminescent east-facing windows described by art historian Dr Alison Smith as “one of the great religious artworks of the 20th century”.

Designed by architects Derek Sharp Associates and built between 1967-68, the synagogue is currently threatened by plans from a local developer that would see the historic building make way for a block of 18 residential flats, with a smaller replacement synagogue ‘apologetically’ placed elsewhere on the site.

C20 first applied to list the synagogue in 2017 in response to prior approval being granted for demolition, but Historic England recommended against listing in 2018. The previously consented development scheme subsequently fell through and important new evidence has since emerged regarding the rarity and significance of the stained glass windows, demanding the building now be re-appraised for listing, C20 says.

The central features of the synagogue are its Ark and the 40ft-long stained glass windows, designed by artist John Petts and depicting scenes from the Revelation.

The Ark is enclosed by two 11ft-high stained glass doors, which can be drawn sideways to access the sacred Torah scrolls. The main windows are composed of some 1,800 individual pieces of coloured glass, with the central panel showing the Burning Bush in fiery reds and yellows, flanked by side panels in blues, greens and greys, with symbols referencing the key Jewish festivals Pesach, Shavuot, Succoth and Hanukkah.

The elements binding them all together are broken barbed wire and the chain link broken by a sapling – representing the oppression of the Jewish people through history and the atrocities of the Holocaust.

did during the 1970s – and initial plans for an external inscription were abandoned.

The foundation stone in the foyer reads: “In dedication to the glory of God and in memory of the 6 million Jews who perished in the concentration camps during the 19391945 World War. In honour of the dead as a warning to the living.”

Such was the ambition for the new synagogue that Rabbi Erwin Rosenblum, a Holocaust survivor himself, initially approached artist Marc Chagall to undertake the commission for the windows. Instead, John Petts was chosen, given his international standing at the time as the creator of the Wales Window for the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, following an attack by the Ku Klux Klan.

Coco Whittaker, senior caseworker at C20 Society, said: “The Brighton and Hove Synagogue has outstanding cultural significance: its post-war architecture and artwork is exceptional, and it has major communal value as a Holocaust memorial and as a social and spiritual centre. The demolition of this remarkable and important building would represent an extraordinary loss to the nation – it must be prevented.” q Images courtesy of John East

Historians have drawn comparison to Picasso’s seminal work Guernica (1937), and the way both artworks articulate the personal, emotional and historical dimensions of modern warfare and the atrocities it has engendered. The windows have been identified by the Imperial War Museum as a Holocaust memorial and are the most significant example of Petts’s work in the UK, yet are not as widely recognised as they should be. It was long felt that they should not be advertised lest they fall victim to anti-Semitic attack – as indeed they www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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APPEAL AIMS TO PRESERVE FREE SCHOOL HERITAGE TRIPS [ THE EVER-INCREASING cost of school trips is becoming a

serious threat to their future, English Heritage has warned. As the UK’s largest provider of free school trips, the charity has seen the cost per head for educational visits rise from £2.25 to £3.66 over the past three years, and it is projected to hit £3.89 in 2023/2024.

In a bid to bridge the divide, English Heritage is launching a yearlong fundraising appeal to ensure the work it does for schools and education groups can continue at the same rate.

The charity has also revealed regional differences in how many school trips are taken, with historic sites in the affluent South East receiving considerably more school visits than those in other areas of the country, despite other regions containing more historic sites.

On average, in 22/23 a historic site in the South East welcomed almost eight times the number of schoolchildren as one in the North West, almost seven times as many as one in the North East and five times as many as one in East Anglia.

Almost all (83%) of school visits to English Heritage sites are free visits, with the remaining 17% consisting of immersive, expert-led Discovery Visit workshops. Overall, school trips remain 28% down since COVID, which English Heritage attributes predominantly to the

IN STORMY WEATHER, LOOK TO YOUR TREES

cost of living crisis rather than the enduring effects of the pandemic.

With schools increasingly unable to afford school trips, the charity believes it is more important than ever to keep offering educational trips free-of-charge.

Dr Dominique Bouchard, head of learning and interpretation at English Heritage, said: “For many children a school outing is the only chance they get to discover the very places where history was made. Visiting these places, touching the same stones, seeing the same sights and listening to the same sounds as those who made history is the best way to bring the subject to life.

“Learning about the Battle of Hastings in a classroom can never offer the same depth of understanding as visiting the actual battlefield, seeing the landscape and even recreating the fight.

“And the benefits extend far beyond the topic being studied.

A school trip to one of our sites can have a lifelong impact on children – it can broaden their horizons, develop their sense of selfworth, enable them to strengthen their relationships with teachers and peers, and so much more.” q

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WITH THE UK being battered by a series of storms this autumn, and Storm Babet causing severe damage and even, sadly, loss of life, the effects of stormy weather on churchyards is at the forefront of the thoughts of those responsible for their upkeep.

In particular, trees in churchyards are at risk. Even healthy trees unaffected by defects can fail in extreme weather conditions. Trees can be managed but they cannot be controlled, and to live near a tree is to accept some degree of risk. Reasonable risk management generally aims to provide trees that can be regarded as stable in a normal or foreseeable, regularly experienced storm event in relation to the context of the tree.

Ian Barnes, of Yorkshire-based tree consultants Barnes Associates, explained: “In this region it is reasonable to assume that a ‘Storm’ of Force 10 on the Beaufort Scale (55-63mph of wind speed on land) will occur annually. It should be realised that all trees do pose a risk – even sound trees that would typically be regarded as safe can fail during high winds.

“Typically, trees have evolved to fail in parts. Twigs and branches are sacrificed and fall from a parent tree rather than the tree being lost entirely. Observations at various sites in this country have found that twigs and branches can break from trees at wind speeds of as little as 31mph, the upper limit of a ‘Strong Breeze’ as detailed in the Beaufort Scale (25-31mph).

“This has led to a recommendation for certain sites with grounds open to the public to be closed when the wind speeds approach ‘Near Gale’, or Force 7 as detailed by the Beaufort Scale (32-38mph).” q • If you would like to find out more about risk management and trees visit www.barnesassociates.co.uk. www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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SURVEY SHOWS CONDITION OF WRECKS OFF DUNKIRK [ BETWEEN 25 September and 8 October, the French marine

heritage agency Drassm, in partnership with Historic England, surveyed 30 wrecks sunk during the rescue of 338,000 Allied soldiers from Dunkirk in 1940, known as Operation Dynamo.

The survey shows the position, characteristics and condition of each wreck in remarkable detail. Seeing the wrecks in such detail for the first time is a powerful reminder of the scale and human cost of the evacuation.

LONDON WALL SECTION NOW EXPOSED FOR THE PUBLIC TO VIEW [A LARGE SECTION of Roman wall in the City of London can see

the light of day again, thanks to an innovative collaboration between Urbanest, the City of London Corporation, Historic England and the Museum of London.

The City Wall at Vine Street is a new, free, museum-quality display and café created by Urbanest as part of their wider redevelopment of the site.

The development has recently been awarded City Building of the Year.

The centrepiece of the display is a substantial segment of London’s Roman Wall which once encircled the city, including the foundation of a Roman bastion, alongside a permanent display of artefacts lent and curated by the Museum of London. Tickets can be booked for free.

The significant piece of archaeology is protected as a scheduled monument, but had been largely hidden away, inaccessible in the Image ©Urbanest basement of the previous office building.

After acquiring the site in April 2016, Urbanest worked in close collaboration with the City of London Corporation, which is the local planning authority, and Historic England to bring this piece of London’s history to life, incorporating the wall into the design so that it is visible and can be celebrated once again.

Creating a spacious new exhibition with free public access allows residents, visitors and experts alike to explore and learn about the site’s evolution and the lives of the people who lived and worked here in the Roman period.

Anthony Mellalieu, development director of Urbanest, commented: “We are incredibly proud of what we have achieved at Vine Street together with our partners the City of London Corporation, Historic England and the Museum of London. For so long this site sat empty and hid a brilliant historic asset which we were delighted to help bring to life. It seems very fitting that those studying postgraduate courses at King’s College London can live above such a wonderful piece of this city’s history. This is a brilliant example of what can be achieved with a sensitive and collaborative approach to redevelopment in Central London. We’ve already welcomed over 1,000 people to the exhibition so far and hope to see lots more over the next few months.”

Objects from the Museum of London collection on display include a tile marked with a cat’s paw print, Romain coins and discarded animal bones. All items were recovered from Vine Street or nearby.

The Roman Wall is now clearly visible from street level to passers-by, and the café offers a chance for those completing the London Wall Walk to stop and rest en route. q

Image ©Drassm

New multibeam survey of the wreck of the destroyer HMS Keith, showing the displaced hull section.

The operation was led by Drassm archaeologists Cécile Sauvage and Claire Destanque aboard Drassm research vessel the André Malraux, captained by Fabien Géreux from Bourbon Offshore Surf.

Drassm geophysicist Alexis Rochat was joined by UK geophysicist Mark James of MSDS Marine, commissioned by Historic England for the role.

The survey is the first collaboration between Drassm and Historic England and provides essential information for researching and managing these wrecks in future.

The survey has confirmed that many of the Dynamo wrecks are in relatively good condition; however, the new data also shows recent changes. The destroyer HMS Keith was surveyed in 2016 and 2019 by the Port of Dunkirk and the 2023 survey shows that part of the destroyer’s hull has degraded in just those few years, collapsing away from its former position. q

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CATHEDRAL SCHOOL WARMS TO NEW BOILER INSTALLATIONS

The new Hoval Ultraga boiler (left) and flue system (right)at the Zimmerman Building

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and low loss headers, together with new pumps and insulation.

HEREFORD CATHEDRAL SCHOOL is considered to be among The third installation, at the school’s Old Block, involved taking the oldest schools in England. Located next to the cathedral from out one oil boiler and removing the oil tank which it derives its name (pictured), there and bunded walls. Mellor and Mottram was probably a school associated with the supplied and fitted a new flue system and an cathedral from the time of the foundation of additional combustion air system in the boiler the see in the late 7th century. The earliest room. They installed two new Hamworthy documentary record of its existence dates from Purewell Variheat condensing gas boilers, new 1384, when Bishop John Gilbert appointed controls, insulated pipework and a new gas Richard de Cornwaille as school master and main with new circulation pumps. authorised him to rule over the school ‘with The fourth installation was at a further birch and rod’. The school's library is named site on Castle Street. Mellor and Mottram after Bishop Gilbert and Cornwall house is removed one gas boiler and its associated named for Richard de Cornwaille. supply and installed a new Hamworthy The school recently benefited from modern Purewell Variheat gas-fired condensing boiler. upgrades to a number of its heating systems by The firm installed a new chimney system Stoke-on-Trent specialists Mellor and Mottram. and controls, together with the appropriate Although mainly known for their work on insulation. They also supplied and fitted a church heating systems, it was natural that new, unvented hot water cylinder. their expertise would expand to the educational Mellor and Mottram’s expertise in the sphere, especially those establishments installation of heating systems in churches, associated with churches. heritage buildings and leading educational Mellor and Mottram’s work at Hereford establishments has evolved over five Cathedral School encompassed four boiler decades. Founded in 1973 the firm is this houses. The most extensive was at the school’s year celebrating its 50th anniversary in the Zimmerman Building. Mellor and Mottram industry. removed two old oil-fired boilers and replaced Stuart Mottram, son of Roger Mottram, who them with two new Hoval Ultragas boilers. with Jack Mellor founded the company, is They also installed a new flue system and a to be found in the crypts and basements of new gas main, degassed the 10,000-gallon churches, cathedrals and even castles around oil tank and removed it from site. They also the country, planning new installations, with installed a complete new control system. sons Harry and George set to carry the firm At one of the school’s Castle Street sites, on for the next half century. q Mellor and Mottram removed two old Ideal boilers and the existing pipework, to fit two new • For further information call 0800 644 6240 or Hoval Ultragas 70kw boilers. They also installed One of the old boilers at the Zimmerman Building visit the website at www.mellorandmottram.com. a new control panel and fitted new pipework

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CHURCH’S NEW HEATING TICKS ALL THE BOXES

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TRINITY CHURCH NORTH FINCHLEY was formed in 1980 by the coming together of two churches in North Finchley in North London. During the latter half of the 1970s the relationship between North Finchley United Reformed Church (formerly North Finchley Congregational Church) and North Finchley Baptist Church went from strength to strength, and it was decided to recommend that the two churches should unite to form a single church.

The Baptist Church was later demolished and the URC church renovated and extended. Trinity Church, set in the heart of North Finchley, makes the premises available to a large number of community groups from the local area, welcoming people from a wide range of backgrounds.

Argonaut Heating Ltd, established in 1972, has over 50 years experience in the design, installation, service and maintenance of heating and air conditioning systems, with church heating being one of the company’s specialist services.

Argonaut Heating was commissioned to upgrade the 30-year-oldplus boiler room and install a modern-day, high-efficiency boiler plant and control system at the Trinity Church Centre, including the halls and rooms used for meetings, activities and rehearsals.

The boiler plant needed upgrading as it had reached the end of its useful life and the church took the opportunity to have a new bespoke heating system installed, with the facility to be able to individually control the heating in the various halls and rooms which are used at different times – thus avoiding unnecessary heating of the spaces when not in use.

A complete new heating and control system was installed and all the old boiler plant was removed. The new boilers were mounted on a support frame off the floor as the boiler room had, from time to time, experienced flooding in the past due to the local high water table.

A plate exchanger was installed so the existing heating system was segregated from the new boilers, thus protecting them from any dirt in the existing heating system. Argonaut Heating Ltd also installed a dosing pot and cleaned the existing heating system.

A new control panel was installed, allowing the control of four different temperature zones for the various areas of the multi-use church centre.

The panel also provides weather compensated control and all plant is

shown with auto changeover, run and fault indication. The gas supply systems were also upgraded to comply with current standards. q

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C OF E ANNOUNCES A TO Z WEBSITE LISTINGS LATEST ROUND OF Welcome to our brand new A to Z guide of NET-ZERO GRANTS the websites of some of the Ecclesiastical & Ecclesiastical & Heritage World

Heritage sector’s leading players.

The trades, crafts and artisanship involved in the supplying and upkeep of ecclesiastical and heritage buildings may seem arcane to the onlooker, but they are every bit a part of the modern world as any other.

In the same way, putting those goods and services into the marketplace needs the same mix of technologies.

[THOUSANDS OF CHURCHES, cathedrals, schools and clergy

Having drawn attention to yourself, the modern way to provide in-depth information is online. This new feature in the printed version of Ecclesiastical and Heritage World allows you to do just that.

If you are one of our many online readers simply click on any of the web addresses listed below and you will be automatically directed to that particular website.

Janie Lightfoot Textiles LLP

Conservation and Restoration Studio • Specialist conservation of altar frontals, ecclesiastical vestments, rugs & other soft furnishings • Consultation for collection care • Installation of large textiles • Conservation framing

www.janielightfoot.co.uk

Rupert Harris Conservation Ltd

Conservators of Fine Metalwork, Historic and Modern Sculpture • Sculpture & Monuments • Architectural Metalwork • Interior Objects • Modern & Contemporary Sculpture • Maintenance • Replication • Consultancy

www.rupertharris.com

• We will be expanding this section in future issues, so to take advantage of this opportunity contact micky@dmmonline.co.uk.

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houses in England are set to benefit from the first phase of grants and projects worth £30m, as part of the Church of England’s ambitious plan to achieve net zero by 2030, announced on 12 October.

The aim is to support the church in reducing carbon emissions from the energy used in churches, schools, cathedrals, houses and other buildings, saving money by improving the energy efficiency of buildings and switching to cheaper, more reliable, renewable energy sources.

“The ambition to be net zero by 2030 is at the core of the Church of England’s response to the climate crisis – to help safeguard God’s creation and achieve a just world,” said the Bishop of Norwich Graham Usher, the Church of England’s lead bishop for the environment.

“Climate change is hitting the poorest people of the world hardest.

We are already seeing the devastating effects of climate change and we must act now. The church is called to be a people of hope; to repent and live in harmony with our world; to treasure God’s creation and to love our global neighbours.”

Dioceses – and their parishes and schools – can now take advantage of the first round of grants from the Church of England’s Net Zero Carbon Programme, made possible by funding from the Church Commissioners for England.

The 600 churches with the highest energy use will have access to fullyfunded energy audits, which come with small grants to create action plans and kickstart initial green projects. A further 1,000 churches will be able to apply for subsidised audits. The programme will also offer ‘Quick Wins’ grants for small-scale work in churches, such as installing LED lighting or alternative heating solutions.

A Pilot and Evaluation Fund will support the trialling of new net-zero carbon technologies, and there will be packages of technical and fundraising support for demonstrator churches – who can then inspire other churches by sharing their own success in reducing carbon emissions.

The programme will also fund detailed energy surveys on cathedrals and over 100 Church of England clergy houses across four dioceses, representing various housing types and uses. The surveys will help dioceses and cathedrals understand what is needed to achieve their net zero carbon ambitions.

“The announcement today represents the first major milestone of the Church of England’s Net Zero Carbon Programme, and there is much more to come,” said Julian Atkins, net-zero carbon programme director with the Church Commissioners. “There will be more details on how dioceses and parishes can apply for support in the coming weeks and months – and what we learn during this phase will inform the future phases of our work.” q

NEW CUSTOM-MADE FLAGPOLE SUITS EXISTING FITTING AND LIGHTNING PROTECTION [THE Grade One-listed St Edmund’s Church in County Durham

was built in the 13th century, with its 90ft tower added in the late 15th century. This year, in conjunction with works to refurbish the clock face and work on the bell frame, the church committee decided to replace the existing flagpole.

The challenges The task was to remove the existing pole within the constraint of limited access to the tower. Following a full site survey it was determined that the safest and easiest way to remove and replace the flagpole was to use a 90-tonne crane, which had a long enough reach above the top of the tower from a distance of 25m from the church, via a small opening in the trees on the boundary of the churchyard.

Measurements were taken of the existing opening in the centre of the church roof and the new pole was carefully designed and manufactured to suit that opening, to minimise any disturbance of the existing leadwork. As the only fibreglass flagpole manufacturer in the UK, Harrison’s are capable of manufacturing custom poles from scratch, manipulating their moulds and altering their wall thicknesses to design the right flagpole for the job every time.

The solution Once the base of the old flagpole was loosened, the team could then remove the old pole. Harrison’s installation team worked alongside the crane team to manoeuvre the crane into place and ensure the old pole was securely attached to the crane before gently removing it from the roof.

With the old flagpole removed, the new one could now be installed into the hole where the previous pole was, a new set of guy wires being attached to the walls to ensure the flagpole was secure and reconnected to the existing lightning protection system on the roof. q

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

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

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

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

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 • Surge Protection • Inspection & Maintenance • 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

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

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

T: 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

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 • Earthing Services • Surge Protection

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

• Lightning Conductor Engineers • Steeplejacks • Flagpole Specialists • High Level Access

Providing lightning protection and steeplejack services since 1978.

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

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North(Head office): 01461 800323 South: 01582 511036 N.E: 01914 661145 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

INDUSTRY CELEBRATES ACHIEVEMENT OF APPRENTICES

[

THE HOLIDAY INN NEWCASTLE JESMOND was the venue on 28 September of the Steeplejack and Lightning Protection Training Group (SLPTG) annual Apprentice Awards. The event was being held to celebrate 17 steeplejack and lightning conductor engineer apprentices who had recently completed their course and were about to embark on promising careers in the industry.

The room was filled with over 50 guests, including the proud apprentices, their loved ones, supportive employers and industry enthusiasts. They were promised an unforgettable evening of magic, mind-reading and comedy thanks to host Paul Martin.

After having fun at the drinks reception – taking part in a magic show and enjoying a three-course meal – it was time for the awards ceremony to begin.

That part of the event began with an inspiring speech by Roy Westwick, SLPTG chairman, who set the tone for the awards by highlighting the importance of apprenticeships in the industry and commending the dedication of the apprentices.

Then, each apprentice was called onto the stage to receive their completion certificate, to loud cheers and applause. This year’s graduating apprentices included 10 steeplejacks and seven lightning conductor engineers.

The highlight of the evening was the presentation of two prestigious awards, which are given to the best steeplejack and best lightning conductor engineer apprentice each year: The Ted Fuller Award for Best Steeplejack Apprentice and The A W Elliott Award for Best Lightning Conductor Engineer Apprentice.

Three apprentices were shortlisted for the Ted Fuller Award, named in honour of a steeplejack legend. Jonathan Fogarty, Hamish Murphy and Liam Walker were all recognised as having shown dedication to the course by going above and beyond the standard requirements.

Bill Butcher, a CITB instructor, was invited on stage to explain why the winner had been selected before Paul Sturges, representing ATLAS, announced the name of the winning apprentice. The award went to Jonathan Fogarty of Fogarty High Level Maintenance.

Three apprentices were shortlisted for the A W Elliott Award, named after a truly remarkable figure in the lightning conductor engineering field. Jack Campbell, Mason Leonardi and Haydn Newbold were all recognised as having shown dedication to the course by going above and beyond the standard requirements.

Howard Wright, a CITB instructor, was invited on stage to explain why the winner had been selected, before Roy Westwick, from event sponsor Omega Red Group, announced the name of the winning apprentice.

The recipient was Jack Campbell of Lightning Protection UK, formerly of Churchill Specialist Contracting.

Paul Sturges rounded up the evening by offering his best wishes to the apprentices and raising a toast to the future of the industry, emphasising the pivotal role they would play. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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GET READY TO ROCK AS SOLD-OUT CRE MIDLANDS PREPARES FOR LIFT-OFF

[AT THE TIME OF WRITING, last minute

preparations are underway for CRE Midlands, running from 8-9 November at Cranmore Park in Solihull, West Midlands.

The show – CRE’s first visit to the venue – will be opened by legendary rock star Rick Wakeman (pictured). Baptised at South

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Harrow Baptist Church, Wakeman became a Sunday School teacher there before attending the Royal College of Music in the 1960s, where he studied piano, modern music, clarinet and orchestration.

As well performing with top bands like The Strawbs and YES, he is known for his

own albums like The Six Wives of Henry VIII, Journey to the Centre of the Earth and The Myths and Legends of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. He has also played on more than 2,000 different tracks by artistes as diverse as Black Sabbath, Cat Stevens, Mary Hopkins, Cilla Black, Elton

John, Edison Lighthouse, David Bowie, Lou Reed, Dana (who has opened CRE three times), Des O’Connor, Al Stewart, Ralph McTell and Harry Nilsson.

Awarded a CBE for services to music and broadcasting in 2021, Wakeman will be interviewed at the opening of CRE Midlands

by Peter Wooding. Peter is the son of Dan Wooding, a Christian journalist, author and close friend of Wakeman from the late 1960s until his death in March 2020. Wooding wrote a biography of his friend in the 1970s under the title Rick Wakeman: The Caped Crusader.

“I have many stories about the great man,” said Wakeman, “and some of them I can tell, too! I look forward to playing Gone, But Not Forgotten at CRE Midlands – in memory of my dear friend.”

Rick will be joined at the opening ceremony

by The BIG Sing choir, at 10am on 8 Nov. Some members of the choir will also talk about their work in local communities and encourage visitors to join them.

BIG Sing was started 12 years ago by Gemma and Howard Francis to get people singing – whether they had a good voice or not – and to help them make new friends and entertain others. In fact, there are now BIG Sing groups in many parts of the country with more than 500 members. All ages and all types of music are covered, from gospel to pop.

The project not only gives adults a chance to get together, but through its charity The BIG Sing SOUL also offers TINY Sing music sessions to babies and tots while their parents socialise over a cuppa.

The BIG Sing SOUL (Sing, Outreach, Unity and Love) – was formed six years ago and has already raised more than £200,000 for charities.

In different formats the choir has appeared with big names like Mica Paris, Ellie Goulding, Leah McFall (from BBC TV’s The Voice) Blake and the London Community Gospel Choir, of which Gemma and Howard

were once members. They have sung for Jamie Oliver, toured with Leona Lewis and were winners of the BBC Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year in 2017.

More than 170 stands at CRE Midlands 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 fundraising to faith sharing.

Steve Goddard, 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.”

As with past incarnations of CRE, both national and regional, staff members from Ecclesiastical and Heritage World, will be there to hand out free copies of the printed magazine and welcome new friends to the E+HW community.

As we go to press there is still time to book tickets at £4 in advance (£3 for groups of three or more) at www.creonline.co.uk.

Readers of Ecclesiastical and Heritage World can get a free ticket. Simply enter the discount code E+HWORLD in the appropriate box. q

CRE PREPARES TO HEAD NORTH IN 2024 [FOLLOWING CRE MIDLANDS, attention will turn to

Manchester, as preparations are underway for CRE North on 15-16 May next year. CRE North 2024 will take place at the BEC Arena, close to the city’s Trafford Centre and major arterial route the M60.

It will be CRE’s first visit to this particular venue, the last CRE in Manchester having taken place in 2019 at the nearby Event City.

Speaking after the announcement of the return to the North West, 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.”

Decades of experience have given CRE unequalled understanding of the Christian resources sector and shown them how best to reach prospective visitors.

CRE North 2024 will have a dedicated and well-planned promotional campaign, targeting church leaders and active church members across all major denominations. The campaign will be delivered via direct marketing, advertising, PR, online promotion and social media.

In particular, CRE is attended by decision-makers and influencers: 77% of visitors either influence or make the final

decision when choosing products or services for their church or deciding which charities to support.

During the summer organisers held a preview of what to expect at Old Trafford Cricket Ground.

Brett Pitchfork, CRE event director, explained the rationale for the choice of Manchester.

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

Those there representing businesses, missions and churches from across the North West and beyond 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, who praised the vision of owner Steve Goddard for bringing CRE North to the BEC Arena.

Just announced are the dates for CRE South, which will take place in Milton Keynes for the very first time – on 9-10 October at the Marshall Arena. The purpose-built venue is sited next to Stadium MK, home of the MK Dons. q • To book a stand at CRE North or CRE South contact James Batterbee on 0161 250 2306; email james@creonline.co.uk, or Carol Malpas on 0161 250 2467; email carol@creonline.co.uk.

Floorplans and a price list are available at creonline.co.uk. www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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GET THE LOWDOWN ON DEVELOPMENTS IN AV [

THE Institute of Sound, Communications and Visual Engineers (ISCVE) has opened registration for both members and non-members for its Get Ahead 2023 event on 8 November.

Taking place at The Rose Shure Experience Centre at 24 King William St, London EC4R 9AT, those attending will experience exclusive insights from industry experts on the latest trends in sound, communications and visual sectors.

The day will start at 11:00am followed in quick succession with the three seminars.

The seminars Presentation 1: The Challenge of Intelligibility in VA will be presented

by Pawel Zakrzewski, product manager of Ambient System. The seminar will delve into one of the most critical challenges faced by the voice alarm industry today: delivering intelligible messages in acoustically demanding environments. Pawel will not only shed light on those challenges, but will also provide practical demonstrations on how to conquer them.

Through the demonstrations, Pawel will remind the audience of the well-known problems that have long plagued the voice alarm industry and share invaluable insights into how the latest technological advancements can be harnessed to overcome them.

It is an opportunity to explore and discover how the software Live smartVES can influence the way we ensure effective communication and safety in even the most acoustically adverse environments.

Presentation 2: Assistive Listening Systems: Access to intelligible audio is not a privilege, it’s a right! will be presented by Dr Peter Mapp HonFInstSCVE of Peter Mapp Associates.

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Assistive listening systems and user experience are going through the largest change that the sector has seen in decades, with several new and upcoming systems vying with traditional hearing loop and infrared systems to gain the ear of the potential listener.

Whilst the new systems, such as Bluetooth Auracast (BTLE) and Wi-Fi, can offer some potential advantages, they suffer from the lack of regulation and a basic performance standard. They are often installed by nonaudio personnel who do not understand the requirements of the deaf and hard of hearing or the need for the systems to provide high intelligibility with a latency of less than 30ms. Although there are standards for hearing loop performance, there are no standards for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and other assistive listening systems.

Furthermore, there is considerable confusion in the market as to the viability and availability of the systems, with some vendors claiming that hearing loops are redundant and should no longer be installed – while in fact, nothing could be further from the truth.

Presentation 3: Surviving the Death of the High Street will be presented by Greg Madge, product manager of Midwich.

The past two decades have seen a seismic shift in the way retailers use their commercial spaces on high streets; and that is just the beginning of a change to retail which we will see transform our public spaces over the coming years.

So, how is the AV industry keeping up with this transformation? With exciting new products, expert installations and innovative ideas to allow retailers to wow their customers and drive footfall. Join Greg to hear about retail trends to look out for over the next 12 months and beyond, learn about new technologies which are going to shape the future of retail and find out about how the concept of the 15-minute city is key to the revitalisation of our high streets. q

NEW CHURCH IS BLANK CANVAS FOR SOUND SYSTEM

[

THE COMPLETION of The Lighthouse Church in Heswall, Wirral, is the culmination of a nine-year project to build the brand new church as a place of worship, service and hospitality. As the previous 1960s building was

showing its age, with many things wrong that were going to be very expensive to fix, it was decided to create the building that was really needed.

During 2022 delegated members of the church project steering group carried out a rigorous vetting process to appoint the sound and audio visual specialist, which culminated in Richard King Systems (RKS) being appointed at the end of the year.

Working in collaboration with the church, RKS designed a number of systems, which included premium-quality sound and AV systems for the worship area, with linked audio loop system, along with a TV, sound and audio loop system in the hall, and a sound and announcement system in the café.

Computer modelling was used to show which loudspeaker combinations would produce the required evenness of coverage, frequency range and power output. In addition, the brief stipulated that the system would be required to provide reproduction of a wide range of uses, from speech reproduction to full live band.

The main loudspeaker system from JBL exceeds all the requirements, while also sympathetically blending with the interior of the space.

The in-house sound system includes on-stage monitor speakers and outputs for in-ear monitoring.

The main worship area system is flexible, with the wheeled control console being able to be operated from either the back of the worship space, or a side room when the whole floor space is required.

With its fully-glazed frontage onto the main high street at Heswall, The Lighthouse Church is now well placed to engage with the community.

In early October the church was consecrated by the Bishop of Chester, Mark Tanner, who after the service said the church was: “A symbol of hope; a symbol of being here for everyone; a symbol of belief in the future.” q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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STEERABLE SPEAKERS PROVE THE SOLUTION TO INTELLIGIBILITY ISSUES [THE Church of St Mary and St Joseph, Poplar

(pictured), is a Grade Two-listed building designed by celebrated architect Adrian Gilbert Scott as part of a project associated with the Festival of Britain. It was constructed between 1951 and 1954 and is a powerfully imposing structure.

Historians report that the building was regarded as old fashioned when it was built, but that it is now appreciated architecturally for its workmanship, materials and design. It is widely considered to be Adrian Gilbert Scott’s finest church.

Both parishioners and clergy at the church had been aware for many years of a lack of good speech intelligibility and ‘gain’ before feedback, and were hoping it could be improved; so they asked Peter Kenny of Torpedo Factory Group to investigate.

Peter’s main concern was, of course, with sound reinforcement and the acoustics of the interior, which is formed of a vast open space, cruciform in plan, with the central congregation seating being formed in a square. North and south transepts accommodate further seating, with chancel and narthex on the west and east respectively.

The investigation Peter takes up the story: “On attending the church we met Fr Keith Stoakes, the parish priest. The existing sound system was demonstrated using radio and wired microphones and it was agreed that the sound was largely unintelligible, achieving an intelligibility measurement using the NTI Acoustilyzer of worse than 0.4, and suffering from a particularly ‘boomy’ characteristic. It was also judged to be on the threshold of feedback even with a low level of reinforcement.

“The speech transmission index is a recognised standard of test and measurement which sets out to ensure that an electro-acoustic system achieves adequate levels of intelligibility, and enables us to avoid dependence upon subjective opinion.

“Speech intelligibility (Sti) measurement techniques use synthesised test signals that do not sound like speech but which have common characteristics to real speech signals. The resulting sounds are then received to a meter through a calibrated microphone. Sti ratings range from 0-1, with 0.5 being fair and 1 being a level of almost unachievable excellence. In other venues the worst I have measured was 0.35 and the best was 0.83.”

The old sound system at the church comprised several small column type loudspeakers distributed around the walls and pointed in toward the congregation at the centre of the open space.

Peter explained the problem: “Experience of similar buildings where the volume of space is disproportionately high when compared to the amount of acoustic absorption – and in the case of St Mary and St Joseph there was none at all except the clothing of the congregation – guides us to conclude that such an arrangement of loudspeakers is incapable of delivering intelligible speech. We therefore recommended that a demonstration test of a steerable array type loudspeaker, such as we have used to achieve successful solutions in churches such as St Mary le Bow in Cheapside, St Bartholomew in St Albans and also St John’s Parish Church, Pinner, should be carried out to confirm the potential for improvement using current, leading-edge technology.”

The demonstration and proposal A Fulgor Focus loudspeaker was borrowed and set up with the objective of confirming to how much of the congregation it could provide

intelligible speech. It was left in place for a weekend so that it could be tested during a number of services. Prior to one of the services, Peter was able to take an intelligibility measurement reading of greater than 0.6 while covering more than half of the congregation: an impressive result.

The Fulgor Focus loudspeaker was proposed because it is possibly the only true powered steerable array that can receive power and audio signal through a single two core cable while control signals are communicated directly with the loudspeaker’s digital circuit – reducing the number of installed cables from three to one: a twin-core speaker cable. In a listed building installation such as the church of St Mary and St Joseph that alone would save thousands of pounds.

The Fulgor Focus loudspeaker is manufactured in Italy, where it was designed specifically for the Catholic Church, who have many historic monuments to care for. Steerable beam technology is often the best technical solution to improve speech intelligibility in such environments, but installation cost and disruption due to wiring requirements had always been prohibitive. The Fulgor speaker technology overcomes that with its two-core connection, yet still outperforms its more expensive rivals.

The result Happily, the demonstration test proved to be entirely successful, with parishioners and clergy commenting very positively; specifically, on how it was possible to hear the difference from being within the defined pattern of the loudspeaker or outside it. That proved the need for two loudspeakers, to take account of the considerable width of the seating area into the transepts.

Peter concluded: “In addition to confirming speech intelligibility now better than 0.6 – an excellent achievement in such a difficult space – it is pleasing to report that not only is speech now delivered intelligibly, but also with a notably natural quality that is not always possible where processing associated with beam steering is necessary.”

Univox Audio is the UK distributor for the full product range of Fulgor systems, including the Activo Focus speakers used in this installation.

For more information on this and their other specialist sound products, including induction loops, FM and IR assistive listening systems, visit their website or give them a call: they will be happy to advise and put you in touch with a trusted installer. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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ANTI-GLARE DISPLAYS ADD SHINE TO NEW INSTALLATION

by Rob Alvis, sales director at Creative Audio-Visual Solutions (CAVS)

[

AT Creative Audio-Visual Solutions we pride ourselves in working with a core list of manufacturers that not only provide what we believe to be the best solutions for ecumenical audio-visual installation but also provide efficient support and fully understand the unique nature of working within churches.

Recently CAVS have partnered with iiyama, a leading worldwide manufacturer of high performance displays and monitors, for our system installations. The quality of these displays is evident within a recent installation at High Street Methodist Church in Witney, Oxfordshire, where two 98” and a 65” LH-series displays were installed – replacing ageing long throw projectors and screens.

These displays feature a unique anti-glare, matte-finished panel to vastly reduce any reflection – in this instance where over 35 ceiling lights could have been a major issue in reducing visibility to the congregation.

Instead, the displays provide exceptional clarity from all viewing angles.

The displays formed part of a larger audiovisual system upgrade. On the visual side, a Roland V8-HD production mixer provides tactile and straightforward control for in-house display and well as future streaming content from a single piece of equipment.

The audio system was upgraded with ceiling suspended Electrovoice EVC speakers for improved full range sound projection, with the previous Bose speakers re-used for wide/ delay coverage. Matching amplification from Dynacord and processing from Allen & Heath (AHM32 processor) – optimises audio to the room for maximum intelligibility and a vast reduction in the likeness of feedback when using multiple wired and radio microphones.

An Allen & Heath SQ5 digital mixer with a linked AB168 digital stagebox for musicians, provides improved control for all audio sources with wireless iPAD control over managed Wi-Fi also installed by CAVS. Upgrades to the radio microphone system with antenna distribution for reliable reception, ambient microphones and a new induction loop amplifier ensure the audio-visual system in its entirety is fit for the coming years. q • For an onsite installation consultation or advice on the right equipment for your church, please call 01707 649355, email sales@cavsolutions.co.uk or visit www.cavsolutions.co.uk. Local references are available upon request. ‘Like’ us on Facebook (Cavsolutions) for the latest installation case studies and product news.

CAVS LAUNCH NEW WEBSITE Creative Audio-Visual Solutions are proud to announce their new website is now live providing comprehensive details on all the solutions they provide for the modern church.

Covering audio, visual, streaming, IT, hire and more, it is a valuable online resource for any organisation looking to update their technology.

CAVS’s current brochure can be read or downloaded as well as viewing their latest installation case studies. Online chat is available as well as a contact form to discuss your next project – so get in touch for all your audio-visual and technology requirements.

Visit the website at www.cavsolutions.co.uk. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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WHY MOSQUES SOMETIMES REQUIRE ADDED ‘REVERB’ Sound companies who regularly install sound systems into churches are constantly battling against the dreaded ‘reverberation’ that causes havoc with the intelligibility of sound. But what about when a customer wants to add echo to a system? North East-based Blaydon Communications are often asked to do just that for systems that are going into mosques that sometimes aren’t naturally reverberant.

Blaydon Communications’ managing director Paul Dougherty explains.

[FIRSTLY, lets cover what the term

‘reverberation’ means. Reverberation is what people commonly perceive as an echo. When a sound system generates audio into a room some of the sound will go directly to the listener’s ear, but lots of other sound will disappear off in different directions all around the room.

When the unwanted sound hits another surface, it gets redirected and bounces around until it eventually runs out of energy. Some of that sound arrives at the listener’s ear; and because that’s a lot later than the original direct sound, it is what you hear as an echo.

From a technical perspective there are all sorts of things happening with the sound, including sound waves coming together and cancelling each other out. When this happens you lose some of the intelligibility and the resulting spoken word being broadcast cannot be understood. So why on earth would anyone want to add that to a sound system?

Hopefully the previous paragraphs give you a little insight into why reverberation is a nuisance; but it’s not all bad. For example, when an instrument is played in

a reverberant space it can add a beautiful depth and quality to the sound that would not be heard in a dead acoustic space. Likewise, when a choir – or even a soloist – is singing, the presence of reverberation can make the sound so much nicer and warmer to listen too.

Also, reverberation can give the illusion of size.

When you listen to a sound system in a cathedral or large mosque, the architectural design of those spaces creates natural reverberance that make audio sound grand and all encompassing.

Lots of modern mosques are repurposed community buildings that weren’t originally designed to recreate the acoustic design of large mosques; and the plush carpets and other internal furnishings take away from the natural reverberance. Even modern purposebuilt mosques often don’t consider the acoustic design, resulting in a space that doesn’t provide the natural reverberant sound that is needed to mimic the large, cavernous – and glorious – mosques of the Middle East; so often they need a little bit of extra help to make them create the ambience that is required.

To create the immersive and pleasing sound that mosques need, there are several tools to allow you to do this. Some of these tools and effects processors can be quite complicated to use, so it’s a fine balancing act to keep the solution simple but effective. Thankfully, there are audio manufacturers out there that specifically cater for this type of thing and our most recent installations into mosques have used the latest arrival from renowned commercial audio solutions provider, TOA Corporation UK.

The MX-6224D (above) has inputs to allow microphones to be used in the mihrab and minbar, then route the audio to an internal set of speakers that can be fine tuned for maximum quality and have effects added to them at the flick of a switch. The effects include subtle small-room delay effects through to the largest of dome-type building simulations. There’s even a separate input for an external audio player and a separate loudspeaker output for the external spaces. The external circuit has the option to have effects on or off independently from the internal spaces, so the digital effect does not need to be on for the call to prayer that takes place daily. This can help with external intelligibility, as the sound outside may already be bouncing around and be quite echoey anyway.

Specifying and installing sound systems isn’t as easy as people may think.

Evaluating and overcoming problems like reverberation, or adding just enough effects to the audio signal without rendering it useless, is an art in itself. Partnering with innovative manufacturers like TOA allows us to provide robust and reliable solutions to customers that meet all their needs; but more importantly, we can provide a system that sounds perfect – making us proud to put our name to it. q

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SCOTS LANGUAGE TOUR GUIDE BRINGS LINLITHGOW TO LIFE [A NEW AUDIO GUIDE to Linlithgow Palace allows visitors to

enjoy the experience in Scots as well as English.

As the release announcing the initiative states: “Fowk can gang on the tour wi the new lug-in guide in either Scots or English, but the English version has a fair hantle o Scots in it anaw, fur tae gie aw visitors a sense o the leid o the court and tae mak clear this key and kenspeckle pairt o Lithgae’s bygane.”

Or: “The new audio guide is available to listen to in both Scots and English, with the English version also containing some Scots to help give all visitors a sense of the language of the court and to highlight this key aspect of Linlithgow’s history.”

Visitors will be accompanied on their journey through the palace by a range of voices telling tales of royals such as the young Princess Elizabeth, daughter of James VI, as well as lesser-known stories of ordinary but important people who lived and worked there, from the plumber who maintained the now iconic fountain to

Mary, Queen of Scots’ chamber woman.

There will also be insights into how spaces visitors explore once looked and sounded, and what everyday life was like at the palace, including what people ate, how they did the laundry and even what music they listened to.

Fiona Fleming, project manager at Historic Environment Scotland, said: “It has been a fantastic journey creating our first Scots language audio guide, which we hope will increase the accessibility and inclusivity of Scots, which is a minoritised language today.

“Perhaps most famous for being the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots, Linlithgow Palace is a site that contains a rich tapestry of history.

When making the new audio guide, we were keen to shine a light on a diverse range of people and stories from the palace’s past, such as the story of Margaret More, one of the women known in historical records as the ‘Moorish Lassies’, and the story of a young chorister who is voiced by a real-life choir singer.” q

AN ENHANCED AUDITORY EXPERIENCE: THE INFRARED AUDIO INSTALLATION AT RUSI [AN INFRARED AUDIO INSTALLATION was completed during

the summer at the prestigious Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), located at 61 Whitehall, by Scanaudio Ltd: an experienced specialist in the audio industry. Scanaudio has brought to life the remarkable infrared installation using five Williams AV MI modulators with E4 emitters.

RUSI, with its rich history and commitment to advancing the understanding of defence and security issues, has always been at the forefront of innovation. It comes as no surprise that they have now embraced cutting-edge assistive listening technology, demonstrating their dedication to providing the best possible experience for their members and visitors.

The use of infrared technology in audio installations is a gamechanger, and Scanaudio Ltd has proven its prowess by implementing it at RUSI. The Williams AV MI modulators, known for their reliability and performance, serve as the backbone of the system.

The modulators convert audio signals into the invisible but incredibly effective infrared wavelengths. The E4 emitters then transmit those signals to receivers placed strategically throughout the five main event spaces within the building. Audio is distributed via a DANTE network for maximum flexibility.

One of the key aspects of the installation is its ability to provide crystal-clear audio in environments where traditional sound systems may fail. Infrared audio provides a solution where conventional floor level induction loops were not possible due to existing historic solid floors or carpets.

The impact of the technology on the visitor experience at RUSI cannot be overstated. Members and guests can now engage with lectures, presentations and discussions in a way that was previously not available. The audio is immersive, and the clarity is very good, ensuring that every word is heard and understood, even in large rooms with challenging acoustics.

Furthermore, the installation's design is discreet and unobtrusive, maintaining the aesthetic integrity of RUSI's historic spaces. It is a testament to Scanaudio’s commitment to seamlessly integrating cuttingedge technology into any environment.

In addition to the enhanced visitor experience, the infrared audio installation at RUSI also has significant implications for accessibility. It ensures that individuals with hearing impairments can fully participate in events and

discussions, promoting inclusivity and diversity in the institute's activities.

Looking to the future, the installation showcases the potential of infrared audio to revolutionise soundscapes in educational institutions, museums, conference centres and more. q

www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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HERITAGE ORGANISATIONS UNAWARE OF MARTYN’S LAW [

MORE THAN HALF (61%) of heritage organisations lack awareness of ‘Martyn’s Law’, the forthcoming Protect Duty legislation, new research commissioned by specialist heritage insurer Ecclesiastical has found.

In response to the Manchester Arena attack, Martyn’s Law – named after Martyn Hett, who was killed alongside 21 other victims – is designed to keep people safe by reducing the risk to the public from terrorist attacks at public venues.

Details of the draft Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill were published in May. The new legislation will place a requirement on certain heritage venues to consider the threat from terrorism and implement appropriate and proportionate mitigation measures.

The survey of 500 heritage decision-makers, carried out by OnePoll, found that four in five (81%) feel their organisation needs more support to prepare.

The research did discover that some heritage organisations are already investing in additional security measures, including installing CCTV and provided staff training to prepare. Some organisations have also developed security protocols, hired an external security consultant and set aside budgets to get ready for the forthcoming legislation.

However, heritage decision-makers feel they need more financial support, training, advice and guidance to better prepare their organisations.

To help prepare for the legislation coming into force, Ecclesiastical is encouraging heritage organisations to familiarise themselves with the concepts and requirements. The www.protectuk.police.uk website provides information, tools and guidance to help.

Faith Kitchen, customer segment director at Ecclesiastical Insurance, said: “As the UK’s leading insurer of Grade One-listed buildings, we’re passionate about protecting Britain’s heritage. Our research shows the majority of heritage organisations aren’t aware of the forthcoming Martyn’s Law. Ensuring the safety of heritage venues is paramount. We encourage heritage organisations to familiarise themselves with the concepts and requirements of the forthcoming legislation.”

Ecclesiastical has entered into a partnership with specialist risk management start-up, Key Risk Ltd, which provides expert counter-terrorism advice.

Ecclesiastical’s heritage customers benefit from discounted assessment, training and assurance packages. q

THESE ACES HELP COMBAT THEFT AND VANDALISM AT CHURCHES [CHURCHES SIT at the centre of many communities and theft

of lead from the roof or vandalism to the fabric of the building or churchyard causes more than physical damage. The intrusion into the community – and the cost of remedying the resulting harm – can be costly. The cost of making repairs to a church roof can be high and may well have an adverse effect on the general maintenance budget, as well as increasing insurance premiums.

Historic England have said: “We recognise that these heritage crimes are upsetting, expensive and challenging for congregations. Preventing future thefts is paramount.”

Ace Defence Ltd are approved installers of roof security systems for Ecclesiastical and Trinitas insurance companies. Working with an NSI Gold-approved Monitoring Centre they provide round-the-clock protection for the vital infrastructure of church buildings. q • To learn more about how Ace Defence can support you, visit acedefence.com, tel 07854 257549 or email steve@acedefence.com.

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A TREASURE IN EVERY CHURCH – STRUCTURE OR CHATTEL? Fine art consultant Patrick Bowen reveals the variety of his work, and the importance of identifying art works accurately

[MY WORK as a professional fine art valuer has evoked a wide range of response over many

years. On one extreme it has been promoted to revered heights of professional endeavour, while on the other it has been faced with a complete lack of understanding of what the work entails, and even an inherent disinterest.

The reality is that our work presents us with a Pandora’s box and it is impossible to pre-empt what may present itself for valuation. Therefore, when I am asked what I specialise in I am able to apply a list of modalities in which I might consider myself to offer a high level of competence – ranging from antique furniture and works of art to silver and paintings – and a great deal in between.

In recent years I have specialised in valuations for ecclesiastical institutions and large collections, including museums, libraries, schools and hospitals. A key skill I have needed to develop is an ability to establish an effective way forward which is in keeping with the needs of the client concerned and the requirements of insurance cover, and also to know when I require a more specialised knowledge and to call upon that as and when necessary.

One of the more interesting aspects of the work, especially with churches and institutions, is a grey area which lies between chattel valuation work and building infrastructure. A client may regard a chattel solely as a moveable item, but there are often potentially valuable items which came into that category at source but have become a permanent fixture. They are then assumed to be a part of the structure of the building.

More obvious examples may be fireplaces or even staircases with bespoke carving by a known artist.

In churches there may be stained glass windows, mounted pictures, fixed sculptures – Stations of the Cross for example – and memorials. Sometimes those items may accord with the age of the building, but they may also be later additions. An example of the former was a discovery of some exquisite Italian 15th-century Della Robbia wall panels in situ in a parish church in the West of England. They were duly valued as chattels.

A few months ago Pandora’s box revealed more than I might have anticipated. I was called to undertake a valuation for a church situated in East Acton. The proximity of the establishment to Wormwood Scrubs came with a predictable expectation – confirmed as what appeared to be a typical postwar catholic parish church came into view. As I entered the church building I was halted in my tracks, as before me loomed a most stunning representation of the crucifixion by Graham Sutherland.

The sheer size of the piece was enough to take one’s breath away. It was this piece I had been instructed to value. Once through the door my eyes alighted on two triptychs secured to the wall. “Are they

by Roy de Maistre by any chance,” I enquired, to which the reply came back: “How did you know that?

Are they of interest?”

I suggested that that was indeed the case and they should also be included in the valuation: along with other works which I was introduced to, including an interesting series of Stations of the Cross sculptured in concrete and then painted. They too were firmly fixed to the wall.

The Stations of the Cross had been created by a well-known artist, Arthur Fleischmann, whose Catholic faith was a huge influence on his work which is represented in many churches. He was highly regarded as an artist in Perspex and there above me one wall revealed a set of four large Perspex windows depicting the evangelists. St Aiden’s of Lindisfarne in East Acton had presented itself as a treasure trove of paintings and works of art.

It was a perfect example of how easy it would be for the church to assume that those pieces would be included in the insurance cover for the building. However there was a strong possibility that it would not be the case, or if they were included as part of the general value it would certainly not take into account the international significance of those important works of art and certainly not their true value. It was a strong likelihood that St Aiden’s would be exposed to a serious loss if the church was subject to fire or water damage or theft. While each of the works of art were affixed to the structure of the building they were chattels, and I realised that they should all be included in the valuation with each piece described, measured and valued for insurance.

It is also an important aspect of a chattels valuer’s job to draw attention to any deterioration in a work and to recommend restoration where appropriate. In that instance close inspection revealed a marked layer of dirt and grime, possibly as a result of the burning of candles and incense. I was able to recommend an appropriate and skilled restorer to carry out the work.

The restoration required the triptychs to be removed from the wall and to do that safely took four people. Each triptych was fixed very strongly to the wall, but came away without incident eventually – and much to the relief of all present. Chattels affixed to buildings present numerous challenges.

I hope this example has served to illustrate the point of how important it is to differentiate between chattels and buildings insurance cover. No assumptions should be made and it is crucial that surveyors work in unison to provide the best possible outcome for their clients. It is possible that institutions may be left exposed to the potential of massive loss if the grey area between buildings and chattels is not recognised. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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RAAC IN ROOF FORCES MUSEUM’S PARTIAL CLOSURE [PART OF YORK CASTLE MUSEUM has

been temporarily closed after the hazardous concrete material RAAC was found in part of its roofing structure.

In a statement issued in September the museum said: “We have received confirmation that the north side of York Castle Museum, which houses Kirkgate, the Period Rooms and Shaping the Body, has RAAC in the roofing. In line with government guidelines the building will remain closed until we have undertaken the necessary specialist inspections.”

The museum commissioned surveys, which ‘identified the need for mitigating work in some areas, which will need to be undertaken over the coming weeks. This work will ensure that all roof supports reflect the most up-to-date structural guidance’.

In an update the museum confirmed that the Female Prison side of the museum – the north side, that encompasses Kirkgate, the Period Rooms and Shaping the Body – will remain closed until the remedial work is complete.

The update continued: “The unaffected parts of the museum, including the original prison cells that once held notorious

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Image via Wikimedia Commons

highwayman Dick Turpin, outdoor spaces, the Swinging Sixties Gallery and the compelling First World War Gallery, remain open. The café and shop are also open as usual. A reduced rate entry is on offer.”

Reinforced autoclaved aerated concrete (RAAC) has come to public attention in

recent months when it was found that it can cause walls and roofs to collapse as it crumbles. York Castle Museum is one of a number of heritage buildings affected, which include the ziggurat building at the University of East Anglia, Wales National Concert Hall and Derby Assembly Halls. q

TRAINING PROVIDER LOOKS FORWARD TO ANOTHER YEAR OF SAP DELIVERY

[

SINCE JUNE of last year, specialist lead and hard metals training provider National Construction Training Services (NCTS) has been delivering the Specialist Applied Programmes (SAP) for three disciplines within the sector: Lead and Hard Metals Level 2, Heritage Lead and Hard Metals Level 3 and Heritage Roof Slating & Tiling Level 3.

Training is delivered from one of the firm’s two training centres: in Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, for the lead and hard metals programmes and in Salford, Manchester, for the lead, hard metals and roof slating & tiling programmes. Both training facilities have state-of-the-art full-scale simulated training rigs, together with a full range of tools and equipment and knowledgeable, experienced and qualified tutors.

to Train scheme to help employers with the costs of sending SAP candidates on training, which includes accommodation, travel and meals of up to 80% of the cost, meaning the employer only has to contribute 20%. Further information on grant application is available at www.citb.co.uk. q • For further information and course fees, contact National Construction Training Services (NCTS) at training@ncts.org.uk or tel 01992 801914.

Level 2 Hard or Soft Metal Roofing Operative The Level 2 Lead Sheet and Hard Metals programme is an 18-month training and assessment programme, which consists of 30 days attendance at either one of the training centres delivered over six week blocks of five consecutive days in Year 1.

Once the training programme has been completed, NCTS will appoint an assessor to complete the on-site assessment and training (OSAT), which will collate the necessary knowledge and practical evidence.

Level 3 Heritage Hard or Soft Metal Roofing Operative The Heritage Level 3 Lead Sheet and Hard Metals programme is also an 18-month training and assessment programme, which consists of 45 days attendance at either of the training centres, delivered over nine week blocks of five consecutive days in Year 1.

Once the training programme has been completed, NCTS will appoint an assessor to complete the on-site assessment and training (OSAT), which will collate the necessary knowledge and practical evidence.

Level 3 Heritage Roof Sating & Tiling Roofing Operative The Heritage Level 3 Roof Slating & Tiling programme is an 18-month training and assessment programme, which consists of 45 days attendance at the Salford training centre, delivered over nine week blocks of five consecutive days in Year 1.

Once the training programme has been completed at the Salford training facility, NCTS will appoint an assessor to complete the on-site assessment and training (OSAT), which will collate the necessary knowledge and practical evidence.

Funding The Specialist Applied Programmes are funded through CITB, with a contribution of up to £6,000 per candidate leaving a small contribution from the employer. CITB have also introduced the Travel www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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HERITAGE ROOF PROJECT ADDS INTERNATIONAL PRIZE TO NFRC CROWN [

STUART WHEELER ROOFING LTD has been crowned the winner of the Pitched Roofing category at the IFD (International Federation of the Roofing Trade) Awards 2023, for roof slating project Yellow Sands, Thurlestone. It follows the project securing the Roof of the Year Award at NFRC’s 2023 UK Roofing Awards, as reported in the last issue of Ecclesiastical and Heritage World. Yellow Sands also won in the Roof Slating category before attaining the top award.

The IFD Awards took place in Bolzano, Italy, in the South Tyrol. The IFD encompasses roofing associations from all over the world. Other projects that were shortlisted in the pitched roofing category came from the USA and South Africa.

Stuart Wheeler said: “What a year it’s been! Firstly, winning the UK Roofing Awards was an incredible achievement for myself and my company, and something I had always set out to do – but always thinking it was a dream! It’s an incredible feeling to have achieved this accolade.

“It was then brought to my attention that we are nominated for the international awards, something that I wouldn’t have even dreamt of, and given the competition, was just happy and proud to be part of. But then to find out we won, that was extremely special to me.

“For my little roofing company in Cornwall to bring home the international award is truly remarkable, and I’m so proud of what my team have achieved on this project, and the recognition it has gained as a result. It’s an honour to have done this for the UK, and more importantly for traditional slate roofing. We love it!”

NFRC CEO James Talman was in attendance and accepted the award on behalf of Stuart Wheeler Roofing Ltd, an NFRC member company.

James commented: “It was a pleasure to attend the IFD Awards in the South Tyrol and accept this award on Stuart’s behalf. This project displays excellent workmanship in roof slating and we are so pleased to see it receive recognition on the international stage, taking victory over other brilliant shortlisted pitched roofing projects from the USA and South Africa.

“This is a testament to what smaller roofing companies, and younger people in our industry, can achieve through acquired professional skills and commitment to their trade.” q

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

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

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REBUILDING OF ARSON-HIT CHURCH IS SHORTLISTED IN ROOFING AWARDS

[

BUILT IN THE 1860s by architect William Burges, the Grade Two*-listed All Saints Church was one of the few buildings in Fleet, Hampshire, with real architectural merit. In June 2015 it was subject to an arson attack, which destroyed the entire roof and most of the interior – causing £4.5m of damage.

A temporary corrugated metal roof was installed by the insurers after the fire to protect what was left of the interior. There were some aspects of the rebuild that were not covered by the insurance and a church fund was quickly set up to raise the remaining funds required in the local community.

Smooth brown brindle machine-made clay plain tiles by Dreadnought Tiles, with ornamental cocks comb ridges, as well as Dreadnought clay quarry tiles in Staffordshire red and blue, were specified by architects Acanthus Clews.

Associate architect Roberto Di Carlo explained: “For both the roof and floor tiles we were keen to get some that matched as closely as possible to the originals. The floor tiles had to be as close as possible in size, texture and colour, as they were being used with salvaged tiles from the floor, which included a range of tiles from different eras. The roof tiles also needed to match but would all be new and therefore consistency in the product was important. We had very many samples from different companies, but in the end were happiest with those provided by Dreadnought, from their aesthetics as well as the performance we could expect.”

Main contractors Buxton Building recreated and installed all new roof timbers; and cross-laminated timber boards were fixed over those timbers with sarking board. Roofing contractors Fildes Roofing then applied a breather membrane, counter battens and battens and began to lay the tiles.

Tiles at all perimeters and in every third course were twice-nailed. The handmade cocks comb Dreadnought ridges were secret bedded with

lime mortar and also secured using a Dreadnought butterfly clip at the butt joints. A double tile undercloak was used due to the depth of the bedded verges.

It was a steep roof with a pitch of 54º and the rafters were over 6m long, making it a difficult roof to work on. At the rear was a tightly curved apse roof, which required every tile to be cut to achieve a smooth curve, and the roofers have done a great job.

A surrounding graveyard made access to the site very tight and restricted, which again made the job more complex for Fildes Roofing.

Internally, Dreadnought quarry tiles have been laid on top of underfloor heating, replacing those areas of damaged flooring as well as inside a brand-new porch at the entrance. The tiles provide such a seamless match, it’s not easy to see which ones are old and which are new!

The project has been shortlisted in the Best Heritage Roof category of the 2023 Pitched Roofing Awards. q

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RESTORATION WORK REVEALS CHURCH’S ARTISTIC SECRET AND DRAWS PLAUDITS Cliveden Conservation worked as the specialist subcontractor to Buxton Building Contractors to undertake the restoration and conservation of the fabric of All Saints Church in Fleet following the fire. Lewis Proudfoot, managing director of Cliveden Conservation, reveals more about the complexities of the project, including the discovery of historic wall paintings.

[

CLIVEDEN CONSERVATION was called in by architects Acanthus Clews to undertake condition surveys of the interior fabric of the building and the various monuments and objects that had been affected by the fire. The oak altar, several monuments and the decorative paintwork on the Victorian brickwork were all assessed.

Following a tender process, we were appointed as the specialist subcontractor to Buxton Building Contractors. The church had been completely gutted by fire: not only had the painted decoration been damaged and lost, but all the surfaces were affected by smoke and debris from the fire. A comprehensive scheme of cleaning had to be undertaken before conservation and redecoration works could commence.

Works were then undertaken to relay the Victorian tiled floor and clean and repair the internal brickwork – including repointing, brick replacement and complete redecoration – to reinstate the beautiful decorative scheme. Specialist conservation treatment was carried out to various objects within the church, including the font, pulpit,

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timber altar, altar rail, monuments and wall plaques.

During the works, historic wall paintings were discovered on the chancel ceiling. Our Decorative Arts section advised an appropriate course of action to stabilise, record and protect them during the building work and on completion.

Externally, our stonemasons carried out brick repairs and repointing, as well as undertaking the new build of a brickwork porch, with finely detailed brick arches at the main entrance.

Overcoming every element of the restoration The scale of the project was a massive challenge, with floors, walls and ceilings, as well as individual objects, all needing attention within a tight timeframe. That was all happening whilst new M&E and structural work was on-going to make the building safe, the roof was being reinstated and the exterior of the church was being landscaped. There was a lot going on, with so many trades all working within the relatively small confines of the church.

Despite those challenges the project has resulted in a fine combination of reclaimed and restored historic fabric, with a new roof and crisp decoration – all illuminated by the magnificent stained glass window. The comparison between the utter devastation after the fire and the restored space of the church is something to behold.

We’re proud to have been able to bring this important local space back into use for the community.

We were delighted to be given this feedback from the Vicar of All Saints, Mark Hayton: “So many visitors to the newly rebuilt All Saints comment upon the extraordinary work achieved by the Cliveden Conservation team. They have manged to restore the stunning Burges wall art – not to how it was before the fire, but to how it was originally conceived to be. People are astonished when they are told this was all done by hand and cannot believe the work and skill that must have been involved.

“The church has a real ‘wow’ factor that you can see reflected in the faces of parishioners and visitors alike. Cliveden Conservation have achieved something really special for our community and to the glory of God and we are very grateful to them for it.”

Gary Puckett, operations manager of Buxton Building Contractors, also said: “We are delighted to have returned this building back to its former glory. We have been so impressed with the commitment of the whole team, and in particular the church's drive to make this project happen. Our commitment is always to deliver a quality facility which will make a meaningful difference to the local community and leave a legacy for everyone to be proud of.” q Images courtesy of Andy Marshall

• For more information visit www.clivedenconservation.com. www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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OFFSITE MANUFACTURING INVESTMENT EXPANDS BRICKMAKER’S OFFER [THE RECENT ACQUISITION of

FabSpeed has provided brick manufacturer the Michelmersh Group with the capability to produce high-quality slip products and façade systems at volume, catering for the expanding market for offsite brick construction methods.

After significant investment, Michelmersh’s FabSpeed brand will be capable of producing 17.5 million slips per annum to be used on A1 fire-rated cladding systems, enough to cover 290,000m2. The group sees the investment as an opportunity to promote a breadth of construction solutions within its clay product portfolio, including pre-cast dovetail slips, its sustainable reflections range of thin doublefaced bricks and its innovative lightweight rainscreen cladding system, which when used in conjunction with Cladmate Façade Systems is suitable for high-rise construction for both the new build and retrofit markets.

In the right application, offsite construction has many benefits. These often include: less onsite labour intensity, reduced installation costs of segregated products or services, less time on-site, better safety and working conditions, reduced urban congestion and less on-site waste – improving environmental benefits from better consistency and greater precision than on-site conditions can allow.

Those benefits – coupled with the sustainability advantages of products such as the Floren Reflections thinner brick range, which use less energy to produce and transport while enabling more product to be delivered per pack and per truckload – are also more efficient to build with, as they are lighter, using less mortar and water in the process.

Therefore, it was clear to Michelmersh that investing in mechanically-fixed brick façade systems and thinner clay products which still

FabSpeed’s Proclad – Claridges Hotel, London

CMS40 mechanically fixed brick slip cladding support system

Floren’s Reflections collection encompass the longevity, thermal and aesthetic qualities of the Michelmersh core range, with the in-house capability of prefabrication services, enables an end-to-end service that is difficult to match.

Michelmersh recognises the importance to customers of the full brickwork solution, which is why the group has made the investment following the acquisition of FabSpeed at the end of last year.

FabSpeed’s new and improved bespoke facilities and skilled production processes provide a large capacity for the complex, specialist, prefabricated brick components that are much in demand from architects, engineers and housebuilders, who require the highest quality assemblies to achieve accelerated construction timelines.

FabSpeed are pioneers in prefabricated building components, dedicated to modern construction: using quality cutting-edge technologies to enable efficient solutions to complex masonry design specifications.

FabSpeed’s products can be seen on arches, chimneys and façade systems across the country and now its expansion of slip production equipment and facilities means it can provide more variety to its customers for brickwork façade components and systems.

Cladmate Façade System’s cladding product uses mechanically fixed non-combustible brick slips in a lightweight, easy-to-install cost-effective product. The system has been fire tested to BS 8414-2:2020 and tested to CWCT standards.

Suitable for high or low-rise applications, it fuses traditional brickwork façade aesthetics with the latest advanced rainscreen cladding systems and great thermal performance. The system is compatible with a wealth of manufacturers’ clay brick products.

Frank Hanna, joint CEO of Michelmersh, commented: “The group is delighted to be investing in slip production, associated brickwork products and innovative façade components.

Sustainability and life cycle are at the core of our company values, and we feel these investments enhance our portfolio while embracing alternative modern methods of construction, giving our customer base an enhanced choice.” q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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IRONWORK GROUP ANNOUNCES AWARD WINNERS [THE National Heritage Ironwork Group

by saying: “It’s a big responsibility to be working on such an iconic object and a huge help to have this endorsement from NHIG.” Two Highly Commended awards were also made to Peter Crownshaw, for his work on an Italianate gate in a baroque style for a private client in Shropshire (left), and Peter Palmer of CIWS for his work on the restoration of a cast iron Weighbridge Building dating from the 1880s at the Black Country Living Museum (below).

has announced the winner of its NHIG Award for Heritage Metalwork Conservation.

From a fascinating and varied shortlist, first place was awarded to the Tijou Screen in the Privy Garden at Hampton Court Palace (pictured below), which was a collaborative project between blacksmiths Paul Allen of Motcombe Forge and David James of George James & Sons, working alongside project manager Rob Umney of Historic Royal Palaces and architect Andrew Harris.

Originally constructed of Swedish charcoal iron between 1689 and 1692, the panel – one of 12 – has been subject to several interventions over the years, with this most recent restoration project aiming to take it back to its original state as closely as possible.

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The judges were particularly impressed by the meticulous attention to detail throughout the conservation of the panel, from the initial condition report and painstaking research through to the very high-quality execution of the practical elements, commenting: “It is an exemplar of best practice within ironwork conservation.”

Architect Andrew Harris responded to the win

In all cases the judges were struck by the care and attention to detail with which work had been carried out, demonstrating a genuine desire to honour the original makers and preserve the spirit of their work.

The 2024 award will open for entries early in the new year, and the NHIG is very much looking forward to visiting an equally varied range of inspiring projects. q

GRADE TWO-LISTED SCHOOL SENSITIVELY UPGRADED WITH NEW CLEMENT BROOKING STEEL WINDOWS [

CLEMENT WINDOWS GROUP has manufactured and installed new replica steel windows to replace the original fenestration at Grade Two-listed Trent Young’s CE School in Dorset.

Trent is a village and civil parish in the beautiful Yeo Valley in north west Dorset. The Trent Conservation Area was designated in February 1970. Many of the structures in the village are listed due to their historical and architectural significance and include medieval and Tudor buildings.

From 1835 to 1875, a Reverend Turner and his wife occupied the village rectory. Together they built a great number of the buildings that are still in the village today, including the Alms Houses. In 1862, the Turners constructed the National School which was to be for girls and infants. Over the years, the National School has seen many changes, including the introduction of boys and the expansion of the school’s buildings.

Unsurprisingly, the original metal windows at the school were not fit for purpose and the time came to replace them. This required sensitivity, as due to the school’s listed status it was imperative that the new windows looked similar to the originals.

Clement manufactured new steel windows for Trent Young’s School Clement Windows Group offers an innovative range of steel windows, doors, screens and rooflights for both private residences and commercial projects. For further information call 01428 643393 or visit clementwindows.co.uk. q

The new steel windows provide a close match to the original metal frames at the school The Clement Brooking range was specified because the slim, strong frames could replicate the wonderful, shaped heads of the existing windows and because they could be fixed directly to stone. The 16mm krypton-filled units offer much improved thermal performance and, as with all Clement’s windows, the frames could be fitted with restrictors which are essential for safety.

The Clement Brooking range of steel windows is a specialist range developed for high-value refurbishment projects or specialist architectural situations where a particular ‘putty-fronted’ system is required. They can be specified as either single or double-glazed units, making them perfect for listed buildings where strict building regulations apply.

Ros Baker, the school’s deputy head, said: “We are so pleased with the finished result! The transformation the windows have made to our school and local area is fantastic. Many local residents have also commented positively on the ‘new look’ windows.

“They have been sympathetically upgraded, in keeping with the original school building, and have had a positive impact on our school environment. Furthermore, there was no impact on the staff or the children during the refurbishment.” www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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MODERN WINDOWS HELP IN REPURPOSING OF LOCAL ICON [ DURING THE LATE 19TH CENTURY the Methodist Church in

Wales was thriving. Huge increases in worshippers over the decades had led to a massive building programme across the country, with chapels springing up in even the smallest and most isolated places. From north to south, the church provided a sense of unity and local pride in a country that often felt divided by language and geography.

With hindsight, that can be seen as the high point of Welsh Methodism. Numbers declined over the course of the 20th century: a decline that gathered pace during the past 50 years. Today, the number of regular chapelgoers is relatively small and the great chapels built by earlier believers now stand empty. While many have already been converted to homes and other uses, others have sadly been left to go derelict or have been pulled down.

An iconic local landmark The Grade Two-listed former chapel Capel Nant in Nanhoron, near Abersoch, in the heart of Welsh-speaking Gwynedd, dates back to 1877. It was built by renowned Victorian chapel architect William Pritchard Roberts and its size and grandeur reflect how successful the Methodist Church had become at attracting congregants in this small rural area.

The location is a stronghold of the Welsh language and the chapel would have been a place where people could

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attend services in their native tongue. Many families living in the in the area today will have had ancestors with links to the chapel in its heyday, making it a key feature within the local community.

Roberts, himself a Welsh speaker, is regarded as a giant of 19th-century Welsh Methodism. Born in 1825, in Llangefni, Anglesey, he became known for his distinctive architectural style that incorporated elements of Gothic and Classical Revival. His chapels featured ornate details and grand facades, harmonious proportions and attention to detail. Large windows maximised natural light, and spacious interiors made them places the local community could be proud of.

Over the years Capel Nant had fallen into disuse and disrepair: a sad shadow of its former self. In 2019 the Calvinist Methodist Church finally sold the building and plans were soon submitted for its conversion to a holiday cottage. Local architects Dobson:Owen were appointed to manage the conversion and were given a brief to create a contemporary property that utilises existing features and protects its overall character.

The challenge of chapel conversions As with other chapel conversions, turning Capel Nant from an increasingly derelict place of worship into a habitable dwelling that meets modern standards presented a range of complex challenges.

Elements such as large windows, high ceilings and galleries can be

difficult to use in modern interiors. Those same large windows and high ceilings can also make insulation and heating difficult.

To help address those particular challenges, Dobson:Owen approached Storm Windows to install 20 secondary glazed units throughout the property. They would cover all of the windows in the chapel without compromising their visual and historic appeal. It was designed to improve insulation and overall thermal efficiency while helping to preserve the overall architectural integrity of the chapel.

Storm Windows are highly experienced at finding workable solutions in complex heritage properties. Their secondary glazing systems have been developed to meet the needs of such buildings, helping to improve insulation and drive down heating costs.

The windows at Capel Nant presented a particular challenge due to their size and shape. Storm responded by making adaptations to the system to enhance its functionality. Certain units were hinged to facilitate egress and to make them easier to use within that context.

Special adaptations were implemented to accommodate smallerscale, hinged arch-top units that complemented the large-scale arch of the top windows.

The overall effect has been to create stylish and homely windows that incorporate the unique assets of the building. It also illustrates how energy efficiency can be maximised even in the most challenging of heritage properties with the right solutions.

has given Capel Nant a viable future while protecting this cultural treasure for decades to come. q • For more information, advice or to book a survey call Storm Windows on 01384 636365 or email sales@stormwindows.co.uk.

The team on the ground Dobson:Owen, with their roots in the local community, understood the significance of the chapel and were keen to ensure that it was respected throughout. This architectural gem represents a vital part of the built heritage of the area, and the architects took great pride in their involvement in the restoration process. Throughout the process they looked to ensure that this beautiful icon of the local landscape would continue to contribute towards the cultural fabric of the area, something the team at Storm was quick to appreciate.

Storm Windows director Oliver Parkes brought extensive experience of working with heritage properties to the project and oversaw the installation. He was joined by surveyor and installer Luke McHale, who managed much of the on-site work. The end product is a contemporary property that celebrates the unique legacy of Welsh chapels while providing stylish new holiday accommodation without drawing from the existing housing stock.

The dedicated efforts of everyone involved in the restoration www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

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WINDOW COMMEMORATES SAFE DELIVERY OF ENDANGERED CHILD Stained glass artist Wayne Ricketts describes a commission for a window to give thanks for a miracle

[

I WAS COMMISSIONED to design a stained glass window for the Roman Catholic Church of St Sebastian and St Pancras in North West London by Andrew Agbarakwe, a worshipper who wanted to donate it to the church to give thanks for the safe delivery of his child after a difficult pregnancy. The window was to depict Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, a Nigerian priest and Trappist monk who was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1998.

In the top section we have Christ and the Virgin Mary: Christ giving a blessing and the Virgin Mary praying for humanity. Behind them is the Sacred Heart. The golden rays of light descending represent the Grace of God. In the lower section we have blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, in Trappist monk vestments, in prayer. The spiralling lines are his prayers and intercessions ascending to Heaven. On each shoulder are symbols of his miracles, with Philomena touching his coffin on the left and a baby in the womb on the right, to represent the personal miracle of the donors. By his side, to the left, is Onitsha Cathedral and to the right Mount Saint Bernard Abbey.

In the bottom section we have – anti-clockwise from top left – Father Michael, flanked by nuns giving marriage instruction to young women, with a building behind them, to represent his building works; a pile of discarded symbols of paganism; Father Michael on his bicycle, travelling between villages in the parish; Fr Cyprian repairing books at Mount St Bernard Abbey; Fr Cyprian working in the garden.

Images to the left of Blessed Cyprian represent his life, works and miracle in Nigeria, while those to the right of him represent his life, works and miracle in England. Rays of light emanate from the Sacred Heart, to which Christ is pointing. q • For further information on Wayne’s work visit the website at www.customstainedglass.co.uk, email w.ricketts.sg@gmail.com or call 07703 501019.

MIRACLES DO HAPPEN [

ANDREW AGBARAKWE’S journey started back in November 2015.

His wife was expecting their third child. All was going as expected until that important three-month scan, which had shown a lower than expected volume of amniotic fluid. If the amniotic fluid failed to increase then there was a high risk that the child could be born with a condition referred to as ‘plastic lungs’ and would only survive for a few minutes after birth.

Andrew takes up the story: “We were devastated: it was a very difficult and trying time. It is at times such as these when one turns to their faith. We were asking God for a miracle.

“We called on the intercession of Blessed Cyprian Michael Iwene Tansi, a Nigerian catholic priest who has had miracles attributed to him. I promised Blessed Tansi that if he did this for us – if he interceded and asked God to take care of our baby, I would do whatever I could to expedite the Canonisation process.

“As if by magic, week-on-week the fluid gradually began to increase. It increased to such an extent that well into the pregnancy we had a meeting with a consultant. He paused then asked: ‘What have we been doing: the amniotic fluid is at normal levels’. ‘Praying,’ we said. He then looked at the latest scan and said: ‘Its only God that can do this’. Our beautiful daughter was born shortly after.

“The concept of the stained glass window came to me during a Sunday mass. It is a beautifully crafted work of art, which in all its colours and splendour truly reflects the light which entered our lives when we were going through a dark and challenging time.” q

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ANTIQUE FURNITURE RESTORATION

ARBORICULTURAL CONSULTANTS

ARCHIVE & CONSERVATION STORAGE

ARCHITECTS

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BELLS

BOOK & PAPER CONSERVATION

BRICKS ASBESTOS MANAGEMENT

BATHROOMS

BUILDING CONSERVATION & RESTORATION

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CARVERS – MASTER CARVERS ASSOCIATION

CHURCH FURNITURE

CLOCKS

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DISPLAY PRODUCTS & WORKSHOP FURNITURE

HYMNODY ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

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LANDSCAPING

LEADED LIGHTS LEADWORKERS

LCA MEMBERS

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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

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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 • Surge Protection • Inspection & Maintenance • Height Safety Systems

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

Churches, Schools, Hospitals, Universities, Colleges

South West Lightning Protection T: 01761 437796 M: 07974 184449 E: graham@gnssteeplejacks.co.uk W: www.gnssteeplejacks.co.uk Unit 3, Bath Business Park, Peasedown St John, Somerset BA2 8SF

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

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

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: paul.silk@wiltshiresteeplejacks.co.uk W: www.wiltshiresteeplejacks.co.uk

LIME & LIME PLASTERERS

44 Eastbourne Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 7HW

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

T: 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 • High Rise Office Blocks • Cathedrals • High Rise Residential Blocks • Schools • Towers • Hospitals • 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

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LIVE STREAMING

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ORGANS

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ROOFING

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STAINED GLASS

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TRANSPORT & STORAGE

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