Ecclesiastical and Heritage World

Issue No.43 ÂŁ5.00

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Fusiliers’ monument gets pride of place

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COVER STORY: New town centre site for monument to Fusiliers’ long and proud history – Page 5

BRITISH ANTIQUE FURNITURE RESTORERS’ ASSOCIATION 18 Three decades of maintaining

standards

CHRISTIAN RESOURCES EXHIBITION, SANDOWN 28 Church show rides out the

recession with style

ACCESS/LIGHTNING PROTECTION 19 Counterfeit shackles are found on

site

STONE 30 Stone awards: get your entry in

now!

31 Bits of Minster sold!

SECURITY AND FIRE PROTECTION 20 Doing nothing is no longer an

option 21 Preserving heritage does not need

to be such a burning issue

BRITISH SUNDIAL SOCIETY 21st ANNIVERSARY 4 Sundials mark a most notable

anniversary

NEWS 6 Places of worship grants total £15.7m; Discover Lindsey; Get a free copy of Listed Heritage mag 8 Baptist chapel will also provide homes; Jewish Museum to get celebrity opening

LEAD CONTRACTORS’ ASSOCIATION 9 All lead contractors are NOT the

same

METAL ROOFING 13 So far so good! Two years of the traditional metal roofing

federation MUSEUMS AND HERITAGE SHOW 14 Crowds expected at heritage industry’s ‘must do’ event 15 Annual awards will recognise excellence in heritage sector

STAINED GLASS 16 Tree of life restored 17 York fire: this time windows are

saved; Scholarships are on offer

to glass artists; New curator for

Ely

MEMORIALS/CEMETERIES 22 MAB awards to take the year off; Councils need some flexibility 23 All is not rosy in the memorial garden 24 National scheme laments reversal of its direction; Masonry companies combine NATURAL BURIAL 25 First conference

ANTI-GRAFFITI ASSOCIATION 25 The writing is on the wall for the

writing on the wall 26 Removal under discussion PEST CONTROL 27 New code for glue boards; All in

a day

RISK MANAGEMENT 33 A risk lurks at the end of every

pew DISABILITY DISCRIMINATION ACT 34 Improving access to cathedral

services; Platform lift helps bug-

lovers get up close and personal ORGANS 35 Southbank refurbishment given

go-ahead; Furore over lead leads

to research ASBESTOS 36 Think about it; it’s probably there 37 To be trained is to be forewarned TRAINING 38 Thatch makes a comeback; H&S

cert success PROFILES 32 WILLIAM ANELAY LTD

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British Sundial Society 21st anniversary

Sundials mark a most notable anniversary

by CHRISTOPHER St J H DANIEL

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Twenty-one years ago, in May 1989, four individuals who had a serious interest in sundials founded an organisation which they called the British Sundial Society.

At the time they thought that this new society might, perhaps, attract a membership of about 40 like-minded people. They were wrong: within a year or two the membership had soared to a peak of some 600 persons! Thereafter, the figure slowly eased off to settle at an average of 400, which is the membership level today.

The objects of the society include the education of the public in the science and art of sundials, the cataloguing of the sundials which still exist in the British Isles and researching their history, and advising on the preservation and restoration of old sundials, as well as giving advice on the construction of new ones.

The society is a registered charity, holds annual meetings in different parts of the country and publishes a regular journal, the BSS Bulletin, together with various monographs concerning dialling subjects, including a Biographical Index of Sundial Makers and a comprehensive Sundial Glossary.

Furthermore, the society is open to anyone who has an interest in sundials or in related subjects, thus its membership includes a wide range of people from all walks of life, some with professional expertise in the design and construction of sundials, some with an interest in their history, and some who just enjoy the friendship of the society, particularly at the annual conference and on the arranged sundial tours.

During these past 21 years, one of the society’s most significant achievements has been the production and publication of the BSS Sundial Register, which is an illustrated catalogue of some 6,000 ‘fixed’ sundials extant in the British Isles. Once just a dream, it has

A modern memorial ‘polar’ sundial, designed by the author and constructed by the well-known sculptor and sundial-maker Ben Jones

been accomplished by a team of dedicated BSS recorders and by the successive registrars, who have painstakingly compiled the information and seen the works onto the press. The value of the publication lies in the fact that the details of an individual sundial can serve to have it reconstructed in the event of it being damaged, lost, or stolen. Indeed, stolen sundials have been recovered through the communication of this information to the authorities.

Another notable achievement of the society has been the gradual increase in the quality of the BSS Bulletin, both in appearance and content, due to the standards of the three respective editors.

However, the achievements of individual members of the society should not be underestimated, since they also reflect credit on the British Sundial Society, perhaps in the reconstruction of an historic sundial or in the design and construction of a new one. They are monuments that will endure, not just for another 21 years, but, perhaps, for several hundred years into the future.

For further information contact the membership secretary, British Sundial Society, 51 Upper Lewes Road, Brighton, East Sussex BN2 3FH; email jackie@waitrose.com. q

Cover story

New Town centre site for monument to Fusiliers’ long and proud history n

The picture on this issue’s front cover shows the newly restored and relocated Fusiliers Memorial in Bury, Lancashire. The memorial stands proudly outside the new museum of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, which has replaced the old Lancashire Fusiliers Museum.

The monument was unveiled at its new location on 27 April last year by Viscount Ridley KG GCVO TD. The garden it now stands in is known as Gallipoli Garden, after the notorious First World War battle in which the Lancashire Fusiliers distinguished themselves by winning a famous ‘six VCs before breakfast’. It was designed by Sir Edwin Landseer Lutyens RA, who’s father Capt Charles Lutyens had served with the regiment throughout the latter half of the 19th century.

The project, carried out by Bullen Conservation, was to relocate the monument from its previous site at the former Wellington Barracks to its new location in Bury town centre, next to the new Fusiliers Museum, thus giving the monument greater public recognition.

The work involved carefully taking down the existing Portland stone monument stone by stone, together with the York stone paving around the perimeter. It was taken to Bullen’s workshop in Oldham, where the masonry was cleaned and re-carved in order to regenerate the inscriptions.

In addition, the work included full redecoration and re-gilding of all the colours on both flags. Attention to detail was paramount so a full analysis was taken of the original paintwork to ensure original details were preserved.

The relocation to the new site was no mean feat itself. The monument was to be erected on an old brownfield site, so extensive new foundations were required prior to the rebuilding works. The rebuilding works required experienced specialist stonemasons, using cranes and sensitive lift and fixing appliances.

The work was completed on time against an extremely tight

programme – bearing in mind that the Duke of Kent was attending the museum’s opening ceremony.

Said museum curator Colonel Mike Glover: “Here it is now seen by all those who not only visit the museum but all those who come into the town centre. Its future is bright as it becomes the centre of attention in a busy part of town rather than a forgotten relic only appreciated by those stuck in a traffic jam on Bolton Road.”

• Bullen Conservation Ltd is one of the leading specialist conservation contractors in the North. The company has been proudly associated with, and has undertaken high-profile projects at, St George’s Hall, Liverpool; Royal Academy of Arts, London; Chetham’s School of Music, Manchester; Whalley Abbey, Lancashire; Wentworth Castle, Barnsley and the Hidden Gem, Manchester.

Current projects include Nostell Priory in Yorkshire and the Shaftesbury Theatre, London. q

Bullen Conservation Ltd Lowerhouse Works, Lowerhouse Street, Oldham, Lancashire OL1 3NN

Tel: 0161 633 6528 Fax: 0161 633 7064 Email: sales@bullenconservation.co.uk www.bullenconservation.co.uk Restoration work on the flags

Project Architect: Brock Carmichael Architects, Liverpool

News

Places of worship grants total £15.7m n

English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) have announced more than £15.7m to support urgent repair work to 154 Grade One and Two*-listed places of worship across England. The grants were awarded under the organisations’ joint Repair Grants for Places of Worship scheme.

This year places of worship from a range of faiths and denominations will be able to implement repair and improvement programmes as a result of the grant scheme.

They include the Presbyterian Church of St Peter in West Liss, East Hampshire, the Prince’s Road Synagogue in Liverpool and the Christian Church of St George in Cullercoats, North Shields.

The largest single amount is for up to £682,000 and has been offered to the Grade One-listed Church of St John the Evangelist in Shobdon, Herefordshire. Its vicar, Rev Julia Read, is pictured with the HLF’s Anne Jenkins and Chris Miners of English Heritage.

Dr Simon Thurley, chief executive of English Heritage, said: “We are delighted with the continued success of this important national scheme, which has helped to restore and

preserve some of the country’s most historic places of worship.

“Historic places of worship are at the heart of their communities. They give us beautiful public spaces where people can find peace or companionship, enjoy exhibitions and concerts or benefit from practical services such as post offices, shops or nurseries.

We are thrilled to be working with the HLF to support over 150 of England’s most

Get a free copy of Listed Heritage magazine n

In the last issue of Ecclesiastical and Heritage World we previewed the fourth Listed Property Show, which took place from 20-21 February.

The show has been hailed as the most successful ever by the exhibitors and visitors, with an increase in attendance of over 35% – to 5,743 – and the number of exhibitors rising by 20%.

Now, the show’s organisers – the Listed Property Owners’ Club – have joined with this magazine to spread the word about the joys of owning listed properties and the specialist services available. The club is offering a FREE copy of its own magazine, Listed Heritage, to all our readers.

Listed Heritage is aimed at owners of listed properties, offering a wealth of information and advice. It also contains a directory of companies who specialise in working on and supplying to listed buildings.

To get your complimentary copy, simply email your details to info@ lpoc.co.uk; or call 01795 844939. For more information about the Listed Property Owners’ Club, visit www.lpoc.co.uk. q

significant places of worship as they are repaired for the use of our generation and the enjoyment of our children and grandchildren.”

Carole Souter, chief executive of the Heritage Lottery Fund, added: “England’s places of worship are a key part of our heritage, but largely rely on the hard work and generosity of local communities and volunteers to keep them in good order. This money will help support the passion and commitment of those communities and safeguard these precious and important buildings.”

Father Adrian Hughes of St George’s Church in Cullercoats declared: “We are a very busy church, open daily both for worship and for the many visitors who come to see the fine example of the vaulted roof, which was John Loughborough Pearson’s signature work as an architect. Keeping the church in a good state of repair is a vital part of ensuring people continue to enjoy and appreciate the building. The local church community has been very active over the last 12 months, with almost £50,000 raised in an effort to match the grant.” q

Discover Lindsey n

Some of Britain’s finest church heritage, bespoke architecture and rich culture will be coming to life in May as 86 churches throw open their doors for Lincolnshire’s 14th annual Churches Festival.

The event is one of Britain’s premier church festivals and takes place in the countryside north of Lincoln known as West Lindsey, where the cathedral dominates the skyline. Stretching over two weekends – 8-9 and 15-16 May – it gives visitors a sample of the UK’s finest religious buildings.

The festival is the only occasion in the year when the churches unite and organise free events to entertain local people and visitors.

“Throughout the festival every church is offering a selection of different activities and experiences; from arts and culture, concerts, workshops and exhibitions to family fun and inspirational architecture,” said Mike Gough, chairman of the festival committee.

“These beautiful buildings are dotted around the Lincolnshire’s countryside just waiting to be discovered and that’s the aim of the festival.”

Visitors can spend all morning wondering around the stunning painted ceiling of churches like St Laurence in Corringham, or plan a route which takes in the splendour of many. The festival is also a chance for visitors to experience the rural countryside north of Lincoln and indulge in refreshment breaks at one of the many churches, local tea shops or Tastes of Lincolnshire cafés and farm shops. q

News

Baptist chapel will also provide homes n

A new Baptist chapel and community facility is set to open its doors in the summer. Ebenezer Chapel, run

by Brighton Reformed Baptist Church, is being redeveloped to provide modern facilities for its congregation and the people of Brighton. The work is being carried out for HydeMartlet by Denne, part of the Leadbitter Group, and will also include 49 apartments above the chapel.

Pastor Tony Bickley is looking forward to the opening of the chapel, which he says will transform the way his church operates.

“It will make a massive difference to us. At present we are holding services in an old Victorian church in West Hill Road. It is old and difficult to heat, with steps down to a basement, making access difficult for some of our congregation,” he said.

“The new building will bring modern facilities which meet health and safety standards, meaning that we can offer more to the local community. We have had a significant donation from a member of our congregation that means we will be able to open up for five mornings a week to offer hot drinks, showers and clothes washing facilities for homeless people as we are not aware of any provision for this at the moment.”

The new chapel will have commercial kitchens, toilet and shower facilities and a large community room, as well as a full immersion baptismal pool. Three of the apartments above the chapel will have full disabled access, such as specially designed kitchens and bathrooms.

The building will have a sedum living roof. Architects Molyneux have also included the provision of photovoltaic cells on the roof as a renewable energy source, an underground car park for eight cars, cycle parking and rubbish stores. q

Jewish Museum gets celebrity opening n

On 16 March the Jewish Museum in Camden Town was officially reopened by TV personality Nigella Lawson and Alan Yentob, the BBC’s creative director. The event marked the culmination of a £10m transformation. The result is a landmark museum that celebrates Jewish life and cultural diversity and engages with people of all backgrounds and faiths to explore Jewish heritage and identity as part of the wider story of Britain.

Among the new exhibits is a medieval mikveh, or Jewish ritual bath, dating from the 13th century and on public display for the first time since it was excavated in 2001. Other gems include a rare banner from the London Jewish Baker’s Union (pictured, behind Nigella Lawson and Alan Yentob), films of contemporary Jewish people – ranging from a smoked salmon producer to a marathon-running grandmother – the smell of chicken soup as part of a display on immigrant home life and a gallery dedicated to the testimony of British-born Holocaust survivor Leon Greenman OBE. Displayed across four permanent galleries and one special exhibition space, the huge variety of objects, films, photography, testimonials and literature on display paint a rich and nuanced history of British Jewish life. The new museum also houses a 100seat auditorium, an education suite, a café and a giftshop.

To find out more visit www.jewishmuseum.org.uk. q

Lead Contractors Association

All lead contractors are NOT the same At a presentation to an invited audience of more than 100 architects, contractors and Associate members, RAY ROBERTSON, secretary of the Lead Contractors Association, challenged those who were not using LCA members for their leadwork to think again.

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Hosted jointly by the Lead Contractors Association (LCA) and the Lead Sheet Association (LSA), the event celebrated the launch of the 2010 Directory of Specialist Leadwork Contractors. It included a series of informative presentations regarding the different types of lead sheet available (by Carl Edwards of CEL Group), what issues affected the prices traded on the London Metal Exchange (Joss Campbell, LSA) and the technical support and resources that were available to the architect and specifier from within the industry sector (John Woods, LSA).

The final presentation was about the LCA itself and highlighted the misconception that all leadworkers were the same. That was very much NOT the case and the LCA secretary outlined exactly what set the

The 2009 Murdoch Award-winning Elder Park Library

members of the Lead Contractors Association above the rest.

Recognising that lead sheet is a soft and malleable metal, it would be very easy for someone working with the material to appear to be competent. Indeed, lead is such a superb weatherproofing material that it could be some time – perhaps years – before any problem became apparent, by which time the contractor had been paid and was long gone from the scene of the crime.

Project profile

St Paul’s caps it! n

What started as a family business in 1968 is now known throughout the country as one of the premier companies specialising in lead and traditional pitched roofing works. JH&RR Mundy Roofing Ltd – known colloquially as Mundy Roofing, is part of the Mundy Group. As such it has the versatility to execute contracts ranging from minor ornamental leadwork repairs to £1m-plus major contracts.

One such contract undertaken was Grey’s Court in Henley-onThames, a National Heritage Flagship Property. It involved the reroofing of the entire structure using hand-made clay peg tiles, including all new lead and zincwork on the flat roof areas and all lead flashings.

The most prestigious ecclesiastical project was on St Paul’s Cathedral.

It involved new sand-cast lead weathering on the clock tower and bell tower roofs, along with new leadwork to the cornice drip edges.

Mundy Roofing also undertook the total restoration of the roof of St Pancras Chambers (pictured). The project included using slate, lead, zinc and copper. In situ lead gargoyles and lions were constructed for the clock-tower, as well as ornamental lead coverings to the gutters and dormer cheeks. q

Lead Contractors Association

will do the work as it should be done, because “ LCA members otherwise it will ultimately cost them their membership,” It is therefore essential that a contractor’s working standards are monitored regularly, which the LCA does through its annual vetting programme, which involves members of the LCA council carrying out inspections on site and compiling a 13-page vetting report.

If work is identified that does not conform to the current Code of Practice, BS6915, the contractor must put it right at their own expense in order to remain a member of the LCA, or prove that a disclaimer had already been issued to the client notifying the fault. Current working practices are comprehensively detailed and illustrated in the Lead Sheet Manual produced by the Lead Sheet Association: the ultimate technical authority for leadwork in the UK. Leadwork carried out by a member of the LCA, therefore, means peace of mind for the client, as does the quality of the materials they use – either rolled lead sheet to BSEN12588 (on which BS6915 is based), or traditional sand-cast sheet from a registered manufacturer.

“Who checks your leadwork if it’s not done by the LCA?” Ray Robertson asked the architects in the audience, as he showed a picture of a flashing which had not been fixed correctly and had fallen onto a porch roof below (pictured).

“Luckily, this porch roof stopped a badly-fixed flashing falling onto someone below – imagine if a small child had been playing outside their front door? Sometimes a leaking roof is not the worst problem you can have.”

Using lead sheet on a roof should mean long-term, maintenancefree peace of mind for the client. It only becomes a problem when it is

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not fitted in the correct sizes and not properly fixed into place.

LCA members often provide advice and assistance to architects when designing a roof installation involving lead, including providing design drawings and detailed specification references from the Lead Sheet Manual.

“It’s hugely frustrating for them then to lose the job because they get undercut on price by a general roofing contractor,” said Ray. “But ask yourself why there might be a difference in price – what corners are being cut to save money?”

Typically, non-specialists use lead sheet that is thinner than the recommended code, saving on material cost, and it’s then fitted in larger sizes than is recommended, saving labour time and material waste. Less fixing and fewer (if any) clips also saves labour time and material cost. Drips and falls incorrectly detailed, incorrect drip heights, lap lengths, joints and rolls all provide opportunities to save costs and all are potential disasters in the making for the client.

Over-fixing is just as bad for the client as taking short cuts, normally done by the contractor through ignorance in order to make sure the sheet stays in place. Although that may avoid the displacement problem illustrated, over-fixing restricts the natural thermal movement of the sheet and in many cases causes premature failure over time through progressive rippling. Ultimately the sheet cracks, allowing water ingress.

Vince McKee’s award-winning entry

“LCA members will do the work as it should be done, because otherwise it will ultimately cost them their membership,” said Ray Robertson.

“Using a member of the LCA means their workmanship standards and design knowledge is checked through vetting. Not only is their work checked, it is graded and the grades are published in the Annual Directory and on the LCA website, www.lca.gb.com.

“LCA members offer a registered 25-year guarantee of their work: a guarantee that is insurance backed and underwritten, with a ringfenced trust fund administered by the LCA.” Of course, any contractor can guarantee their work, but the LCA member’s guarantee does not depend on the individual contractor continuing to operate throughout the 25-year period. If a problem occurs and the original contractor is unable (or unwilling) to return to site, the LCA will then nominate another member to attend site, to determine and address the fault under the terms of the guarantee, at no further cost to the client.

“Are you sure the contractor you are using for your lead will still be trading in 25 years time and will be happy to come back if there is a problem?” asked Ray. “If you’re using an LCA member under the 25year guarantee scheme, the question doesn’t arise.”

To further illustrate the quality standards achieved by LCA members, Ray showed a series of photographs featuring the winners from 1996 onwards of the Murdoch Award, the ultimate accolade for the leadwork craft which is sponsored by Associated Lead Mills.

That culminated in presentations to John Fulton (Plumbers) Ltd of Glasgow, winner of the 2009 Murdoch Award, and Vince McKee of Maidstone, Kent, winner of the 2009 Murdoch Sponsors Award for projects under five tonnes.

In closing, Ray Robertson presented what he described as the easiest specification ever written: “Leadwork to be carried out by a member of the Lead Contractors Association under its 25-year Guarantee Scheme, using rolled lead sheet to BSEN12588, or traditional sand-cast from a registered supplier and installed in accordance with BS6915 and the

recommendations of the Lead Sheet Association, as detailed and illustrated in the Lead Sheet Manual.”

For further information on the Lead Contractors Association and its members, telephone 01342 317888; email rwr@lca.gb.com; or visit www.lca.gb.com. q

Lead Contractors Association

LCA chairman David Martin (right) presents the Murdoch Award to David White of John Fulton (Plumbers) with Rod Bexton from sponsor ALM looking on

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IAN HARVEY, the new chairman of the Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing Contractors, reflects on the first two years of the federation and its efforts to introduce and police quality standards in traditional metal roofing.

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In stepping into David White’s shoes as chairman of the FTMRC, I can’t help but reflect on his parting statement: “So far, so good; but we have a long way to go.”

That is certainly very true, but at least under David’s leadership we have laid firm foundations and I look upon it as now being my job to build upon those foundations as we continue to progress within the roofing sector of UK construction.

We are increasingly becoming recognised as an organisation which has the central aim of developing the quality standards in design and installation of traditional metal roofing, in a marketplace which is continuing to expand in the UK despite the economic difficulties that most businesses are experiencing.

We have already established a firm base of expert contractors, supported by a wide range of leading metal manufacturers and suppliers who have identified with the FTMRC objectives and joined our cause as associate members.

There is no doubt that the current financial state of the economy has affected the industry in different ways to the ‘normal’ recessions experienced in the past, with major contracts being put on hold or cancelled as investors become increasingly nervous. Demands are being made on contractors to reduce prices by large percentages under the threat of awarded contracts being reduced or even withdrawn.

Nevertheless, smaller projects seem to be continuing and traditional metal roofing is becoming a feature which is increasingly popular with designers and specifiers.

Regardless of the size of project, however, it is in such difficult times where the bottom line comes increasingly under the microscope and cost-reduction pressures increase all the way down the supply chain. The danger is that cutting costs may lead to cutting corners, both in the quality of materials specified and in the design/installation of the roof detail. It is here that I feel we should be leading our industry in the comprehensive promotion of quality standards – in materials, in design and in workmanship.

Our leading metal manufacturers across Europe take pride in the quality of the product they produce: made to perform and made to last, with a long-term performance far in excess of that which can be achieved by short-term substitutes in their various plasticised guises, whose only tenuous foothold in the marketplace has been gained through price.

However, any short-term price advantage surely pales into insignificance when compared to long-term value for money, with an aluminium, copper, steel or zinc roof lasting 10 times as long as their poor relation impersonators.

Equally, informed design and specification is essential and here there is a wealth of expertise available to the client and architect – through the manufacturer, through the supplier and through the contractor. We have even now established a technical support group through the federation, which has been created to help with technical design or installation queries.

Quality of installation is something which the FTMRC takes

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Metal roofing: FTMRC

So far so good! Two years of the traditional metal roofing federation

Metal roofing: FTMRC

Museums and Hertiage Show

Crowds expected at heritage industry’s ‘must do’ event Museums and Heritage Show: 12-13 May – Earls Court, London

as its own responsibility. The work of our established members continues to be vetted regularly and prospective members cannot hope to join the federation unless they can demonstrate their work meets the required standard (regardless of how much money they have in the bank!).

We are taking responsibility not only for today’s workmanship quality but also tomorrow’s, and in this respect are working with various associate member manufacturers to provide training courses at the LSA’s metal roof training centre at East Peckham in Kent. Several zinc courses have already been run there on our behalf by VM Zinc and there are plans for copper courses to start during 2010, supported by KME. Towards the end of 2009 we were invited to join the BSI Technical Standards Committee and we hope to be working closely with them in order to develop the Codes of Practice for traditional metal roofing, which we hope will ultimately be based upon our own Guide to Good Practice.

The Guide to Good Practice itself is currently under review and will be re-issued during 2010, having been updated and expanded in order to give our members a quality technical reference base to work from.

So, yes...there is certainly a long way to go; however, we remain utterly determined to achieve our objectives. It is my purpose as chairman, supported by the council, to ensure that the FTMRC does not slacken in its drive to provide the focal point to increase the technical ability, knowledge and awareness of our membership, to promote at every opportunity quality standards in all aspects of our sector of the UK construction industry and continually work towards the appreciation and acceptance of long-term performance and value for money over short-term, corner-cutting, cut-price expediency. q

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n

The Museums and Heritage Show is the UK’s leading trade exhibition for the world of museums, galleries and cultural and heritage visitor attractions. Bringing together the latest thinking, trends, innovations, products and services, the show provides an unrivalled opportunity to keep one step ahead.

As the UK’s leading industry event, it brings together the latest products and services available, all under one roof and at one time.

Visitors can meet companies specialising in every conceivable industry sector, from exhibition designers and multimedia providers to retail merchandisers and curatorial and conservation services.

Supported by the industry’s key trade associations, there will be a wealth of expertise available from the people who can help solve any problem, either with a visit to their stand or attendance at a seminar or workshop, all of which are free of charge and have been designed to give practical solutions to everyday problems.

The seminars take place throughout the time of the exhibition.

They fall into a number of broad categories: marketing and insight, audience development, designing greener exhibitions, design and interpretation, collections management and cultural entrepreneurialism. There are also a number that fall under the category of ‘sector updates’, discussing latest developments.

In total there are 40 presentations lined up. They range from the fundamental (Who are my visitors?) to the technological (Museums without walls: extending the visitor experience) and from the ecological (Who’s driving the green agenda?) to the frankly materialistic (Turnover is vanity; profit is sanity).

The Museums and Heritage Show is particularly relevant to buyers and decision makers from: • National museums and galleries.

• Local authority museums and galleries.

• Independent museums and galleries.

• Historic houses and castles.

• Cathedrals.

• Libraries.

• Heritage organisations.

• Heritage sites.

• National Parks and gardens.

• Heritage railways.

• Zoos.

• Visitor centres.

• Cultural and government organisations.

• Tourist board or department.

• Attraction shops and trading companies.

• Cultural and government organisations and associations.

With an extensive programme of free seminars and expert advice plus help and support from key industry bodies, the Museums and Heritage Show is a ‘must do’ event for anyone working in the sector. q

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Entries have now closed for the 2010 Museums and Heritage Awards For Excellence. Once again the presentation of the awards will co-incide with the opening day of the Museums & Heritage Show, at Church House in Westminster on 12 May, with over 300 industry professionals expected to attend.

Now in their eighth successful year, the Museums & Heritage Awards for Excellence are once again getting set to recognise and celebrate best practice within museums, galleries and heritage visitor attractions.

This year 11 categories have been created across the entire spectrum of museum and heritage services. Ten of the categories will be judged by a panel of experts from a range of industry sectors and specialisms. The rules say that the judges will look for evidence of ‘outcome, creativity, relation to objective and cost effectiveness’. Winning entries will show all of this but they will also have to demonstrate something extra: true excellence! The final category is voted for by readers of Museums & Heritage Magazine, the awards’ media partner, which is seeking to find the UK’s most popular museum, gallery or heritage attraction. q

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Museums and Heritage Show

Annual awards will recognise excellence in heritage sector

Tree of Life restored n

A 10-week project to conserve and restore the William Morris Tree of Life window in the Stanley Chapel at St Cybi’s Church in

Holyhead has recently been completed by Recclesia. The stained-glass window is noted as being one of the most interesting designs to come out of Morris’s studio, but after over a century in place on the sea front the window had started to deteriorate to the point at which glass was breaking and being lost forever.

Specialists from Recclesia’s stained glass studio in Chester were called in to carry out extensive work on the window, which had to be removed from the church and taken to the studio where the painstaking process of repair was undertaken.

The window was exposed to several methods of conservation treatment, all of which were non-invasive and reversible. The sections that were missing entirely were filled with new painted images, which were established using church records. Many hours were spent making glass to exactly match the colour, tone and texture of the original, which was then painted by an artist and fired in the kiln.

The project was recorded in full using rubbings and computerised scans with legends, along with a full photographic record throughout with additional images taken using a computerised microscope.

The window was reinstated in December and has been described as both breathtaking and mesmerizing. q

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Stained glass

York fire: this time windows are saved n

On 30 December a fire broke out in the stoneyard of York Minster, where a large number of medieval glass panels were being stored prior to restoration. They included over 100 panels from the Great East Window (pictured right), the largest expanse of medieval glass to have survived anywhere in England and the earliest by a named artist: John Thornton.

Fortunately, prompt action by fire crews and Minster staff, following an early alarm call by a passing Freeman of the city, enabled all the panels to be removed to safety.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentanu, is quoted as saying: “I am glad to say that, apart from the two offices that were damaged, fire officers worked at such great speed that the damage was limited – and no one was injured.

“I am very grateful for the sterling efforts of the local fire service and the Minster Police in this regard.

“It was something of a shock for the stonemasons and glaziers who were returning to work today, but not a great deal of damage has been sustained to the building so for that we must be thankful.” q

Scholarships are on New curator for Ely offer to glass artists n n

Applications are currently being sought for some of the top scholarships in British stained glass. The February issue of Vidimus – the online stained glass newsletter – reports that the Worshipful Company of Glaziers and Painters of Glass (The Glaziers’ Company) is offering three awards and prizes for 2010– 11, the closing date for applications being 9 April.

Award for Excellence and Ashton Hill Award Aimed at promoting skill standards in the craft, the 40-week Award for Excellence and the 10-week Ashton Hill Award offer successful applicants unique training programmes in some of the best studios in the UK. Funding is provided. Since 1995 the Glaziers’ Company has given 29 such work placement awards.

The Arthur and Helen Davis Travelling Scholarship The third scholarship was established by a legacy from the estate of the late Arthur Davis and is awarded every other year by the Company to a student of or an artist in stained glass. It is aimed primarily at graduates between the ages of 22 and 30, but mature students, those who are still training and those within five years of having completed training may also apply. Its value is up to £1,500. The object of the scholarship is to give the winner the opportunity to travel to widen their experience and to develop their study and knowledge of glass.

Susan Mathews MBE, the curator of the national Stained Glass Museum at Ely Cathedral, is to retire in April after 20 years in the post. She is to be succeeded by Sarah Robertson, who joins from the Whipple History of Science Museum in Cambridge.

Sarah studied ancient history and archaeology as an undergraduate at St Andrews University in Scotland, before earning her Master’s degree in Museum and Gallery Studies.

She joined the Whipple Museum in 2008 after a spell as a social history curator, working for the St Andrews Preservation Trust.

She said. “Susan and her colleagues have developed an impressive outreach programme and I am looking forward to working with the team of enthusiastic volunteers she recruited. They do an amazing job.

“In recent years the museum has concentrated on improving the display, storage and documentation of the collection. Among my immediate goals will be to transform its impressive library into an internationally recognised research centre and to explore new ways of increasing visitor numbers.” q

The Glaziers Company The aim of all the Glaziers Company Awards is to raise standards of work within the craft by offering additional learning experiences to enhance the skills of a potential worker.

Applications are invited from individuals within the first five years of their training who are intending to undertake a long-term career in stained glass. q

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British Antique Furniture Restorers’ Association

Three decades of maintaining standards

by BAFRA chief executive

MICHAEL BARRINGTON

n

BAFRA was founded in 1979 by a group of students studying furniture restoration at West Dean College near Chichester, West Sussex. Their aim was to try to increase public awareness of the need for informed and sympathetic conservation and restoration of Britain’s furniture heritage.

One of the motivations for the founding team was the burgeoning success and size of the then-current antique furniture trade and an accompanying increase in the number of furniture restorers taking advantage of the phenomenon, which was to last, and indeed maintain its growth, for some 27 years. A combination of the growth of the antique furniture trade, together with a depressingly low standard of ‘restorers’ across the country, took its toll on the antique furniture in circulation; large amounts of this furniture were being damaged, often irreversibly.

The restorers were by no means the only culprits because a large part of the trade community was ‘promoting’ the damage by commissioning and often demanding cheap and therefore often very poor restoration, and also giving extremely poor and ignorant instructions to the ‘craftsmen restorers’. The top end of the antique trade was and still is strongly and ethically controlled by such trade organisations as the BADA and LAPADA, but their membership was small compared with the number of dealers in the market.

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Looking forward some 30 years to today’s antiques trade, the ‘survivors’ of the trade’s downturn tend to be the members of the above organisations and some regional organisations with very similar membership standards and demands. Over the years both the BADA and LAPADA have been very supportive of BAFRA’s development and we certainly could not have achieved our professional status today without their valuable support and encouragement.

The BAFRA membership system covers a wide range of interests: • Full-time accredited members in the UK, known as the full accredited members, of which there are today 98.

• Associate members in America, Canada, Cyprus, France, Germany, Spain, Switzerland and Malta.

• A group of associate trainees, who join while at college and progress towards full accredited membership. For those members BAFRA runs a training scheme superior to any which the few remaining colleges are in a position to offer.

We also have a very strong group of ‘Friends of BAFRA’, who join to widen their interest and passion for antique furniture and related items of the moveable heritage.

A strong and widely admired feature of BAFRA is the very wide range of skills practised by the full membership, which covers every aspect of furniture design and conservation, historic interior woodwork, clocks, barometers, mechanical music, keyboard instruments, organs, marble and stone, textile conservation, leather, every furniture decorative process such as carving, gilding, japanning and oriental lacquer, and many more.

A six-bell cylinder musical box

Counterfeit shackles are found on site n

It seems that, even in an industry where safe working practices are as paramount as in the access industry, there are still those who are prepared to put others’ lives at risk for profit.

The news section of the ATLAS website – the trade association for steeplejacks and access specialists – reports a safety alert concerning counterfeit lifting shackles. The shackles purport to be manufactured by the industry leader Crosby, but are fakes.

The safety alert was issued by a London Underground health and safety officer. The shackles are reported to be liable to fail at only 40% of their stated load rating, with potentially catastrophic consequences. All contractors are being urged to carry out an urgent inspection of plant and equipment to ensure none of the shackles are in use.

The alert carries pictures of the genuine shackles and the counterfeits, with the explanation that the fakes carry the name ‘CROSBY’ in capitals, whereas the genuine shackles have only the initial letter capitalised.

A link to the full alert is carried on the ATLAS website, at www. atlas.org.uk.

It is shocking that there are those at large who will put these products on the market – and that there are those who are tempted by the prospect of saving money to buy them. q

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Access/lightning protection

BAFRA accreditation is purposely difficult to attain and has been described as old fashioned, which it probably is; but any suggestion of making it easier has always been strongly resisted by both BAFRA and, perhaps more importantly, by the public. Assessment for accreditation examines not just the applicant’s bench and design skills, but also their artistic and business skills and integrity, historical knowledge of design, detailed constructional techniques and conservation disciplines.

Many people ask: “What is conservation?” Conservation is very closely allied to restoration and for the most part the skills of each go hand-in-hand. The key discipline in conservation is ‘maintenance of object integrity’; ie its purpose and evidence of origin and natural ageing must be retained and protected.

Each year BAFRA publishes its own Annual Directory of Members and two Journals. Both publications are unique and are designed to be retained as reference material for anyone interested in furniture and the moveable heritage. Copies may be obtained from BAFRA head office and annual subscriptions for both are available. q

Security and fire protection

Doing nothing is no longer an option n

Assessing the risk of fire and enhancing the security of places

is that excellence in those aspects of running a place of worship is

of worship can be a lot easier by following a guide from

achievable, and fire safety and security can be maximised naturally and

independent third-party approvals body BRE Global.

Fire safety and security in places of worship provides information and guidance for anyone who is responsible for the care and safety of those who worship, visit or work in places of worship, whether they are

easily.

A responsibility to worshippers All places of worship have to comply with current fire and health and

employed or volunteers. It will also be useful for professional advisors,

safety legislation. Responsibility for premises is becoming more and

such as local authorities, fire service, surveyors, insurance experts and

more onerous, so doing nothing is simply no longer an option.

health and safety advisors, and for suppliers and installers of fire and security systems.

The guide offers advice on protecting property as well as the place of

There are about 70,000 places of worship in the UK, attended by millions of people every week. And every year there are over 100 arson attacks on such buildings and many incidents of theft and

worship’s assets. It encourages an approach in which good fire safety

criminal damage. A place of worship is likely to be a place of safety,

and security practice become familiar and routine. The key message

contemplation and sanctuary, and all worshippers will have certain

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each one has placed their trust in those responsible for the building.

In addition to the risk to life, a fire or breach of security could seriously damage or even destroy the team and its work.

What does the guide cover?

The guide gives practical information that will help to generate a natural culture of fire safety and security awareness within the team responsible for managing the place of worship, and protect visitors

Preserving heritage does not need to be such a burning issue

and worshippers as well as property and other assets. It identifies the important issues and encourages a culture in which good fire safety and security practice become as familiar and normal as the everyday efforts to prepare and care for the place of worship.

After an introduction to places of worship and the law, the guide is in two main sections: the first on fire, the second on security. The information applies equally to non-worship areas such as community halls, catering areas and other buildings not used specifically for

MARTIN PHILLIPS, product manager at Gent by Honeywell, believes advances in fire technology could see the destruction of our heritage buildings through fire damage confined to history.

worship-related activities.

Among the topics covered are: • How fires start and spread • Fire safety management • Fire risk assessments • Fire safety training • Fire emergency planning • Communicating the fire safety message.

Fire safety features, escaping from fire and assessing fire safety are fully discussed, and a fire safety checklist is included.

The section on security discusses security and understanding crime. It then goes on to examine the organisation of security in order to reduce crime, the ‘walk-through’ to assess the security of the premises, special considerations for places of worship, a suggested approach to security management and the security checklist.

Chris Hawkings, senior surveyor with Ecclesiastical Insurance, writes in the Foreword: “This publication will be invaluable to all those who have responsibility not just for care of the fabric of places of worship, but also for the safety of those who worship in them, visit them, and work in them as employees or volunteers. As the leading faith insurer in the UK, Ecclesiastical strongly recommends that all those with responsibility for places of worship follow this guidance.”

Fire safety and security in places of worship is published by IHS BRE Press, price £25, and can be ordered from www.brebookshop.com (ref: BR 499) or from 01344 328038. q

The guide includes a security checklist

n

The UK is blessed with a rich heritage – an abundance of stately homes, ancient churches and castles. They are just some of the priceless national treasures that require protection against fire. However, in recent years fire has seriously damaged some of the most high-profile heritage buildings in the UK: Windsor Castle, York Minster and Hampton Court Palace to name but a few.

Many of the fires that occur in heritage premises are so severe that they result in insured losses totalling millions of pounds. The untold damage to the priceless buildings and artefacts means that such fires strike at the very heart of the nation’s heritage which, once lost, can never be replaced. More worrying still, some of these fires could have been prevented by applying better fire safety management principles. In some instances, for example, fires are caused by contractors carrying out restoration or maintenance work.

Fire prevention and risk management needs to be a priority for heritage premises. This should include carrying out a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment, taking the appropriate fire safety measures to reduce fire risk and developing a detailed action plan to be implemented should a fire occur.

Although integrating a fire alarm system into a heritage building has its difficulties, with advances in technology and careful planning there is a solution for every location. However, there is not one single system or product required to safeguard a historic building – the most effective solution often involves a combination of different types of detection technology.

One of the biggest advancements in fire detection has been in hybrid wireless technology. Wireless fire protection is becoming widely used to complement cabled systems in areas where it is important to maintain the aesthetics of a room and where it is difficult to route cables. Using a hybrid system, wired devices can be applied in areas such as ducts and ceiling voids, while wireless devices can be used where there is a need to preserve the integrity of the building fabric.

With so many of our heritage buildings set in remote locations and, therefore, at a great distance from the nearest fire station, early detection is essential. Advances in technology and affordability of fire protection systems means there is no excuse for any heritage building to be unprotected from the threat of fire.

There is no one-fit solution for protecting heritage buildings, but a combination of wireless sensors, multi-criteria sensors, looppowered beams and aspirating sensors will help keep our nation’s treasures safe from the destructive nature of fire. q

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Security and fire protection

expectations when they decide to participate in its activities. Implicitly,

Memorials/cemeteries

Councils need some flexibility n

MAB awards to take the year off n

The two awards given by the Memorial Awareness Board – the body set up to increase both public and local authority awareness of memorial issues and in particular the issue of choice – will be conspicuous by their absence this year.

Both the Cemetery of the Year Award and the Most Unusual Memorial Competition have been put on hold for 2010 and will return next year.

Last year the CYA overall winner was South West Middlesex Crematorium (pictured). q

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The latest Newsletter of the Society of Local Council Clerks carries this piece on advice given to a town council clerk who is having a problem removing inappropriate and unauthorised memorabilia from graves in the lawn section of their cemetery after it amended its rules: “There is no easy answer to the problem of unauthorised memorabilia and certainly retrospectively amending regulations will not provide the solution.

“Many authorities are faced with this issue due to the changing wants and needs of the bereaved, plus the relatively sterile lawn memorials they have regulated toward, thus creating a ‘war graves’ feel to civil cemeteries, contrary to the wishes of most next of kin and families that prefer to personalise graves with the addition of memorabilia. Giving the bereaved the ability to personalise through design reduces the need for some to place articles in positions which would hinder maintenance.

“Those authorities that have come to terms with the problem are those who have sought middle ground by extending the range of choice available with regards to memorials.”

A number of authorities, says the piece, have found ways of allowing personalisation of graves without impeding maintenance or safety issues. q

Memorials/cemeteries

All is not rosy in the memorial garden n

For many years memorial masons were faced with a bewildering multiplicity of schemes for accreditation to work in various cemeteries. At its most complicated, there were individual schemes run by local authorities, meaning any mason who worked in more than one burial authority area had to go to the trouble and expense of registering with each one.

Then, in 2004, a new organisation was set up to bring all the individual accreditation schemes together. The British Register of Accredited Memorial Masons was composed of masons and burial authorities. Its board comprised members of NAMM, masons who were not members and burial authority representatives.

Around the middle of last year the organisation was split asunder when NAMM members voted to withdraw from BRAMM following months of acrimony and what has been described as an attempt to control the organisation.

The result was the launch by NAMM of its own accreditation scheme: the NAMM Register of Qualified Memorial Fixers (RQMF) came into being in November last year following the accreditation of NAMM as a City and Guilds centre.

NAMM describes its new scheme thus: “The Register is open to all memorial masons, whether they are members of

NAMM or not; but all memorial erectors/ fixers must be qualified by a nationally recognised qualification for the erection/ fixing of memorials.”

The criteria for registration are: • Risk assessment for work in the burial ground.

• Public liability insurance of £5,000,000.

• Employer’s liability insurance of £10,000,000.

• Health and safety policy for businesses employing more than five employees.

• An undertaking to supply a Certificate of Compliance for each memorial installed.

For more information on the NRQMF, visit www.nammregister.org.uk. q

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Memorials/cemeteries

National scheme laments Masonry reversal of its direction companies n combine Needless to say, the view taken by BRAMM to the split in the organisation and the secession of NAMM is somewhat different from that taken by NAMM itself.

In its winter 2009 newsletter BRAMM likens the new NAMM scheme to a Trojan Horse, reversing the progress that had been made in unifying the multitude of accreditation schemes that previously existed.

The editorial states: “After many challenges BRAMM has proved a great success. Burial authorities have one easy national scheme to find, check and admit competent masons quickly and easily. Masons have just one set of paperwork to deal with rather than multiple, different and costly local schemes.

“BRAMM also encourages a closer sense of community and support in the industry,

allowing for better communication between all parties. In the past five years we’ve really moved forward. Our plans to facilitate free training have become a successful reality and our numbers have reached a level that has allowed us to lower our charges, reducing costs to masons.”

BRAMM has also been at pains to point out that, in addition to the accreditation scheme itself, it also runs a number of free training courses. This year there are five such courses planned. Subjects include installing memorials without cement joints, installing memorials on sloping ground and safety inspection and testing.

BRAMM has also been forced to relocate its offices and is currently residing at the offices of the Society of Local Council Clerks. q

The BRAMM scheme unified all the local schemes

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n

Two established monumental masonry firms in the Midlands have joined forces. Lidsters of Worksop are a well-established company that has featured in this publication over a number of years.

It has now announced the acquisition of Mounsey Memorials in Chesterfield.

Managing director John Richardson said: “The acquisition will be good for everyone concerned, and it was a seamless transition. The companies were an almost perfect fit for each other and the business can now focus on delivering its excellent products and service to a wider geographical area.”

Dean Hill, the former owner of Mounsey, will continue to manage Mounsey Memorials but he will be able to concentrate his time on developing the marketing of the business as the companies start to drive into other market sectors.

All the staff are being retained in both businesses, but there will be efficiency savings in administration and marketing.

A major boost to both businesses will be that customers can now choose to visit whichever showroom is most convenient for them.” q

Anti-Graffiti Association

Natural burial

First conference n

On 25 March the University of Sheffield’s Department of Landscape will host the first UK-wide conference on natural burial. John Mallattratt, chair of the Association of Natural Burial Grounds (ANBG) will be one of the main speakers at the conference. The ANBG, in partnership with the Natural Death Centre (NDC), has worked closely with the University of Sheffield on the creation and organisation of the event.

Another speaker at the event will be Ken West. Ken first raised the concept of woodland burial in 1989 in his position as manager of Carlisle Cemetery in Cumbria. That led, in 1993, to Carlisle City Council opening the first natural burial ground in the UK. More recently, Ken has worked as consultant to the Ministry of Justice on its Guidelines for Natural Burial Ground Operators.

Prior to the afternoon speakers, the ANBG research team will be presenting data from natural burial sites around the UK, including a longitudinal photographic record of one site, ethnographic data from four UK burial grounds, interview data with owners/managers of 20 natural burial sites around the country and up-to-date database and GIS information of all UK natural burial providers currently in operation.

An optional extra to the conference, on the following morning, is a trip to two local natural burial grounds – one privately owned and a local authority site. q

The writing is on the wall for the writing on the wall n

Graffiti vandalism continues to blight the urban landscape and, sadly, ecclesiastical and heritage buildings are not respected, but are treated much the same as any other building.

That faces the owners of historic properties with the difficult task of graffiti removal.

Such removal is often seen as a simple cleaning task; however, that view can greatly underestimate the skills required, particularly where sensitive surfaces have been attacked. Paint can readily loose gloss levels and masonry surfaces are left with a ‘ghosting’ effect, caused by chasing pigments into the pores of the surface. That effect is particularly noticeable for common bricks.

A good approach is to apply an anti-graffiti coating to masonry surfaces which are subjected to attack. That allows graffiti to be removed much more readily. Anti-graffiti coatings primarily fall into two groups: ‘sacrificial’ and ‘permanent’.

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Anti-Graffiti Association

Sacrificial coatings are generally based upon cellulose and microcrystalline waxes. They are re-applied to substrates following graffiti attack and subsequent cleaning and, hence, it follows that they should be easy to remove and re-apply.

On the other hand, permanent coatings are expected to survive repeated graffiti attacks and, naturally, they should have good durability in service, being able to survive weathering and exposure to ultra-violet light. The actual life of a coating is also going to depend upon how often it is attacked by graffiti and how often and by what method it is cleaned, ie whether the coating can withstand particular types of solvents from paints markers or cleaning agents.

How should the owner of a heritage property deal with the dilemma of graffiti removal? First, advice should be sought from relevant bodies such as Historic Scotland or English Heritage, which have technical expertise in dealing with graffiti on a very wide range of surfaces. Second, experienced contractors who have a proven track

record should be sought for the task. Third, as a means of protection against future attack, an anti-graffiti coating should be applied to surfaces.

As has been shown, graffiti removal is far from a simple cleaning task and is much closer to that of building restoration. Clearly, if complete removal is to be achieved and if surfaces are to remain undamaged, then staff engaged in the work have to be fully capable.

There is no single solution to deal with graffiti; it requires a multi-disciplinary and multi-agency approach that includes local government, various industrials sectors, the police and communities themselves. The organisation that sets itself the task of being instrumental in this process is the Anti-Graffiti Association. The aim of the association is to bring together all sectors who are concerned with graffiti management with the eventual outcome of eradicating graffiti vandalism.

For more information visit www.theaga.org.uk. q

Removal is under discussion n

Techniques for the removal of graffiti and working safely are two topics that will feature at the next Anti-Graffiti Association conference, which is due to take place in Nottingham on 11-12 May. On the first day of the conference, in the afternoon, there will be a series of workshops which will deal with graffiti removal techniques, health and safety issues and environmental legislation.

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The second day will feature a series of presentations that will include speakers from the City of Stockholm and Bristol City Council. That should prove particularly interesting, as Stockholm has a ‘zero tolerance’ policy while Bristol is the home of Banksy who, of course, is well known as a ‘graffiti artist’. There will also be presentations by Keep Britain Tidy and by the British Transport Police.

The conference is also well supported by leading manufacturers who have the technical expertise to develop new products and who will take the opportunity to introduce them onto the market. As usual there will be a dozen trade stands which will give those attending the opportunity to talk with manufacturers in relaxed circumstances.

Visit www.theaga.org.uk for a full conference programme. q

n

Pest control and public health are inextricably linked, and while modern solutions to pest control have radically affected the way in which health is protected by the pest control industry and the government, pest control still presents significant challenges. That relationship will be brought to the fore at a one-day conference that will be presented by the Royal Society for Public Health.

The conference, Front Line Public Health: Best Practice and Future Challenges will take place at 28 Portland Place in London on 19 May. Topics will include: • Practical hints and tips to help you perform your role in pest control more effectively.

• Advice on the most up-to-date and effective pest control methods.

• Which methods do not work and should be avoided.

• The effect of chemical safety policies on pest control effectiveness.

• A comprehensive look at future issues and challenges.

• Working with small companies on taking pest control seriously. q

Pest control

All in a day New code for

glue boards n

In February a new code of best practice in the use of glue traps for rodent control was published by the Pest Management Alliance.

The new code was in response to a motion tabled in the House of Commons in July by three MPs: Alan Meale, Bill Etherington and Peter Bottomley.

The motion read: “That this House is aware that pest controllers who are members of the British Pest Control Association are currently subject to a voluntary code on the use of rodent traps, which includes the direction that distributors should not supply glue boards to persons who are not trained or competent in pest control practices; notes that a wild mammal is protected by the provisions of the Wild Mammals (Protection) Act 1996 but also that this law does not cover animals caught in inhumane glue traps which cause them much unnecessary suffering; and believes that the Government should follow the lead

of many other parliaments worldwide and recognise the cruelty of such practices by introducing legislation to ban their use in the UK.” According to the British Pest Control Association, the pest control industry believes that a ban, if applied to professional users, will have a significantly adverse and unnecessary effect on the pest management industry’s ability to protect public health.

The Pest Management Alliance consists of the British Pest Control Association, Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, National Pest Technicians Association and UK Pest Controllers Organisation. The new code of best practice replaces the previous BPCA Code of Practice for the use of rodent glue boards. It was issued following consultations with Defra and Natural England. q

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Christian Resources Exhibition, Sandown

Church show rides out the recession with style n

More than 400 organisations are church leadership – are expected over the bound for Sandown Park in May for event’s four days. the biggest annual exhibition of Christian “We work extremely hard to bring together resources in Europe. the very best available in relevant resources.

In spite of tough economic conditions, Whether you are a senior minister, organisations servicing churches are reporting increased sales, which is encouraging, though not surprising, news for organisers of CRE. “We’ve weathered previous recessions and intend to be around through the next one as well!” declared event director Steve Briars. “This year’s event is well on the way to being our biggest ever. We anticipate more than 400 exhibitors, and 100 seminars are scheduled.

Some 13,000 visitors – the majority in some form of local Furniture by Nicholas Hobbs

A passion for time n

For more than 150 years, Smith of Derby Ltd has been creating and caring for clocks from your cherished parish church to the

world’s most celebrated cathedrals, such as St Pauls, London.

Using modern materials and techniques to address certain conservation and care issues, we can improve building safety through the use of low voltage systems, we can reduce energy consumption using solar and wind solutions and we can significantly improve timekeeping through time-regulation technology. All of this can help prolong the working life of your clock.

Annually our team of service engineers carefully maintains 4,500 wonderful clocks in the UK alone. We know a clock represents the heartbeat of a community and we take the preservation of your clock very seriously to enable future generations to enjoy it.

Customer care and conservation of our ecclesiastical heritage was at the heart of our new product called ChurchCAM. Following research with the clerical community, we know that sadly, more churches are becoming the victims of vandalism and crime. To help protect the church, its buildings, staff and the community, we created a security and fire detection solution we call ChurchCAM. At this year’s CRE our team can give you advice on all aspects of our services. Amongst this year’s hot topics are automatic clock winding and bell ringing systems, through to security and fire detection solutions. We have set our stall out to being a very safe pair of hands for our customers for many hundreds of years to come!

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International Christian Resources Exhibition: 11-14 May – Sandown Park Exhibition Centre, Surrey

administrator, youth leader, or simply want to enjoy the atmosphere of an amazing event, there is something to equip, inform and intrigue.”

Furnishings, church fabric, building services, architects and surveyors – all are represented at International CRE, Europe’s leading exhibition of Christian products and services.

Simon Johnson, of CRE exhibitor Church Noticeboard Co, reports sales up by more than 20% on last year.

“We’ve not noticed any recessionary dip, though churches do seem to be spending funds more carefully,” he explained. “We’ve seen an increase in sales of prestige boards: more expensive than our classic range, but built to

At under £2,000 the HT-300 is a “relative bargain”

rather than using books.”

Meanwhile, Stage Systems have found purchasers waiting longer for funding, while Declan O’Donoghue of SF Furniture thinks church buyers are becoming much more price aware and interested in longevity.

“As re-ordering projects take a long time to come to fruition, they continue regardless but at a slower pace,” Declan O’Donoghue reported. “The demand for long-lasting and specially-designed sanctuary furniture is on the increase.

These pieces help congregations take ownership of their

church and look after it more, with a sense of pride.”

Special zones at this year’s CRE include Church Technology, Sports, Mind and Soul, Churches For All, and Children and Youth.

Advance tickets can be booked by visiting www.creonline.co.uk. For a group booking form (five or more) telephone CRE on 01793 418218. q

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Christian Resources Exhibition, Sandown

last. So I think churches are investing in better quality materials and products.”

“As far as the recession is concerned, last year was my busiest,” said Nicholas Hobbs, who designs and makes bespoke items for churches. “I am affected, but only in a positive sense.”

Hobbs uses sustainable hardwoods, seasoned to his specific requirements. Using traditional jointwork ensures his furniture is designed to stand up to intensive use over a long period of time.

Martin Phelps of CRE exhibitor Hymn Technology thinks that, within limits, churches identify a need and when they find the right product somehow find the money.

Hymn Technology make the much-discussed HT-300 hymn player. Phelps believes that music is such an integral part of church life that even very small congregations will go the extra mile to get good quality accompaniment for singing.

“The recession hasn’t affected us – in fact we were up by 35% last year,” he reports.

“Some churches are paying as much as £50-£60 a service for an organist – if they can find one. The HT-300, still a shade under £2,000, is a relative bargain.”

HymnQuest, also on display at CRE, is a CD-ROM containing 23,700 hymns and worship songs from more than 400 hymnbooks. Its creators have seen sales continue to grow steadily through the recession.

“People want to move on in their churches as far as technology in worship is concerned,” said HymnQuest’s Brian Hoare. “There has been an explosion in worship technology and we are glad to be part of that. More and more churches are projecting the words of hymns and songs

Stone

Stone awards: get your entry in now! n

Entries are being invited for this year’s Natural Stone Awards, organised by Stone Federation Great Britain. Held every other year, they are the ‘Oscars’ of the natural stone industry and are divided into five categories: new build, repair and restoration, interiors, landscaping and craftsmanship.

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Courtesy of Flickr

Entries are judged by a panel of architects, supported by a stonemasonry expert.

“They will be looking for excellence in the design and execution of the stonework, sympathy of scale to any surrounding buildings or features and the relationship to existing street patterns,” explained the SFGB chief executive Jane Buxey.

“The judges will also look for an understanding of the requirements of stone detailing and weathering, to give a clean and minimum maintenance building or landscape development.

They will be seeking innovative use of stone and there will be a big emphasis on sustainability, which entrants are invited to highlight.”

Winning projects in the

past have included the refurbishment of Birmingham Town Hall (pictured).

The awards are open to all, with the main criteria being that the project, which can be any size, must be within the United Kingdom and construction work must have been completed within the three-year period ending 2 April 2010.

Closing date for entries is 23 April and entry forms can be downloaded from the Stone Federation website, at www. stonefed.org.uk. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London in November. q

Stone

Bits of Minster sold!

On 20 February, visitors had the chance to take a piece of history home with them at the York Minster Stone Auction, held in the Minster School Grounds.

The Stone Auction was so successful that 184 pieces of stone were auctioned off, raising over £20,000 towards the restoration and conservation of York Minster.

n

The stones on offer were removed from the Minster during previous restoration work and a brief description was provided in the auction brochure. Buyers were then given a certificate of authentication for the stone purchased.

Individual lots ranged from complex tracery panels, finials and pinnacles to smaller stones with simpler masonry detail. Stones such as these can be used as stand-alone garden features or used to enhance a garden pond or rockery, indoors as bases for table lamps or just as ornaments.

During stonework restoration projects on the fabric of the Minster, stone replacement is often necessary to replace decayed or structurally unsound material. All material removed is examined by the Minster archaeologist; the pieces are numbered, listed and photographed as part of the ‘worked stone inventory’. A number of pieces are retained by the Minster as being of significance in the archaeological history of the building; this procedure is in accordance with Minster’s legislative responsibility under the 1990 Care of Cathedrals Measure. Surplus stones were auctioned and the profits reinvested in the restoration of the Minster.

The auction was supported by Stephenson & Son, a leading independent auctioneers in the Vale of York.

Rebecca Thompson, superintendent of works at York Minster, said: “We are absolutely thrilled at how much money the stone auction raised and incredibly grateful to the many staff who generously gave their time to this cause and the fabulous support and enthusiasm from all who attended. We hope to be able to do another auction at the same time next year.” q

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Project profile

Contractor cleans up at the LGI n

The main entrance to Leeds General Infirmary – known locally as the LGI – is an example of Gothic revivalism in all its splendour;

structurally reinforce the façade.

“Cementious sock anchors have been employed at various points,”

however, decades of pollution have taken a grimy toll on the building’s

explained David. “This approach involves drilling small deep holes

façade. The Grade One-listed building that was designed by Sir

through the adjoining affected areas, which are then filled with

George Gilbert Scott and opened by The Prince of Wales in 1868 has

consolidation anchors and cementious grout. Afterwards the infill entry

undergone extensive masonry cleaning and conservation, with York

points are made good.

and Manchester-based William Anelay acting as principal contractor.

Anelay’s began the project by erecting a mammoth scaffolding structure covering two of the building’s four frontage sections. Work was carried out while the hospital remained open, so the health and safety of hospital visitors was paramount.

David Marsh, Anelay’s contracts manager for the project, took up the story: “George Gilbert Scott created an incredible building that is infused with decorative and ornate detailing and features from the

“It’s a highly adaptable and discreet system, yet very reliable, and is often employed on many buildings requiring structural reinforcement.

It will keep the LGI standing strong for generations to come.

“We’ve straightened up and secured all the chimneys and made them good,” he added, “and that’s on top of the many brick arches, marble pillars, lead pipes and gable ends that have been restored, removed or replaced!

“The end result is something of which we are all immensely proud.

ground floor right up to the roof. I’ve come across a series of uniquely

We get a real buzz out of knowing that we’re leaving the Anelay ‘mark’

scalloped bricks towards the top of the building – which fascinated me,

and contributing to the history of the building.”

given my background as a bricklayer!

“The external brickwork was re-pointed before being cleaned using

David Lalley of Leeds-based Turner and Townsend explained: “The façade has been a cause for concern for the Leeds Teaching Hospitals

the TORC system, which involves a low-pressure vortex process of

NHS Trust for some time. Because of its listed status it was essential

granulets, air and tiny quantities of water delivered through a specialist

to have a contractor on board that really understands masonry and

tool. We used over 20 tonnes of granules throughout the contract,

masonry conservation. Hospital visitors can now see for themselves a

which all had to be hauled up by hand and pulley in 25kg bags.”

real transformation in the way the building looks.”

While Anelay’s stonemasons were busy conserving and restoring

Were Sir George Gilbert Scott around today you’d suspect he’d nod

many of the damaged sandstone sculptures that adorn virtually every

approvingly at the work that is preserving his architectural legacy for

corner and turn, there was another crucial technology employed to

future generations. q

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n

Churches and cathedrals are more

management policies and are taking steps

way to empower the leadership team, rather

than just places of worship. They

to prevent problems before they happen.

than produce a dust-gathering document

are visitor attractions, historic buildings,

Specialist ecclesiastical risk management

meeting places and restoration sites, to

consultancy Cundiff and Mills is currently

name just a few.

working with Canterbury Cathedral on a

Church leaders, employees and

that nobody takes ownership of or acts upon.”

Fellow director and ecclesiastical risk

two-year project to develop risk policies

management expert Emma Cundiff added:

volunteers come into regular contact with

and procedures. Company director Jan

“The easiest way to establish if you have an

vulnerable people of all ages as hundreds,

Mills said: “Developing a comprehensive

adequate risk management plan is to ask

if not thousands of people pass through a

risk management plan starts with helping

what would happen if an accident and injury

building that is not always fit for modern

the leadership team to assess the risks in

occurred, or even an allegation was made.”

use, especially when essential repairs or

each area of ministry.

restoration works are underway and the building is still being used.

When you consider modern legislation,

“A key success factor in our work with

If there is a deafening silence, or a lack of clear policy and procedure, you should

Canterbury Cathedral and other clients is

address it now before anything serious

our ability to work in a discreet and sensitive

happens. q

employment law, health and safety regulation, Building Regulations, plus rising crime, ambulance-chasing legal firms and an increasingly litigious society, it becomes

Areas to consider when developing your

• Fire protection

clear that church leaders are increasingly

risk management plan:

• Finances/payroll

exposed to risk. Fortunately, they do

• Accident prevention

• Volunteer selection and training

appear to be taking the risk seriously and

• Restoration/building projects

• Church security

are becoming increasingly aware that

• Childcare/vulnerable people

• Church employees

they need to develop comprehensive risk

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Risk management

A risk lurks at the end of every pew

Disability Discrimination Act

Two widely differing venues in Liverpool have discovered ways in which the visitor experience of their disabled patrons can be immeasurably improved by enhancing

access to the mobility impaired using specialist devices from Stannah Lifts Ltd. And in the process they are being helped to comply with legislation.

Improving access to cathedral services n

Stannah is helping disabled visitors to

Jennifer Moran commented: “This impressive

celebrate the joys of Liverpool Anglican

and vital English cathedral holds many

Cathedral. A Stannah Stairiser CR inclined

services and many of our volunteers and

platform lift is currently helping wheelchair

regular visitors have a disability. We value

users to access services and events within the

their contribution and insights.

landmark cathedral.

Sited in the nave well, the lift aids access to

“We continue to learn from those whom we regularly invite as testers of our facilities

the extra seating available to cater for high

and one of the solutions was so simple – a

levels of attendance in the vibrant, living

Stannah Stairiser CR. We are delighted with

church. The lift takes users up and down a

the increased freedom it brings to all our

curved flight of steps.

disabled visitors.”

Designed for occasional use, the lift is safe

Suitable for any run of stairs with a single

and simple to operate and brings complete

turn, multiple landings or spiral configuration,

reassurance to user and companion alike.

the particular model is also available

Wall-mounted, the lift folds flat against the

stanchion-mounted with a range of four

rail when not in use.

platform sizes with end or side access. The

helps buildings comply with the DDA and

Stairiser CR can be installed in one day and

Part M Building Regulations. q

The cathedral’s visitor services manager

Platform lift helps bug-lovers get up close and personal n

Also in Liverpool, housed in a Grade One-listed historic building at the Albert Dock, the UK’s first state-of-the-art insectarium – the BugWorld Experience – has made a very ‘natural selection’ in a Stannah Midilift SL to help visitors with compromised mobility discover the venue’s creepy-crawly attractions.

The two-stop vertical platform lift improves access for everyone in the £3.8m refurbishment. From buggy-pushers to wheelchair-users, it helps the public to participate fully in all its interactive challenges, games and simulated natural environments. Braver visitors can also touch some of the creatures and even tuck in to insectivorous ‘delicacies’ from around the world.

Ideal for improving access to public buildings, the Midilift SL features easy-to-use, constant-pressure buttons and joystick, slip-resistant floor and sensitive safety edge that will stop the lift automatically should an obstacle impede it. Finished in matt grey to complement the décor, the lift operates within its own enclosure and fully-glazed shaft, with a ramp to ease entry from and exit to the ground floor. Importantly, the lift helps the premises’ owners meet the requirements of the DDA. BugWorld Experience general manager Jenny Dobson commented: “A must for all budding scientists, adventurers and travellers, the BugWorld Experience is the only venue in Britain where they can get up close and personal with insects in such a fun and educational way.

Stannah Lifts Limited is part of the Stannah Group of Companies. For more information about Stannah’s range of lift products call Stannah on 01264 339090; or visit www. stannahlifts.co.uk.

Getting up close and personal with bugs

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n

The Southbank Centre has been given the green light by the HLF to work up plans to complete the refurbishment of the Royal Festival Hall’s organ, with a possible grant of £950,000.

The first phase of the organ refurbishment was carried out as part of the major transformation of the Royal Festival Hall, which reopened in June 2007.

The second round application to HLF will be submitted in March and the outcome is likely to be announced in June. A major fundraising campaign will be launched in September to complete the funding required for the work.

The restoration work is being carried out by Harrison and Harrison Ltd, the company that built and installed the organ in 1954, and

was responsible for the first phase of the refurbishment.

Alan Bishop, chief executive of Southbank Centre, said: “We are committed to fully restoring the great organ of the Royal Festival Hall for the next generation. I am delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this important encouragement at such a vital time in our plans.”

Distinguished conductor Sir Roger Norrington, said: “The Ralph Downes organ in the Royal Festival Hall is at the heart of classical music-making in London and an incredibly important part of our musical heritage. I’m so pleased that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given Southbank Centre the go-ahead to take their application to the final stage.” q

Furore over lead leads to research n

In the middle of the last decade the European Union managed to propel the preservation of the traditional pipe organ into the mass public consciousness by threatening to outlaw the use of lead in the pipes. People – and media – who had never given the pipe organ a second thought, but who hated the EU with a passion, were suddenly the instrument’s best friend.

The campaign run by the Institute of British Organ Building to persuade the European Commission of the error of its ways was such a success that nothing further has been heard. In fact, the Commission has embraced the use of lead in organ pipes to such an extent that it is sponsoring a research programme into cleaning organs in a way that will not weaken or damage the pipes.

According to the technology resource Cordis: “For many of these classical instruments, the threat of corrosion accumulates within their wind systems. Since many of these are built from lead piping, the collection of aldehydes, volatile organic compounds and organic acids presents a corrosive atmosphere within.”

It seems that one of the organisations that is suddenly the pipe organ’s best friend is the European Commission itself. q

Royal Festival Hall auditorium © Morley Von Sternberg

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Organs

Southbank refurbishment given go-ahead

Asbestos

Think about it; it’s probably there

by PETER AUSTIN, manager of ACAD, the Asbestos Control and Abatement Division of the Thermal Insulation Contractors’ Association (TICA)

n

As I travel around the UK I often look and marvel at our churches and cathedrals. I am impressed by their beauty and design and I am in awe of the skills of the craftsman who built those magnificent buildings. I also often wonder at the spiritual meaning of the buildings and if other people who have lived, worked and worshipped in them were moved as I am by their reassuringly constant presence in our communities.

The last thing I usually think about when looking at churches is asbestos. However, a recent event at a village called Thursby in Cumbria has made me reconsider.

St Andrews Church in Thursby was recently damaged by a fire which started in the boiler room below the vestry. Boiler rooms and plant rooms are not very pleasant places and seldom figure in people’s thoughts for too long, if at all. However, in this case the boiler room ceiling had at some point been fitted with asbestos insulation boards to provide fire protection. In fact, the asbestos had done its job, delaying the fire and preventing it from totally destroying the building other than the vestry.

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It suddenly struck me how few churches I had been asked to survey for asbestos or had attended during removal of asbestos materials. That got me thinking as to why this might be the case.

Could it be that there was no asbestos in any of our churches?

Well, asbestos was used primarily as fire protection (but also for cold and noise insulation as well) and as many churches, especially the older ones, are at first glance built from stone and brick, there would appear not to be much need for asbestos to have been used.

That is an easy assumption to make, but one which often proves to be wrong. Even our medieval churches and cathedrals have been changed and altered countless times over the centuries, and during the 20th century many would have had heating and hot water systems installed along with the latest wonder material for fire protection: asbestos.

Much of which will still be in situ, protecting the building; but also, as we have now come to realise, representing a real health risk to anyone who is exposed to its contamination and breathes in its deadly fibres. I have also discovered in the past that many of our church organs contain dangerous types of asbestos, which is quite worrying when you understand that asbestos is at its most dangerous when airborne and it can be easily blown out through the organ pipes!

Regulation 4 of the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 places a responsibility on the ‘duty holder’ – basically anyone who has the power to authorise work on the structure of the building – to have in place an asbestos management plan to prevent accidental exposure to asbestos as a result of asbestos materials being disturbed. The best way to comply with the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 and obligations under Regulation 4 is to commission an asbestos survey of the building or buildings by an appropriately qualified company specialising in asbestos materials.

At ACAD we can help by offering free advice on how to identify a suitable company to undertake such work and how you can avoid possible prosecution by ensuring you fulfil all of the requirements on managing asbestos in your buildings.

Contact www.tica-acad.com. q

STEVE SADLEY of the Asbestos Removal Contractors’ Association (ARCA) points out the information that those working with asbestos are entitled to

n

Asbestos must still be considered as an important issue for all those charged with responsibilities for facilities management or maintenance. The HSE estimates that over 1.5 million commercial buildings still contain asbestos materials, and that 60% of all asbestos imported into the UK has been used to produce building materials. Asbestos is likely to be present in a building if it was constructed between 1940 and 1980, and can sometimes be found in buildings constructed in the 1990s.

Employers of building maintenance and repair workers are required to carry out a risk assessment before undertaking any work which exposes, or is liable to expose, employees to asbestos. They must take the appropriate steps required by the asbestos regulations to prevent or reduce those risks.

However, in many cases the employers and their workers have little or no information about the premises where they are going to undertake work, and are not aware if asbestos containing materials are present. Consequently, it is difficult for them to consider the risks, or if precautions may be needed.

A duty to manage the risk from asbestos in non-domestic premises was therefore added to the Control of Asbestos at work Regulations in 2002 to address that. Those requirements have since been brought forward unchanged in the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 as Regulation 4.

At some point somebody has got to work with asbestos containing materials; but who is allowed to do that? In the UK work on asbestos has, by law, to be carried out by a contractor who holds a licence under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006, although there are exceptions.

Normally, non-licensed work includes work on asbestos-containing textured coatings, asbestos cement and certain work of short duration on asbestos insulating board.

The Approved Code of Practice (ACoP) which accompanies the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006 states that: “Asbestos awareness training is required to be given to employees whose work could foreseeably expose them to asbestos.

In particular, it should be given to all demolition workers and those workers in the refurbishment, maintenance and allied trades where it is foreseeable that their work will disturb the fabric of the building because asbestos containing materials (ACMs) may become exposed during their work.

“Exemption from this requirement would apply only where the employer can demonstrate that work will only be carried out on buildings

free of ACMs. This information should be available in the client’s asbestos management plan.”

The ACoP also states that refresher training should be given at least every year. Therefore, there is an on-going annual legal requirement for refresher training to be carried out for the identified employees.

ARCA is the leading supplier of asbestos awareness training aimed at building and maintenance workers. ARCA trainers have considerable experience within the asbestos removal industry and understand the issues that are faced every day.

The range of courses which ARCA have available is comprehensive. Each has been designed to ensure that staff acquire a real depth of knowledge and capability.

To find out more or to arrange a no obligation meeting to discuss your employees’ asbestos awareness training needs, contact ARCA on 01283 531126. q

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Asbestos

To be trained is to be forewarned

Training

Thatch makes a comeback H & S cert n

As part of a BBC Two’s Mastercrafts series, a Suffolk-based roofer has helped propel the art of thatching to new heights, by competing for and winning the accolade of ‘best apprentice’ in his specialist field.

Colin Wombwell, a roofing expert with more than 10 years experience in the trade, decided to take the plunge and learn a new specialism. As part of the show he undertook an intensive six-week apprenticeship in thatching, learning many of the skills needed to start a career in a trade that has been diminishing over the decades.

Under the guidance of Matt Williams and David Bragg of Rumplestiltskin Thatching Company, Oxfordshire, Colin and his fellow competitors – arts therapist Kate Edwards from Norfolk and painter and decorator Sam Hare from London – worked under intense scrutiny, getting to grips with the theory, practical and physically very demanding challenges of thatching.

Colin heard about this BBC opportunity from Clive Coote of the East Region

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Roofing Training Group (ERRTG), who works closely with ConstructionSkills’ National Specialist Team to provide cost-effective training for all roofing companies in the East of England.

Clive said: “Colin originally came to us as his employer wanted him to achieve his NVQ in roofing. We then trained him to become an NVQ assessor, helping other learners achieve their qualifications. One thing lead to another and Colin is soon to complete his first year training to be a teacher.” q

success n

The pass rate of students studying the NEBOSH General and Construction Health and Safety Certificates at STUNIT Risk Training has recently exceeded the national average by 12%, at 92%.

STUNIT’s director Jan Mills said: “The NEBOSH Certificate in Construction Health and Safety is for site managers at all levels, CDM co-ordinators and anybody who advises on construction site safety.

The course enables people to inspect a construction site and write a sensible report to management on the findings, which is both persuasive and practical.

“Of our 88 students, 15% achieved a distinction and 44% achieved a credit in our last set of results.”

She added: “An overall pass rate of 92% is a great achievement by our students.

The certificate will help each individual to enhance their career progression as well as improve the health and safety compliance of their employers.” q

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