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Richard Shepherd – Business Development ManagerTel: 07896 967168 Email: richard@dmmonline.co.uk

All other enquiries: Tel: 0161 850 1680 Fax: 0161 850 091861 Lower Hillgate, Stockport, Cheshire SK1 3AW

Copyright Ecclesiastical & Heritage World.All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or transmitted in any form without prior permission of Ecclesiastical & Heritage World.Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the publisher.

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11Features...LEAD6 Help is at hand in fighting lead thieves

6 Lead and other metal theft

7 New EH guidance accepts need for alternatives to lead in some cases

8 LCA – over 25 years of maintaining standards

9 How Sarnafil metal-effect membranes are helping churches beat thieves at their own game

9 Nothing worth nicking here!

11 Brian does things on a grand scale!

HESPR12 How clients can benefit from Institute’s standards

THE HISTORIC CHAPELS TRUST15 Chapel’s restoration marks an end to 25 years in the

dark

PARKS AND GARDENS21 Knotweed problem is causing public concern

21 Grant gets conservation trust buzzing with excitement

TRAINING22 Apprenticeship training pledge in major contract

22 New Business Development Director for specialist construction college

23 A safe pair of hands

24 The past is present for Heritage Skills Training Centre

THE GROVES RIVERSIDE PROMENADE26 Victorian Chester takes a leap forward into the 21st

century

In this issue...13 Dunphy joins forces with DRU for

large, modern church heating project

27 Saint Leonard’s Church gets disabled access

29 Applications open for grants to establish endowments

29 DCMS and Wolfson: 8 years in partnership

31 HLF confirms £4.6m grant for Bletchley Park

31 MLA passes on the museums baton

33 Who are the country’s Heritage Angels?

33 Cleaning a Moore sculpture requires access to all areas

34 Harrods choose Good Directions to manufacture Big Ben replica for new Signature Room

35 New trade body unifies storage industry

35 London’s archives refurbished to SEMA standards

36 Statue unveiled in honour of village paragon

36 Window specialists

37 Hand-made tiles fit square pegs into square holes ...and there’s room up top for roosting bats!

38 Stairrods (UK) completes refurbishment project for Scottish Portrait Gallery

38 New energy conservation Guidance Note and fully updated Product Guide from Selectaglaze

39 Secondary glazing is a hot topic at this Yorkshire church

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Church & Heritage Supplies – Classified Section p40

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COVER STORY: Lead Revival - Thetrue art of leadwork is not lost in the UK– Page 4

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Lead RevivalThe true art of

leadwork is not lost in the UK

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When lead and construction are mentionedin the same sentence, many will think of amalleable, heavy, robust metal mainly for

flashing applications. Some will see it as a cladding materialand many others as a long lasting low maintenance roofing

material.Regardless of how specifiers regard its purpose, the main

reasons for its selection are its in built historic place withinBritish construction and its proven track record for longevitywith minimal maintenance. Ongoing maintenance can equalongoing costs which many do not account for when selecting their

preferred material, surprisingly even when that choice is basedaround cost.Unlike many ‘new’ materials currently on or entering the market,

lead has an actual full life cycle history in real-time true conditionstesting. New products on the market require accelerated testing toprove how they ‘should’ perform long term - all being well if naturebehaves similar to the lab conditions. Lead in construction has beenused in pretty much every conceivable way and, correctly specifiedand installed, rolled lead (manufactured to what has now becomeBS EN 12588 standard) has been known to last 500 years. Atthe end of its life, the material still has a high residual value andcan again be recycled and re-used for the same purpose. Boththe manufacture and recycling of rolled lead involves very lowenergy requirements.

In addition to roofing, cladding and flashings, lead is alsoa highly suitable material for decorative pieces. Owing toits malleability lead can be cut, shaped, folded and bossedto take on an abundance of different forms. Hertfordshirebased Associated Lead Mills offers various standardpieces such as finials, pinnacles, tudor roses, decorativevent gablets and trimmed ridge flashings to namebut a few.Further to this they are able to offer morebespoke items through a network of highly skilled LCAapproved lead workers.

One such company who specialise in leadworkused ALM rolled lead for a recent project wherethe architects, Donald Insall Associates, requestedthat among other specific elements of thebuilding, 8 lion head cartouches be preservedduring demolition. Even though the cartoucheshad been in place on the verges of The RegentPalace Hotel building in the heart of London’sPiccadilly since it arose in 1912, they werein good enough condition to be replicated,showing again that even decorativeleadwork will offer many years service inthe harshest urban environments.

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Thecartoucheswereformedofseparatecastandpre-weldedleadunitswithleadsheetdressedoverandsecretfixedtoaprofiledtimbersubstructure.Thissubstructurewasthenboltedtothemainstructurewiththeadditionofironstrapsandsupportties.

NDMLeadSheetSpecialiststookonthehugechallengeofbringingthecartouchesbacktotheirformergloryundertheleadershipofmanagingdirectorNigelMilesandoperationsdirectorChrisDeady.ThemammothtaskofrestoringbeganforNDMwiththereceiptofsixsingleandonedoublecartouchethatwereallalittleworseforwearbut,combined,providedenoughdetailforNDM’sskilledcarpentersandleadworkerstomakegood.Oncethetimberbaseshadbeenrepaired,atalabourcostof64mandays,theleadworkcouldbegin.

Whilstthelionheadsallappeartobethesame,whenviewingupcloseeachmouthandjawdifferslightlymeaningeachrequiredaseparatetemplate.Fourleadworkersweregiventhetaskofcompleting2cartoucheswitheachcartouchetaking10daysofsolidandexactingworkmanship.

Whencompleted,thepieceswereeverythingtheyneededtobe.WellbuiltsolidtimbercarcassesdressedbeautifullyinhandcraftedALMrolledlead–1.160mhighby1.250mwideweighinginatapproximately300kgsperpieceandreadyforanother100plusyearsservice.

NDMaremembersoftheLeadContractorsAssociationandtheRegentPalaceHotelprojectisastrongcontenderfortheLCA’sMurdochAwardcompetition,anannualeventtofindtheoutstandingexampleinthecraftofworkingwithlead–literallythebestofthebest.

AssociatedLeadMillshavesponsoredtheMurdochAwardsince2004aspartoftheircommitmenttoqualitystandardsandin2006introducedtheMurdochSponsorsAwardforleadprojectsupto5tonnes.BothawardsnowfeatureintheNationalRoofingAwardsprogrammeorganisedbytheNFRC.

ALMhavealwaysstronglysupportedtheLeadContractorsAssociationastheultimateexponentsofleadworkingandhavepartneredtheLCAinseveralprojectsconcernedwiththetraininganddevelopmentoffuturecraftsmenandtheoverallpromotionofthecraftitself.

AssociatedLeadMillshasstronglongstandingrelationshipswiththemajorityofleadworkersthroughouttheUKwhoareabletopurchaseALMleadthroughanetworkofconvenientlyplacedmerchants,allofwhomholdextensivestocksofALMrolledleadandancillaryproducts.

Inadditiontorolledleadproductsandaccessories,ALMarealsothemainUKdistributorforallmajornonferrous/hardmetalmanufacturersoperatingwithintheUK.TheseincludeamongstothersVMZINC,Rheinzink,KMECopper,AperamStainlessSteel(formerlyArcelorMittal)andFalzinc.ALMstockalltheassociatedfixings,standardandstructuralunderlays,breathermembranes,solderingequipment,toolingandmachineryrequiredforallmaterialslisted.TheyaretheregisteredownersofWARMFAST®Systemsandcanofferinsulation,WARMFAST®fixingsandvapourbarriers.Theyarealsoabletoputthoseinterestedinenteringmetalroofingincontactwiththecorrectassociatedbodieswheretrainingandadvicecanbeobtained.q

•ALM have a customer service team ready to take any enquiries and, where required, put you in contact with the correct people to ensure your project goes without issue. Should you have any queries, please do not hesitate to call 01992 444 100 or email your enquiry to sales@associatedlead.co.uk

www.associatedlead.co.uk

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Based in Canterbury, Kent, Metal Roof Ltd receive regular calls from churches orarchitects needing help where thieves have removed lead from church buildings. Thecompany have worked on various such projects and have used both stainless steel

and zinc as the replacement material. Terne-coated stainless steel, defined as ‘stainlesssteel continuously hot dip coated with a lead-tin alloy’, is often specified by architects as itobviously gives a good visual match for lead. Zinc, however, can also be very satisfactory,particularly natural zinc which is bright when installed but weathers down and acquires itsown protective patina, finishing up quite difficult to distinguish from lead.

The great virtue of both these hard metals is that they are not attractive to thieves in thesame way as lead because firstly, the scrap value is less and secondly, they are much moredifficult, slower and noisier to remove.

The pictures below are of Scraptoft Church in Leicester which was entirely reroofed instainless steel – the photos were taken at the time of installation when the metal is quiteshiny. The picture on the right is of St Martin’s Church in Epsom, also with ternecoatedstainless steel – unfortunately we had to make a second trip here when the thieves returnedto take the lead from another part of the roof. The roof in this picture is older and showshow the steel has weathered.

St Martin’s is a traditional wooden batten roll roof (like lead) whereas Scraptoft is astanding seam roof, where the metal is folded over itself.

Help is at hand in fighting lead thieves

Lead and other metal theft

We at Ecclesiastical and Heritage World thought you mightlike to join us and others in an effort to do somethingabout this growing problem.

Historically the scrapmetal trade has been acash in hand industrywhich creates difficultiesas there is no audit trail,making identification ofindividuals who may betrading stolen metal or whomay be committing tax orbenefits fraud, a difficultproposition. An amendmentto the Scrap Metal Merchants Act 1964 to prohibit cash transactions would makepayment by cheque or directly into a bank account mandatory andwould be a significant component in reducing metal theft.

• Sign the petition and forward to anyone else you think might be interested please: http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/406

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New EH guidance accepts need for alternatives to lead in some cases

Inrecentmonthslocalbroadcastmediainmanypartsofthecountryhavebeenreportingontheburgeoninglevelsofmetalthefts,andinparticularthetheftofleadfromroofs.

Manyparishcouncilsandotherbuildingmanagershaveshownareluctancetoreplacethelead,particularlywhereroofshavebeenstrippedrepeatedly.

Inresponsetotheproblem,EnglishHeritagehasissuednewguidanceonthetheftofmetalfromchurchbuildings,offeringgreaterclarityonwhenalternativematerialsmightbeappropriateandwhichonesarelikelytobeconsideredfollowingtheftofroofingmaterials.

Theguidancestates:“EnglishHeritagewillcontinuetoencouragetheuseofauthenticandappropriatemetals,particularlyonroofs.However,therewillbeinstanceswhenachangeofmaterialwillbeaccepted,examplesincludeabuildingthathasalreadybeenatargetandwherethereisnoreasonablewayofimplementingpreventativemeasures.Eachcasewillbeconsideredonitsmerits.”

InalettertoEcclesiastical and Heritage World,EnglishHeritageemphasisedthatview:“Itisverydishearteningtoknowthatsomanychurcheshavebeenthetargetofmetalthieves.EnglishHeritage’sguidancehasalwaysmeanttobejustthat,guidance.Itencouragestheuseofauthenticmaterialsandleadisgenerallyconsideredtobethebestforchurchroofreplacementforanumberofreasons,includingitshighresistancetoatmosphericcorrosion,durability,ductilityandaestheticappeal.

“Butclearlythedramaticincreaseincasesofleadtheftfromchurchroofswillrequireextraconsiderationwhenapplyingthisguidance,andinmanycasesitisthedecisionofthelocalauthorities.Ourguidanceemphasisesthatlike-for-likereplacementisEnglishHeritage’sstartingposition,butitalsomakescleartheconditionsunderwhichalternativematerialscanbeconsideredandusedbylocalauthoritiesandownersonacasebycasebasis.”

EnglishHeritagepointsoutthat,wherechangestotheexternalappearanceofalistedchurchareproposed,planningpermissionisnormallyrequired.MostchurchesfallundertheremitoflocalauthoritieswhomayormaynotfollowEnglishHeritageguidance.

“Weareveryopentodiscussingwithparishesandlocalauthoritiesonthebestcourseofaction.Aswithmostthingstodowithhistoricbuildingsitisnotgenerallyappropriatetoapplyablanketpolicyascircumstancesdiffer.”

EnglishHeritagepointedouttwoexampleswheretheiradviceacceptedtheuseofalternativematerials.

ThechurchwardenatStNicholas’sChurchinFyfield,Essex,approachedEHatthebeginningofJulyaskingforadviceontheproposaltore-roofthenorthaisleinfeltfollowingleadtheft.EH’shistoricbuildingsarchitectconsideredtheproposalandadvisedthat,inthecircumstances,EHdoesnotobjecttotemporaryfeltroofingbutwouldrecommendthatamoredurablematerial,suchasstainlesssteelorsomethingsimilar,beusedinthelongerterm.

TheGradeIlistedStHelen’sParishChurchinTreeton,SouthYorkshire,hadseveralleadtheftsinsuccessionwherealltheleadfromtheroofwasremoved.Thechurchisinadeprivedareaand–beingneartoSheffield,wherestolenmetalcanbeeasilypassedonduetothemetalindustrylocatedthere–isparticularlyvulnerable.

Theroofofthechurchisnotvisiblefromgroundlevelbecauseofits

parapet,whichmadeitastraightforwarddecisionforEnglishHeritagetoallowagrantfortherooftobecoveredinterne-coatedstainlesssteel.Thatdecisionismadeharder,ofcourse,wheretheroofcoveringispartoftheaestheticofthebuilding.

Thenewguidancealsohighlightstheimportanceofpreventionandtheneedtouseacombinationofsecuritymeasurestodeterthieves.Manyoftheoptionssuggestedarelow-costbuteffectivemeasures,likelockinggatestopreventvehiclesgettingclose,preventingeasyaccesstoroofssuchasbyremovingwaterbuttsandwastebins,applyinganti-climbpainttodrainpipesandroofgutteringanderectingprominentwarningsigns.EnglishHeritagewillalsoconsidergrantstowardselectronicsecuritysystemsincasesoflike-for-likereplacement,asthereisaneedtogofurtherthantheuseofsmartwaterinordertotrytopreventtheft.q

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LCA – over 25 yearsof maintaining standardsby ALISTAIR RAE, Chairman, Lead Contractors Association 1984 - 1986

ItwasacoldNovemberdayinLondonasIarrivedoffthesleeperfromEdinburghtoattendthefirstmeetingofaworkingpartysetuptoconsidertheformationofatradeassociationforspecialistleadcontractors.The

meetinghadbeenarrangedbytheLeadDevelopmentAssociationafterearliereffortsinvolvingtheBSIhadfoundered,mainlybecauseofthecostofrunningasmallindependenttradeorganisationofonlyahundredmembers.

IwasexpectingtobecomepartofanorganisationwhichwouldinvolvesomeverylargecompaniesandwasthereforesomewhattakenabackwhenDickMurdoch,SeniorTechnicalOfficeroftheLDA,(nowLeadSheetAssociation)askedmetochairthefirstmeeting.

However,whatweretobecomethebasicprinciplesofthenewLeadContractorsAssociationcametotheforerightfromtheoutsetand,overthemonthsthatfollowed,thefundamentalsoftheassociationweredeveloped.

Weagreedthatallcompanieswouldhavetoprovetheirabilitytoinstallleadsheetcorrectlybybeingvetted.Membershipwouldbeopentobothlargeandsmallcompaniesandtherewouldbeonevotepermember,regardlessofcompanysize.

Developingtheseidealsintoaformalconstitutiondidn’tjusthappenovernight.Thediscussionsranged(perhapsIshouldsay‘raged’)overthesizeofcompanieswhichcouldbemembers,thetimingandfrequencyofvetting,thedesignationofacompanyandhowtheLCAcoulddistinguishworkcarriedoutona‘labour-only’subcontractbasisfromthatwherethecontractortookfullresponsibilityona‘supplyandfix’contract,aswellasmanymoreissues.Theargumentswereoftenheatedwithdifferentviewssometimesbeingquiteforciblyexpressedbythoseattendingtheearlymeetings.However,despitethedifferentconvictionsheld,thefirstmeetingswerepurposefulandfriendlyandareallygoodcamaraderiequicklydeveloped.

Myfirstaspirationsforthenewassociationweretogainearlyrecognitionandacceptancebyarchitectsandspecifiersand,indoingso,starttocreateabetterunderstandingofgooddesignandworkmanship.Twentyfiveyearslater,theLCAnowholdsapositionofrespectwithinthebuildingindustrythatfewotherorganisationscanclaim.

Weareacknowledgedasspecialistsbyarchitectsandspecifiers,withanincreasingrequirementofLCAmembershipforbuildingprojectsthatinvolve

theinstallationofleadsheet.Itisrecognisedthatallourmembershavebeenassessedfortheirtechnicalabilityindesigningandinstallingleadsheetinordertojoinourassociation,andthereaftertheircontinuingabilitytoproduceworkwhichcomplieswiththecurrentstandard(BS6915)isregularlytested.

Thereisnodoubtthat,essentiallyasaresultofongoingcommunication,standardswithintheLCAhaverisensinceitsformation,asphotographsovertheyearsintheannualdirectorywilltestify.ThetrainingprogrammethatwasstartedatLeicesterCollegein2001,transferredtotheBuildingCraftCollegeatStratfordin2004andisnowoperatedfromtheLeadSheetAssociation’sRoofTrainingCentreinKentcertainlyhelpedincreaseawarenessofgoodpractice.TheLCAtechnicalseminars,heldannuallyatvariouslocations,havehighlightednewapplicationsanddiscussedproblemsthathavearisenovertheyears.Specificprojectshavebeendissectedandexaminedascasestudiessothatonecontractor’sexperienceshaveprovidedbenefitsforallourmembership,bothnewandold.

Mostimportantly,thiscommunicationandcontactatourvariousmeetingsandeventshasnotonlybroughtabouttheexchangeofknowledgebetweenmemberswhichinthepastrarelyeveroccurred,ithasalsoprovidedforboththedevelopmentofamutualappreciationinqualitystandardsandaprofessionalcamaraderiethatIamproudtohavebeenapartof.

TheMurdochAward,whichhasbeenpresentedannuallysince1996tothecontractorshowingexcellenceindesignandworkmanship,hasencouragedmemberstoconsistentlycarryoutworkofthehigheststandard.Thecompetitiveelementofthisawardhasgivenaqualitystandardsincentivetolargeandsmallcompaniesalike.

ThefutureoftheLCAisnowinthehandsofouryoungermembersandifoldercouncillorslikemyselfcouldofferanyadvice,itwouldbetowillinglygiveoftheknowledgetheyhaveforthebenefitofall-thecontractor,thetradesmanandthecustomer.Onlybymaintaininggooddesignandworkmanshipwillourcraftcontinuetoout-liveandout-performalternativesthatmayinitiallyappearcheaperbutwhichcannotpossiblymatchthelongtermvalueofleadsheetinthehandsofaskilledspecialist.q

LOOK IN OUR CLASSIFIED AT THE BACK OF THE MAGAZINE FOR AN LCA MEMBER IN YOUR AREA.LOOK FOR THE ‘LCA’ LOGO (from p40)

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Nothing worth nicking here!

When the theft of lead or copper occurs from our churches,schools and public buildings, the damage causedand subsequent replacement cost are often great in

comparison to the scrap value – not to mention the risk to life inaccessing these roofs.According to Neilan Symondson, contracts manager at

K Pendlebury & Sons, who replaced the roof at All Saints Church“On the majority of contractor’s vans there will be a sticker saying‘No tools left in this vehicle overnight’ or rather here in Wigan itis often ‘No pies’! Due to the versatility of single ply membranesand the range of colours available, a cost effective replacementis available simulating the original materials, standing seam andbatten roll profiles. So perhaps a new sign ‘No lead or copperon this roof’ would now be more appropriate to place aroundthese buildings. The use of single ply membranes will remove thetemptation for further theft and revisits to the premises.”

How Sarnafil metal-effect membranes are helping churches beat thieves at their own game

Recent figures from specialist church insurer, the EcclesiasticalInsurance Group, show that 2010 was the third worst year forchurch roof metal theft since the problem first escalated in 2007.

The cost of metal theft from churches over the past four years has nowexceeded £21 million, with over 7,000 claims.

With scrap-metal prices soaring, the illicit trade in lead and copperripped from church roofs is a real problem for our country’s churches.Not only are parishes faced with the cost of replacing the roof, but alsothe cost of repairing damage thieves leave behind, which often farexceeds the value of the metal itself.

What’s more, most church insurance policies have a £5,000 to£10,000 claim cap, making it difficult for churches to cover the costsof basic repairs and replacements. Many are simply shored up againstthe elements, meaning the original aesthetics of a community’s much-loved church are lost forever.

So how can churches safeguard themselves against this crime?How can they preserve their heritage and appearance in the face oflimited recompense and funding? While sophisticated alarm systemsand SmartWater are an option, many affected churches are insteadreplacing their stolen roofs with single ply roofing systems that mimic

All Saints Church of England in Stretford, Greater Manchester, after its roof was stripped of its copper

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theappearanceofleadandcopperroofs.Market-leadingsingleplyroofingsystem,Sarnafil,hasbeen

providingmetal-effectmembranesinLeadGrey,CopperPatinaandCopperBrownforover25years.Itsbusinessunitmanager,NigelBlacklock,hasseenanincreaseinuptakefromchurchesstrippedoftheirroofs.“Whileit’stragicthatthievesarerobbingchurchesoftheiroriginalroofcoverings,singleplyrepresentsamorecost-effectivealternativetometalthateliminatestheriskoffuturetheft.”

Thewaterproofing,performanceandlifespanofsingleplyroofsarealsoimpressive,saysNigel.“SarnafilsingleplycanbenefitfromaBBA-certifiedlife-expectancy‘inexcessof40years’aswellasindustry-leadingguarantees.Togetherwithitsstrongenvironmentalperformance,waterproofingandwind-upliftproperties,andattractiveprice-tag,singleplycomesaclosesecondtometalroofs.Formanychurches,itisthemostviableoptionforreplacingaroof.”

Wigan-basedroofingcontractorKPendlebury&SonsLtdisonesuchcontractorsuccessfullyreplacingchurchroofswithSarnafilsingleply.ContractsmanagerNeilanMSymondsonhasrestoredseveralchurchestotheiroriginalaestheticsusingthelead-andcopper-effectmembranes,includingAllSaintsChurchofEnglandinStretford,GreaterManchester.

AsNeilanexplains:“AmajorcoppertheftinJulylastyearleftAllSaintsChurchwitha£25,000billtorepairtheroof.Thechurchcouldonlyaffordtoreplacetherearsectionoftheroofwherethethievesremovedthecopper.Nevertheless,retainingtheoriginalcoppertothefrontelevationalsoshowedtheversatilityandabilitytoadapttheSarnafilsystemtothatsituation.

“WeusedSarnafilG410-12ELFCopperPatinamembranebondedwithSarnacoladhesivetoanewplywoodover-deckingoftheoriginalclose-boardedtimberroof.Sarnametalwasusedinthesamematchingcolourfortheridge/vergeandgutterdrip-edgedetailing.Decorprofileswerealsohotairweldedtothemembranetoreplicatetheoriginalcopperstandingseams.I’mpleasedtosaythechurchishappywiththenewroof,whichisalsoprotectedbya10-yearguarantee.”

Sadly,however,thethieveshavesincebeenbacktothechurchandstrippedthecopperfromtheroof’sfrontelevation–furtherproofofthemetaltheftendemic.NeilanhasprovidedaquotetoreplacethispartoftheroofwiththeSarnafilsystemalso,butworkmustwaitwhilethechurchraisesfunds.q

•For further information on Sarnafil’s metal-effect membranes and refurbishment service, call 01603 748985, email sarnafilroofing@uk.sika.com or visit www.challengeustoday.co.uk

All Saints Church of England after being refurbished with Sarnafil single ply

Brian does things on a

grand scale!

Waterfeaturesinleadarenotthatunusual,howeverthesheerscaleofthechalicestackledbyBrianTurnerofNorfolkbasedTurner’sOrnamentalLeadworkforaprivateclientwasinitself

hugelyimpressive.Therequirementfromtheclientwasfortwoleadchalices,eachmade

ofaninternalandexternalbowl,shapedandthenlead-weldedtogethertoformawaterfeatureathislargecountryhouse.

Thebowlshadafinisheddiameterof1.5m,startingfromadiameterof1.7m.Thethicknesswas50mmatthecentre,taperingto10mmattheedge.Theweightswere905kgsand825kgs.

ToaddressthehandlinglogisticsBrianfirstbuilthisownturntablefromsteelandplywood.Thecentrepiececastingwasaplate300mmindiameterand50mmthick.Brianthensandcastfurtherplatesincurvedsectionwhichheweldedtotheoutsidecircumferenceofthecentreplatetoformacompletecircleofsolidlead1.7mindiameter.

Usingfirstlyalargerubbermalletandthenspeciallyadaptedmetalclubhammerstobossthelead(unusually)inwards,Brianworkedtheleadfromtheouteredgetowardsthecentre,atthesametimeshapingthecircledownwardstoformtheouterinvertedbowlofthechalice.

Afterfinishingtheouterbowl,Brianthensetabouttheinnerbowlinexactlythesamefashion.

Havingcompletedthefirstchalice,Brianstartedalloveragainforthesecond.ThebossingworktoshapetheinnerandouterbowlsalonetookatotaloffourdaysforeachofthechalicesandBrianusedagasburnerunderneathcontinuouslythroughouttheprocesstoassistintheworkabilityofthelead.

Thefinishedeffectisastunningtributetotheskillsofadedicatedcraftsman.However,thosethatmightcasuallyadmirethefinishedresultinsituwouldhavenoconceptofthesublimecraftworkandsheerphysicaleffortrequiredtocreatethisworkofart.q

•From a report in the LCA Yearbook

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How clients can benefit from Institute’s standards

OneofthemostimportantresourcesforthoselookingforspecialistadviceinthefieldofhistoricbuildingconservationistheHistoricEnvironmentServiceProvider’sRecognition(HESPR)

scheme,partofthetradingarmoftheInstituteofHistoricBuildingConservation(IHBC).

HESPRhasbeendescribedas“…arecognitionandpromotionalserviceforcompaniesandpracticesactiveinthehistoricenvironment,whichworktotheIHBC’sprofessionalandethicalstandards.[It]providesbothanendorsementofthehistoricenvironmentstandardswithinwhichabusinessoperatesandaneasilyaccessiblelistingserviceforprospectiveclients…a‘one-stopshop’foranyoneseekingspecialistconservationservices.”

Theschemecarrieswithitmutualbenefitsforallparties.WritinginEcclesiastical & Heritage Worldlastyear,theIHBC’sSeánO’ReillyandFionaNewtonexplained:“ClientsbenefitfromtheknowledgethattheyareusingapracticethatoperatesaservicestandardsupportedbyaleadprofessionalworkinginlinewiththeIHBC’sexpectations.BusinessesgainfrombeingputintouchwithclientsandtheIHBCwins,assuchworksbenefitfrombestpracticeinconservingplaces.”

AtthelastcounttheIHBCwebsitereceivedaround200,000pagevisitseachmonthandthemostpopularpagesonthesiteexceed7,000hitsmonthly.ApartfromvisitsbyIHBCmembersandotherconservationprofessionals,manyofthosevisitsarefrommembersofthepublicseekingconservationadviceandenquiriesfedintothesiteareoftenlookingforconservationservices.ThosevisitorscanthenaccessthelinktoHESPR.

HESPRlistingcanbeachievedbyacompanywhichhasasanemployeeafullmemberoftheIHBC,whomustformallyendorsethecompany’soperationsandservicestandards–thedesignatedserviceadviser(DSA).

O’ReillyandNewtoncontinued:“AnyfailinginthestandardofserviceorcarewillbeaddressedbytheIHBCthroughtheadviser’sprofessionalobligationstotheinstitute,andtheirpersonalstandinginthesector.AfullmemberoftheIHBCshouldtakeappropriateandreasonableprofessionalresponsibilityfortheservicestandardoftheiremployer,sotheirformalroleasDSAsimplyenhancesrecognitionofexistingdutiesandresponsibilitiestoclient,businessandthehistoricenvironment.

“HESPRdoesnot–andcouldnot–provideabsoluteguarantees.Itsimplyservesasapracticalandefficienttooltomaximisethebenefitsofanyinvestmentinconservation.”

Theweb-basedsearchableserviceprovideseachrecognisedcompanywithanindividualentry,withfullcontactdetailsandlinkstothecompany’sownwebsite.q

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Church heating specialists Christopher Dunphy Ecclesiasticaland heating manufacturers DRU have combined to supplya complete new heating solution to a large, modern Roman

Catholic church in Chester.St Columba’s, which is named after a Celtic saint, was built in the early 1960’s and is an impressive example of church architecture from that

period. The light and airy interior can accommodate up to 600 people.Most of the structure consists of laminated timber portal frames with a

vaulted timber ceiling. There is very little insulation and some of the wallsare made entirely from single-glazed stained glass.

This, together with the high ceiling, presents a major challenge to theheating system, as the heat loss of the building is considerable. Prior tothe new installation, the church had to frequently leave its heaters on allweekend during the winter, resulting in fuel costs that were unsustainableand unaffordable.

Following a detailed survey, Christopher Dunphy specified thereplacement of the church’s ageing balanced flue heating system with 10new DRU Kamara 16 powered flue gas heaters. This delivers 160 kW ofheat to the main body of the church, with a heat up time of only one hour.

Kamara heaters have an efficiency rating of over 90%. They are designedfor large space heating in churches, schools and other public buildings.They are room sealed appliances with a powered flue system. This drawsair from outside the building for combustion and expels waste gases to theexternal atmosphere.

In addition to the Kamara heaters, Christopher Dunphy installed itsown Churchwarden Supreme control system. This constantly monitors theinternal temperature of the building, allowing for the optimum start time ofthe heaters. The entire project was carried out by Christopher Dunphy’s ownengineers with the help of DRU technical support staff.

Commenting on the installation, Graham Leech, chair of the churchbuildings sub-committee said: “The new system has been fully tested duringthe exceptionally cold winter of 2010/2011 and has proved to be capableof delivering rapid and effective heating whenever required. The electronictiming system allows us to plan our heating requirements on a weekly basisfor services, weddings, funerals and all other church activities. This helps tominimise fuel wastage and should ensure a reduction in our gas bills in thefuture.

“Because the heaters are fan-assisted, the noise levels are greater thanthe old natural convection system we had previously. However, we havebeen able to alleviate this by making adjustments to the thermostat settings.

“Furthermore, the installation was carried out with impressive skill byChristopher Dunphy and his team and they were always available to dealwith any problems that we had during the entire process.”

Dunphy joins forces withDRU for large, modernchurch heating project

St Columba’s RC church is a fine example of 1960’s church architecture

Kamara heaters in St Columba’s, Chester

The system is designed to deal with the high ceiling and expansive stained glass windows

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Chapel’s restorationmarks an end to 25 yearsin the dark

Onceregardedasthe‘CathedralofthePotteries’,BethesdaChapelinStoke-on-Trentismovingeverclosertocompletioninitsnewroleasacommunityartsspace.ThebuildingoccupiesacentrallocationintheculturalquarterofHanley–oneofthefamous‘FiveTowns’that,with

Stoke-on-Trentitself,constitutedThePotteries–whichisitselfcurrentlygoingthroughaprogrammeofurbanregeneration.

ThebuildingiscurrentlyownedbytheHistoricChapelsTrustandcametonationalattentionin2003whenitwasfeaturedinthefirstseriesoftheBBC’sRestorationprogramme.

TherehasbeenachapelonthesitesincethefoundingoftheMethodistNewConnexionin1797,thefirstbreakawayfromtheWesleyanMethodistsfollowingthedeathofJohnWesleyin1791.Thefirstpurpose-builtchapelwaserectedin1798andextendedin1811.

Mostoftheexistingbuildingdatesfrom1819andtherenderedfrontageandgrandCorinthian

Client:TheHistoricChapelsTrust

Architect:BrownhillHaywardBrownProjectarchitect-AdrianMathias

Main Contractor:CroftConservation

Quantity surveyor:Armson&Partners–GeoffEaton

Structural engineer:HancockWheeldon&Ascough–SteveMason

16

Award winning projects – delivered on time

Armsons are a practice of Chartered Quantity Surveyors,Construction Cost Consultants, Project Managers and BuildingSurveyors. The practice was established in 1972 and since

1977 has operated from its current office on the outskirts of Derbyin an 18th Century Grade II Listed Building which was previously avillage school.

Armsons have been involved in many prestigious projects and havegained considerable expertise in all sectors, involving both new buildand refurbishment works including works to listed buildings, onesuch project being the award winning Roundhouse project for DerbyCollege in Derby.

Most recently they have been involved with The Historic Chapels

Trust, Brownhill Hayward Brown and CroftBuilding and Conservation Limited, ina quantity surveying role, on the PhaseII refurbishment and repair works tothe listed Bethesda Methodist Chapel inHanley, Stoke-on-Trent – a project they are delighted to have beeninvolved with and are pleased to say was completed within budgetand on programme. Armsons look forward to providing their servicesand expertise for the final Phase III works.

They provide the following services: quantity surveying, projectmanagement, building surveying, facilities management and disputeresolution.

The award winning Roundhouse project for Derby College

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porticowereaddedin1859,asanoutwardexpressionofthestatusofthechapelanditscongregation–itremainedoneofthelargestnon-conformistchapelsoutsideLondon.ThearchitectwasRobertScrivener,whoalsoundertookothernotablecommissionswithinThePotteries,includingHanleyTownHall.

However,bythe1940’sthecongregationhaddeclinedtoonly150regularworshippers–afarcryfromthe3,000peoplewhichthebuildinghadhousedatthepeakofitspopularity.ThiswasdueinlargeparttothegradualmovementofthepopulationoutofthecentreofHanleyandthedeclineofthepotteryindustry.

RepairingthedamagethatresultedwasbeyondthecongregationandthechapelwassoldtoadeveloperinDecember1985.FortunatelythebuildingwasGradeII*listedandproposalstoradicallyalterorevendemolishitwererefused.Thechapellaydormantformanyyears,fallingintofurtherstructuraldecline.

In2002ownershipofthechapelwastransferredtotheHistoricChapelsTrust,whichiswhentheprojecttorepairitwasinitiated,leadingtoitsinclusionintheRestorationprogramme.Localinterestandpridewasstimulatedandworkstartedonafeasibleprogrammeofrepair.

Theworksareexpectedtocostapproximately£3mandtheywillensurethatthebuildingcanoffercomfortableaccommodationwithflexibilitytomeetarangeoflocalneeds.

Theprojecthasbeensplitintothreephases,withsupportcomingfromtheHeritageLotteryFundandEnglishHeritage,aswellasamultitudeofothersupportersincludingtheFriendsofBethesda.

Theintentionofphaseonewastomakethebuildingwatertight,stemthedryandwetrotinsidethechapelandundertakestructuralrepairstotheroof.Inadditiontothecomplexprogrammeofstructuralrepairsbeingcarriedout,damagedelementsonthefrontfaçadeandcolonnadewerereinstated,followingextensiveresearchanddetailingbyBrownhillHaywardBrownArchitects.Thatfirstphasenotonlystemmedtherotbutalsosignificantlyimprovedtheappearanceofthebuilding,instillingasenseoflocalpride.

Thesecondphaseofworkshasrecentlybeencompleted.Theopeningupofthefabricrevealedthefullscaleofdecayembeddedinthestructureofthegrandinternalbalcony.Afurtherseriesofcomplexstructuralrepairswasundertakenpriortothere-formingofthedeeplycofferedceilings,usingtraditionallathandhaired-limeplaster.

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from p15

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Agreatlyimprovedappreciationoftheinteriorwasfacilitatedbytherepairofallthesashwindows,completewithleadedlights.Theynowpermitlighttofloodintothebuilding,whichhadremainedboardedupfornearlyaquarterofacentury.

Akeyinterventionsawtherestorationofthewide-spanningceiling,completewithdecorativeroundels.Thearchitectsusedvarioushistoricphotographstopiecetogethertheoriginaldetailingoftheroundels,andthelargecentralceilingrosewhichoriginallyformedasignificantcentrepieceoftheinterior.Wallplasterandthedeepcornicewillberestoredaspartofthefinalphase.

Othermissingkeyfeatureshavealsobeenrestored.Thepulpitandcurvedchancelrailwerevandalisedfollowingthetelevisionexposure.Earliersurveydrawingsproducedbythearchitectwereutilised,allowingthereconstructionofthisimportantfocalfeature.Originalelementsweresalvagedandreinstated,togetherwithnewsectionsofcast-ironscrollworkandmahoganyrails.Theraiseddaisandrailsarenowdemountableandcanberemovedtopermitgreaterflexibilityofthespace.

ThehighlydecorativeexternalrailingswereremovedduringWorldWarTwoaspartofthewareffort.Alimitednumberofremainingelementsonsiteandanumberofhistoricphotoswereutilisedtodetailupthemissingironworkandstonewalling,whichwerecompletedbyspecialistsfromCroftConservationofStaffordshire.

TheorganhadlongsincebeenremovedandtheHistoricChapelsTrustmanagedtosecureasimilarinstrument.Attheopeningservicetheboxpewswerefilledwithsupportersofthechapel,whowereableoncemoretoenjoythesoundoforganmusicfillingthecavernouschapel.

Itishopedthatthefinalphasewillbecompletedin2013.Thatwillincludethesensitiveintegrationofmodernservicestopermitavarietyofuseslinkedwiththeadjacenttheatres,theadjoiningStokePotteriesMuseumandArtGalleryandthewidercommunity.q

from p17

TheHistoricChapelsTrust(HCT)wasestablishedin1993totakeintoownershipredundantchapelsandotherplacesofworshipinEnglandwhichareofoutstandingarchitecturalimportance

andhistoricinterest.Theobjectistosecuretheirpreservation,repairandmaintenanceforpublicbenefit,includingcontents,burialgroundsandancillarybuildings.BuildingsofalldenominationsandfaithscanbetakenintocarewiththeexceptionofAnglicanchurches,whichareeligibleforvestingintheChurchesConservationTrustoftheChurchofEngland.

OnceHCThasacquiredabuildinganarchitectisappointedtosurveyitsconditionandsuperviseanynecessaryrepairsandupgrading.Chapelsareopentovisitorsandavailableforarangeofsuitableevents.HCTencouragesthecontinuanceofservicesofworshiponanoccasionalbasis.Alternativeusesmayalsobeagreedwhereappropriateaslongasthesedonotinvolveunsympatheticalterations.HCTestablisheslocaleventscommitteesforeachchapelandactivelyseekssuitablecommunityusesforitsbuildings,providedthepurposesarecompatiblewiththechapel’sformerreligiouscharacter.

TheHistoricChapelsTrustobtainsroughly1/3ofitsfundingfromEnglishHeritage(including70%annualsupporttowardsofficeoverheadsandchapelmaintenance);1/3fromtheHeritageLotteryFundand1/3fromgrant-givingtrusts,SubscribingFriends,donations,theLandfillTaxSchemeandothersources.

Over£8½millionhasbeenraisedbyHCTforitsobjectivesbuttheyurgentlyneedmoreFriendsandsponsors.q

•For further information contact Dr Jennifer M Freeman t: 020 7481 0533, e: chapels@hct.org.uk, or visit www.hct.org.uk and see some of their wonderful chapels.

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The Heritage Lottery Fund has announced a grant of £340,000 for anambitious project by the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, to conservea variety of endangered bumblebee species and their habitats

throughout the UK.In its announcement the HLF said “Bumblebees are fundamental to our

ecosystem, with hundreds of species of wildflower, fruits such as raspberries,strawberries and tomatoes and vegetables such as runner beans dependenton them for pollination.

“In the UK, the flower rich grasslands on which bumblebees depend havereduced by 97% since the 1930’s. This is primarily a result of a move tomore intensive forms of agriculture after the Second World War, resulting inthe loss of hay meadows and clover leys.”

The grant will enable the Bumblebee Conservation Trust, which is basedat Stirling University, to begin a three-year conservation project, helpingto protect the bumblebees and their habitat for the future. Working withlandowners, farmers, the public and schools across the UK, the project willraise awareness of these important pollinators and help inform people onhow best to protect them.

The Bumblebee Conservation Trust’s chief executive Dr Ben Darvill said:“This funding adds to grants and donations from Scottish Natural Heritage,an anonymous Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) donor and several othergenerous supporters. It takes us to within reach of our fundraising target.

“There is a lot of hard work ahead before we reach our aims, but wenevertheless hope that you will join us in celebrating this significant success.Thank you to everyone who has played a role in supporting our work todate.”

Grant gets conservation trust buzzing with excitement

Knotweed problem iscausing public concern

It seems that the general public is at last becoming aware of the menaceof Japanese knotweed, the ‘alien invader’ that has caused heartacheand pain for developers, listed building owners and church wardens for

decades. The weed, introduced by the Victorians as a pretty garden plant,can become rampant if allowed to grow in open land or even in gardens,growing up to two metres in the space of a few weeks, only to die back tonothing at the end of the growing season.

The problem with knotweed is that the visible part is only the tip of the plant.The rhizome, as the underground stem that makes up the bulk of the plant iscalled, can weigh hundreds of tons and is thought to be world’s largest livingcreature. Yet a small fragment of the stem above ground can reproduce ifdiscarded during an unprofessional removal attempt.

Now, however, local papers are starting to feature calls for localauthorities and other landowning bodies, such as churches, to have the pestprofessionally removed.

In the past couple of months West Yorkshire has become a hotbed of‘knotweed resistance’. In August the Huddersfield Examiner reported thepresence of the weed in various localities in the borough with the chillingdeclaration: “Communities in Huddersfield are under attack from a deadlyinvader. The dreaded Japanese knotweed is on the march across parts of thetown.” It quotes local resident Susan Griffiths as having spotted the invader inthe graveyard of her local church, St Paul’s in Armitage Bridge.

A major frustration people have is that the issue doesn’t seem to be beingaddressed. The Examiner quoted Susan as saying: “It looks like a lovely plantbut it can cause a huge amount of damage and nobody seems to be doinganything about it. I think there’s a lack of awareness of the problem andpeople don’t know who to go to, to get it removed.”

In nearby Keighley a ‘hit squad’ from the Environment Agency begantackling the problem in September. They will be injecting the stems of theJapanese knotweed with a herbicide that targets only those plants and is themost environmentally friendly option. The agency stresses: “This must only bedone by fully trained and licensed people using specialist equipment.”

Local paper the Keighley News quoted the EA’s Daniel Jagucki as saying:“We will be focusing on eradicating these voracious plants from the banks of

the river and its tributaries over the next few years. We are starting on the RiverWorth, as this is where the first Japanese knotweed plants were found.

“If people have plants such as Japanese knotweed or giant hogweed intheir gardens we would encourage them to be careful not to spread themfurther.”

Other reports of local people demanding action have come fromScotland, where the Rutherglen Reformer identified a major problem localauthorities have, that of identifying who is responsible. The paper quotedSouth Lanarkshire Council as saying that they are not the owners of the landin question. A spokesperson told the paper: “It is the responsibility of thelandowner to deal with Japanese knotweed and we are currently working toidentify ownership”.

22

Apprenticeshiptraining pledge in

major contractChester based Recclesia has been awarded the contract to

carry out specialist conservation work to four hundred stainedand leaded glass windows as part of the £95m Manchester

Town Hall extension and Central Library transformation project inpartnership with Laing O’Rourke and Manchester City Council.

The removal work started at the end of July, with completionscheduled for August next year. All of the windows are to be removedfor highly sensitive studio conservation work and the company haspledged to provide apprenticeship training as part of the contractin line with the regeneration, employment and skills objectives ofManchester City Council. Recclesia has drawn up the UK’s firstapproved apprenticeship framework in leaded glass repair, withsupport from ConstructionSkills, and is preparing to recruit for thepositions.

Conservator Neil Doherty rebuilds one of 400 windows from the Town Hall extension

New Business Development Director for specialist construction college

The College of EstateManagement (CEM) hasappointed Tracie Smith to

the position of Director of BusinessDevelopment. Tracie has worked inreal estate business developmentfor some of the world’s largestprofessional service businesses andis keen to increase the opportunitiesoffered by CEM to its extensiveglobal audience, as well as todevelop its industry partnerships.

The College of EstateManagement, founded in 1919, isthe leading provider of supporteddistance learning courses forreal estate and constructionprofessionals. CEM provides courses at diploma, bachelors or masterslevel, accredited by a wide range of professional bodies, such asRICS, CIOB and BIFM, and complemented by its integrated corporatetraining and research activities. Over the past 90 years, CEM hashelped more than 150,000 people, at all levels of the profession, witha wide range of business and academic backgrounds, to gain theskills needed to enhance their careers.

New Director of Business Development Tracie Smith

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Apprenticeshiptraining pledge in

major contract

A safe pair of handsHealth and safety has never been more important than it is

today. There are constant reminders in the media of thedevastating consequences to people, and to businesses,

when companies fail to meet legislative requirements.Fortunately most employers are conscientious when it comes to

making the workplace a healthy and safe place for their staff. Andone of the best in the business for delivering excellent health andsafety training is Berkshire based Nimrod Training & AssessmentProviders Ltd.

That’s because Nimrod proprietor Brian Middlemiss not only hasexcellent qualifications in health and safety, but his experience inthis area is very difficult to match. His credentials include:

• Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Building.• Associate member of the Institute of Safety and Health (Tech• IOSH).• General Certificate in Health and Safety (NEBOSH).• Certificate in Construction Health and Safety (NEBOSH).• Certificate to teach in the life long learning sectors (CETLLS).Brian has been admitted into the Institute for Learning which now

allows Nimrod training to deliver additional accredited courses.He is also a member of the Thames Valley Branch of the Instituteof Safety and Health so, all things considered, you know you’re insafe (and healthy) hands when you call upon him for advice andtraining.

An active member of the Surrey branch of the Chartered Instituteof Building, Brian’s experience does not only lie within the field ofhealth and safety.

“Developing client training needs and plans, assessing operativesfor their all-important qualifications, delivering PASMA training andBritish Ladder Manufacturers training are all part of our services,”he said.

Also keeping the Nimrod team busy is training in safetyharnesses, working at heights, hot works, risk assessments, abrasivewheel training and manual handling.

If you’re worried about having to attend a certain course on acertain date, that’s not a problem as far as Brian is concerned. “Weprovide ‘tailored’ courses for many clients and will provide on-siteor in-house training to suit timescales and workloads,” he said.

Convinced that Nimrod might be just the team to help you andyour business through these tricky times? Then give Brian a ring– you won’t be disappointed.

• For further information contact Brian Middlemiss on 07791 377559, fax 01344 429071, e-mail info@nimrodtraining.co.uk or visit www.nimrod-training.co.uk

Recclesia MD Jamie Moore was very enthusiasticabout the project and the apprenticeship training,saying: “We are extremely pleased to be carryingout this specialist work to one of Manchester’s mostoutstanding historic buildings. The opportunities forlong-term training in our industry are few and farbetween and must be grasped with both hands. Wehope that our pledge to provide placements and ourwork in drawing up the specialist heritage trainingframework demonstrates our ongoing commitment tosustaining traditional skills in the UK.”

The stained glass is by English artist George KrugerGray who was best known as a coin designer forcountries around the globe. He also designed anumber of stained glass windows for buildings in theUK and his work can be seen in both the Town Hallextension and the Central Library. Recclesia’s stainedglass studio will be working on the windows for ninemonths, delicately cleaning and repairing some60,000 individual pieces of historic glass and over 4miles of leadwork. Manchester Town Hall

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AcentretotraincraftsmenintheskillsneededtoprotectEngland’shistoricbuildingshasofficiallyopenedinNorthYorkshire.

TheHeritageTrainingCentreinBedaleisthefirstofitskindintheUK,dedicatedtoensuringskillslikestonemasonryandbuildingwithlimearenotlost.

It’sbeencreatedbyHeritageCraftAllianceLtdinthegroundsoftheThorpPerrowArboretum,withthesupportoforganisationslikeThePrince’sFoundationfortheBuiltEnvironment,theNationalTrustandBritishWaterways.

It’stakenmorethanayeartoplan,andwillofferprofessionalstraininginspecialistskills,aswellasgivingyoungpeopleformalqualificationstogointotheworkforce.

AgrantfromDEFRAallowedthedevelopmenttogoahead.ThorpPerrow’sowner,SirJohnRopner,said“I’mrelievedtoseethese

buildingsbeingusedtotrainthenextgenerationofcraftsmen,withabrightfutureincaringforourpast”.

Keenamateurenthusiastswillalsobeabletotrytheirhandatcourseslikerepairingleadedglassworkandgreentimberframing.

ManagingDirectorofHeritageCraftAllianceLtd,GlennYoung,said“We’reterriblyexcitedabouttheproject,andwe’reworkingveryhardtoensurethatpeopleenjoytheexperience”.

The Past is Present for Heritage Skills Training Centre

Thecentrecancaterforaroundonethousandpeopleeveryyear,andit’shopedthatitwillnowattractmorevisitorstotheareaandgeneraterevenuefortheThorpPerrowEstate.q

Foreign Secretary and local MP William Hague pictured with managing director of Heritage Craft Alliance Ltd, Glenn Young at the official opening of the centre in September

Heritage Craft Alliance Ltd received funding through the Rural Development Programme for England for

the development of its training centre and workshops

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26

Victorian Chester takes a leap forward into the 21st century

One of the favourite tourist attractions in Chester is TheGroves Riverside Promenade, a fine example of a Victorianpromenade which is as popular today as it was in the 19th

century.Now the facility has been refurbished and enhanced to provide visitors

and residents alike with a stunning waterside landscape along whichto walk and enjoy the River Dee between the weir and the famoussuspension bridge.

Work started in January to enhance the beautiful promenadealongside the River Dee between the Weir and the suspension bridge.

The project was a partnership between Cheshire West and ChesterCouncil and Chester Renaissance – the partnership of public and privatebodies that is driving a major regeneration programme in the city.

The design of the refurbishment was led by the City Council’sLandscape Design team, with its Streetscene Team contributing to thestreet furniture and its Highways Department managing constructionwork.

The area has been improved by using high quality materials whichcomplement the city’s heritage and will last many years.

The latest phase of work was completed in July and includes:• Replacing and widening tarmac footpaths with York stone (extending• work begun last year)• Replacing grit stone with natural stone sets in an arc pattern• Planting six large semi-mature lime trees to replace six which were• removed because of their poor condition

• Creating larger areas for the trees to grow and installing bespoke• tree grills with ornate detailing• Replacing or refurbishing 100 benches and installing new bins• Improved signageRita Waters, chief executive of Chester Renaissance, said: “The River

Dee is an important asset to this city and The Groves area welcomesthousands of visitors each year, enjoying the river with boat trips, cafes,restaurants and weekend bandstand concerts.

“This area of great significance has been further enhanced by thequality of workmanship and materials used. It complements the on-going regeneration works across the city.”

Cllr Lynn Riley, Executive Member for Community and Environment,added: “The refurbishment scheme along The Groves builds on previousimprovement work undertaken by the council.

“The high quality of materials used is an investment in our city, toenhance the heritage of the area and pave the way for residents andvisitors for many years to come.”

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Saint Leonard’s Church gets disabled accessA heritage project from Booth and Sons

ThisParishChurch,dedicatedtoStLeonard,datesfromthe13thcenturyandhasmanyinterestingfeatures.It

isaGradeIlistedbuildinglocatedinLittleDownham,Cambridgeshire.

NorfolkbasedBoothandSonwerecalleduponbyArchimageArchitectsofWilburton,Cambridgeshiretoconvertthechoirvestryintoadisabledtoiletfacility.

Thisbroughtaboutmanychallengesastherehadneverbeenatoiletinsidethechurch,requiringatrenchtobeexcavatedthroughthechurchyardtoaccessthepublicseweragesystem.

Theexcavationsrequiredregularon-sitevisits

fromanarcheologistasatrenchwasopenedthroughthechurchyard,carefullyavoidinggraves,tabletoptombsandsensitiveareas.

Insidethechurchtheyremovedapreviouslybuiltpartitionwallbetweenthevestryandthealter,replacingitwithastrongerstructure,limeplasteredinkeepingwiththechurchstructure.

Theythencarefullyremovedtheexistingparquetflooringtoenablethenecessarygroundworkstobelaidwithinthechurchtoconnecttotheexternaltrenching.

Abespokecubicle,withoakdetailing,wasthenbuilttohousethedisabledtoiletfacility.Restrictionsofspacemeantthatcomplyingwith‘DocumentM’(BuildingRegulations,AccessandUseofBuildings)leftnomarginforerrorasthevestrywasbarelybigenoughtomeetrequirements.

Anoakseatandstorageareawasalsocommissionedtoenablethevestrytoalsobeusedforthechoir.

OncethedisabledcubiclewascompleteBoothandSonwereaskedtocarryoutfurther

worksinthevestrytocompletetheconversionandrefurbishment.Historicmovementofthebuildinghadcausedcrackstoappearintheinternalmasonryandplasteringofthevestry.

Thelooseandcrackedlimerenderwascarefullyremovedtorevealaconsiderablecrackinthemasonry.

AstructuralsolutionwasdeployedusingtheHelibeamsystemtopreventfurthermovementandstabilisethebrickwork,insertingstainlesssteelhelibarsandspecialistcementitiousgrouttoeffectively‘stitch’thecrack.Theeffectedareawasthenfinishedwithlimerenderandfinishplaster,followedbyacompletelimewashoftheinteriorwallsandceilings.

Theresultingconversionwaspraisedbychurchofficialsandthearchitectinvolvedforbeingcompletedontime,includingadditionalworksrequested,tosuchahighstandard.q

•Find out more about Booth and Son’s heritage services at www.boothandson.co.uk

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Applications open for grants to establish endowmentsApplications are now open to heritage

organisations for funding underthe Government’s new Catalyst

Endowments programme. The scheme isdesigned to help arts and heritage bodiesincrease their capacity to secure privatefunding. The scheme was launched inJuly by Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt.Applications for arts organisations open on1 November.

Mr Hunt said: “Supporting a culture ofgiving is one of my top priorities. Today’sannouncement shows that we are makingrapid progress, with £100m now availableto help culture and heritage organisationsstrengthen their fundraising skills andattract significant sums from privatesources.

“I remain incredibly grateful to everyonewho gives money to support these vitalsectors and look forward to the Catalystscheme making a huge impact on thefinancial resilience of organisations acrossthe country.”

The scheme is intended to create a cultureof donation and endowments similar to thatin the US. At its launch in July Mr Hunt citedthe example of the Metropolitan Museum inNew York.

“It took the Met in New York over 100years to build up their £2bn endowment,”he said at the time. “I want ourendowments century to start today. World-class cultural organisations should have

world-class financial resilience.”Catalyst: endowment is a £55m

endowment scheme jointly funded bythe Department for Culture, Media andSport, Arts Council England and HeritageLottery Fund. It offers match funding forthe purpose of building a new endowmentfund, or increasing an existing one.

Applicants may make a singleapplication for between £500,000 and£5m, to be matched by new fundraisingat different ratios dependent on theamount for which the applicant applies.Applicants into this scheme are expectedto be experienced fundraisers and mustadditionally demonstrate the financialmanagement expertise needed to managean endowment. Heritage awards will beconsidered by the Heritage Lottery Fund.Applications are open to all types ofheritage organisation across the UK.

An independent advisory panel, chairedby former government minister MichaelPortillo, will assist with the assessmentprocess and make recommendations backto the relevant funding body on awards to

organisations based in England.The deadline for applications for this

scheme is 16 January next year anddecisions will be announced at the end ofMarch.

A second programme, Catalyst Arts andCatalyst Heritage fundraising capacitybuilding grants, will open for applicationson 1 April next year. They will be open-access grant schemes aimed at arts andheritage organisations with little or nofundraising experience. Grants of between£15,000 and £25,000 will be awarded toorganisations for the purpose of buildingfundraising capacity and capability, so thatthey can attract new donors, strengthentheir financial resilience and enhance theirartistic output or engagement with thepublic.

The programmes are part of a majorinitiative by the Government to encourageprivate giving to the arts and heritagebodies. It includes proposals to encouragethe donation of works of art in return for areduction in tax liabilities and the reform ofGift Aid.

The emphasis placed bythe current government onencouraging private patronage

of the arts was highlighted in Octoberby the publication of a documentrecording eight years of funding bythe DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund.

From tanks to longbows and from shrunken heads to scent bottles, all have gone to newhomes thanks to the unique public/private partnership between the Department for Culture,Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Wolfson Foundation. The document, downloadable in pdfformat from the DCMS website, details £28m of funding that has gone towards museumsand galleries across the country over the past eight years, to make capital improvementsto their displays, enhance their educational facilities and provide greater accessibility tovisitors. Speaking at the Museums Association conference in Brighton, Culture Minister EdVaizey paid tribute to the collaboration, calling the fund “…an excellent example of whatcan be achieved when public funds are matched with private philanthropy.”

Earlier this year DCMS announced a commitment of £4m toward an £8m fund that willsee the partnership continue until at least 2015.

DCMS and Wolfson:8 years inpartnership

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31

HLF confirms £4.6m grant

The Heritage Lottery Fund hasannounced a grant of £4.6m forthe restoration of Bletchley Park, the

internationally-renowned base for the secretcode-breaking teams in World War Two. Itis one of three confirmed grants totalling£6.34m announced in the latest round offunding.

Bletchley Park was originally a countryhouse and estate until it was purchasedby the British Government in 1938 for theGovernment Code and Cypher School andSecret Intelligence Service. Its codebreakers,who were among the 10,000 people workingthere at its peak of activity, deciphered thefamous Enigma and even more complexLorenz code systems using what became theforerunners of modern electronic computers.Not only did the remarkable people workingthere cut short the war by up to two years andensure the allied victory, they also launchedthe modern computer age.

For the past 20 years the Bletchley ParkTrust has been working to ensure that theirachievements are recognised and the sitedeveloped, both to inspire and educategenerations to come and as a permanenttestament to the people who made thoseachievements possible.

Most of the vital work was carried out inrows of wooden huts erected in the groundsof the sprawling estate. During its post-waryears of secrecy and neglect, many of themdescended into near-dereliction. They arenow listed and this latest grant will enable therestoration of iconic Codebreaking Huts 1, 3

and 6 and create a world-class visitor centreand exhibition in the currently derelict Block C.The trust must, however, raise £1.7m in matchfunding to carry out the project.

Actor and technology aficionado StephenFry welcomed the announcement: “Todaymarks a monumental triumph for the BletchleyPark Trust. This investment from the HeritageLottery Fund will finally enable the trust todo justice to this amazing place in tribute tothe tremendousintellectual feat ofthose who workedthere. Not only didthese people changethe very course ofhistory by helpingto secure the allied

MLA passes on the museums baton

On 1 October responsibility for museums and libraries inEngland passed from the Museums, Libraries and ArchivesCouncil (MLA) to Arts Council England. The winding down of

the MLA is part of a government review to reduce the number of arms-length bodies. The move was announced last year.

Areas such as museum accreditation, library development and theRenaissance programme will now be administered by the Arts Counciland some MLA staff have moved to the organisation to help deliverthis work. The National Archives will take on leadership of the UK’sarchives sector from the MLA.

A skeleton staff will remain at the MLA until next May to complete thework and the website will remain live for the public to access until 31March, although it will not be updated.

MLA chair and former Poet Laureate Sir Andrew Motion said: “TheMLA board wishes the Arts Council and The National Archives all thebest and looks forward to them building on all the achievements of thesector, and the work of the MLA, to help bring about better and moreaccessible museum, library and archive services for the public.”

victory, thereby quietly and modestly providingus with the free world, they also gave birthto the information age, which underpins theway we all live today. HLF has now ensuredthat recognition for these extraordinaryaccomplishments is finally in sight. Nowwe must all see that the trust is given everysupport it needs in order to raise the matchfunding required to make this project awonderful reality.”

for Bletchley ParkHut 6, one of the Codebreaking Huts that will be restored (Photo by Matt Crypto)

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Who are the country’s Heritage Angels?

On31OctoberaglitteringcastofstarswilltaketothestageatthePalaceTheatreinLondontocelebratethe

unsungheroesoftheheritageworldatthefirstEnglishHeritageAngelsAwards.TakingcentrestagewiththewinnerswillbeLordAndrewLloydWebber,whoseAndrewLloydWebberFoundationisco-fundingtheawardsandwhoislendinghistheatrefortheevent.

Hewillalsobechairingthepanelofjudges,whichalsoincludesMelvynBragg,CharlesMooreoftheDaily TelegraphandSimonThurley,ChiefExecutiveofEnglishHeritage.Fromashort-listof16entriesfromaroundthecountry,theywillchoosefourwinners,one

eachfor:•Thebestrescueorrepairofahistoric

placeofworship•Thebestrescueofahistoricindustrial

buildingorsite•Thebestcraftsmanshipemployedona

heritagerescue•Thebestrescueofanyotherentryonthe

HeritageatRiskregisterLordLloydWebbersaid:“Protecting

ourheritageisoneofthemostimportantcauseswe,asacommunity,canundertake.Therefore,IamproudtohelpEnglishHeritagecelebratetherescuesofsomeofourmostvaluableculturaltreasures.The‘Angel’

Awardsareabrilliantwayofsaying‘ThankYou’tothosewhohavemadeasignificantcontributiontowardsprotectingourheritageandIhopebyraisingawarenessforthesitesthatareatriskwecanmaintainthesedistinctlyEnglishlandmarksforposterity.”

Ticketsfortheawardsceremonycost£5andcanbebookedbycalling08703331183.q

•To find out more, visit www.english-heritage.org.uk

Cleaning a Moore sculpture requires access to all areas

Aninnovativescaffoldinginstallationhasplayedakeyroleinhelpingtomakethemostofahighlycelebratedsculpture.TheHenryMoorebronze,Large Figure in a Shelter,hasbeen

oneofthemostfamouslandmarksathisformerhouseandstudiosinPerryGreen,Hertfordshire,sinceitsinstallationinthemid-1980’s.On-goingmaintenanceworkcalledforascaffoldstructuretoprovideaccesstoeachfaceofthe21-tonneworkofartforcleaning–arequirementthatwasmetbynearbyBishopStortfordbasedConnectScaffoldingusingtheLayherAllroundscaffoldingsystem.

“WewerecontractedbytheHenryMooreFoundationtoenablethespecialistworkteamstoaccessthefullsurfacearea,”commentedConnectScaffolding’sdirectorOliverCave,“andanyonefamiliarwiththesculpturewillbeawareofthesize,shapeandrangeofsurfacesandfacesthatitpresents.

“OursolutionwasaLayherAllroundscaffoldstructure,whichwassufficientlyadaptabletomeetthechallengeandwhichprovidedground-levelandelevatedaccesstoallinternalandexternalsurfaceareas.Webelievethesystemwasthelogicalchoice,particularlyitsversatilerosetteconnectordesign,whichallowsarangeofangles

andfixingpointstobeestablished–clearlyvitalwithaprojectofthistype.”

SeanPike,Layher’sUKmanagingdirector,added:“Theimportanceofthesculptureiswidelyrecognisedandacknowledged,andweareveryhappytohavebeenabletosupplyascaffoldingsystemthatmeetsbothaestheticandperformanceobjectivesatthesite.”q

•For more information on Layher’s Allround system, visit www.layher.co.uk

Lord Lloyd Webber pictured with Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage

34

Good Directions was excited to receive an enquiry tomanufacture a replica of Big Ben for Harrods’ prestigiousLondon themed Signature Room, which was designed and

recently installed by Prop Studios.Harrods’ Signature Room, home to their branded products and

souvenirs, has been given a complete new look thanks to a range oficonic replicas of London buildings and British landmarks. The room hasbeen themed with large-scale models which include Tower Bridge, BigBen and traditional telephone boxes.

Good Directions was asked to manufacture four working clocks toexactly replicate a scaled version of Big Ben’s actual clock faces. Thedials were produced in white opal acrylic with black numerals and golddetailing, with back illumination behind each face. Standing 2.4 metrestall the Big Ben replica makes for an impressive addition to the scheme.

Inside the clock feature the company’s Total Control System was fittedto keep all the clocks accurate and alter them at the summer and wintertime changes. The replica clocks are even fitted with a chiming systeminstalled to mark every quarter of an hour and strike on the hour, justlike the real Big Ben.

• For further examples of their work please visit their clock website www.exterior-clocks.co.uk or for their full range of products visit their main website www.good-directions.co.uk. For more information please call 01489 797773.

Harrods choose Good Directions to manufacture Big Ben replica for new Signature Room

35

New trade body unifies storage industry

The launch of a new trade association in the storage equipmentindustry has brought together two major players in the field. InSeptember the Storage Equipment Manufacturer Association (SEMA)

launched a new group for distributor members, the SEMA DistributorGroup (SDG).

The new body takes the place in the industry previously occupied by theStorage and Handling Equipment Distributors’ Association (SHEDA). Overmany years, SHEDA developed increasingly strong links with SEMA andboth associations recognised the benefits of unity. SHEDA has now ceasedto be a formal entity.

Members of the SDG will be known as SEMA Distributor Companies(SDC’s) and are entitled to display the SDC logo on promotionalmaterials and vehicles. They will supply products that are recognised asfit for purpose and all work will be carried out by installers that can beindividually certified through the Storage Equipment Installers RegistrationScheme (SEIRS). So, when looking for a distributor, an end user can turn toindependent companies that are members of the SDG and know that theyare dealing with reputable organisations.

The SEMA Distributor Group has laid out rigorous criteria formembership. An SDC business must have been formally constitutedas a legal company for at least two years, it must hold a maindistributorship from a recognised manufacturer of storage equipmentand an appropriate health and safety policy must be in place. There is anundertaking to conform to SEMA Codes of Practice, standards and safetyinitiatives including SEIRS where the SDC also undertakes installationwork. Where installation is carried out as part of the company’s activitiesthere must be at least one SEIRS supervisor on board. Permanent

installation staff must hold full SEIRS ID cards.Critically, SDG members must conform to a random audit. A

SEMA-appointed auditor will study a recent completion and review alldocumentation including quotation, design, submission, installer details,methods and sign off.

SDC’s may only use the SEMA Distributor Company logo in associationwith new, original equipment supplied. They must demonstratecompliance with the SEMA Distributor Quality Assurance Scheme.

Chairman of the new group, David Camm, said: “We have more than20 SDC members nationwide already fully approved and we anticipatethat many more companies will see real value in applying for SEMA’sDistributor Group status. However, our joining criteria are strict andcommitment to a random audit will be a deterrent to some. There will becontinuity as practically every single former member of SHEDA has chosento opt for a SEMA Distributor Group membership.”

• For further information, visit www.sema.org.uk or call 0121 601 6350.

London’s archives refurbished to SEMA standards

One of the most high-profile contractsto be carried out by a SEMA memberin recent years was at the London

Metropolitan Archives, the largest local authorityrecord office in the country and custodian of theCity of London Archives among others.

In the 1960’s the creation of the GreaterLondon Council led to the establishment of theGreater London Record Office (GLRO). It wasoriginally housed in several facilities in London,including the old County Hall on the SouthBank. The sites came together on the presentsite on Northampton Road in 1982. By the endof the decade the repository needed a majorrefurbishment and extension, including theinstallation of shelving systems on an innovativefloor design.

In 1997 it was renamed the LondonMetropolitan Archives and in 2004, a secondlarge installation was fitted within the existingbuilding. Standing some 5.5m high, it becameone of the first ‘high-rise’ mobile systems in theUK.

To comply with BS5454 when tendering,a performance specification was written andadopted by the City Surveyors that asked forSEMA Codes to be adhered to and only SEIRSinstallers to be engaged.

The latest refurbishment project was carriedout in 2008. A SEMA member company wasawarded Principal Contractor status for theinstallation, managing all site activities underCDM regulations, with a recommendation toengage only SEIRS installers. The project, whichconforms to the SEMA codes of practice – theUK’s only recognised design standard for storageequipment – had the following key objectives:

• Maximise storage capacity with only minimalincrease in footprint

• Accommodate standard archive boxdimensions used by the facility, alongsidestorage for larger items including maps andplans

• Permit on-demand access to the full archivethroughout the installation period

• Incorporate building support beams and

sprinkler locations into the shelving design• Ensure that flooring alignment issues, which

relate to the building’s previous use of heavymachinery (it was originally a printing plant),do not affect the function of the mobile shelvingsystem

• Comply with customer’s requirement forBS5454

The mobile shelving is operated by an easy-to-use, ergonomically-designed hand wheel. Itsconfiguration allows most of the shelving to bekept closed, so maximising floor area capacity,while additional static shelving provides even

David Camm, chairman of the SEMA Distributor Group (left) with John Halliday, President of SEMA

��

Foundedin1967bythelateGrahamHoldsworth,HoldsworthWindowsLimitedcontinuesundertheleadershipofmanagingdirectorMarkGlover,whojoinedthecompanyin1985.They

specialiseinthemanufactureofpurposemadehotdipgalvanizedpolyesterpowdercoatedsteelwindowsandgenuineleadedlights.Thesteelwindowscanalsobedoubleglazed.

Thecompanycanmanufacturewindowsfromavarietyofsectionstosuitmostrequirements,dependingontheindividualcontract.Thiscouldbesimpleangleironframes,standardsections,W20orevenheavierboxsections.Thefittingsarenormallybrass,buttheydohavetheirownperiodhandlesandstays.Ifrequiredtheycanoftenre-useexistingfittings. q

Window specialists

About40peoplegatheredatStPeter’sChurchinthevillageofCockfield,nearBuryStEdmunds,recentlytoseetheinstallationofasculptureofStPeteronthe15thcenturysouthside.

Thispartofthechurchsitsbeneathavaultedceilingwhichmanybelievemeansitsnicheswerealwaysmeanttohouseastatueorsimilaritem.Whethertherewaseverastatuethereremainsunclear.Whatisknown,however,isthatfromthetimeofHenryVIII’sReformationinthe16thcentury,thatpartofStPeter’shasremainedempty.

Thenewsculpture–bystonecarverSimonKeeley–hasbeeninstalledinmemoryofLuanneStockwell,whodiedtwoyearsagoattheageof95.MrsStockwellenjoyedasuccessfulcareerasastageactressandwasintenselyactiveinvillagelife.SheservedasthevillagecorrespondentwiththeEastAnglianDailyTimes,achurchwardenatStPeter’s,thechairmanofthevillage’sWomen’sInstituteandadelivereroftheMealsonWheelsservice.

FollowingthedeathofherhusbandGingerin1967,sheremainedinthevillagewithoutanyrelativesuntilherdeathin2009.MrsStockwell’snearestanddearestbecamethevillageitselfandthechurch.

ThestatuewascommissionedbyagroupofherfriendsinandaroundCockfieldandwasunveiledbytheformerrectorofCockfield,theRevDrSimonHill.

GillianHodge,oneofthegroupwhicharrangedforthestatuetobemade,said:“Thisuniquetributerepresentsherdeepfaith,loveforthecommunityshelivedinandherlifeinthearts.Itreflectstheextraordinaryimpactthiseffervescentactressanddancerhadonthecommunityinwhichshelivedforsomanyyearsandforwhichshecaredsodeeply.”q

Statue Unveiledin honour of village paragon

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Hand-made tiles fit squarepegs into square holes...and there’s room up top for roosting bats!

Refurbishingtheroofsofoldandhistoricbuildingscanposeachallengingproblemforbuilders,particularlywhentheoriginalpegtilesandraftersneedtobereplacedandtheprotectionofan

endangeredspeciesisalsoinvolved.Suchachallengewasrecentlyencounteredduringtherefurbishmentof

BethersdenPrimarySchoolnearAshford,Kent.Theroofofthishundredyearoldlocallandmarkstillretainedtheoriginalpegtileswhich,overtheyears,hadfallenintoastateofdisrepairandneededurgentreplacementtoavoidschoolclosure.

The£100,000refurbishmentprojectwasundertakenbyBreyerRoofingonbehalfofKentCountyCouncil’sPropertyGroup.Asthebuildingwassituatedinabuildingconservationarea,only‘likeforlike’pegtilescouldbeused,whichwouldcomplementthecharacterofthisimpressiveVictorianredbrickschool.

Tomakemaximumuseoftheexistingtiles,approximately25%oftheoriginaltileswerepainstakinglysalvagedandreinstalledatthebackofthebuilding,andafurther28,000tilesweresuppliedbyKentbasedTudorRoofTileCoLtd,oneofthelargestspecialistmanufacturersofhandmadeclaypegtilesintheUK.

Oneoftheproblemsoftenencounteredbyarchitectsandconservationistsisthatthe‘rustic’characteroftheoriginalKentPegTile,withitssubtlevariationintexture,colourandcamberisnoteasytoreplicateusingmodernmanufacturingmethods.

Modernmachinemadepegtilesaregenerallyfartooflatanduniforminappearancetosuithistoricbuildings.However,Tudor’straditionalhandmadepegtilesofferedan‘oldeworld’,timeweatheredappearance,whichperfectlycomplementedthecharacterofthisnineteenthcenturybuilding.

Inkeepingwiththeoriginalroofstructure,eachofthenewpegtileswasindividuallycraftedwiththetraditionalsquarepegholes,sothattheycouldbesimplyhookedontothereplacementbattens,inthetimehonouredway.

Becauseofthehighretainedsecondhandvalueofgoodqualityhandmadetiles,TudorRoofTileCowasalsoaskedtotaketheunusualmeasureofindividuallykiln-stampingeachpegtilewiththeinitials‘BPS’onthebackfortraceabilityandsecuritypurposes.

Beforebuildingworkcommenced,anumberofsitesurveyswereconductedbyJacobsEngineeringUKLtd,oneoftheworld’slargestandmostdiverseprovidersoftechnical,professionalandconstructionservices.Itwasestablishedthattheroofcouldbeapossibleroostingsiteforlong-eared

brownbats,withthefurtherpossibilitythatthecommonpipistrellebatsmightalsobepresent.ConstructionworkthereforehadtobecarriedoutstrictlyinaccordancewiththeBatEPSLicence.

Toavoidinterferingwiththesummerroostingseason,allrefurbishmentworkwasconductedduringtermtime,withartificiallightingplacedinareasoftheroofspacetoreducethelikelihoodofbatsbeingpresentatthattime.Furthermore,asbatscouldpotentiallybefoundroostingamongstthelooseandslippedtiles,eachtilehadtobeindividuallyremoved,byhand,fromtheoldrottingpegsandbattens,andcarefullyexamined.

Asthecreationofamodernwater-tightandfrostresistantnewroofcanreduceroostingopportunities,alternativeformsofbataccesshadtobeprovided,includinganumberofbataccesstilesontheroofandridges,whichwerealsospeciallysuppliedbyTudorRoofTileCo.

Designedwithan18mmx165mmtunnel,whichleadstoanentranceholeintheundertiles,theyaresuitableformostofthemorecommonspeciesofbatwithintheUK.Tudor’straditionalrangeoftileshasalargedoublecamber,whichalsohelpstokeeptheareabetweenthetileandunderlaywellventilatedandprotectedfromextremesofheat,helpingmaintainasuitableenvironmentforbats.

Thefinishedprojecthasbeenwell-receivedbybothBethersdenSchoolandKentCountyCouncil,foritshighqualityworkmanshipandexcellentuseofsympatheticmaterialsaswellasitscarefulapproachtoconservationinaccordancewiththeEPSLicence.q

•Tudor roof tiles are available from leading roofing and builders merchants. For more information, contact Tudor Roof Tile Co. Ltd, Tel: 01797 320202, e-mail: paul.lythgoe@tudorrooftiles.co.uk, website: www.tudorrooftiles.co.uk

The bat access tiles

38

The Scottish Portrait Gallery in Edinburghis due to re-open in November followinga major refurbishment project, which

includes the renovation by Stairrods (UK) of all180 original, solid brass stair rods.

The period rods had been damaged overthe years by heavy foot traffic, the application

of various cleaning materials, plus naturalageing, which had left them scratched,significantly marked and looking worn.

Stairrods (UK) of Consett, whichmanufactures an extensive collection of solidand hollow stair rods in a variety of designsand finishes, provides various specialisedservices including the re-polishing of rodsand brackets, re-plating and making extralong and curved rods to precise specifications– all are particularly useful for renovation andrefurbishment projects, where the originalstyle of the building needs to be preserved orrestored.

All of the rods have been re-polished, whichinvolves gradually removing the existingsurface whilst paying particular attention to theornate finials, so that the original decorativedesign is preserved and the original rod is notdamaged in the process. Then, using specialpolishing mops, the rods are extensively hand-rubbed to bring them back to life and restorea highly polished and flawless sheen. Thistechnique is suitable for solid brass rods, andStairrods (UK) is able to handle both roundand triangular shaped rods at their worksin Consett. For clients wanting to transform

Stairrods (UK) completes refurbishment project for Scottish Portrait Gallery

the look of their original rods and achieve adifferent finish, the company can re-plate ina number of finishes including satin nickel,chrome, antique brass or black.

The completed Portrait Gallery will open inlate November and John Leighton, DirectorGeneral of the National Galleries of Scotlandcommented: “The transformation within thebuilding is simply stunning”.

• For further information contact Stairrods (UK) T: 01207 591176 www.stairrods.co.uk

New energy conservation Guidance Note and fully updated Product Guide from Selectaglaze

Selectaglaze, the UK’s leading secondary glazing specialist, haslaunched a new Guidance Note on the ability of secondary glazingto improve a building’s energy performance. This will be of great

interest to all building owners and managers wishing to reduce energyusage and so manage costs and environmental impacts.

A new comprehensive Product Guide demonstrates the range anddiversity of styles available together with technical information, detaileddrawings and photography. The range of 22 products includes multipleoptions for horizontal and vertical sliding, hinged, lift-out and fixed units.These options cover simple energy saving, high performance acousticsand a unique ‘Secured by Design’ security range offering resistanceagainst intruders and blast.

A notable addition to the ‘Saving Energy’ range is the Series 47‘Heritage’ Casement which can fit neatly into the staff bead of mosttraditional sash windows. It is discrete and unobtrusive and the use oflow emissivity glass provides very good levels of insulation. (http://www.selectaglaze.co.uk/products/hinged-casement/47.php)

The two new publications are free upon request or can be downloaded(http://www.selectaglaze.co.uk/literature/index.php) from the extensivelibrary of information which includes guidance notes, CAD and NBS files.

The launch of these two publications comes in a year which sees thecompany celebrate its 45th anniversary and move into a new purposedesigned factory and office premises in St. Albans.

• For further information please contact Selectaglaze on 01727 837271, enquiries@selectaglaze.co.uk or visit www.selectaglaze.co.uk

Selectaglaze's newly launched Guidance Note (left) and (below) a page from their new comprehensive Product Guide

39

For a long time it was one of life’s ironies that ancient and valuedbuildings with beautiful windows were invariably cold andexpensive to heat. The buildings are often listed, meaning little can

be done to update them and the very beauty of the windows means thatmodern double-glazing techniques can’t be employed.

Such was the case with the conference hall at Rawmarsh MethodistChurch near Rotherham. As well as being the church hall, the buildingacts as the base for the High Street Centre, a community facility for

meetings, events andtraining courses.

Earlier this year, however,all that changed whenSheffield-based secondaryglazing specialist Clearviewfitted bespoke secondaryglazing units behind thebeautiful leaded windows atthe hall.

Many of the windows areof a neo-gothic arched typeand the secondary unitswere specially designedto cover the whole of thewindow area. As the units fitinside the existing windowsthey cannot be seen from

outside and they are completely non-invasive, meaning they can befitted to listed buildings.

Almost immediately users of the hall began to see a difference. Thework was funded by an environmental grant from Veolia EnvironmentalServices and a condition of the grant was that the management hadto monitor the temperature inside the hall. According to the centre’sdevelopment manager, Caroline Langton, the new glazing broughtabout an immediate rise in temperature of 10 degrees Fahrenheit– from 45 to 55.

That has been reflected in a large saving in heating bills, which meansthe secondary glazing will quickly pay for itself. That is besides theenvironmental benefits of less energy use. In addition, there has been asignificant decrease in street noise penetrating into the hall.

Clearview was founded by Andrew Saunby in 2003 and specialisesin the installation of secondary glazing in buildings where conventionaldouble-glazing is inappropriate. Many of its customers are owners oflisted buildings or period properties and in a lot of cases double-glazingis not permitted.

Secondary glazing had been a low-cost option for many years forhouses that had been built before double-glazing was the norm,yet were not old enough to need reglazing. The problem had beenproducing secondary glazing units that were big enough for publicbuildings and custom-built for the individuality of the buildings.

Clearview is now a leader in the supply of just such a product. Theywill supply anything from one unit to a complete building, either supplyonly or fully fitted.

All the testimonial needed came from Caroline Langton, who said:“Clearview were brilliant to deal with, and we are very happy with theirwork.”

Secondary glazing is a hot topicat this Yorkshire church

40

ARCHIVE STORAGE

ARCHAEOLOGY

ACCESS EQUIPMENT

ANTIQUE FURNITURE RESTORATION

AUDIO VISUAL

ASBESTOS

BELLS

ARCHITECTURAL METALWORK

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BESPOKE JOINERY

BIRD PROOFING

CHURCH HEATING

CANDLES

BUILDING SERVICES

BRICK REPAIR TOOLS

BUILDING CONSERVATION & RESTORATION

BLACKSMITHS

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CONSERVATION BUILDERS

CONSERVATION

CLERICAL CLOTHING

DAMP PROOFING

CONSERVATION ENGINEERS

CLOCKS

DISABLED ACCESS

DRAINAGE

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EXHUMATION SERVICES

ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING

FENCING

FURNITURE

ELECTRICAL CONSULTANTS

ENGINEERING CONSULTANTS

LEADWORK

LANDSCAPING

GUILD OF MASTERCRAFTSMEN

GLAZING

JAPANESE KNOTWEED

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LIGHTNING PROTECTION

LIGHTING & SOUND

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THE STEEPLEJACK AND LIGHTNINGPROTECTION TRAINING GROUP

LIME

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LOOP SYSTEMS

MORTAR SUPPLIES

MOSAICS

ORGANS

MEMORIAL FIXINGS

PERIOD PROPERTY CONSERVATION

ORGAN PIPES

PAINT REMOVAL

PAPER CONSERVATORS

PAINTING CONSERVATION

PAINTING & DECORATING

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RESTORATION

PLASTERERS

PHOTO PLAQUES

PHOTOGRAPHY

PEST CONTROL

ROOFING

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STONE

STAINED GLASS

SOUND SYSTEMS

SASH WINDOWS

ROOF TILES

SIGNS

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STONE CARVERS TRAINING

TESTING AND CONSULTANCY

STOVES

SUNDIALS

TERRACOTTA

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TREE SURGERY & CONSULTANCY

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WROUGHT IRON

WORSHIP

WEB DESIGN

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