�

Issue No.44 £5.00 www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

�

�

Chris ThornleyAdvertising Manager

Tel: 0161 850 1674

Mob: 07900 201480

Email: chris.thornley@dmmonline.co.uk

All other enquiries: Tel: 0161 850 1680 Fax: 0161 834 00773rd Floor, Blenheim Court, Carrs Road, Cheadle, Cheshire SK8 2LA

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.

�

www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

OUR EASY-TO-USE ONLINE DIRECTORY PUTS YOU AMOUSE’S CLICK AWAY FROM NEW CLIENTS

To book your entry or for full details of all our online advertisingopportunities email richard@dmmonline.co.uk or tel: 07913 740380

www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk

c o n t e n t s

1DFF

NEWS5 HLFtoinvest£17m;Thenight

installerofchurchroofs;Metal roofers‘club’togetherforgolf day

6 Churchrestorationisa‘dutyof care’

7 Restorationworkproceedson course;Nigeltakesover

8 Mastercraftsmenall

WELSH HERITAGE8 Collaborationwillseehistoric

pumprestored9 Learningoldskillsanew

LEAD CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION13 Whenitcomestoleada

specialistisamust

STONE17 Thewaitbeginstofindoutthe

StoneAwardwinners;SFGBand HistoricScotlandtaketothe floor

18 Masonsdesignrestorationwork atmedievalmasterpiece

21 Thomascarvesoutanearly advantage;Ahelpinghand acrossthesea

22 Gentlydoesit–forover20years

TRAINING23 Fundingwillboostheritageskills

ARCHAEOLOGY25 Queen’shonourforBournemouth

archaeologist

FOCUS ON LIME IN TRADITIONALBUILDING27 Frostinmortarcanbeavoidedby

attentiontothedesigndetail31 Letyourbuildingbreathe:here’s

how34 SPABspreadsthewordtoowners

andcontractorsalike

CLOCKS AND ORGANS38 Whenthechurchclockstops,the

wholetownnoticesit39 Organrefurbishmentgets

£950,000grant;TurretClock Group

ASBESTOS40 AcademypromotesSAFEworking

andanawarenessofasbestos41 Timeforchange:MDHS100

replacesHSG264

INSTITUTE OF HISTORIC BUILDINGCONSERVATION43 Queen’sSpeechdecentralisation

measureswelcomed;Student awardsschemegoesonline

44 HistorypinwelcomedbyIHBC boss

STIRLING CASTLE45 Specialistcontractsawardedfor

Stirling

FUNERALS AND BURIALS46 Funeraltradebodyensures

sensitivity

ICON48 Iconicconservation

BRICKS AND MORTAR48 Bricksaregreen

RISK MANAGEMENT49 ProtectingBritain’sheritagefrom

unforseenthreats

CAST IRON51 Recreatingagreatironfounder’s

work

EXHUMATION52 Removalofremainsrequires

sensitivity53 Takecarewhendisturbingthedead

CHURCHES IN SCOTLAND54 Newchurchesreflectchanging

times55 Prayersareansweredwithnew

hall;Newchurchesreflect changingtimes

UK CAST STONE ASSOCIATION57 Castinstone58 Victorianhospitalsgetnewlease

oflife;caststonehelpspreserve theirlooks

COVER STORY:Savemoney:don’tbotherwithaspecialist?Doh!TheFederationofTraditionalMetalRoofingContractorsexplainswhyit’sano-brainer–Page 11

�

High-definition images for demanding clients

Profile

n With over 25 years extensive photographic experience and

always aiming to provide a quality, professional service, Peter

Marsh is commissioned by architectural, design, business and industrial

clients – anywhere!

A specialism of Peter’s is the photography of historic buildings and

heritage conservation/repair programmes, providing high-quality

archival images to English Heritage standards. His foremost heritage,

ecclesiastical client is (and has been for the past 11 years) the unique,

internationally important Salisbury Cathedral and its on-going major

repair programme. He has also been commissioned to contribute to

other nationally important projects. q

�

HLF to invest £17mn On8JunetheHeritageLotteryFund(HLF)announcedit

willbeinvesting£17min54projectsunderitsSkillsfortheFutureprogramme.LaunchedlastJuly,SkillsfortheFuturesupportsorganisationsacrosstheUKtocreatenewtrainingplaceswithinthesector.Grantsrangefrom£100,000to£1mforanumberoftraineeshipsoveraperiodofuptofiveyears,withanemphasisonhigh-qualitywork-basedtraining.The£17mannouncedwilldeliver808placementsandadds-upto780yearsworthofpaidtrainingopportunitiesforpeopleseekingacareerinheritage.

Thefundingwillnotonlysupporttraditionalconservationtraining,butalsoawidevarietyofmorecontemporaryskills,suchasmanagingvolunteersandusingsocialmediatoengagenewaudienceswithheritage.

NewlyappointedHeritageMinisterJohnPenrose,whoattendedthelaunchattheBritishMuseum,said:“Thisinvestmentisagreatwayofgivingpeopleaccesstopracticalon-the-jobtraining,atatimewhenweneedtodoallwecantogivepeopleahelpinghandtofollowtheircareers.Makingsurewehaveaskilledworkforceforthefuturewillalsohelptoprotecttheverybestheritagefromourpast.”

DameJennyAbramsky,chairoftheHLF,said:“Whentherecessionkicked-inlastyearwethoughtveryhardabouthowtheHeritageLotteryFundcouldmakeadifferencetopeople’slivesatatimeofrealneed.Theanswerwasaninnovativeandambitiousprogrammefocusingonequippingpeoplewithpracticalskillstohelpthemsecurefutureemployment.Wehavebeenastoundedbytheresponse,whichclearlyshowsagreathungerforskillstrainingwithinoursector.”q

The night installer of

church roofsn Leadfromtheroofsofchurchesisprovingakeytarget

forthieves–arecentexamplebeingStokeMinsterChurch,wheremorethan£13,000worthofleadwasstolen.Now,wirelesssecurityspecialistsTagGuardhaveasolutioninapurpose-designedsecuritysystemdevelopedspecificallytocombattheleadcrimewave.

Thesystem,calledLeadProtect,comprisesadetectioncablewhichissecuredtoleadedareaswithaweatherresistant,externallyratedadhesive.Eachzone,typically50-100minlength,terminatesinasmallwirelesstransmitterthatsendsitssignalstoabasestationinstalledinsidethechurchoranyotherbuildingtobeprotected.Shouldanypartofthecablebemovedortamperedwith,whichwouldoccurifathiefattemptedtoremovethelead,itwouldactivatetheTagAlarmsysteminsidethebuilding.

TagGuard’sowncentralmonitoringstation,whichismanned24-hoursaday,7-daysaweek,monitorsallalarmactivitywithinseconds.Thereanoperatorcanseefromthecomputerscreenthelocationofthebuildingandeventheexactareaontheroofwhichisbeingattacked.

OnreceiptofthealarmtheactionusuallytakenbyTagGuardistonotifyaprivatesecurityfirmtoinvestigate.Ifacrimeisverifiedthepolicemaybeaskedtorespondandmakethearrest,whichhashappenedseveraltimesrecently.

Thesystemcanonlybeactivatedwhenthedetectioncableisphysicallydisturbedandthereforewillnotfalsealarm.Theentiresystemiswirelessbasedsoitdoesnotneedatelephonelineoranyotherhard-wiredexternalcommunication.Thisalsomakesitrelativelyeasyandquicktoinstall.

TagGuardsayseachsystemisuniquetothebuildingsotheywillcarryoutasurveyandthenproduceaspecificationwithquotation.Long-termcontracts,includingfullmaintenanceandsupportforthesystem,arenormal,providingthemosteffectiveandaffordablemeansofcombatingthiscrimewave.

For more information visit www.tag-guard.com.q

Metal roofers ‘club’ together for golf dayn On12AugusttheLeadContractorsAssociationandthe

FederationofTraditionalMetalRoofingContractorsarejoiningforcesforthefirsttimeatagolfdayfortheirmembersandassociates,guestsandfriends.

WhatpromisestobeaveryspecialeventwillbeheldattheChampionshipForestofArdengolfcourseatMeriden,Warwickshire.Itwillbeintheformofafriendlymatchbetweenthetwoorganisations,representedbyasmanyteamsoftwoplayersascanbemustered.TheteamswillbecaptainedbyChrisSalmonfortheLCAandNigelMilesfortheFTMRC.PairsfromeachorganisationwillbematchedagainsteachotherinacombinedStablefordmatchplayevent(iethebestcombinedscorewinsthehole).

TherewillbeindividualandteamprizesannouncedduringaprivatepresentationdinnerattheForestofArdenHotelanditishopedthedaywillprovidelotsofsponsorshipopportunitiesforthosewhoperhapsmaynotbeabletoprovideplayers,butneverthelesswishtosupporttheday–orwhomayevendoboth!

Althoughtherehasneverbeenacombinedeventbefore,previousgolfdaysorganisedbytheLCAhavebeendesignedtoraisemoneyforcharity,andanysurplusfundswhichhaveaccumulatedbytheendoftheeventwillbedonatedtoacharityofthewinningcaptain’schoice.q

New

s

�

Church restoration is a ‘duty of care’n NormanandUnderwoodis

currentlyundertakingaprogrammeofrefurbishmentandconservationworkontheChurchofStEdithainTamworth,ledbyarchitectsBrownhill,Hayward,Brown.

DarrellWarren,directorofroofingandstainedglassatNorman&UnderwoodfeelsthattheyareideallyplacedtoensurethatStEditha’scanweatheranothersevenhundredyears.

“StEditha’swasbuiltinthelate14thandearly15thcenturies,”hesaid,“andwewillbesandcastingtheleadforthenaveroofinmuchthesamewayastheoriginalartisanswouldhavedonewhenthebuildingwasnew.”

Thetimbersandmasonryofthenaveroofwillalsoberestored,returningtherooftoitsformerglory.Inadditiontotheirroofingexperts,NormanandUnderwood’sglazingspecialistswillalso

berestoringtheclerestorywindowswhichdatefromthe1870s.

KeithLearoyd,headofconservationatNormanandUnderwoodsaid:“ProjectslikeStEditha’sarealwayssatisfying;whenabuildinghasheldanimportantplaceinacommunityforsolongitbecomesmorethanthesumofitspartsandtheconservationofsuchbuildingsissomethingofa‘dutyofcare’ratherthanjustabuildingjob.”q

New

s

Thefts lead to increase in stainless steel

Com

pany

pro

file

n Formed in 1996, Leicestershire-based JTC

Roofing Contractors have had a great deal of success in the specialist metal roofing field in subsequent years. Both very old and new buildings have been worked on by the company, after careful consideration.

Heritage work has included Westminster Abbey, Durham

and Hereford Cathedrals, Hanbury Hall, Howden Minster, Warwick Castle and Arundel Castle, to name just some of the many contracts carried out. The materials used generally on ancient buildings have been traditionally sand-cast, milled and machine-cast lead. On newer designs those materials have been used, plus zinc, copper and stainless steel. All

those materials may also be used for facades.

Over the past three years many thefts have occurred on ancient buildings and have required the substituting of the lead with terne coated stainless steel, which – from a distance after weathering – gives the appearance of lead if laid with traditional rounded batten rolls. q Westminster Abbey

�

hasdesignatedthehouseandestateofspecialhistoricinterest.

Inthe14thcenturyBramshillwasthehomeofThomasFoxley,whorebuiltWindsorCastle.FoxleyappearstohaveusedmasonsfromWindsortoerectafortifiedmanorhouseatBramshillin1327.

TodaytheestateisownedandusedbytheNationalPolicingImprovementAgency.TheNPIAsupportsthepoliceservicebyprovidingexpertiseinareassuchasseriouscrimeanalysis,leadershiptraining,operationalsupportandinthedevelopmentofnewpolicingtechnologiesandskills.q

Restoration work proceeds on coursen WorkonBramshillMansion,aGradeOne-listedbuildingand

GradeTwo*-listedlandscapewhichiscurrentlyTheNationalCollegeofPoliceLeadership,isduetobecompletedinJune.Theprojectbeganin2008whenEllis&CoofSheptonMallet,Somerset,suppliedateamofmasons/conservatorstoworkbothonsiteandintheirbankershoptoconserveandwherenecessaryreplacemasonryandbrickwork,andcarpenters,tilersandleadworkerstoworkonthebuilding’sroofs.

Theworksinitiallycomprisedrebuildinganumberofchimneystackswhichwereliabletocollapse.Furtherworkshaveincludedconservation/replacementofstonewindowsfortheNationalPoliceLibrary,whichishousedintheLongGallery,nearbybrickworkandre-stabilisationof‘ThePepperPot’oneoftwostone‘follies’.Amixtureofstonehasbeenused,includingHarthamPark,ClipshamandPortland.AllmasonryreplacementshavebeencloselymonitoredbyEnglishHeritage,which

Nigel takes overn TheLeadSheetAssociation(LSA)hasappointedNigel

Johnston,itsformertrainingmanager,asgeneralmanager,responsibleforallaspectsoftheassociation’sactivities.

TheLSAistheUK’sforemostindependentauthorityfortheuseandapplicationofleadsheetintheconstructionindustryanditstechnicaladviceserviceandapplicationmanualsarerenowned

worldwide.MrJohnstonwasresponsibleforsettinguptheLSA’snewpurpose-builttrainingcentre,whichopenedin2008atEastPeckhaminKent,andhasworkedfortheassociationformorethan14years.

“WeseeNigel’sappointmentasthenextstageoftheLSA’sdevelopment,”saidLSAChairmanJossCampbell.“Hetakesoveratacriticaltimefortheindustryandweareconfidenthewillfacilitatethepromotionoftheuseofleadintheconstructionindustryastherecoverygatherspace.”q

New

s

�

Collaboration will see historic pump restoredn ThehistoricMelingriffithWaterPumpinWhitchurch,near

Cardiff,issettoberestoredtoformerglory,havingbeencarefullydismantledsothatitstimberandmetalworkcanberefurbished.

Followingaperiodofdecline,CardiffCouncilandCadwarejointlyfundingtherestorationofthenationallyprotected,scheduledancientmonument,whichhasthesupportoflocalcommunitygroupFriendsofMelingriffithWaterPump.Muchoftherestorationworkistotakeplaceinworkshops,butoncecompletetherefurbishedpumpwillbereturnedandreassembledonitsformersite,scheduledforthissummer.

The200-year-oldpumpstandsasareminderoftheformerGlamorganshireCanalandMelingriffithTinPlateWorks,oneoftheearliestandmostimportantworksofitskind.For135yearsitwasthispumpthatensuredtherewasacontinuouswatersupply,principallyforthecanal.Butwhenthecanalclosedin1942itwasnolongerneededandthepumpbecameredundantandhasremainedidleeversince.

Master craftsmen all

n TheGuildofMasterCraftsmenistheUK’sleadingtradeassociationwithmembersinmanydifferenttrades,craftsand

professions.Mostmembers–butbynomeansall–areinvolvedintraditionalcraftoccupationsoftenassociatedwiththebuildingtrade.Somearelargecompanies,manyofthemhouseholdnamessuchasBentleyMotorsLtd,HarrodsLtdandtheRitzHotel,whilstothersaresoletraders.

Despitethesedifferences,therearesomethingsthatallGuildmembershaveincommon.Theyhaveacknowledgedacommitmenttoworkwithskillandintegrityandtheyhaveallreceivedpraiseandrecognitionfromtheircustomers.

MembershipofTheGuildisbynomeansautomatic.Applicantsarerequiredtoshowthattheyhaveearnedtherighttobecalled‘mastercraftsmen’–throughthequalityoftheirwork,theircommitmenttocustomercare,andthelevelofservicetheyprovide.AndonceacceptedintomembershiptheyarerequiredtomaintaintheaimsandobjectivesofTheGuild.Shouldtheyfailtodosotheywillbeexpelledfrommembership.

Althoughnotaconsumerorganisation,TheGuildresolvestopursuetheinterestsoftheconsumerthroughcarefulmembershipselectionanditsprovenprocedureforconciliationandarbitration.q

New

s WelshHeritage

�

Restoredbetween1974and1989byOxfordHouse(RISCA)IndustrialArchaeologySocietyandtheInlandWaterwaysAssociation,thepumpremainsastrikingandconstantreminderofthearea’sindustrialpast;butonceagainthepumpisinneedofattention.

CllrNigelHowells,executivememberforsport,leisureandculture,said:“Thispumpisnotonlyalandmarkfortheareabutanimportantsymbolandreminderoftheregion'sindustrialpast.Iamdelightedthatweareabletoprovidethisopportunitytorestorethepump.ItishopedthepumpcanberestoredtoworkingconditionandIamgreatlylookingforwardtotheofficialunveilinglaterthisyear.”

WelshAssemblyGovernmentMinisterforHeritage,AlunFfredJones,said:“IamdelightedthattheAssemblyGovernment,throughourhistoricenvironmentserviceCadw,isabletosupportthisrestoration.OurindustriallegacyisakeycomponentoftherichanddiverseheritageofWalesanditisvitallyimportantthatitshouldbeprotected,preservedandpromotedforthebenefitofpresentandfuturegenerations.IampleasedthatthiscollaborationwiththecityandCouncilofCardiffwillbegivingpeopletheopportunitytoseethepumpasitwasandtoprovideinformationaboutitspurposeandroleinthetinplateworksandtheareaasawhole.”q

Learning old skills anew

n Someofthebest-knownmonumentsinWalesthrewopentheirdoorstoarangeoflearningfestivalsaspartofAdultLearners’

WeekinMay.ThesitesincludedDenbighCastle,CaernarfonCastle,CricciethCastleandPlasMawrinnorthWales,andTinternAbbey,CaerwentRomanTown,CaerphillyCastle,LaugharneCastleandStDavid’sBishopsPalaceinsouthWales.TheLearningFestivalsarepartofCadw’shistoricenvironmentservice’son-goingcommitmenttolifelonglearning.

AtCaerphillyCastle(pictured)therewasachancetomeettheMarcherStuartsandlearnwhatlifewaslikeinthe17thcentury.Visitorswereabletotrytheirhandatarchery,learnaboutmedicinalmatters,weaponry,armouranddomesticlife.

AmedievalmonkwillalsobeonhandtotakeeagervisitorsonatourofTinternAbbey.Theabbeyhasinspiredartistsandpoetsforcenturies,sotherewerewatercolourclassesintheabbeygrounds.

InnorthWalesSirRobertWynn,themasterofPlasMawrinConway,talkedaboutlifein

The historic Melingriffith Water Pump in Whitchurch

theElizabethanageandwhyhebuiltPlasMawr.AtCaernarfonCastletherewasachancetolearnmedieval

buildingskills,usingconventionaltechniquesandtools.Visitorscouldhaveagoatshavinganoakpegorcarvingamoulding!Themedieval‘architect’ofthecastle,MasterJamesofStGeorge,wasonhandtoexplainhowhewentaboutbuildingthecastle.

AdultLearners’Weekwasco-ordinatedbyNIACEDysguCymruandcorefundedbytheWelshAssemblyGovernmentandtheEuropeanSocialFund.q

�

WelshH

eritage

�0

��

Save money: don’t bother with a specialist? Doh!

n Theparlousstateoftheconstructionindustryoverthepastyearorsohasprovedbothaboonandacurseforproperty

ownersanddevelopers–particularlywhenitcomestotraditionalmetalroofing.

Likemanyinconstruction,generalroofingcontractorshavebeenunderincreasingpressureastheirregularsourcesofworkdryupinthefaceofeconomicuncertaintyandagenerallackofinvestmentinpropertydevelopment.Asaresult,theyhavebeenlookingtomoveintoanyareathatoffersthechanceofwork.

Traditionalmetalroofdesignusingaluminium,copper,steelandzincisonesucharea.Forsomereasonithasaperceivedlowbarrierofentry;youknowthesortofthing:“I’vebeenonathree-daycourse,soI’manexpert.”Thatisdespitetheextensivetechnicalknowledgeandexperiencewhichisactuallyrequiredtoensurethelong-termperformanceofferedbytheproductmanufacturersandwhichisusuallyprovidedbyaspecialistcontractor.

Anincreasingnumberofcontractorschasingadecliningpoolofworkhavethereforebeenvulnerabletodemandsthattheycuttheirpricesinordertowincompetitivetenders,soseeminglytheclientcouldbenefitingettingtheirmetalroofdoneatamuchlowercostthanhadbeenanticipated.Suchisthe‘boon’fortheclient;butwhataboutthe‘curse’?

Well,thatcomeswhentheyfindoutatwhatpricethe‘saving’hasbeenachieved.

Fromanysensiblebusinessperspectivethereisamarginoverthebasicmaterialcostthateverycontractorandsub-contractormustachieveinordertopayforlabourandoverheads.Themarginobviouslyvarieswiththesizeofthebusinessandtheresultingoverheadsitcarries.Nobusinesscancontinueforanylengthyperiodoftimewithoutcoveringessentialcosts.

Ifthosecostscannotbemetbymarginswhichhavebeenrestrictedbyprice-cuttingcompetition,thennoneofthealternatives

whicharethenopentothesub-contractorbodewellfortheclient.Thefirstoptionis,naturally,forthecontractortoreducetheirown

costs;however,formanyduringthisprotractedperiodofeconomicdownturnandrecession,overheadshavealreadybeenparedtoanabsoluteminimum.Theonlythingthatmaybeleftistodowngradethequalityofthelabourforcetousecheaper,lessexperiencedoperativesontheprojecttogetthejobdone.

‘Bad news one’fortheclientis,therefore,ifthequalityoftheon-sitesupervisionisinsufficienttocompensatefortheshortcomingsoftheinstallers.

Thesecondoption,and‘bad news two’fortheclientisforthecontractortocutcornersincarryingouttheinstallationandsavemoneybynotcompletingtheworkasitshouldbe–andasrequiredbytheproductmanufacturerstoensurethequalityoflong-termperformanceoftheirroofingmetal.Thefinishedroofmaylookgood,butwhattroubleliesbeneath?

Thethirdoptionandmostdefinitely‘bad news three’fortheclientisthat,oncethejobhasstarted,thesubcontractorproducesanon-goinglistofadditionalworksrequiredthatwerenotcoveredinthetender.Intheendthefinalaccountlooksnothingliketheoriginaltenderprice.

Thebestwaytoavoidsuch‘bad news’pitfallsistouseanapprovedspecialist.MembersoftheFederationofTraditionalMetalRoofingContractors(FTMRC)haveallhadthequalitystandardoftheirworkcheckedbyanexperiencedmemberofthegoverningcouncilbywayofanon-sitevet,carriedoutatrooftoplevel.

On-sitevettingisnotjustabarrierofentrytobeclearedbyanyprospectivememberslookingtojointheFTMRC:itisanon-goingprogrammeofinternalpolicingtoensurestandardsaremaintainedbyeachmember.Thatmeansanexperiencedworkforcewithanappropriatelevelofon-sitesupervisiontomakesuretheinstallationiscorrectlycarriedout,notonlytothemanufacturer’sinstructions,but

Coverstory

��

alsoinaccordancewiththefederation’sownGuide to Good Practice.Italsomeanscornerscannotbecutastheworkmaybe

independentlycheckedthroughtheFTMRCvettingprogrammeandanynon-conformingdetailsidentifiedmustbecorrectedortheinstaller’sFTMRCmembershipisforfeit.That,inturn,meansfewer‘surprises’fortheclientoncethejobhasstarted,asthecostsfordoingthejobproperlyarebuiltinfromtheoutset–socheapestisveryrarelybest.

AfurtherbenefitisthattheFTMRCissupportedbythemajorEuropeanmetalmanufacturers,whorecognisethevalueofusinganinstallationworkforceintheUKthatisaccountabletoacentralorganisingbody.Somehavegonefurther,suchasVMZinc,whichhasalreadyworkedcloselywiththeFTMRCindeliveringaprogrammeofzinctrainingcoursesfordevelopingthedesignknowledgeandinstallationskillsofitsmembers.

TheFTMRCisworkingwithothermetalmanufacturingassociatessuchasLuvata,KMEandRheinzink,withaviewtoextendingtherangeofcoursesavailableinaformalmetalroofingtraininganddevelopmentprogramme.Infact,throughitsassociatemembership,theFTMRCprovideanumberofsolutionsfortheclientfacingametalroofingproject.

Allofitsmetalmanufacturingassociatessupplymaterialunderaperformancewarranty,producedtoaEuropeanstandardandbackedupbyextensivetechnicalsupportandadvicefortheclient,architectandcontractor.Nonmetal-manufacturingassociates,suchasAdvancedCladdingandPittsburghCorning(Foamglas),supplytheleadinginsulationandcompositesupportpanelsusedinmetalroofing,andspecialistassociatessuchasLatchwaysandGableFallSafeprovideon-sitesolutionsforfallprotection.

LinkingthemallwithFTMRCcontractormembersonsitearetheessentialstockistanddistributionservicesprovidedbyAssociated

LeadMills,MetraNonFerrousMetalsandNorkem.Inaddition,AssociatedLeadMillshaverunanumberofextensivepublicitycampaigns.ThiscommitmentofpromotionalsupportforthesectorhasservedtoraisetheprofileoftheFTMRCandincreaseawarenessofthequalityethicofitsmembership.

So,withtheFTMRCprovidingaspecialistorganisationoftraditionalmetalroofingcontractors,vettedandapprovedfortheirqualityofworkmanship,workingwithmaterialsmadetoaEuropeanstandardandbackedbysomuchtechnicalandancillarysupportandon-siteservicethroughitsassociatemembership,whyshouldanyoneuseanonspecialist?Pleasedon’tsay“...tosavemoney”!

For further information on FTMRC members and associates, contact the secretary on 01342 301627; email rwr@ftmrc.co.uk.q

Cov

ers

tory

��

When it comes to leada specialist is a must

n Leadsheetisasoft,malleablemetalthatcanbeeasilycut,bentandshapedbyhandtoolstofitanyawkward

roofingorcladdingdetailandprovideanunrivalledlong-term,maintenance-freeweatherproofingperformance.

Infact,that’stheproblemwithleadsheet:itappearstobesoeasytousemanypeoplewonderwhytheyneedtobotherwithaspecialist.Afterall,everyoneknowsaboutleadsheetanditshistoricaldominanceinourbuiltheritage,protectingmanyofourmostsignificantbuildings.Weknowthatitlastsformorethan100yearsandwhenitisfinallyreplaced,theoldleadsheetcanbemelteddownand100%recycledintonewsheet.

Butbecauseoftheuniquesoftandmalleablepropertiesofleadsheet,theskillsandknowledgeofaspecialistareessentialsothattheproductisused–not abused–toensurethattheclientgetstheabsoluteoptimumperformancefromtheirinvestment.

Buthowdoesthearchitectortheirclientknowthatthedesignandinstallationarecorrect?Theanswerissimplytouseaspecialist–anLCAcontractorwhoisregularlycheckedandpolicedbyarecognisedbodytoensurequalitystandardsaremaintained.

LCAmembersmustworkinaccordancewiththecurrentCodeofPractice(BS6915)andtherecommendationsoftheLeadSheetAssociation,detailedandillustratedinThe Lead Sheet Manual,andwillbehappytoworkwiththearchitectandmaincontractorregardingtheroofdetailing.Theyarevettedonaregularbasisthroughanannualon-siteinspectionprogramme,involvingamemberoftheLCAcouncilvisitingthreeprojects,goingontotherooftoinspectthedesignandworkmanshipatclosequartersandliftingthesheetwherenecessarytocheckthesizingandfixingdetailthatisessentialforlong-termperformance.Anyfaultsidentifiedduringthisprogrammemust

LeadContractorsA

ssociation

��

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-on-Thames, 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 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

St Paul’s caps it!

Proj

ectp

rofil

e

��

becorrectedbytheLCAmemberwithinasetdeadlineandattheirownexpense,inordertoretaintheirmembership.

TheLCAalsorequiresitsmembershiptoguaranteetheirworkthroughanindependent25yearGuaranteeScheme,financedbyaring-fencedtrustfund,underwrittenthroughLloydsofLondon.

Withsuchrigorouspolicingofqualitystandards,whywouldanyonenotuseamemberoftheLCAforanyprojectthatinvolvesasignificantamountofleadsheetinitsdesign?Mostcommonly,theansweristhebottomlineargumentofprice.

Pre-tender,anLCAmemberisoftenusedtocheckdesigndetailsandoftengivesfreetechnicaladviceonthedrawingsprovided.Theywillalsoqueryanydetailthatdoesnotcomplywithrecommendedpractice.ManyLCAmembers,however,thensubsequentlyloseoutatthetenderstage,findingthemselvesundercutbyageneralroofingcontractorwhoclaimstheycancarryoutthesameworkcheaper.

Unfortunately,itisalltoooftenthecasethatacheaperpricemeanscornersarecut,thedesignmaybechangedandtheinstallationisnotcarriedoutasitshouldbe;orthecontractor,havingsecuredthework,promptlyintroducesanumberofitemsnotcoveredinthepriceandrequiresaseriesof“extras”tobeapproved.

Worstofall,thejobwhencompletedmaylookperfectand,beingleadsheet,maywellperformadequatelyforseveralyearsbeforethefirstsignsofanyproblemstarttomaterialise,bywhichtimeitisfartoolateforanyrecourseagainsttheinstallingcontractorandleavingtheclientwithaleakingroof.

Sowhythen,aren’tallcontractorsthatworkinleadsheetpartoftheLeadContractorsAssociation?Perhapsafewmythsneedtobeexploded:• It’s a closed shop – a club we can’t get into

AnycontractingfirmcanapplytojointheLCA,whethersoletrader,partnershiporlimitedcompany.EveryonehastoputforwardthreeprojectsforinspectioninwhichtheyhaveobtainedandinstalledtheleadsheetinaccordancewithBS6915andtherecommendationsoftheLeadSheetAssociation,asevidencedbytheLead Sheet Manual.

ThoseprojectswillbeinspectedbyamemberoftheLCAcounciland,providedeachprojectcomplies,thecontractorwillberecommendedformembershiptotheLCA.

Soperhapsthemoreaccuratecomplaintis:“It’s a closed shop based on technical standards that we’re not good enough to get into.”•Membership is too expensive

Memberspayanannualsubscription(determinedbythesizeofcontractstheyareabletoundertake)whichcanbeaslittleas£275,plus£300tohaveanentryontheLCAwebsiteandappearinasuperbfull-colourannualdirectorywhichiscirculatedfreeto16,000architects,specifiersandsurveyors.

Theonlyothercostisanannualcontributiontotheguaranteeschemetrustfund,whichisagainbaseduponthesizeofthecontractorandcanbeaslittleas£150.•You don’t need to be a member to get work

Thisisn’treallyamyth,becausetherearesomecontractorsthathaveregularworkthroughthesamemaincontractororclientbaseandhavenoaspirationtoimprovetheirknowledgeandstandardofworkmanshipandneverhavetheirworkinspectedbyanexpert.

Suchcontractorswillstatetheyworkinaccordancewithcurrentrecommendedpractice;but who is to verify such a statement?

• There’s no point using an LCA member because I have an unusual roof that won’t conform to normal standards

BecauseofthefantasticlongevityofleadsheetthereareliterallythousandsofleadroofsintheUKthataresooldthatthedetailingwasdesignedlongbeforeanyrecommendedCodeofPracticewasdrafted.ThisispreciselywhenanLCAmembershouldbeused.

IfyouuseanLCAmemberyoumayevenfindyourpropertyenteredfortheMurdochAward,theindustry’sultimateaccoladeinleadworkexcellence.SponsoredbyAssociatedLeadMillsinsupportoftheLCA’squalitystandardsethic,theMurdochAwardhasbeenpresentedannuallysince1996totheLCAmemberthathas,intheopinionofanexpertpanelofjudges,demonstratedthebestdesignandinstallationworkmanshipinlead–effectivelytheverybestofthebest.

In2006AssociatedLeadMillsintroducedtheMurdochSponsor’sAwardtoenablethejudgingpaneltoalsorecognisethesmallerproject(uptofivetonnes)which,whileperhapsnotcontainingthesamewidevarietyandcomplexityofdetailingassomeofthelargerentries,hadneverthelessbeencompletedtoanexceptionalstandard.

For further details of the Lead Contractors Association contact the secretary on 01342 317888; email rwr@lca.gb.com or visit www.lca.gb.com.q

LeadContractorsA

ssociation

��

��

n Entriesforthisyear’sNaturalStoneAwards,organisedbyStone

FederationGreatBritain,havenowclosedandareintheprocessofbeingjudged.

Theawardsarethe“Oscars”ofthenaturalstoneindustryandaredividedintofivecategories:newbuild,repairandrestoration,interiors,landscapingandcraftsmanship.

Theentriesarebeingjudgedbyapanelofarchitects,supportedbyastonemasonryexpert.

AwinnerintherepairandrestorationcategorylastyearwastheGarrisonHouseinMillport(pictured).

“Theywillbelookingforexcellenceinthedesignandexecutionofthestonework,sympathyofscaletoanysurroundingbuildingsorfeaturesandtherelationship

toexistingstreetpatterns,”explainedthefederation’schiefexecutiveJaneBuxey.

“Thejudgeswillalsolookforanunderstandingoftherequirementsofstonedetailingandweatheringtogiveacleanandminimummaintenancebuildingorlandscapedevelopment.Theywillbeseekinginnovativeuseofstoneandtherewillbeabigemphasisonsustainability,whichentrantsareinvitedtohighlight.”

Theawardsareopentoall,withthemaincriteriabeingthattheproject–whichcanbeanysize–mustbeintheUnitedKingdomandconstructionworkmusthavebeencompletedwithinthethree-yearperiodending2Aprilthisyear.

Theawardsprovidewinnerswithanunrivalledopportunityforpromotionalactivityandtheindustryasawholethe

SFGB and Historic Scotland take to the floorn Acourseonthedesignand

installationofnaturalstoneflooringisbeingrunbyStoneFederationGreatBritaininLondonon30June.Itwillcoverthelatestguidanceandadviceonallaspectsofstoneselection,design,installationandmaintenance.

ItwillalsosetoutdetailsofthelatestBritishandEuropeancodesandstandards,therequirementsofthebuildingregulationsandofthehealth,safetyandwelfareregulations.Speakerswillformatechnicalpanelattheendofthepresentationsinordertoanswerquestions.

TheeventisforfederationmembersonlyandtakesplaceattheStrandPalaceHotel.Thefeeof£150plusvatincludesacopyofthefederation’s Code of Practice for the Design and Installation of Internal Flooring.

ForfurtherinformationcontactStoneFederationGreatBritainon01303856123;emailenquiries@stonefed.org.uk;orvisitwww.stonefed.org.uk.

Meanwhile,stonefloorsarethesubjectofanewInformbookletfromHistoricScotland.Thebookletscarryinformationfortraditionalbuildingownersandincludeadviceoncleaning,repairingandon-goingmaintenance.

Accordingtothebooklet:“StonefloorshavebeenanimportantfeatureintraditionalScottishbuildingsforcenturiesandcontributemuchtothefeelofaperiodbuilding.Theyareextremelyhardwearinganddurable,andrequirelittlemaintenance.”q

chancetodemonstratetoawideaudiencewhystonecontinuestobethepreferredchoiceofsomeoftheworld’smostdiscerningarchitectsanddesigners.

Theawardcategoriesdemonstratejusthowversatileaproductnaturehasproducedinstone,withitshugerangeofcolours,textures,finishes,sizesanduses.Andtheyshowthattheskillsofthemasonareasfinelyhonedtodayasevertheywere,complementedbysophisticatedcomputer-controlledmachinerytomakethemodernstoneindustrycapableofmeetingtheexactingrequirementsofthemodernconstructionindustryandtheinnovativedesignsofthemostimaginativearchitectsofourtime.

WinnerswillbeannouncedataceremonyinLondoninNovember.q

The wait begins tofind out the StoneAward winners

StoneGarrison House

18

Masons design restoration workat medieval masterpiece

Ston

e

19

Successful restoration projects often require a partnershipapproach between the architect and the craftsmen.

Oldham-based Maysand’s recent work on the Grade One-listed St Mary’s Church in Nantwich is lasting memorial to thatalliance.

Tragically, the church architect Anthony Blacklay died duringthe course of the project, but even when he was seriously ill heensured the job was handed over safely. His wishes were carriedout and the result is a lasting tribute to all involved.

St Mary’s is widely acknowledged to be one of the finestmedieval churches in England. It’s certainly one of the greatarchitectural treasures of Cheshire, attracting some 50,000visitors a year.

The church is cruciform in shape with a large octagonaltower built in red sandstone. It boasts a rare 14th-century stonepulpit and chancel with “lierne” vaulting, intricately carvedstone crocketed gables and highly decorative buttresses andpinnacles.

The nine-month project includedexternal façade work to thewest elevation – including thereplacement of crocketed pinnacles– and south clerestory. But whatmade the job unique was thefact that the philosophy of howthe stone would be repaired wasworked out on the scaffold.

“All the masonry work hadto match the existing mottledHollington sandstone and pointingwas made with a compatible limemortar mix, as a result of a mortaranalysis test,” said Mick Fowles,Maysand’s masonry surveyor.“Repointing was also completedusing hand-held non-mechanicalmasonry tools. This was a veryprestigious and interesting projectfor Maysand to add to theirportfolio.”

Maysand also completed cleaningof the façade using low-to-medium pressured water to removesuperficial dirt, taking extra carenot to damage the soft carvings,and fit matching stainless steel.

The other element of the projectinvolved internal work. Thatincluded fitting disabled access tothe south porch and electricallyoperated glass doors, as well asdisabled lift access and restorationto the south porch’s historicgeometric clay floor tiles.

Based in Royton in Oldham,Maysand has worked on a widerange of restoration, regenerationand preservation projects, likeChester City Walls, ManchesterCity Art Gallery, Dunham Massey,the Port of Liverpool Building andChethams School of Music.

St Mary’s Church in Nantwich

Stone

�0

��

himselfwhoformedhisownbusiness,StewartDesign(UK),in1995,andbySeanCollins,whohasbeenmanagingdirectorofBodenandWardStonemasonsforthepast10yearsandisalsoamason.

StoneFederationGBchiefexecutiveJaneBuxeycommented:“ThiscompetitiondemonstratesthewealthoftalentthatexistsamongstonemasonryapprenticesanditisreassuringtoseethistraditionalcraftstillbeingtaughttosuchahighstandardinUKcolleges.

“Itisimportantthatwecontinuetotrainthenaturalstonecraftsmenofthefutureandthehighstandardofthiscompetitiondemonstratesthatwehavesomeverytalentedindividualsenteringtheindustry.”

ThetopeightindividualcompetitorsqualifiedtoenterBritain’sbiggestskillscompetition,Skillbuild,whichtakesplaceatColegMenaiinWalesinSeptember.q

Thomas carves out an early advantagen ThomasWhiteheadclearlyhasanaptitudeforstonemasonry.

JustonemonthafterstartinghisapprenticeshipwithAlbionStonePlcatPortlandhehaswonthisyear’sUKMasonrySkillsChallenge,organisedbyStoneFederationGreatBritain.ThomasrepresentedWeymouthCollegeandwithteam-mateJamieHarrisfinishingasrunnerup,Weymouthrepeatedlastyear’ssuccessinprovidingthetoptwocompetitors.

Thomaswinsachequefor£300,withchequesfor£200and£100goingtotherunner-upandthirdplacedcompetitorsrespectively.

ThecompetitionisopentoteamsofthreeapprenticesfromUKstonemasonrycollegesand26apprenticesfromninecollegesinEngland,ScotlandandWalestookpartinthisyear’scompetition.

LeviBavesterfromMoultonCollegewasthirdandhelpedMoulton–whichhostedthisyear’sevent–wintheteamaward.TheywillbepresentedwiththePeterEllisShieldandeachteammemberreceivesatrophyandchequefor£50.

Bristol-bornThomasstudiedforanartsfoundationdiplomaatFiltonCollegeanditwastherethatalecturernotedhisskillincarvingandsuggestedstonemasonryasacareer.

“IwasverynervousforaboutaweekbeforethecompetitionbutonceitgotstartedIlovedit,”saidThomas.“Imanagedtofinishtheprojectwithaboutfiftyminutestospare,sospentthetimejusttidyingitup.Ihaveonlyjuststartedtheapprenticeshipsothere’splentyoftimetomakemymindupaboutthefuture.”

Competitorshadtocompleteaspecificprojectinanagreedtime.Theyweregivenadrawing,apieceofPortlandStonedonatedbyCorinthianSouthWalesLtdandthematerialsnecessaryformakingmouldsandtemplates.Thestonethenhadtobeworkedwithatraditionalmalletandchiselandnomechanicaltoolswereallowed.

TheirworkwasjudgedbyAndyMaclean,aformerapprentice

A helping hand across the sean HistoricScotlandstonemasonstravelledtotheUnitedStates

recentlytohelptrainyoungpeopleinHarlem,NewYork.KennyMcCaffreyfromCuparandMalcolmHutcheonfromInsch

workedwithyoungpeoplelearningmasonryandpreservationskillsthroughtheAbyssinianDevelopmentCorporation(ADC).OneofthekeyaimsofADCistoachieverevitalisationofthecommunitythroughfocussingonthephysicalinfrastructure.

Tohelpachievethis,ADChasimplementedYOUTHBUILD,anationallyrecognisedworkforcedevelopmentinitiativeprovidingtrainingfor‘atrisk’youth.

Aspartofthetrip,whichwasorganisedbyHistoricScotland,workshopswereheldattheCathedralofStJohntheDivine,wheretheScottishteamworkedwithChrisPellitteri,thecathedral’sstonecarverinresidence,toshareadviceandexpertiseonstonemasonrywithlocalyoungpeople.

MalcolmHutcheonsaid:“WedidtwoskillsworkshopsinHarlemwhichwerereallywellattended,anditwasfantastictobeabletoworkwiththeguystohelpthemlearnmoreabouttraditionalbuildingcrafts.

“TheprogrammeisabouthelpingtogiveyoungpeoplemoreconfidenceanditwasgreattoseethattheyreallyappreciatedwhatwewereteachingthemandIhopethatitinspiresthemmovingforward.”q

UK Masonry Skills Challenge winner Thomas Whitehead

Stone

��

Profi

le Gently does it – for over 20 yearsn A list of buildings cleaned using Stonehealth’s TORC and DOFF

systems reads almost like a Pevsner Guide.

The many notable buildings include cathedrals (Canterbury, Salisbury,

Exeter, Peterborough, Lincoln, Hereford, Chester and others), Westminster

Abbey, Harrods Store, various Oxford and Cambridge colleges, the Albert

Memorial, Royal Palaces, St Pancras Railway Station, The Church of St

Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square, the French Embassy, Tower of

London and many other historically important, sensitive buildings not only

in the UK and Ireland but increasingly overseas, especially in the USA and

Canada. A notable recent project for TORC in America was the cleaning of

one of the world’s largest Masonic temples in Philadelphia.

Stonehealth introduced the original swirling vortex cleaning system

which was originally known as Jos into the UK market over 20 years ago.

The TORC system is not a typical abrasive cleaning system. It can be

sensitively controlled to meet the most exacting conservation demands in

removing carbon sulphation, limescale and other unwanted matter while

retaining the patina in keeping with the historic heritage of buildings.

The DOFF system, which uses superheated water at 150oC in a highly-

controllable sensitive manner, can remove many paints and biological

growth without the need to use chemicals. Re-growth of biological

matter seems to take longer after being cleaned with DOFF as opposed to

chemicals.

Another product, known as Clean-film – which is a latex based dry

method of internal cleaning – can be carried out while the building is

still in use and has been particularly useful for cleaning buildings that

have suffered fire damage

Stonehealth has recently restructured, with Sue Bilney – who was

previously office administrator – promoted to general manager with

overall responsibility for the company’s offices and workshop in Dursley,

Gloucestershire. Newly joined is Phil Ellis, who has taken up the role

of technical executive with special responsibility for new product

development.

Stonehealth were for many years known for their innovative ideas

and developments, but in latter years lost that impetus. The new

structure is proving to be most encouraging as many innovative ideas

and developments are now in place. One such development is a flexible

modular nebulous spray system that will be known as ‘Nebspray’ and

which will give the market an additional cleaning option. There are other

exciting ideas in the pipe-line that will be launched in due course.

In addition to these mechanical systems there are a number of chemical

products that are user and environmentally friendly. Stonehealth’s

philosophy is first to provide mechanical non-chemical methods; if it is

necessary to go along a chemical route they have to be non-hazardous to

both man and the environment.

Stonehealth have developed a reputation for assisting both their

contractor customers and specifiers and while they do not carry out the

actual cleaning they are frequently commissioned to carry out feasibility

studies and assist in the preparation of specifications.

When a new system is sold Stonehealth carries out an induction

programme resulting in, if standards are met, that customer/operator

being included on the Stonehealth Approved List. That list has gone some

way to improving standards of cleaning buildings.

Specifiers increasingly want contractors and particularly their operatives

to be checked out before a contract is awarded. They want evidence of

training and competence in operator abilities. To assist, Stonehealth are

reviewing the procedures and maintenance of their Approved List. A

sample of responsible contractors have indicated their approval and have

encouraged Stonehealth to tighten up the list further, including a regular

review of each operative’s competence.

Stonehealth do not derive any financial benefit from the maintenance

of the Approved List, neither do they receive or desire any royalty or

commission from contractors whose work has been referred, as the

company wish to maintain an impartial position. All the company ask

is that contractors and operators have their systems maintained by the

company and that they use Stonehealth-approved materials. q

��

Funding will boost heritage skillsn TheNationalHeritageTraining

Group(NHTG)hasbeenawardedthelargestsingleamountoffundingofthe54successfulprojectsinthe£17mHeritageLotteryFundSkills for the Futureprogramme,at£932,000.

Themoneywillprovidehigh-quality,work-basedtrainingandskillsdevelopmentopportunitiesinEnglandtoequippeopleforacareerinthebuiltheritagesectororforthosealreadyworkinginthesectortoexpandandimprovetheirknowledgeandskillssets.ItwillbeachievedbytheNHTGworkingwithEnglishHeritage,TheNationalTrust,ConstructionSkillsandregionalpartnersinEngland.

Theprojectwilloffer60variable-lengthtraditionalbuildingcraftskillsplacements,whichwillgreatlyenhancethecapacityof

thebuiltheritagesectortodeliversustainabletrainingandsharegoodpracticethrougharangeoftraining:tastercourses,heritagespecialistapprenticeshipprogrammesandmentoring,leadingtorecognisedheritageskillsqualifications.Trainingandsite-basedworkexperiencewillbeavailableforpeoplefromnewentrantsandcareerchangerstothoselookingtoup-skillfrommainstreamconstruction,coveringbeginnersrightuptothepinnacleofmastercraftsstatus.

MikeMoody,chairmanoftheNationalHeritageTrainingGroup,said:“Asanemployerwhohaslonginvestedintrainingandskillsdevelopment,Iknowhowimportantthisfundingis–particularlyinthecurrenteconomicclimate–tohelptrainandqualifyawiderpoolofpeopletoworkinthisimportantsector.Iamdelightedthat

theNHTGhassecuredthisfundingandthisallowsustodeliveranevenmoreambitiousprogrammeoftrainingopportunitiestobenefitindividualcraftspeople,employersandthewholebuiltheritagesectorbyhavingasuitablyskilledworkforcenowandforthefuture.”

SimonThurley,chiefexecutiveofEnglishHeritage,added:“TraditionalbuildingcraftsandskillsarethelifebloodifwearetoconservetherichheritageofEngland’sbuildings.Since2005,whenwefirsthighlightedtheshortageofsuchskills,alothasbeendonethroughworkingwithpartnerstosolvetheproblem.Weareverypleasedthatthislatestprojectwillpresentopportunitiesforyoungpeople,careerchangersandothersinthesedifficulttimes.”q

Training

Flooring course will aid understandingn An exciting new course has been scheduled by West Dean College

as part of its CPD programme for conservators.Care and Conservation of Historic Floors will run from 11-14 October

2010 by Jane Fawcett, who will be leading participants in a rare opportunity to hear from experts about the care and conservation of historic floors. The three-day course will cover some of the problems created by the steady erosion of all types of historic floor and will consider some of the solutions available for their protection and conservation.

We are all aware of the steady damage inflicted by daily use on decorative pavements and the contribution made by mosaics, tiles, parquetry, marble, stone, ledger stones and engraved slabs to an

historic interior, whether ecclesiastical or secular. However, the increasing loss of historical evidence, particularly in ecclesiastical buildings, is little understood and the methods of recording it are often inadequate. In many cases it is now too late and the destruction has been total.

On the course leading authorities will attempt to answer some of these questions, to weigh the demands of tourism against those of conservation and to provide examples of what has been done, and how, where, when and what the future holds. There will be site visits to Uppark, Chichester Cathedral and Fishbourne Roman Palace.

For more information contact the continuing professional development co-ordinator on 01243 818219; email cpd@westdean.org.uk. q

Productprofile

��

Digging out history in the crypt at Bow

n In 2006 Museum of

London Archaeology

carried out a comprehensive

building survey of the crypts of

St Mary-le-Bow Church in the

heart of the City of London,

as part of the first phase of

developing a conservation

management plan. The church,

rebuilt after the Great Fire,

was comprehensively restored

after being gutted during the

Second World War, but it still

contains large parts of its 11th-

century fabric in the crypts.

All Saints, West HamAt All Saints, West

Ham, Museum of London

Archaeology undertook

excavations outside the

church in advance of the

construction of a new road

and the demolition of the

vestry, and inside the church

as new underfloor heating

was installed. Records were

made of significant numbers

of burials, seven burial vaults,

headstones in the churchyard

and memorial slabs within the

church.q

Proj

ectp

rofil

ePr

ofile Who controls the

present, controlsthe pastn Any member of a PCC, or indeed anyone with responsibility for

the care and maintenance of an historic building, will recognise the need to balance the demands of modern life with preservation of the building’s historical integrity. This is particularly the case where restoration, refurbishment or enlargement will involve disturbing the existing fabric of the building or below ground excavation.

The Heritage Network Ltd has considerable experience of working with the owners and custodians of churches and other listed buildings, to help them meet the requirements of faculty or listed building consent that demand archaeological intervention. The practice designs and manages archaeological investigation and recording schemes covering remedial works such as renovation, repointing, and the installation of French drains, and improvement works such as extensions, internal re-ordering and the installation of kitchens, toilets and heating systems.

Using innovative techniques such as ground radar and photogrammetry, the Heritage Network works closely with its clients to ensure that its approach is as cost-effective as possible and is achieved with the minimum of disruption, both to the operation of the building and to the schedules of other contractors. The practice is registered with the Institute for Archaeologists, and is monitored on a regular basis to ensure that its work

meets the highest professional standards. q

��

Queen’s honour for Bournemoutharchaeologist

n Oneoftheworld’sleadingauthoritiesonStonehengeandprehistoricBritainhasbeenawardedanOBEinthe2010

Queen’sBirthdayHonoursList.BournemouthUniversity’sProfTimothyDarvillhasbeenrecognisedbyHerMajestyforservicestoarchaeology.

HeisthefirstservingacademicattheuniversitytoreceiveaQueen’sHonourandisoneofveryfewacademicsfrom‘new’universitiestobehonouredinthisway.

“ItisagreatprivilegeformetoreceivethishonourfromTheQueen,”saidProfessorDarvill.“Iamgratefultothemanycolleagues,friendsandmembersofmyfamilywhohavehelpedmethroughoutmycareertodate.Ihavealwaysbeenpassionateaboutarchaeologyandfeelfortunatetohavecontributedtosomanyamazingprojectsthathaverevealedsuchagreatdealaboutournation’shistoryandheritage.”

Theauthorofover20booksand200papersandarticles,ProfessorDarvillisbestknownforhisexpertiseontheNeolithicperiodinNorthWestEuropeandforleadingextensivearchaeologicalsurveysandexcavationsinEngland,WalesandtheIsleofMan.

InApril2008hefamouslyco-directedthefirstexcavationswithinthestonecircleatStonehengeforover40years,examiningtheearlystonestructuresonthesitewithProfessorGeoffreyWainwright.TheworkfeaturedinaBBCTimewatchprogramme,whichexaminedthetheorythatStonehengewasaprehistoriccentreofhealing.

AftercompletingaPhDatSouthamptonUniversityontheNeolithicofWalesandtheWestofEngland,ProfessorDarvillworkedwiththeWesternArchaeologicalTrustandtheCouncilforBritishArchaeologybeforeestablishingaprivatepracticeofferingconsultancyservicesinthefieldofarchaeologicalresourcemanagement.

InOctober1991ProfessorDarvillwasappointedtotheChairofArchaeologyinthenewly-establishedarchaeologygroupatBournemouthUniversity.Untilrecentlyhewasdirectoroftheuniversity’sCentreforArchaeology,AnthropologyandHeritageintheSchoolofConservationSciences,andcelebratedtheuniversity’srisein2008tobecomethetopnewUKUniversityforArchaeologyresearchfollowingtheresultsofthenationalResearchAssessmentExercise(RAE).

Inthemid-1990sProfessorDarvillledtheextensiveMonumentsatRiskSurvey,commissionedbyEnglishHeritage.Thesurvey,oneofthelargestarchaeologicalprojectsundertakenbyBU,studiedthechangingstateofEngland’sarchaeologicalresourceandprovidedrecommendationsforthemonitoringoffuturechangeathundredsofhistoricsites.

Internationally,ProfessorDarvillhasworkedinRussia,Malta,

GreeceandGermany.In2006hewontheprestigiousNationalAwardfortheprotectionofthearchaeologicalheritageofRussiafromtheRussianArchaeologicalHeritageFoundationforhishighlevelofscientificarchaeologicalresearch.

Throughouthiscareer,ProfessorDarvillhasbeenattheforefrontofmajororganisationslinkedtothepreservationofthenation’sheritage.HehasservedaschairmanoftheInstituteofFieldArchaeologistsandwasanominatedMemberoftheCounciloftheNationalTrustrepresentingarchaeologicalinterests.

HeiscurrentlychairmanoftheboardofdirectorsofCotswoldArchaeology–oneofthetoparchaeologicalcompaniesintheUK–andVice-PresidentoftheSocietyofAntiquariesofLondon.HiscurrentresearchinterestsfocusonarchaeologicalresourcemanagementandtheNeolithicofNorthWestEurope.

TheVice-ChancellorofBournemouthUniversity,ProfessorPaulCurran,said:“IamimmenselyproudofthescholarlycontributionProfessorDarvillhasmadetoarchaeologyandtoBournemouthUniversity.HeisthefirstservingmemberofourstafftoreceivesuchanhonourfromtheQueen,whichisrichlydeserved,andwearedelightedforhim.AswellasagreathonourforProfessorDarvillpersonally,itisfurtherevidenceofthequalityofworkproducedbytheuniversity’scentresofexcellence.”q

Archaeology

��

��

Frost in mortar can be avoided by attention to the design detailby BOB BENNETT MBE

n Wehavejustexperiencedoneofthewettestcoldwintersforalongtime:onethatlastedbeyondEasterandonlywarmed

upafewweeksago.AsalmostallthebuildingproblemsthatIwasaskedtoinvestigatethisyearinvolvedfrostdamage,thefollowingcasestudiesmayhelptoexplaintheproblem.

Towardstheendoflastyearrenderingandbuildingjobswerenearingcompletionasthetemperaturestartedtodecline.Thebuilders’merchantsnoticedanincreaseinthesalesofhessianrollsandpolythenesheetingasautumnturnedtowinter.Acoupleofcontractorsweretalkingofaddingantifreezetothemortarmix.WhenIexplainedthattheethyleneglycolinantifreezeactuallyretardsthesettingprocess,theyabandonedtheidea.

Themanufacturersofbothcementandlimeproductsadvisetheneedforthetemperaturetobe+5oCandrisingwithnoriskoffrostforatleastfourweeksifdamageistobeavoided.Thesolutionissimple;sticktotheadvicegivenbythemanufacturers.

Theclientmaytrytokeeptheprojectrunningbysuggestingaprotectivecover.DuringthislastwinterIcameacrossonelayerofhessiancoveredwithonesheetofpolytheneandalotofdamagedrender.Trytakingyourclothesoffonaverydamp,colddayandwrapyourselfinonesheetofhessiansurroundedbyonesheetofpolythene.Standstillforfiveminutesandtellmethatyouarecomfortableandwarm!

Youwillfindthatittakesalargenumberofsheetsofhessiantokeepthecoldout.Thepolythenekeepstheprotectivehessian

dry,butitalsostopsthetransferofmoistureoutofthemortar.Thecuringprocessisnowinhibited.

Ifyoudoattempttoprotectamortarwithhessianorotherthermalblanket,beawarethatwheneverthetemperaturerisesabove+5oCyouneedtoremovealltheprotectionandallowthemortartobreathe.Whenthetemperaturedrops,theprotectionhastobeputback–atediousjob.

Whetheryou’reworkingwithcement,lime,gypsum,castingplasteroranyofavarietyofbuildingproductsthatrequiretheadditionofwater,watchoutforthe‘freeze/thawcycle’.Thiscyclehasnowheels,pedalsorbrakes,butitcancausechaoswithyourbuildingprogramme.

Sadtosay,almostallthemortarfailures,(bothlimeandcement),Iwasaskedtoexaminethisspringcouldhavebeenavoidedifsufficientarchitecturaldetailhadbeenincluded.Agenerouscappingwithsufficientoverhangwouldthrowthewaterclearofthemasonry.Allmortarsarewaterabsorbentandvulnerabletofrostdamage.Aswaterfreezesitincreasesinvolumebyupto9%.Notonlydoesitrupturethemortar,butthepressureexertedcandislodgequiteheavymasonryelements.

Inthephotographonthelefttheinadequate‘brickonedge’cappinghasallowedrainintothemortarbelow,whichhasexpandedandmovedthebricks,someofwhichfelltotheground.Thedisruptionofthemortarcanbeclearlyseen

atthetopofthewall.Furthermore,themortarinboththefirstandsecondcoursesofbrickhasalsobeenaffected.Mostoftheflintworkhassurvived,butevenatthisleveltherearesignsofdamagetosmallareasofmortarthatprotrudebeyondtheverticalfaceofthewall.

In this case the solution is obvious.Abrick-on-edgedetailseldomofferssufficientprotectiontotheunderlyingmasonry.Iamoftenchallengedwhentalkingaboutbuildingsandtheneedfor‘agoodpairofbootsandawaterproofhat’.Thefactremainsthat,withoutpayingdueattentiontothosepartsofabuilding,damagewilloccur.Bycontrast,thenextphotographshowsatraditionalbrick-on-edgeholdingatilecreasinginplace.Themossandalgaeshowstheageofthewall,butthe‘hat’isworkingwell.

Lime

��

Covering Devon and Cornwall

n Over the past 30 years there has been a great resurgence of

interest and appreciation of the qualities of lime mortars and

renders. There has also arisen a kind of ‘blind faith’ that if we use lime

on old buildings, everything will turn out fine.

It can be hard for us to understand the depth and thoroughness

of the working knowledge that guided builders centuries ago: we

at Bosence & Co now approach repair work to buildings with an

awareness not only of that original construction, but of events over

time that have affected the building and changed physical and

chemical constituents of the materials used.

Putty lime mortar today is a pure and consistent product that will

perform predictably with known aggregates and pozzolans as required.

This was not always so: experience and knowledge are needed to

identify the right product and the appropriate method.

There are many naturally hydraulic limes available now which may

provide the answer to a mason’s prayer but the system of classification

for this natural product is crude and performance can be unpredictable.

Buildings in some areas seem to have used little or no lime in their

plasters. That is likely to be due to the practical difficulty or cost of

obtaining lime in an area distant from any limestone for burning.

However, the early builders’ ingenuity always impresses us when we see

what was achieved with simple, usually local, materials. q

For fully qualified advice or for experienced sitework with lime mortars and plasters, please contact:

Oliver Bosence MA DipBldgCons(RICS) 01626 821609

STRUCTURAL k ORNAMENTAL k MONUMENTAL

E: info@bosenceandco.com W: www.bosenceandco.com

��

MostofHampshireischalkdownlandanditisthatmaterialthatwasusedtobuildmanyoftheearlydwellings.Thefoundationswerebuiltupusuallywithflintandoccasionallyeitherstoneorbrick,usinglimemortaruntilclearofthe‘groundwater’.Thechalkwasthenpiledupandcompactedunderfoot.Thesimpletimberroofwascoveredinthatch.

BuildingwithchalkcobissosimplethatIrecentlyshowedagroupoffive-year-oldchildrenataninfants’schoolhowtobuildwithchalk.

Lime

Thetwopicturesabove–showthewallthatthechildrenbuiltbetween09.30and14.30ononeday.Bylookingcloselyatthebaseofthewallyoucanseetheflintfoundationkeepingthewallabove‘groundwater’.

Thefolksthatbuiltthosehouseshadthesensetoavoidareasofhighwatertableortheriskofflooding,whichwoulddestroythechalkwalls.However,Iwasrecentlyaskedtolookatachalkcobcottagewithadampproblematgroundlevel.Roadworksandotheradjustmentshadalteredtheflowofwaterpastthehouse,

whichwasbuiltonagentlyslopingsite.Theownershadbeenofferedtheusual‘dampcompany’helpwithinjecteddamp-proofcourseandmetre-highwaterproofplasteratinternalfloorlevel.Fortunately,theclientdeclinedtogodownthatroute.

The solution was really quite simple:a‘Frenchdrain’acrosstheuppersideofthehouseanddownbothsides,linkedintoonedraindivertingthewaterawayfromthehouse.

Externalrendersarealsoveryvulnerabletofrostdamageasthephotographaboveshows.Theproblemisonceagainthebrick-on-edgedetailthatdoesnotprovide‘overhangprotection’totheunderlyingfaceofthewall.Thecontractorwillhavelittledifficultyinremovingthebricksontopofthewallasallthemortarhasbeenrupturedbythefrostandtheycanbeliftedoffbyhand.Thesolutionistheprovisionofamoreeffectivecopingwithagenerousoverhang.q

Bob Bennett MBE is a masonry consultant basedat The Lime Centre, Winchester

T: 01962 713636

�0

��

Let your building breathe: here’s how by PAUL WATTS of Mike Wye & Associates

n Manyofusliveintraditionalbuildingsandhaveadutytohelpkeepat

leastsomeofthemforthegenerationstofollow.JustimagineforamomenthowlessinterestingourworldwouldbeifthemagnificentTajMahal,YorkMinster,theGreatWallorthewonderfulstavechurchesofNorwayhadbeenlostduetoincorrectmaintenanceorneglect.

Britain’sgrandestbuildingsarequiterightlylargelypampered,admiredandmaintainedonbehalfofthenation;ourmorehumbleorvernacularbuildingsaresometimeslefttothevagariesoftheindividualhomeownerordeveloper’swhims,despiteinsomecaseslistedbuildingstatusandthebesteffortsofconservationofficers.

Althoughthosebuildings,andthelikesofWindsorCastleandBlenheimPalace,arerightlyheldupaswonderfulexamplesofourbuiltheritage,theyareextremesandarenotrepresentativeoftheheritageofBritainasawhole.Itcouldbearguedthatthemoresignificantbuildingstoourcultureandheritageareourparishchurchesandmorehumbledwellings,likethetwoup/twodownterracedhousesthatwereclearedwholesaleduringthe1960’s.

Manybuildingsortheirhistoricfeatureshavebeenlostduetoignoranceonbehalf

ofwell-meaningbuildersandhomeownersorthegreedofsomedevelopers.Educationisthekey:educationofarchitectsandsurveyorsallthewaydowntoDIYers.Fartoomanypeopleresponsibleforthe

maintenanceofolderbuildingshavelittleideahowmuchdamagecanbecausedbythesimpleactofusingcementinsteadoflimeoracrylicbasedpaintsinsteadofbreathableones.

Thereisnoendofpotentialsourcesofinformationtohelpthebuddingdecoratororbuilderintheirquesttomaketheirortheirclient’shometheenvyofallwhoenterit.MikeWye&AssociateshavelongbeenofferingpracticalcoursesinDevonandnowofferone-dayseminarsinmanyareasoftheUK.SPABandBobBennett’sLimeCentrehavealsolongofferedadviceandcoursesinanattempttohelppeopleunderstandwhattheolderbuildingneeds.

MagazinessuchasEcclesiastical and Heritage Worldareanothersourceofinformation,butperhapsthemostinfluentialeducationalmediumcurrentlyavailabletothemassesarethelargenumberofTVpropertyprogrammesthatwealllovetowatch.AssomebodywithaprofessionalinterestintraditionalbuildingsIsometimesfindmyself

Learning pointing at a Mike Wye & Associates Lime in Building course

Lime

��

The tools for the jobn The use of lime mortars for repointing generally suggests

work of a conservation or heritage nature, with traditional skills and specialist knowledge often to the fore. But that need not disqualify the use of modern tools.

While raking sensitive structures with percussive tools might be highly inappropriate, the use of low impact cutting systems such as the Arbortech saw and dust-free raking facilities such as the PWM C-Tec can be both relevant and welcome on many contracts. Similarly, refilling lime mortar joints need not be the preserve of hand tools. The Quikpoint drill-driven mortar gun has many fans in the heritage world, being clean, fast and kind to the wrists.

Modifying a mortar to suit the delivery system is hardly desirable; the good news is that the Quikpoint’s auger-feed permits the use of firm mortars – often with fine grade aggregates – to be delivered at a speed controlled by the operator’s finger on the trigger. Deep-filling joints in stages to allow progressive tamping of the mortar is easily achieved, and with five nozzles delivered as standard there is usually a size and shape to suit.

Steve Hills of SJ Specialist Brickwork advises that, since the Quikpoint gun can cover a large area relatively quickly, an organised approach to dampening the brickwork is essential, particularly in the summer months. PWM provides a wide range of construction-related tools and systems, with a strong focus on dust-free solutions.

For further details call 01794 830 841; or visit www.brickworktools.co.uk. q

Productprofile

33

ranting at the TV as a smiling presentertells us that the pointing has all recentlybeen renewed – ‘so this is all good’– even though cement was used. Or acomplete renovation is taking place withnew gypsum plaster or cement render. It isvery rare indeed that viewers are told howmuch harm can be caused by the use ofinappropriate materials.

As well as entertaining, TV propertyprogrammes have an obligation toeducate as well. If the viewer is beingadvised on how best to increase the valueof a property, surely that should includementioning that the wrong product mightdestroy the fabric of that property? Overthe centuries the nation’s castles have beenbombarded with cannon balls, whereasfor the past century or so nearly all lessgrandiose buildings have had to endure asometimes equally devastating onslaughtfrom cement, non-breathing paints andbotched ‘improvements’.

Something as simple as using amodern everyday acrylic emulsion cantrap moisture within a traditionally-builtsolid wall that can start a chain reactionof events. If a solid wall cannot get themoisture out due to some kind of seal,that can allow the moisture to buildup. A damp wall will push the sealingpaint off in blisters; at the same time theextra moisture trapped within the wallsignificantly reduces the insulation value ofthe wall.

That will create a cold building andincrease condensation and mould. Theusual response to the resultant problem isoften to inject a damp-proof course andapply tanking to the inside of the wall. Thaterror would be compounded greatly byeither cement pointing/render or a modernmasonry paint applied to the outside of thewall.

It is also often the case that valuers ofbuildings, be they for mortgage companiesor estate agents, don’t pick up on thepotential problems. That is a shamebecause there is a possibility that insurance

companies could consider the introductionof the wrong materials as neglect orinappropriate maintenance and reducepayouts as they see fit.

It would not be unreasonable forinsurance companies to take that lineas they expect the policyholder to makerepairs as required. If an earth structuresuch as cob becomes saturated, thewhole building is at risk of collapse. Dueto the huge weights involved, this mighteven result in injury or even loss of lifeto passers by as well as the risk to theoccupiers.

If we are to be effective custodians ofour heritage then we need to have a betterunderstanding of what we are entrustedwith. It would be helpful if the buildingindustry, in it’s widest sense, informedin a positive and practical way. Periodbuildings of solid wall construction need to‘breathe’. Moisture in the walls needs toevaporate away through traditional limebased products, not become trapped bycement mortars and acrylic paints.

It is not the intention of this article to

The use of inappropriate materials or poor technique can produce catastrophic results

frighten the reader into immediatelyripping all modern materials from thebuilding; indeed that can sometimes beworse than leaving them in situ. It is hopedthat people charged with the maintenanceof traditionally built properties may at leastseek further information before slappingon the wrong product in blissful ignorance.

To that end, Mike Wye & Associates,who are one of the countries leading limespecialists, have produced a practicalguide as a basic introduction to themaintenance of period properties. Theguide covers the issue of dampness, aswell as offering advice on the practicalapplication of lime in most situationsthat might arise in the maintenance of atraditional building. The guide is free todownload at www.mikewye.co.uk, or youcan call their office for a free guide to beposted on 01409-281644.

By maintaining your period buildingcorrectly you are preserving its value,making your time there more enjoyableand helping to ensure that others thatfollow you are able to do so as well.

Lime

��

SPAB spreads theword to owners andcontractors aliken Virtuallyallouroldbuildingswereconstructedusinglimeand

thefactthatsomanyofthemarestillstandingisatributetothematerial’suniquedurabilityandversatility.Eventoday,inthe21stcentury,20%ofexistingBritishbuildingswereconstructedusinglime.

Actually,itmightsurpriseyoutoknowthattheUKhastheoldesthousingstockinEurope.ThatislargelyduetothefactthatthepopulationshiftfromruraltourbanareascausedbytheIndustrialRevolutionoccurredearlierhere,sotheuseoflimeinconstructionisnotconfinedtoourgreatcastlesandcathedralsortotraditionaldwellingsinthecountryside.

Historically,theword‘lime’referstoquicklimeorslakedlime,widelyusedtoformthebinderformortars,plasters,renders,limeconcrete,lime-ashmixesandlimewashes.Quicklimeisproducedwhenlimestoneisheatedinakiln.Slakedlimeisobtainedwhentheresultingsubstanceiscombinedwithwatertocreateaputty.

Throughoutthecountrythatwasusedinconjunctionwithdifferentmaterialsaccordingtoregionalstylesandpractices.Mostbrick,stone,earthandtimber-framedbuildingsreliedonlimeasavitalingredientinmortar,render,plasterandevendecorationbeforethewidespreaduseofcementandgypsumbecamemorecommonfromthemid-19thcenturyonwards.

Buildingwithlimewasaslowerprocess,requiringskillandpatience.Cementandgypsummadeitpossibletobuildatafasterrateanddemandformasshousingledtoagradualtransformationofbuildingtechnology.

A SPAB lime course

Lim

e

��

Butlimehaditsowndistinctadvantages.Inabuildingconstructedwithlime,dampwasallowedtoevaporateharmlesslyandthesoftbuttoughmaterialsworkedinharmonywithseasonalchangesinhumidityandtemperature.Putsimply,thebuildingwasallowedtobreatheandmove.

Cementandgypsumsetveryhardandareimpervioustodamp:theirsuccessreliesonrigidity.Oncemovementsoccurtheyarelikelytocrackandanymoisturedrawninthrougheventinycrackswillbetrappedandmaycauseseriousproblems.Thatismostlikelytohappenwherehardandbrittlemodernmaterialsareappliedtoanolderbuilding,whoseoriginalstructureisofsofter,moreflexiblelimeconstruction.Mixingthesetwoentirelydifferentbuildingtechnologiesalmostalwaysleadstoproblemssoonerorlater.

Today,cement,gypsumplasterandplasticpaintsareavailableinDIYshopsandbuilders’merchantseverywhereandthereareveryfewoldbuildingswheretheyhavenotbeenused.Consequently,therearealsoveryfewoldbuildingswithoutsomeproblemsintheformofdamp,peelingpaint,crumblingplasterorflakingrender.

Repairinglime-basedbuildingswithlime-basedmaterialscanrectifymanyoftheseproblemsandpreventmorefromdeveloping.Somethingassimpleasremovingimperviousplasticpaintandreplacingitwithlimewashcanoftensolvedampandcondensation,providingtheoriginallimeplasterisinreasonablecondition.

Currentinterestin‘doingup’oldbuildings–especiallyfordomesticuse–hasledtoincreasedinterestintheuseoflime.Manyhomeownersworkingonperiodpropertieslookforcontractorswho

A SPAB lime course

Pointing with lime

��

��

canplaster,pointandrenderusinglime,butdiscoverthatveryfewpeoplehavetheskilltosatisfythisgrowingmarket.

MarianneSuhroftheSocietyfortheProtectionofAncientBuildings(SPAB)runsregularcoursesforbuildersinterestedinfindingoutmoreaboutusinglime.Marianneappearedasoneofthetwo‘ruindetectives’onBBC’spopularRestorationseries.

Sheexplains:“Unlikemodernproducts,lime-basedmaterialsletstructures‘breathe’andmovegently–essentialpropertieswitholdbuildings.Theyalsocontributetotheircharacteristicsofttexture.Butdespitethoseadvantages,buildingwithlimedemandsknowledgeandpatience.Thatledtothewidespreaduseof‘faster’alternativematerialsincludingPortlandcement,gypsum,plasterandplasticpaints.

“Nowwecanseethatthesehaveshortcomingsoftheirownandcanseriouslyharmhistoricfabric.Consequently,limeisenjoyingarevival,buttherejustaren’tenoughpeoplewiththeskilltoworkwithit.”

TopicscoveredinatypicallimecourserunbyMarianneinclude:•Whylimeisbestforpre-WWIhouses•Howtomixandrepointwithlimemortars•Howtodealwithdamp•Applyinglimeplasters•Howtomixandapplyalimewash•DifferenttypesoflimeLime in Building – A Practical Guide,byJaneSchofield,isan

excellentintroductiontothesubject.ItisavailablefromSPABat£4plus75ppostageandpacking.

For further information on lime, including details of suppliers, courses, publications and technical advice, contact SPAB on 020 7377 1644; or visit www.spab.org.uk.q Marianne Suhr

Lime

��

When the churchclock stops, thewhole town notices it

n AperfectexampleoftheimportanceofpublicclockstotheircommunitiesistheclockofthechurchoftheHolyCrossin

Uckfield.Thechurchhasrecentlylaunchedanappealinthetowntorestoretheclock.

Asthehonorarytreasurerputit:“IfitshouldstoporshowanincorrecttimeyoucanbesuretheRectorreceivesatelephonecallsoitishopedthatmanypeopleinthetownwillfeelthattheywouldliketobeassociatedwithitsrestoration.”

Itismanyyearssincetheclockwaslastcleanedandoverhauledanditisnowinneedofurgentattentionbeforeitliterallygrindstoahalt.Theclockmechanismitselfneedstobecleanedandoverhauled,apendulumregulatorandpossiblyaclockstrikenightsilencerfittedand–mostimportantly–convertedtoauto-winding.

Theclockwasmadein1883,andalthoughontheclock’ssettingdialitbearsthenameofalocalman,Toogood,andthewordUckfield,itwasinfactmadebyThwaitesandReedofClerkenwell.ItistypicaloftheirdesignatthattimeandverysimilartotheirclockintheKnightsbridgeBarracks,London.

Accordingtothechurchwebsite:“Theclockfeaturesdialsthatareunusuallyplaced,beingontheout-builtmountingsonthesidesofthespire.Likewisetheclockitselfisalsounusuallymountedbecauseitisabovethebell-frameinthebelfryandonalevelwithbaseofthespire.

“Althoughconstructedin1883itisofaparticularlygooddesignandthematerialsandworkmanshiparealsouniformlygoodinquality.”q

The church of the Holy Cross in Uckfield

Clo

cks

Com

pany

pro

file Taking time to care

by BOB BETTS, Managing Director of Smith of Derby

n Imagine a world without ‘time’! Getting to work would make for an

interesting exercise; if work existed at all!

Buildings without time are a little easier to imagine; but then, where

would we be without the glorious timepieces of Big Ben, St Paul’s Cathedral

and St Pancras International Station. Think how bare your own town hall or

parish church would be: the community would be without its heartbeat.

Creating timepieces today is just as rewarding as it was for our first

generation in 1856. Today we are creating possibly the world’s greatest

mechanical clock movement in China, driving hands more than 7m in

length. The exquisite movement will be on public display, making this tower

clock quite unique.

Churches and public buildings are under attack in these worrying days

from vandalism, theft and heartbreaking fire and arson. We have responded

by creating ChurchCAM, a CCTV and mobile phone text solution which

deters and protects and is affordable on a weekly payment plan for the

smallest of our precious buildings and heritage.

That is only one example of our innovation in action. In 2009 we were the

smallest of 1,000 global companies to sign the Copenhagen Communiqué

on Climate Change. The communiqué is widely recognised as the definitive

progressive statement from the international business community on climate

change and is supported by HRH The Prince of Wales. q

��

Organ refurbishment gets £950,000 grantn InthelastissueofEcclesiastical and

Heritage WorldwereportedthattheSouthbankCentrehadbeengiventhego-aheadbytheHeritageLotteryFundtodevelopanapplicationforagrantfortherestorationofitsorgan.Thecentrehasnowannouncedthatagrantof£950,000hasbeenapproved.

Theprojectisexpectedtobecompletedin2013atacostofover£2mandwillseetheorganputbacktoitsrightfulplaceandoriginallocationattheheartoftheRoyalFestivalHallauditoriumintimefortheorgan’s60thanniversarycelebrationin2014.

With7,866pipes,theRoyalFestivalHallorganformsthearchitecturalcentrepieceofSirLeslieMartin’sconcertauditorium

andisthelargesteverbuiltbyHarrisonandHarrison.Conceivedinthespiritofradicalthoughtattheheartofthe1951FestivalofBritain,itwasthelargestmusicprojectinthecountryatthetime,andwasdesignedtoserveclassicalandbaroquerepertoiresalongsidethefullrangeoforganandorchestralmusicalrepertoires.AssuchitgaverisetoatotallynewschooloforganbuildingknownasEnglishOrganReform.ItsopenplandesignandeclectictonehadamassiveimpactonEnglishorganconstructionanditsinfluencewasfeltacrosstheworld.

Inadditiontothevitalrestorationandre-installationworkthatwillseetherefurbishmentoftheRoyalFestivalHallfinally‘complete’,acommunitylearningand

engagementprogrammewillbecarriedoutenablingpeopleofallagestoexperiencetheorganforfree.ThesewillincludemonthlyfreerecitalsincollaborationwiththeRoyalCollegeofMusicandRoyalAcademyofMusic,plusprovisionfortwonewapprenticestoworkwithHarrisonandHarrisoninadditiontoanorganscholarplacement.

AmajorfundraisingcampaignwillbelaunchedinSeptembertocompletethefundingrequiredforthework.

SuBowers,headofHLFforLondon,said:“WearedelightedthattheRoyalFestivalHallwillsoonbecompleteandthisamazinginternationallyimportantorganbackinitsrightfulplaceforpeopleofallagestolearnfrom,experienceandenjoy.”

TheSouthbankCentre’schiefexecutivedeclared:“IwouldliketothanktheHeritageLotteryFundfortheirsignificantcontributiontothefullrestorationofthegreatorganoftheRoyalFestivalHallforthenextgeneration.Thisisamajorboostaheadofourfundraisingcampaign,whichwewilllaunchinSeptember,announcinghowthepubliccanalsosupportthecompletionoftheorganproject.”q

Turret Clock Groupn TheTurretClockGroupisaspecialistgroupwithintheAntiquarian

HorologicalSocietythatfunctionstopromoteknowledgeaboutturretclocks:thoselargeclocksfoundonbuildingsandinpublicplacesandplacesofworship.

Thegroupholdsfourmeetingseachyear,whichtakeavarietyofformatsindifferentvenues.Lectures,visitstoturretclocksandseminar-typemeetingsareheld.Thegroup’sSummerTourhasalwaysbeenverypopular,givingmembersthechancetovisitturretclocksinchurches,towersorinprivateestatesrarelyaccessibletothepublic.

Thegroupanswersmanyenquirieseachyear,withquiteanumbercomingfromoverseas.

MembershipisopenonlytomembersoftheAHSandcoversawidespectrum,fromthosejuststartingtoexperiencedexperts.Somemembersareturretclockadvisersintheirlocaldiocese,othersarehistorians,restorersorprofessionalmakersandrestorers.q

Organs

�0

Academy promotes SAFE working and an awareness of asbestosn Since the implementation of the Control of Asbestos

Regulations 2006, asbestos awareness training is now

a mandatory requirement for those who work on the fabric of

buildings – and their supervisors – where asbestos may be found. It

can be present in buildings built prior to 2000, including schools,

colleges, universities, offices, factories, hospitals, domestic houses

and many other public and private premises.

With approximately 4,000 people dying from asbestos-related

diseases annually and continuing to rise, the HSE devised the

successful ‘hidden killer’ campaign to raise awareness of the issue

within the UK construction industry. Training for tradespeople, who

may potentially be exposed to asbestos through their daily work,

has never been so important. It is essential that tradespeople, at

all levels, working for contractors or principle contractors, have

adequate asbestos awareness training to remain compliant with

current regulations.

The Silverdell Academy for Excellence (SAFE) supplies asbestos

training to businesses of all sizes throughout the UK; whether you

are an independent builder or a large construction company SAFE

will ensure your specific asbestos awareness training requirements

are met.

SAFE trainers have a wealth of industry experience, together

with both technical and teaching qualifications, ensuring the best

possible learning experience is provided. Training will help to assist

your workforce in avoiding the risks from exposure to asbestos

and the potential delays it may cause to your construction project,

with guidance provided on what to do in the event of accidental

disturbance.

Many organisations will expect their contractors and supply

chains to have asbestos awareness training, including those who

are working as subcontractors and principle contractors. In fact,

approximately 1.8 million people in the UK are identified as

requiring asbestos awareness training.

• SAFE is a member of UKATA (United Kingdom Asbestos

Awareness Training Association). By using a UKATA member to

provide training you can ensure that the training provider has the

facilities, knowledge and industry experience and qualifications to

undertake that training properly.

To discuss the provision of asbestos awareness training, contact SAFE

on 020 8591 6677 or visit www.silverdellacademy.co.uk. q

“Whatever the tools in your toolbox, ensure that you have adequate asbestos awareness training.”

Asb

esto

s

��

Time for change: MDHS100 HSG264

n Januarysawthepublicationofthenewguideforasbestossurveying.Asbestos: The Survey Guidereplacestheprevious

MDHS100document.Thereisalotmoreemphasisonclients/dutyholdersdecidingwhattypeofsurveyisrequired,whattoexpectfromacompetentsurveyorandalsowhattheclientshouldprovidetothesurveyortoenablethesurveytobecarriedouttoasatisfactorystandard.

Thereisnewterminologyinrelationtotypesofasbestossurveys:gonearethetypeone,twoandthreesurveys,thesehavebeenreplacedwithmanagementsurveysandrefurbishment/demolitionsurveys.Thatmakesiteasiertoselectasurveywhichisfitforpurpose.Thesurveytypesaredefinedbetterwithcommentsbeinghighlightedformanagementsurveyssuchas:

Management surveys“AllACMsshouldbeidentifiedasfarasisreasonablypracticable.

Theareasinspectedshouldinclude:underfloorcoverings,abovefalseceilings(ceilingvoids),lofts,insiderisers,serviceductsandliftshafts,basements,cellars,undergroundrooms,undercrofts(thislistisnotexhaustive).”

Refurbishment/demolition surveys“Refurbishmentsurveyswillberequiredforallworkwhichdisturbs

thefabricofthebuildinginareaswherethemanagementsurveyhasnotbeenintrusive.Thedutyholderwillneedtomakethedecisionbutprobablywithhelpfromothers.”

Commentssuchasthismakethedocumenteasiertouseandeasiertounderstandfromeverybody’sperspectiveandshouldencouragebettersurveyor/clientcommunication,whichinturnwillmakethesurveyingprocessbetter.

Therearespecificguidancenotesforclientsaswellassurveyorsintheformofhighlightedsummaryboxeswhichhighlightspecificdutiesandexpectations,aswellasadviceonhowtocompletecertaintasks.

Amajorpartoftheguidenowlooksatcompetencyandqualityassuranceofsurveyors.TheHSEhastakenastrongviewonthatbystatingtheystronglyrecommendtheuseofUKAS-accreditedcompaniesorABICS-certifiedsurveyorsforasbestossurveywork.Iffollowed,thatwouldensurethatclientswillappointsurveyorsthatmeetcertainstandardswhohavealreadybeenproventhroughUKASaccreditationorABICScertification.

Thesurveyreportmustbeclearandconcisetotheenduser.Thereshouldbeanexecutivesummaryofthesurveyfindings,aswellasallotherrelevantsurveydatainthereport.Thesurveyplansmustbeclearandconciseastowheretheasbestosislocatedandalsohighlightanyareaswhichwerenotaccessedduringthesurvey.Thereportmustbeasite-specificdocumentandcontainrelevantinformationonly.Pagesandpagesofgeneralcaveatsarenotacceptable;howeverspecificcaveatswhichhavealreadybeenagreedwiththeclientmustbeplacedintothereportandgoodpracticewouldbetohighlightthoseontheplans.q

Asbestos

��

��

Queen’s Speech decentralisation measures welcomed

n TheInstituteforHistoricBuildingResearch(IHBC)–theprofessional

bodyforbuiltandhistoricenvironmentconservationspecialists–welcomedmeasuresinTheQueen’sSpeechtointroduce‘localism’intotheplanningsystem,andtheopportunitiesthatitwillprovidetosupportanddevelopessentiallocalconservationservices,butalsoraisedconcernsovertheproposalsthatmaymeanlesseffectivestrategicplanning.

IHBCchairDaveChetwynsaidoftheproposedBill:“We’reveryhopefulaboutthekeyprinciplesofthe‘localism’agenda,giventhewayitcanhelppeopleshapethemanagementoftheirlocalhistoricenvironment,andconservationofficershaveacentralroletoplayinthatmanagement;buttherearealsowidespreadconcernsoverthepotentiallossoftheinfrastructureformorestrategicplanning,withinsufficientrecognitionoftheroleithasplayedinunderpinningintegratedplanningacrossregions.”

SecretaryofStateforCommunitiesandLocalGovernmentEricPicklessaid:“ThisimportantBillwouldshiftpowerfromthecentralstatebackintothehandsofindividuals,communitiesandcouncils.Itwillempowerlocalpeoplegivingthemmorepoweroverlocalgovernment.Itwillfreelocalgovernmentfromcentralandregionalcontrolsothattheycanensureservicesaredeliveredaccordingtolocalneeds.”

SomeofthecoalitionagreementcommitmentswouldbelegislatedthroughtheLocalismBillincluding:•Returningdecision-makingpowersonhousingandplanningtolocalcouncilsbyabolishingRegionalSpatialStrategies•Newpowersforcommunitiestohelpsavelocalfacilitiesandservicesthreatenedwithclosure,andtherighttobidtotakeoverlocalstate-runservices•Givingcouncilsageneralpowerofcompetence•Givingresidentsthepowertoinstigate

localreferendumsonanylocalissueandthepowertovetoexcessivecounciltaxincreases•Greaterfinancialautonomytolocalgovernmentandcommunitygroups•OutrightabolitionofHomeImprovementPacks•CreationofLocalEnterprisePartnerships:jointlocalauthority/businessbodiestopromotelocaleconomicdevelopment

GregClark,MinisterforDecentralisation,added:“ThisBillwouldreverseyearsofcreepingstatecontrolandreturnpowertopeople,communitiesandcouncils.Wehaveanoptimisticvisionthatsupportspeopletoworkintheinterestsoftheircommunities,ratherthantellingthemwhattodo.

“Whenyoudecentralisepoweryouunlockcreativityanddynamismthatgetsbetterresults,betterservicesandbettervalueformoney.Thestatealoneisoftentoomonolithicandclumsytotackleourdeepestsocialproblemsandwebelievethatthebestideascomefromthegroundup,notthetopdown.”q

InstituteforHistoricBuildingC

onservation

Student awards scheme goes onlinen TheIHBChaslaunchedanewwebsiteforitscelebrated

annualGusAstleyStudentAward,helpingraiseawarenessoftheIHBC’ssupportforstudentsacrossthehistoricandbuiltenvironmentdisciplinesthatunderpinconservation.

Thewebsitereviewstherecentgrowthintheawards,documentingtheirimpact,whilealsonotingthemostsuccessfulsubmissions.Italsoexplainstostudentshowtheawardswork,andhowtomakesubmissionsusingtheIHBC’swebsiteresources.

Sincetheinceptionoftheawards,DevonDeCelles,IHBC’soutgoingmembershipservicesofficer,hasguidedapplicantsandoverseentheirpresentations.TheytakeplaceattheIHBC’s‘FringeSchool’,theopenandfreeforumlinkedtotheIHBC’sAnnualSchool,whereselectedcandidatespresentanddiscusstheirworkwithfellowstudentsandestablishedconservationprofessionals.

DevonDeCellessaid:“It’sbeenapleasureandaprivilegetobepartofthisIHBCinitiative.Iknowfirsthand,throughmyworkwithcontributors,justhowmuchtheawardhasmeanttothem,whetherwinnersornot.It’shelpedstudentsfocusontheirwork,yetthereisalmostnointerruptiontotheiron-goingstudiesasapplicantssimplysubmittheiroriginalcoursework.

“Tutorsandcoursedirectorsalsoappreciatethefactthattheirstudents’effortsarerewardedatanationalandprofessionallevel,whileastutorstheyhavenoadditionaladministrativedutiesarisingfromit;andofcoursetheIHBCgetstoraiseitsprofilewith,and

enjoytheworkof,up-and-comingconservationprofessionals.”IHBCpresidentEddieBoothsaid:“GusgavesomuchtotheIHBC,

particularlythroughhisencouragementofnewermembers.The‘Astleys’,astheawardsarebecomingknown,areafittingwayforustorememberGusandtoinvestinthefutureofconservation.”

BobKindredMBE,chairoftheGusAstleyFundTrustees,said:“IamdelightedthattheGusAstleyStudentAwardsschemehasestablisheditselfsoquicklyandisattractingsuchahighcalibreofsubmissionsinwhatisnowitsthirdyear.Thisdemonstratesthat,eveninthesedifficulttimes,thesectorisattractingnewpractitionersofgreatpotentialandability.Wehopethattheawardsarealsoavaluablestimulationforconservationeducation.AllthiswouldhavedelightedGus,whowassoassiduousinsupportingandencouragingthoseintheearlystagesoftheircareers.”q

��

Inst

itute

for

His

toric

Bui

ldin

gC

onse

rvat

ion

n IHBCdirectorSeánO’ReillyhaswelcomedthelaunchofHistorypin,aweb-basedimagegatheringinitiativedeveloped

bysocialdevelopmentorganisationWeAreWhatWeDo,inpartnershipwithGoogle.Itcreates‘adigitaltimemachinethatallowspeopletoviewandsharehistoryinatotallynewway’.

SeánO’Reillysaid:“We’rehugelyimpressedwithHistorypin’sdeveloping‘Wiki’-styleimagecollectionsystem,anditspotentialtorevealtheextraordinaryinourordinaryplacesbyintroducingvisual,personalandhistoricaldimensionsacrosstime.Historypingivestheideaofthe‘how’and‘why’wemanageplacesadistinctly21st-centurypresencethroughpartneringwithGoogle,makingitatonceglobalandlocal,personalandpublic.It’sliketheFacebookof‘place’.

“WhileHistorypinisfirstandforemostacommunityresource,theabilitytomatchimagesofplacesacrossoldandnewmaywellmakeitanessentialtoolfortheconservationprofessionalofthefuture,whileitwillcertainlygrowintoaninvaluableresourceforcommunitiesthatwanttoshowwhyandwhattheyvalueabouttheplaceswheretheyliveandwork.”

Historypinsays:“UsingGoogleMapsandStreetViewtechnology,Historypinaimstobecomethelargestuser-generatedarchiveoftheworld’shistoricalimagesandstories.Historypininvitesthepublictodigout,uploadandpintheirownoldphotos,aswellasthestories

behindthem,ontotheHistorypinmap.Uniquely,HistorypinallowsuserstolayertheiroldimagesontomodernStreetViewscenes,revealingaseriesofwindowsintothepast.”

WeAreWhatWeDohascreatedHistorypinasasimplewayfordifferentgenerationstosharetheirhistoryanddigitalknow-how,aspartofitsnewcampaigntogetgenerationstalkingmore,sharingmoreandcomingtogethermoreoften.Tofindoutmore,visitwearewhatwedo.org/generations.q

Historypin welcomedby IHBC boss

45

StirlingC

astle

Historic Scotland has awarded a series of specialist contractsfor its on-going Stirling Castle Palace Project.

The contracts are part of a £12m scheme that will see the royalpalace of James V returned to how it may have looked in its mid-16th century heyday. The latest round of contracts involve everythingfrom fabrics to joinery, metalwork and stained glass. Together theywill help recreate the splendour and luxury of a great renaissanceroyal residence.

Project manager Peter Buchanan said: “We are very pleased tohave been able to award the specialist contracts for the furnishings,fittings and decoration of the palace. The Historic Scotland teamis looking forward to working with all of the companies involvedas they create everything from fine carpets, oak furniture and wallhangings through to ceiling bosses, stained glass and iron firedogs.These will play a key role in recreating the look and atmosphereof the renaissance royal palace for when it reopens to the public in2011.

“Much of the work involves the use of high-quality traditional skillsand techniques, and we are delighted that the project is helping tomaintain highly skilled arts and crafts which have been practised formany centuries.”

The total value of the contracts, which were awarded on the basisof competitive tendering, is £1.55m.

• Stirling Castle was one of James V’s favourite residences. It hadeverything the king needed. There was the Great Hall for nationalfestivities and a Chapel Royal for important religious ceremonies.There were fine gardens and excellent hunting nearby. All this madeit an ideal place to hold court and indulge the young king’s love ofdisplay, pageantry and bloodsports.

Stirling

Specialistcontracts awarded for

��

Funeral trade body ensures sensitivity

n Foundedin1905,theNationalAssociationofFuneralDirectors(NAFD)representstheinterestsoftheentirespectrumoffuneral

directingbusinesses–includingindependentfirms,theco-operativemovementandallmajorfuneralgroups.Betweenthemtheyconductinexcessof80%ofUKfunerals.Operatingona‘onemember,onevote’basis,itisafullyinclusiveanddemocratictradeassociationandprovidesmemberswithgeneralbusinessandindustryspecificsupportservicessothattheycanfocusontheircoreobjectives:meetingtheneedsofthebereaved.

WithamembershipwhichalsoincludesinternationalfuneraldirectingbusinessesandavarietyofsupplierstotheprofessionbothintheUKandoverseas–fromcrematoriaandcoffinmanufacturerstovehicledistributors,clothingspecialistsandprinters–theNAFDiswidelyacknowledgedasthe‘voiceoftheprofession’.ThroughitsmembershipoftheEuropeanFederationofFuneralServices(EFFS)andtheInternationalFederationofThanatologistsAssociations(FIAT/IFTA),theNAFDisabletorepresenttheinterestsofUKfuneralbusinessesonaglobalbasis.

Professional standardsTheNAFDiscommittedtosettingandmaintainingthehighest

professionalstandards,sothatfamiliescanbeconfidentthefuneralbusinesstheychoosewilldelivertheverybestservice.TothatendtheassociationproducestheManual of Funeral Directing,aninvaluablereferencetoolforfuneralserviceprofessionalsaswellasstudentsstudyingforprofessionalorvocationalqualifications,andensures

membersabidebyastrictCodeofPractice.

TheNAFDCodeofPracticesetsoutwhatbereavedfamiliescanexpectintheirdealingswithanNAFDmemberfirm,includingkeyrequirementsinrespectofthefuneraldirector’sprofessionalconduct,andisreviewedandupdatedregularlytoensureitremainsrelevant.Itisalsomonitoredandenforcedbyateamofstandardsandqualitymanagers,whoinspectmembers’premisesandassessallnewapplicants’facilitiespriortothembeingapprovedformembershipoftheNAFD.

Professional developmentTheNAFDisthedrivingforcebehindeducationandtrainingin

thefuneralsector,havingspearheadedthedevelopmentofaseriesofprofessionalqualifications.TheyincludetheDiplomainFuneralDirecting,whichisuniversallyrecognisedasthe‘GoldStandard’.

InSeptember2008theNAFDlaunchedtheFoundationDegreeinFuneralServices,inassociationwiththeCentreforDeath&Society(CDAS)attheUniversityofBath–theUK’sonlycentredevotedtothestudyandresearchofsocialaspectsofdeath,dyingandbereavement–ofwhichtheAssociationistheprincipalsponsor.

Fune

rals

and

bur

ials

��

TheNAFDhasalsointroducedflexiblelearningoptionsintheshapeofvocationalqualificationsaccreditedbyEdexcel,tohelpmeetitsmembers’stafftrainingrequirements.

Representing the bereaved and the sectorThegovernmentconsultsregularlywiththeNAFDonallmatters

relatingtothefuneralsector.ItisintheuniquepositionofbeingtheonlytradeassociationthatmaintainscloselinkswithfourParliamentarygroups:theAllPartyParliamentaryFuneralsandBereavementGroupatWestminster,theScottishCrossPartyGroupfortheFuneralandBereavementService,theWelshCrossPartyFuneralGroupandtheAllPartyAssemblyGrouponFuneralsandBereavementintheNorthernIrelandAssembly.

ThroughitsworkwithParliamentariansandgovernmentagencies,theNAFDisabletohighlightmattersofconcerntofuneraldirectorsandthebereavedfamiliestheyserve,provideinformedopiniononkeyissuesandlobbyforlegislativechange.TheNAFDalsoenjoysstronglinkswithParliamentariansandofficialsintheEuropeanUnionthroughitsBrusselsLiaisonGroup.

Funeral Arbitration SchemeMostfuneralsarecompletedinahighlysatisfactorymanner,buton

occasionthingsdogowrong;sotheNAFDestablishedtheFuneralArbitrationSchemetoprotecttheinterestsofbothitsmembersandtheirclients.

DevelopedinconjunctionwiththeCharteredInstituteofArbitrators,theFuneralArbitrationSchemeisanindependentconciliationandarbitrationschemeprovidingasimple,three-stageprocessfortheresolutionofdisputeswhichcannotbesettledbynegotiationbetweenthefuneralbusinessandthefamily.ItisaconditionofmembershipoftheNationalAssociationofFuneralDirectorsthatfuneraldirecting

businessescomplywithaclient’swishtoproceedtoconciliationorarbitrationundertheFuneralArbitrationSchemeandabidebyitsrulings.

Bereavement Advice Centre TheNAFDistheprincipalpartnerintheBereavementAdviceCentre,

anot-for-profitinitiativedevelopedbyaconsortiumoforganisationsworkinginthefuneralsectorthatprovidesasinglecontactpointwherepeoplecanaccessinformationandguidance.Supportisavailableviathefreephonehelpline,08006349494,whilecomprehensiveinformationonawiderangeofsubjects,includingwhattodofirstwhensomeonedies,probateandotherlegalproceduresandcopingafteradeath,isonlineatwww.bereavementadvice.org.

National Funeral ExhibitionIn2007theNAFDinstigatedtheNationalFuneralExhibition–the

UK’sonlynationalfuneraltradeexhibition–whichshowcasesahugevarietyoffuneralproductsandservices.Stagedeverytwoyears,theNationalFuneralExhibitionisnowanestablishedfixtureintheEuropeanfuneralexhibitioncalendarandbringstogetherbusinessesfromallovertheworldasUKfuneraldirectorsseizetheopportunitytoupdatetheirknowledgeandsuppliersseektodevelopbusinessopportunities.

Further information is available from The National Association of Funeral Directors, 618 Warwick Road, Solihull, West Midlands B91 3QG; tel 0845 230 1343; email info@nafd.org.uk; or visit www.nafd.org.uk.q

Funeralsandburials

��

Iconic conservation

n IconhasannouncedthethirdroundofitsConservationAwards.TheConservationAwardshavebeenthemost

importanteventwithinconservationsincetheirinceptionin1993.Theycelebrateexcellenceinconservationtreatment,trainingandresearchanddevelopment,andsince2004,thenewfieldofdigitalpreservation.Theyhighlighttheachievementsofasectorwhich,althoughvitaltotheeffectivecareofourheritage,rarelyreceivespublicrecognition.Theycontributetotheraisingofprofessionalstandardsandpromotesustainabilityandcarefortheenvironment.Byfocusingonbestpracticeandthedisseminationofnewideas,theyprovideawidersocialbenefitinsupportingtheeffectivepreservationofartefactsbothnewandold.

ThisyeartheawardshavebeentitledtheValuingExcellenceConservationAwards.Asinpreviousyears,theyaregenerouslysupportedbySirPaulMcCartneyandaresponsoredbyThePilgrimTrust.TheDigitalPreservationAwardissponsoredbyTheDigitalPreservationCoalitionandTheResearchandInnovationAwardbyTheAnnaPlowdenTrust.

ThewinnerswillbeannouncedataceremonyinLondonon1DecembertobeheldattheRoyalInstitution.Thedeadlineforapplicationsis30July.

•Icon is the lead voice for the conservation of cultural heritage in the UK. Its membership embraces the wider conservation community, incorporating not only professional conservators in all disciplines, but all others who share a commitment to improving understanding of and access to our cultural heritage.q

ICO

N

Bricks are green

BricksandMortar

n Traditionally,ofcourse,wethinkofnaturalstoneasthematerialofchoiceforchurchbuildings.Buttheboom

inchurchbuildinginthe19thcenturymadegreatuseofthe‘modern’buildingmaterialofthetime:brick.Andnowbrickisprovingtobemoreenvironmentallyfriendlythanpreviouslythought.

AccordingtoareportbytheBrickDevelopmentAssociation:“Forget‘brickisbeautiful’;ignoreitspopularitywithdesignersandplanners.Brickasamodernbuildingmaterialnowstandsfirmlyonitsenvironmentalcredentials.IntheBREGreen guide to specification thematerialhasbeengiventhehighestpossibleaccreditation–A+–foreveryexternalwallratedcontainingbrickwork.”

Andabrickbuildingisbroughttolifebytheimaginitiveuseofmortars.Nowadaysmanydifferentcoloursareavailable.

AccordingtotheMortarIndustryAssociation:“Colouredmortarismuchmorethanthemediumforbondingbricksandblocks.Itcanalsobeanarchitecturaltool,accentuatingorsubduingbrickcoloursandtextures.

“Theycanmakethemostofcleverbrickpatternsorbringlightrelieftowhatmightotherwisebemonotonous.Whileonecolourcanbechosentoharmonisewiththebrick,anotheroffersacontrast.

“Thereareavarietyofotherfactorsthataffectthevisualappealofthefinishedface,suchasbricktexture,pointingtype,localexposureandtheprevailinglightingconditions.”

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

��

Protecting Britain’s heritage from unforseen threats

Riskmanagem

ent

nHeritage sites are among this country’s

most precious assets. Their contribution

to tourism is immense and their importance

to our national culture is incalculable.

However, just one or two instances of poor

management could severely damage their

reputation and have a massive impact on

their long-term economic viability.

Whether or not your site could suffer such a

blow is a question that only you can answer.

If you are not clear what the risks threatening

your site are, then you probably have no plans

in place to protect the site from them – and

that’s a very dangerous position to be in.

Cundiff & Mills Consulting is part of risk

specialist The Bradley Group. They offer a

wide-ranging service that is very discreet and,

importantly, sensitive to the unique needs of

heritage sites.

Director Jan Mills said “Managing risks,

whether health and safety, reputational or any

other kind, doesn’t have to be heavy-handed,

intrusive or expensive. Some of the most

effective management controls cost nothing

except time and a little change in how people

see things.”

With a strong reputation for listening

to their clients and experience of working

with Canterbury Cathedral, Cundiff & Mills

are ideally placed to lend their expertise

to heritage sites. From scaffold audits to

workshops on corporate manslaughter for

your senior people, Cundiff & Mills can offer

as much or as little help as you need.

Visit their website at www.candmconsulting.

co.uk; or call 01795 599989 to find out what

Cundiff & Mills can offer you. q

�0

nWhile there are many reproduction products that try to

copy the aesthetics of traditional cast iron, none are able to

provide the benefits offered by the real thing.

Cast iron provides one of the most sustainable and durable

materials for rainwater systems, with minimal noise transmission and

excellent fire resistance. And while the cheap PVC alternatives may

claim to save money on a project, most people would be surprised

to know that the whole-life cost of cast-iron rainwater products is a

third of that of PVC and aluminium over a 100-year lifecycle.

In addition, cast iron’s infinite design possibilities allow it to

replicate traditional ornamental rainwater features and unique

gutter profiles. Cast iron is renowned for its strength and longevity

to provide a low maintenance solution for rainwater systems.

The popularity of using cast iron for rainwater systems dates back

to the 19th century and traditional and unique profiles for the

replacement of failed sections of original rainwater systems have

been replicated by specialist supplier Tuscan Foundry Products. In

total, Tuscan Foundry Products offers 19 profiles, three different pipe

profiles and over 60 ornamental rainwater hopper heads, with a full

range of brackets to support both gutters and pipes.

For more information or a copy of the company’s report,

Comparing the merits of material used for rainwater

products, visit www.tuscanfoundry.co.uk; email info@tuscanfoundry.

co.uk; tel 0800 174 093. q

Cast-iron solutions

Prod

uctp

rofil

e

nMost people may think of a rainwater system as simply a

functional system that collects and discharges a property’s

rainwater. Daniel Hopkins, the managing director of specialist

distributor Rainclear Systems, disagrees. He believes the right system

can dramatically enhance the external appearance of any heritage

property.

Says Daniel: “Most customers are unaware that cast-iron gutters can

be supplied in many different profiles and sizes: half-round, Victorian

ogee, half-round beaded and moulded. The downpipes to complement

these profiles can be supplied in either circular, square or rectangular

and there are various decorative special options to personalise your

rainwater system, on either the gutters or downpipes, the hopper

heads, downpipe sockets or holder bats.

“So, whether it is a date of construction, family name or crest, all

of these special castings can be achieved with a cast-iron rainwater

system. Any pattern can be made to make a radius gutter, unusual size

or even to exactly match a sample that the client provides.”

Pre-painted cast-iron rainwater systems are now becoming popular,

with all profiles available with a pre-finished semi-gloss black coating. It is

applied under factory conditions using modern spraying techniques and

delivered to site safely packaged and ready for immediate installation,

without the need for any further on-site painting.

If you would like to talk further about cast-iron rainwater systems, call

Rainclear Systems’ technical sales team on 0844 414 22 66. q

Singing in the rainC

ompa

nyp

rofil

e

��

Recreating a greatironfounder’swork

n OneofaclutchofScottisharchitecturalironfounderswhichcametoprominenceinthe19thcenturywasWalter

MacFarlane&Company,whosehistoryistoldindetailbytheScottishIronworkFoundation(www.scottishironwork.org).

Thefoundationsays:“Whiletheymightbeconsideredlateentrants,theyquicklymatchedandeventuallysurpassedtheirrivalstobecomethemostprolificarchitecturalironfounderstheworldhasseen.

“Thedistributionoftheirproductsthroughouttheworldissimplyastounding.Evennow,whenmucharchitecturalironworkhasbeenremovedfromthelandscape,itisstillpossibletofindthedistinctivediamondtrademarkofthecompanyoneverythingfrombenchestorainwatergoods,fountainstobuildings,bridges,glasshouses,palaces,railwaystationsandbandstands.

“Whilemuchoftheironworkhasbeensweptawayorfallenintodisrepair,anewappreciationofsuchfeatureshasmeantthatmanyarebeingconservedandrestored,andareappreciatedagainforthehighlevelofcraftwhichtheirproductionrequired.”

Thestorybeganinthewinterof1849/1850whenWalterMacFarlanewentintoPartnershipwithhisbrother-in-lawThomasRussellandhisfriendJamesMarshall.In1851thecompanytookoveranolddisusedbrassfoundryinSaracenLaneinGlasgow,adoptingthestreetnameforthefoundry.

By1861MacFarlane&Coemployed120people.AfterelevenyearstheyoutgrewthepremisesandrelocatedtoabuildinginWashingtonStreetin1862,whilestillkeepingthenameSaracenFoundry.

Again,accordingtotheScottishIronworkFoundation:“Thesuccessofthecompanywassuchthatadecisionwasmadetomovetowhatwasatthattimeagreenfieldsiteontheoutskirtsofthecity.ThiswastobethethirdandfinalSaracenFoundry,builtandexpandedtoavastscale.

“Thefoundrycontinuedinoperationintheearly20thCentury,butsawadeclineintheindustryanddemandforsuchornamentalcastironwork.ThecompanybecamepartofAlliedIronfoundersin1965,andwasabsorbedintoGlynwedin1966.ThefoundryatPossilparkeventuallyclosedin1967.Thecompanynamewasboughtby

GlasgowfirmHeritageEngineeringin1993.”Fortunatelymanypatternbookssurviveandarerichindetail

ofwhatthecompanyproduced.TheyareusedbyHeritageEngineeringtoproducemanyoftheoriginaldesigns.q

Castiron

��

Exhu

mat

ion Removal of remains

requires sensitivityn THE CONCEPT ‘rest in peace’ has had to take on a very

different meaning in the world of the exhumer than in that of the majority. Rest in peace means rest to the soul, not rest to our mortal remains. Increasingly, the need is arising for a variety of reasons to remove and to re-inter human remains and Phoenix Exhumation Ltd has been involved in this sensitive practice for a number of years.

From an individual point of view, exhumations can occur if there have been suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and the police may request an exhumation so that the cause of death can be determined. Unknown burials, either not identified or misidentified when buried, can be reburied if their identification comes to light and surviving kin so wish.

The removal of human remains en masse can occur when redundant cemeteries are bought in areas where space is of a premium and the land developed for reasons such as housing, creating new roads etc, or on the relocation of a cemetery.

Remains may be exhumed in order to be re-interred at a more appropriate location, such as Father Lester, Major Forbes and Mrs Forbes and Cardinal Vaughan.

Cemeteries have a limited number of plots in which to bury the dead. Once all plots are full, older remains may be moved to an ossuary to accommodate more bodies; thus enabling archaeologists

to analyse the remains in order to gain a greater understanding of human culture.

Exhumations are generally rare; they cannot happen without having the necessary legal authorisation. It is important to point out that it is unlawful to disturb any human remains (this also includes any cremated remains) without first obtaining the necessary lawful authority.

There are generally two types of licences that are used for exhumation. They are a Home Office licence or a bishop’s faculty. The licence needed is dependant on where the remains are at present and where they are going to be re-interred.

If the remains are to be removed from a grave in a consecrated section of a cemetery and are to be re-buried into another consecrated section then only a bishop’s faculty is required. If the exhumation is from consecrated ground to be re-buried in the same grave or they are to go to an unconsecrated section, both a Home Office licence and bishop’s faculty will be required.

If the exhumation is from unconsecrated ground and the subsequent reburial is in unconsecrated ground, then only a Home Office licence is needed.

Phoenix Exhumations Ltd are national experts in the field of exhumation and are happy to offer confidential advice. q

Based on a dissertation by Janine Knighton BSc (Hons)

��

Take care when

disturbing the deadby PETER MITCHELL of Peter Mitchell Associates (www.PeterMitchell.org)

n Thegreatestnumberofbodiesisexhumedinthecourseof

massexhumationsforsomesortofredevelopmentwork.Thatoftenreflectsthedeclineofchurchcongregationsandtheuseofthechurchsiteforsomethingaltogetherdifferent.Forexample,Ioncearrangedtheclearanceofachurchsothatarangeofshopscouldbebuilt.Similarly,Iproject-managedtheexhumationsofpartofachurchyardtoenableStPancrasStationtobeadaptedforEurostar.

However,thereareinstanceswhereitisthethrivingchurchthatwantsexhumationtoenableexpansionanddevelopmentoftheirfacilities.

Itoftenpaysdividendstohaveadesk-topstudycompletedbylocalarchaeologists,whichisoftenrequiredat

theplanningapplicationstage.Oldmapsandrecordsorearlierexcavationworkcanprovidevitalcluesastothelocationandextentoftheburials.Anunusualbonusistofindaplanshowingthelocationoftheburials.

However,itneverceasestoamazemethatthewords‘BurialGround’onanoldmaparemissed.Latermapsomitthemandmodernreadersseemtobesatisfiedthattheabsenceofsuchwordsmustmeanthattherearenobodiesleftonthesite:thatisoftennotthecase.

Archaeologistsmaybeinvolvedonawatchingbriefbasis.Thesecostsandpotentialimpactsonprojectdurationalsoneedfactoringin.

Theexhumationteamshouldbesuitablyvettedtoensurethattheyarecompetent

tocompletethetaskwiththeminimumofdisruptionandthemaximumofprofessionalism.Unfortunately,thereisno‘GuildofMasterExhumers’andtheclientmustusetheirowndiscretioninsatisfyingthemselvesthattheexhumationteamhasahistoryofsatisfiedclientsandanabsenceofnegativemediacoverage.Aswithallotherelementsofaproject,thelowestcostdoesnotnecessarilymeanthebestvalueformoney.Itdoesn’tmatterhowoldburiedhumanremainsmaybe,theydeserverespectfultreatment.Whenmeetingexhumationspecialistsonsite,askyourself:“WouldIletthesepeopleexhumemyrelative?”Ifyouwouldn’t,thenwhyemploythemtomoveanyoneelse?q

Taken from an article first published in 2009

Exhumation

��

New churches reflect changing timesn IntheheadydaysofCorporationHousingDevelopmentin

the1950sand60s,thenortheastofGlasgowsawtwonew‘schemes’ofcouncilhousingdeveloped:Easterhouseand,slightlytothewest,GarthamlockandCraigendEast.InbothareastheChurchofScotlandconstructednewchurchesonlandsetasidebythethen-GlasgowCorporation.

Bythelate1990sbothchurchbuildingswereshowingtheirage.Testingofmaterialshighlightedthat,induecourse,thebestoptionwouldbereplacement.Theareasaroundthechurcheswerescheduledformajorhousingredevelopmentandthat,alongwiththechurchbuildingsreachingtheendoftheirconstructionlife,ledtothedevelopmentofproposalsfornewchurches.

FinancedthroughtheChurchofScotlandPriorityAreasCommittee,withthedesignandconstructionphaseledbytheCentralPropertiesDepartment(CPD),thepreparationofabriefbeganinearnestin2008.

Thedesignteamwascarefullyselectedtorespondtothechallenges.JamesFStephenArchitectswereappointedasthedesignteamleaders.Previousworkingpartnershipexperiencewouldbeessentialintheprojectstomaximisethepotentialoutcomeforbothdevelopments.

ItisthepracticeforCPDtoworkwiththecongregationtodevelopthebriefanddeterminetheactualneeds,thentoworkwiththatinformationtoprepareabriefforthearchitectthatwillrespondtothepresentandfutureneedsofthecongregation.Inthecaseofthesetwoprojectsitwasimperativetomaximisefloorspaceagainstbudgetavailability.Thatnecessitatedtheacceptanceoffullymulti-purposedesignswhichcouldbeutilisednotonlyasthechurch,butalsoasacommunityresource.Itshouldbenotedthatfromtheoutsettheoptionofutilisingthesamedesignforbothbuildingswasnotanoption.

Withbothareasintheprocessofsubstantialredevelopmentinregardtohousingprovision–andinatraditionalform–theoptionsforradicaldesignwerelimited,astheplanningauthoritieswerekeenthatmaterialssimilartothatofthehousingwereusedinthedesigns.Thechallengewasthereforetodevelopdesignsthat,althoughusingmoretraditionalmaterialsforexternalfinishes,stillhadsignificanceinthemannerinwhichthebuildingspresentedthemselvestothecommunity.

Generallyoftimberframeconstruction,withfacingbrickandconcretetileexternally,thebuildingsareofarobustnatureexternally,whileinternallythecarefuluseofspacehasprovidedmulti-roomedbuildingswithsanctuariesthatwillprovidethedignityforworshipyetprovideactivityspaceforavarietyofpurposes.

Communicationisakeyaspectwithinanychurchbuilding.Theuseofthelatestaudiovisualtechnologiesprovidesavisionandacousticexperiencethroughoutthebuildings.

Itwashopedtouseground-sourceheatpumpsforeffectiveheating,butthegroundconditionsdictatedotherwise.Withsomedisappointment,themoretraditionalrouteofgas-firedboilershadtobefollowed.However,theinsulationspecificationwasincreasedbeyondthatrequiredbyBuildingRegulations,solowerratedheatingplantcouldbespecified.

Theclosenessofthetwoprojectshadenabledthetenderingprocesstooffertheprojectsindividuallyorasapair.ThatprovidedasignificantfinancialbenefittotheChurchofScotlandandawelcomeboosttoaprospectivecontractorinthesedifficulttradingtimes.Followingthetenderprocess,bothcontractswerelettoStewartMilneConstruction.

Workcommencedonbothsiteson14Septemberlastyearwitha42-weekcontractatGarthamlockandCraigendEastanda46-weekcontractatEasterhouse.

Workprogressedwelldespitetheharshwinter,althoughtimedelaysduetoweatherwereinevitable–particularlyduetotheextremelowtemperatureswhichrequiredsiteoperativestotakeregularbreaks.Despitethechallengeoftheweather,theprojectsareonlyslightlydelayedandmayyetbecompletedontime.

Lookingforwardtocompletion,thefit-outphasewillbeundertakenbyCPD.Theethosistoprovideacompletebuildingandallfurnishingshavebeenspecifiedinconjunctionwiththecongregations.Whencompleted,thenewbuildingswillprovideafocusforthecongregationsandthecommunities,bringingopportunitiesforthefuturethattheoriginalbuildingshadover50yearsago.q

Chu

rche

sin

Sco

tland

��

Prayers are answered with new halln SomeyearsagoStSilasEpiscopal

ChurchinGlasgow,likemanyotherchurches,hadfewchildrenandyoungpeople,soagroupoftheoldermembersdecidedtopraythatGodwouldbringmorekidsintothecongregation.Since2000,itisreckonedthat95childrenhavebeenborntoStSilasfamiliesandatonepointtherewereeightornineclearlypregnantwomenatthesametime.

Althoughitisalovelyandgoodsizedbuildingwhichhadseenmanychanges,particularlyovertheprevious25years,itwasnotwellsuppliedwithroomsorspacesforchildren’swork,staffofficesorcommunityactivities.Soabout10yearsagothecongregationdecidedthatitsnextdevelopmentpriorityhadtobeanewhall.

StSilashasahistoryofdevelopmentandadaptationsinceitscommissioningin1864.ThechurchitselfwasdesignedbyJohnHoneyman,awellknownarchitectwhosepracticewasjoinedbyCharlesRennieMackintosh,thelaterhallbeingtheworkofMilesGibson,aboutwhommuchlessisknown.

ThehallwasdisproportionatelysmallinrelationtothesizeofthechurchanditsL-shapedlayoutandthepositionofdoorsandwindowsmadesubdividingimpractical.Inaddition,itoftenfeltcoldanddampandthesandstonewasconstantlyshedding,causingproblemswithdust.

ThechurchhadalreadyworkedwithDonMcLeanandCraigGovanatMcLeanArchitectsonacoupleofprojects,sotheywereaskedtocomeupwithadesign.Thedesignwasdeclinedbecauseofthe‘B’listingofthebuilding;however,convincedformanyreasonsthattheyhadagoodcase,thechurchemployedaplanningconsultanttohelpputtheircase.Interestingly,thepersonappointedwasfromKeppiePlanning,anoffshootoftheoriginalHoneymanandKeppiepractice!

InJune2006permissionwasgrantedbyHistoricScotlandtoreplacethehallsubjecttovariousconditions.

Withthedesignteaminplace,thedetaileddesignwascompletedandthechurchwasabletogetanindicativeelementalcostfromQSArmourConstructionConsultantsinJune2007.

MaincontractorFlemingsstartedonsiteinmid-Septemberandithasbeenexcitingtoseethingsdeveloping,firstwiththedemolitionofthehallandthenthesteelframegoingupandnowtheroofandwallsbeingcompleted.q

ChurchesinScotland

��

��

Cast in stoneCast stone is a firm favourite for conservation and refurbishment work.ANDY COTTON chair of UKCSA explains the reasons why.

UnitedKingdom

CastStoneA

ssociation

n SinceGeorgiantimes,caststonehasbeenafamiliarandmuch-usedalternativetoexpensivenaturalstone.Itsclassical

detailsareusedtoenhanceentrances,openingsandgables,addingdistinctionandvalueoutofallproportiontocost.

Caststoneevokesasenseoftimelessnesswhichfitsinwithanytypeofmassiveconstruction,fromdomestichousingtocathedrals.It’sahighlyversatilematerial,idealforperiodandcontemporarystyles,stoneandreconstructedstonebuildings,anditcomplementsbrickworkandrender.Alltypesofarchitecturalstoneworkcanbeproduced–large,smallandstructurallyreinforced–andcaststone’sabilitytoformcomplexshapesmakesitidealforornatedetailing.

Caststoneisaspecialformofsimulatedstone,ahighqualityfacingmaterialsynonymouswithreconstructedstone.ItsoriginsdatebacktoancientRomeandthefirstarchitecturallysignificantuseofsimulatedstoneinBritainwasCoadstone,usedforclassicaldetailingbyRobertAdamandJohnNash.AccordingtotheUKCSA,caststoneis‘anymaterialmadewithnaturalaggregatesandcementitiousbinderthatisintendedtoresembleandbeusedinasimilarwaytonaturalstone’.

Thematerialisregularlyusedinareasofsensitiveplanningconstraintsorwherestoneisapredominantmaterial.Itsuseinrestorationandconservationincludesthereplacementorrepairofnaturalstoneworkdamagedbyexposureorneglect.

OnerecentexampleisPrincessParkManorinnorthLondon.AVictorianhospitalbuildinghasbeenconvertedintoluxuryapartments,usingawiderangeofcaststonedetailstore-createtheItalianatesplendouroftheoriginalelevations.ManufacturedbyPDEdenhall,thedetailsincludecolumnsandtheirentablatures,plinths,quoins,cornices,dentrilstringcourses,windowsurroundsandbalustrading.Althoughbespoke,thedegreeofrepetitiononthemouldingsledtoeconomiesofscale.

InEssex,caststonefromProcterCastStonehadmadeasignificantcontributiontotheconversionandrestorationofaGrade

Two-listedformerhospitalatBrentwood,into130homes.CaststonewasextensivelyusedtoreplacedamagedPortlandstonedetailsonthemullionedwindows,gablesandoctagonaltoweroftheexistingVictorianGothicbuildingaswellasfor

extensionsandnewbuildings.Meanwhile,Haddonstonehascreatednumerousbespokedetails

fortherestorationandextensionofchurchandheritagebuildingsthroughouttheUK,includinganimpressivethreelightwindowsurroundforanextensiontoStMary’schurchinLoughton.ThecompanyalsocreatedcaststonepinnaclestoreplacedecayedstoneworkonthechapelatMalvernCollege.

Aswithanybuildingmaterial,it’simportantyoucantrustthemanufacturer.Whenitcomestocaststone,theUKCSAistheguardianofqualityanditslogoguaranteesthatyou’regettingthebest.Theassociationsetshighperformancestandardsandmembersmustgothroughastrictvettingprocedure.Theirlevelsofquality-controlledmanufactureensurethestrongestcaststoneavailable–atleast40%strongerthanthebasicBritishStandardrequirement.Thismeansoutstandingdurability,bettersitehandlingandbetterbuildability.

UKCSAmembersalsotakeserviceseriously,withdesignandtechnicaladvice,properpackagingandreliabledelivery.q

The association’s website www.ukcsa.co.uk shows everything you need to know about this popular material and provides a sound basis for its specification. The site also provides information about UKCSA and its members – the UK’s leading cast stone manufacturers: Bradstone, Broadmead Renaissance Cast Stone, Forticrete, Haddonstone, PD Edenhall, Plean Precast, Procter Cast Stone and Woodside Cast Stone.

58

Victorian hospitals get new lease of life; cast stone helps preserve their looks

The quality of bespoke cast stone from UKCSA memberProcter Cast Stone has made a significant contribution to the

restoration and conversion of a Grade Two-listed Victorian formerhospital into 130 homes. Essex-based housebuilder City & CountryGroup won top property industry accolades for the development, TheGalleries in Brentwood, Essex.

Cast stone was extensively used to replace damaged Portland stonedetails on the mullioned windows, gables and octagonal tower ofthe existing Victorian Gothic building as well as for extensions andnew buildings. The cast stone dressings included window and doorsurrounds, plinth and string courses, buttress stones, steps, baywindows, copings and gable vents.

Procter’s staff worked closely with Brewster Bye Architects and thedeveloper from preliminary meetings, achieving planning approvalfor the use of cast stone on a listed building, correct colour matchingand the production of CAD drawings. Deliveries to site were phasedto meet the developer’s requirements and hundreds of cast stoneelements were individually labelled for easy identification.

Mark Jones of City & Country Construction thanked the Procterteam for their “...excellent service and commitment and for thesignificant contribution that the quality of your products has offeredthis prestigious development”.

In April Procter Cast Stone became the latest full member of the UKCast Stone Association (UKCSA), the guardian of quality for cast stoneand representing the leading manufacturers.

Uni

ted

King

dom

Cas

tSto

neA

ssoc

iatio

n

Procter’s managing director Jeremy Procter said: “Over many yearswe have built a strong reputation for the quality of our products andexceptional standards of customer service. Now our full membershipof UKCSA gives customers even greater confidence in our abilities.Moreover, it demonstrates that we maintain the highest standards inthe industry, whether customers are buying from our standard rangeor we are manufacturing bespoke units to an architect’s designs.”

Meanwhile, another Victorian hospital building – this time at FriernBarnet in Middlesex – has been sympathetically converted into luxuryapartments by developer Comer Homes. A wide range of cast stonearchitectural details from UKCSA member PD Edenhall was used tore-create the Italianate splendour of the original elevations.

The cast stone details – which include columns and theirentablatures, plinths, quoins, cornices, dentil string courses, windowsurrounds andbalustrading– were designedin conjunction withthe developer’sarchitect. Althoughbespoke, the degreeof repetition on themouldings led toeconomies ofscale.

��

�0