Wells Cathedral

History

Early years

There is archaeological evidence of a late Roman mausoleum on the site.

The first church was established here in 705 by King Ine of Wessex, at the urging of Aldhelm, Bishop of Sherborne, in whose diocese it lay. It was dedicated to Saint Andrew. The only remains of this first church are some excavated foundations which can be seen in the cloisters. The baptismal font in the south transept is the oldest surviving part of the cathedral which is dated to c.700 AD.

Two centuries later, the seat of the diocese was shifted to Wells from Sherborne. The first Bishop of Wells was Athelm (circa 909), who crowned King Athelstan. Athelm and his nephew Saint Dunstan both became Archbishops of Canterbury.. It was also around this time that Wells Cathedral School was founded.

Present structure

The roof of Wells Cathedral.

The present structure was begun under the direction of Bishop Reginald de Bohun, who died in 1184. Wells Cathedral dates primarily from the late twelfth and early thirteenth centuries; the nave and transept are masterpieces of the Early English style of architecture. It was largely complete at the time of its dedication in 1239.

The bishop responsible for the construction was Jocelyn of Wells, a brother of Bishop Hugh II of Lincoln, and one of the bishops at the signing of Magna Carta. Jocelyn’s building campaigns also included the Bishop’s Palace, a choristers’ school, a grammar school, hospital for travellers and a chapel. He also built a manor at Wookey, near Wells. The master mason designer associated with Jocelyn was Elias of Dereham (died 1246). Jocelyn lived to see the church dedicated, but despite much lobbying of Rome, died before cathedral status was granted in 1245. He died on November 19, 1242, at Wells and was buried in the choir of Wells Cathedral. He may have been the father of Nicholas of Wells. The memorial brass on his tomb is supposedly one of the earliest brasses in England. Masons continued with the enrichment of the West Front until about 1260.

King John was excommunicated between 1209 and 1213. During this time, work on the cathedral was suspended. In this period, building technology advanced so that bigger blocks of masonry could be moved and incorporated into the walls. The effect of this technological advance can be seen on the walls of the cathedral; at a particular point in the building’s walls, the blocks of stone can be seen to increase in size.

The Chapter House steps – dating to 1306.

The inverted arch in Wells Cathedral, in 2006.

By the time the building was finished, including the Chapter House (1306), it already seemed too small for the developing liturgy, in particular the increasingly grand processions. A new spate of expansive building was therefore initiated with Bishop John Drokensford starting the proceedings by heightening of the central tower and beginning a dramatic eight-sided Lady chapel at the far east end, finished by 1326. Thomas of Whitney was the master mason.

Bishop Ralph of Shrewsbury followed, continuing the eastward extension of the quire, and the retro-quire beyond with its forest of pillars. He also built Vicars’ Close and the Vicars’ Hall, to give the men of the choir a secure place to live and dine, away from the town with all its temptations. He enjoyed an uneasy relationship with the citizens of Wells, partly because of his imposition of taxes, and felt the need to surround his palace with crenellated walls and a moat and drawbridge.

The appointment of William Wynford as master mason in 1365 marked another period of activity. He was one of the foremost architects of his time and, apart from Wells, was engaged in work for the king at Windsor and at New College, Oxford and Winchester Cathedral. Under Bishop John Harewell, who raised money for the project, he built the south-west tower of the West Front and designed the north west, which was built to match in the early 1400s. Inside the building he filled in the early English lancet windows with delicate tracery.

In the fourteenth century the central piers of the crossing were found to be sinking under the weight of the crossing tower, so the “scissor arches” (inverted strainer arches that are such a striking feature) were inserted to brace and stabilize the piers as a unit.

Tudors and civil war

By the reign of Henry VII the cathedral building was complete, with an appearance much as today. Following the dissolution of the monasteries in 1541 the income of the cathedral was reduced; as a result medieval brasses were sold off, and a pulpit was placed in the nave for the first time.

North side of Wells Cathedral

Elizabeth I gave both the Chapter and the Vicars Choral a new charter in 1591 which created a new governing body, consisting of the dean and eight residentiary canons. This body had control over the estates of the church as well as complete authority over its affairs, but removed its right to elect its own dean. The stability which the new charter brought came to an end with the onset of the civil war and the execution of Charles I. Local fighting led to damage to the fabric of the cathedral including stonework, furniture and windows. The dean at this time was Dr. Walter Ralegh, a nephew of the explorer Sir Walter Raleigh. He was imprisoned after the fall of Bridgwater to the Parliamentarians in 1645, brought back to Wells and confined in the deanery. His jailer was the local shoe maker and city constable, David Barrett, who caught him writing a letter to his wife. When he refused to surrender it, Mr Barrett ran him through with a sword, from which he died six weeks later, on 10 October 1646 and he was buried in the choir before the deans stall. No inscription marks his grave.

During the Commonwealth of England under Oliver Cromwell no dean was appointed and the building fell into disrepair. The bishop was in retirement and some clergy were reduced to performing menial tasks or begging on the streets.

1660-1800

The west front

In 1661 when Charles II was restored to the throne, Robert Creyghtone, who had served as the king’s chaplain in exile, was appointed as the dean and later served as the bishop for two years before his death in 1672. His magnificent brass lectern, given in thanksgiving, can still be seen in the cathedral. He donated the great west window of the nave at a cost of 140.

Following Creyghtone’s appointment as Bishop Ralph Bathurst, who had been president of Trinity College, Oxford, chaplain to the king, fellow of the Royal Society, took over as the dean. During his long tenure restoration of the fabric of the cathedral took place. During the Monmouth Rebellion of 1685, puritan soldiers damaged the West front, tore lead from the roof to make bullets, broke the windows, smashed the organ and the furnishings, and for a time stabled their horses in the nave. The work of restoration had to start all over again under Bishop Thomas Ken who was appointed in that year and served until 1691. He was one of seven bishops imprisoned for refusing to sign King James II’s “Declaration of Indulgence”, which would have enabled Catholics to resume positions of political power, but popular support led to his acquittal. He later refused to take the oath of allegiance to William and Mary because James II had not formally abdicated. Thomas Ken and others (known as the Non-Jurors; the older meaning of “juror” is “one who takes an oath”, hence “perjurer” as “one who swears falsely”) refused and were put out of office. He was forced to retire to Frome.

Bishop Kidder who succeeded him was killed during the Great Storm of 1703, when two chimney stacks in the palace fell on the bishop and his wife, asleep in bed. This same storm wrecked the Eddystone lighthouse and blew in part of the great west window in Wells.

Victorian era and restoration

The nave and strainer arches c.1890

In the middle of the 1800s a major restoration programme was needed. Under Dean Goodenough the monuments were removed to the cloisters and remaining medieval paint and whitewash was removed in an operation known as the ‘the great scrape’. Anthony Salvin, took charge of the extensive restoration of the quire. The wooden galleries were removed and new stalls with stone canopies were placed further back within the line of the arches. The stone screen was pushed outwards in the centre to support a new organ. Since then a rolling programme of improvement to the fabric has been continued.

The cloisters

Original records

Three early registers of the dean and chapter of Wells – the Liber Albus I (White Book; R I), Liber Albus II (R III), and Liber Ruber (Red Book; R II, section i) – were edited by W. H. B. Bird for the Historical Manuscripts Commissioners and published in 1907. These three books comprise, with some repetition, a cartulary of possessions of the cathedral, with grants of land dating back as early as the 8th century, well before the development of hereditary surnames in England; acts of the dean and chapter; and surveys of their estates, mostly in Somerset.

Architecture

Plan, showing the four massive piers of the crossing (centre), the octagonal chapter house (top) and the extended east end (right)

The interior of the cathedral is based on three aisles, with stress being placed on horizontal, rather than vertical lines. A unique feature in the crossing are the double pointed inverted arches, known as owl-eyed strainer arches. This unorthodox solution was found by the cathedral mason, William Joy in 1338, to stop the central tower from collapsing when another stage and spire were added to the tower which had been begun in the 13th century. The capitals in the south west arm of the transept include depictions such as a bald-headed man, a man with toothache, a thorn-extractor, and a moral tale: fruit thieves being caught and punished.

The west faade, is 100 feet (30 m) high and 150 feet (46 m) wide with niches for more than 500 medieval figure sculptures of which 300 survive. Between 1975 and 1986 the west front underwent a major cleaning and restoration programme, including Silane coating and Lime treatment for many of the statues.

The West front is composed of a yellow stone, inferior oolite, of the middle Jurassic era which came from the Doulting Stone Quarry about 8 miles (13 km) to the East.

Stained glass

Stained glass at the eastern end

Wells Cathedral contains one of the most substantial collections of medieval stained glass in England.

Many of the windows were damaged by soldiers in 1642 and 1643. The oldest surviving are two windows on the west side of the Chapter House staircase date from 1280-90, and two windows in the south choir aisle which are from 13101320. The Lady Chapel range is from 13251330, and includes images of local saint Dunstan, however the east window underwent extensive repairs by Thomas Willement in 1845. The choir east window is a fine Jesse Tree, which includes significant silver stain, and is flanked by two windows each side in the clerestory, with large figures of saints, all of which are from 13401345. The 1520 panels in the chapel of St Katherine are attributed to Arnold of Nijmegen and were acquired from the destroyed church of Saint-Jean, Rouen, the last panel was bought in 1953. The large triple lancet to the nave west end was glazed at the expense of Dean Creyghton at a cost of 140 in 1664 and repaired in 1813. The central light was largely replaced to a design by Archibald Keightley Nicholson between 19251931. The main north and south transept end windows are by Powell, and were erected in the early 20th century.

The font

“Grotesque” capital showing one man hitting another with a spade. Albumen print, ca. 1876-1895

Fittings and monuments

The cathedral contains architectural features and fittings some dating back hundreds of years, and tombs and monuments to bishops and noblemen.

The brass lectern in the Lady Chapel is from 1661 and has a moulded stand and foliate crest. In the north transept chapel is a 17th century oak screen with columns, formerly part of cow stalls, with artisan Ionic capitals and cornice, which is set forward over chest tomb of John Godilee. There is a bound oak chest from the 14th century which would have been used to store the Chapter Seal and key documents. The Bishop’s Throne dates from 1340, and has a panelled, canted front and stone doorway, and a deep nodding cusped ogee canopy over it, with 3 stepped statue niches and pinnacles. The throne was restored by Anthony Salvin around 1850. Opposite the throne is a 19th century pulpit, which is octagonal on a coved base with panelled sides, and steps up from the north aisle. The round font in the south transept is from the former Saxon cathedral, it has an arcade of round-headed arches, on a round plinth and a cover made in 1635 cover with heads of putti round sides. The Chapel of St Martin is a memorial to every Somerset man who fell in World War I.

The monuments and tombs include:

Bishop Giso, died 1088

Bishop Bytton died 1274

Bishop William of March, died 1302

John Drokensford, died 1329

John Godelee, died 1333

John Middleton, died c1350

Ralph of Shrewsbury, died 1363

Bishop Harewell died 1386

William Bykonyll died c1448

John Bernard, died 1459

Bishop Bekynton, died 1464

John Gunthorpe, died 1498

John Still died 1607

Robert Creyghton died 1672

Bishop Kidder, died 1703

Bishop Hooper, died 1727

Bishop Harvey died 1894

Clock

The clock

The Wells clock is an astronomical clock in the north transept. The surviving mechanism, dated to between 1386 and 1392, was replaced in the 19th century, and was eventually moved to the Science Museum in London, where it continues to operate. It is the second-oldest surviving clock in England. The dial represents the geocentric view of the universe, with sun and moon revolving round a central fixed earth. It still has its original medieval face and, like the astronomical clock at Ottery St Mary, shows a philosophical model of the pre-Copernican universe with the earth at its centre. As well as showing the time on a 24 hour dial, it also reflects the motion of the sun and the moon, the phases of the moon, and the time since the last new moon.

When the clock strikes every quarter, jousting knights move around above the clock and the Quarter jack bangs the quarter hours with his heels. An outside clock opposite Vicars’ Hall, placed there just over seventy years after the interior clock, is connected with the inside mechanism.

Misericords

Wells has 64 misericords dating from 1330 to 1340, twelve of these were never completed. Although a few represent everyday scenes, such as two goats butting each other and a lamb suckling from a ewe, the subject matter of the majority is mythological.

Library

The cathedral is also famous for its library, which was built in the mid fifteenth century. Located over the East Cloister, the library holds the Chapter’s collection in two rooms, with volumes published before 1800 being held in the Old Library. The library’s medieval collection was destroyed during the reformation. The cathedral’s earliest records are held in the Muniment Room at the southern end of the Library.

The volumes held reflects the Canon’s wide-ranging intellectual interests. The collection’s core subject is theology, but science, medicine, history, exploration and languages are also well-represented .

The library is open to the public at appointed times during summer, with a small exhibition of documents and books.

Bells

Wells Cathedral has ten bells. These are the heaviest ring of ten bells in the world with a tenor bell that weighs 56 cwt. They are hung for full circle ringing in the English style. These bells are now hung in the South West Tower although originally a small number of bells were hung in the lantern. The oldest bells are the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th and 8th that date from 1757. Other bells have been added at various times until 1964 when the current 6th bell was hung. Details of the bells are:

1, weight: 7-3-12, cast: 1891 Mears & Stainbank

2, weight: 9-0-2, cast: 1891 Mears & Stainbank

3, weight: 10cwt, cast: 1757 Abel Rudhall

4, weight: 10cwt, cast: 1757 Abel Rudhall

5, weight: 12cwt, cast: 1757 Abel Rudhall

6, weight: 15-1-14, cast: 1964 Mears & Stainbank

7, weight: 20cwt, cast: 1757 Abel Rudhall

8, weight: 23cwt, cast: 1757 Abel Rudhall

9, weight: 32-0-0, cast: 1877 John Taylor & Co

10, weight: 56-1-14, cast: 1877 John Taylor & Co

Deans of Wells

See the list of the Deans of Wells

Organ and organists

Organ

Organ seen from the crossing.

The first record of an organ dates from 1310, with a smaller organ, probably for the Lady Chapel, being installed in 1415. In 1620 a new organ, built by Thomas Dallam, was installed at a cost of 398 1s 5d, however this was destroyed by parliamentary soldiers in 1643 and another new organ was built in 1662, which was enlarged in 1786, and again in 1855. In 19091910 a new organ was built by Harrison & Harrison with the best parts of old organ retained, and this has been maintained by the same company since.

Organists

1416 – 1418 Walter Bagele (or Vageler)

1421 – 1422 Robert Cator

1428 – 1431 John Marshal

1437 – 1462 John Marchell

1461 – 1462 John Menyman (joint)

1461 – 1462 Richard Hygons (joint)

1497 – 1507 Richard Hygons

1507 – 1508 Richard Bramston

1508 John Clawsy (or Clavelleshay)

1514 William Mylwhard

1515 – 1531 Richard Bramston

1534 – 1538 John Smyth

1547 – 1554 Nicholas Prynne

1556 – 1557 John Marker

1558 Robert Awman

1559 – 1562 William Lyde

1563 Thomas Tanner

1568 Matthew Nailer

1587 John Clerk

1600 Thomas Hunt

1608 James Weare

1613 – 1614 Edmund Tucker

1614 – 1619 Richard Brown

1619 – 1642 John Oker (or Okeover)

1663 – 1674 John Brown

1674 Mr Hall

1674 – 1688 John Jackson

1688 – 1690 Robert Hodge

1690 – 1712 John George

1713 – 1726 William Broderip

1726 Joseph Millard

1727 – 1740 William Evans

1741 Jacob Nickells

1741 – 1771 John Broderip

1771 – 1773 Peter Parfitt

1773 – 1781 Robert Parry

1781 – 1820 Dodd Perkins

1820 – 1859 William Perkins

1859 – 1896 Charles Williams Lavington

1896 – 1899 Percy Carter Buck

1899 – 1933 Revd. Canon Thomas Henry Davis

1933 – 1936 Conrad William Eden

1936 – 1971 Denys Pouncey

1971 – 1996 Anthony Crossland

1996 – 2004 Malcolm Archer

2004 – 2005 Rupert Gough (acting)

2005 Matthew Owens

Assistant organists

Charles William Lavington ???? – 1842

Frederick Joseph William Crowe (later organist of Chichester Cathedral)

Harry Charles Moody 1894 – 1895 (then acting organist 1895)

Frederick William Heck 1896 – 1897 (afterwards organist of Bedminster Parish Church)

W. J. Bown

R.J. Maddern Williams 1904 – 1906 (afterwards sub-organist of Norwich Cathedral).

Kenneth J Miller 1906

Frank W. Porkess

Marmaduke Conway 1920 – 1925 (later organist of Ely Cathedral)

Conrad William Eden 1927 – 1933 (then organist)

Michael Peterson 1948 – 1953

Anthony Crossland 1961 – 1970

David Anthony Cooper 1977 – 1983 (later organist of Blackburn Cathedral)

Christopher Brayne 1983 – 1990 (later organist of Bristol Cathedral)

David Ponsford

Andrew Nethsingha 1990 – 1994

Rupert Gough 1994 – 2005

David Bednall 2002 -

Jonathan Vaughn 2007 -

This list is incomplete; you can help by expanding it.

See also the List of Organ Scholars at Wells Cathedral.

Media

In filming for the 2007 Doctor Who episode The Lazarus Experiment the cathedral interior stood in for that of Southwark Cathedral. Parts of the Academy Award-nominated 2007 film Elizabeth: The Golden Age were also filmed in the cathedral.

In Filming the 2007 comedy film Hot Fuzz the spiral staircase inside of the Cathedral is used for a dramatic Murder scene look.

See also

Early botanist William Turner (died 1568), who was Dean of Wells.

William Robinson Clark Dean of Taunton and prebendary of Wells 18591880.

List of Church of England dioceses

List of cathedrals in the United Kingdom

Diocese of Bath and Wells

List of Bishops of Bath and Wells and precursor offices

Architecture of the medieval cathedrals of England

English Gothic architecture

Church of England

Wells Cathedral School

References

^ a b Clifton-Taylor, Alec (1967). The Cathedrals of England. Thames and Hudson. 

^ Tatton-Brown, Tim; John Crook (2002). The English Cathedral. New Holland Publishers. ISBN 1-84330-120-2. 

^ Lee, Lawrence; George Seddon, Francis Stephens, (1976). Stained Glass. Spring Books. ISBN 0-600-56281-6. 

^ a b c d e f “Cathedral Church of St Andrew, Chapter House and Cloisters”. Images of England. http://www.imagesofengland.org.uk/details/default.aspx?id=483287. Retrieved 2008-02-10. 

^ Adkins, Lesley; Roy Adkins (1992). A field guide to Somerset archeology. Wimborne: Dovecote Press. pp. 118119. ISBN 0946159947. 

^ “Wells Cathedral”. Britania.com. http://www.britannia.com/history/somerset/churches/wellscath.html. Retrieved 23 January 2010. 

^ “Virtual tour of Wells Cathedral”. RE:Quest. http://www.request.org.uk/main/churches/tours/wells/font.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-10. 

^ “History & Architecture of Wells Cathedral”. Britannia. http://www.britannia.com/history/somerset/churches/wellscath.html. Retrieved 2008-02-10. 

^ Powicke Handbook of British Chronology p. 251

^ “History”. Wells Cathedral. http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/history/archaelogy/wellscathedral.shtml. Retrieved 2008-02-10. 

^ a b British History Online Bishops of Bath accessed on September 23, 2007

^ a b c Dunning “Wells, Jocelin of (d. 1242)” ‘Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Online Edition accessed November 15, 2007

^ Fryde Handbook of British Chronology p. 228

^ “Wells Cathedral”. Sacred destinations. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/england/wells-cathedral.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-10. 

^ “Wells Cathedral”. Isle of Albion. http://www.isleofalbion.co.uk/wellscathedral/. Retrieved 2008-02-10. 

^ a b “Local history”. Wells UK. http://www.wells-uk.com/local_history.php. Retrieved 2008-02-10. 

^ page 352, English Medieval Architects A Biographical Dictionary Down to 1550, John Harvey 1984

^ Somerset by Wade, G.W. & Wade, J.H. at Project Gutenberg

^ “Wells Cathedral”. Timeref. http://www.btinternet.com/~timeref/hpl285.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-10. 

^ a b “Changes of monarch”. Wells cathedral. http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/history/presentbuilding/changesofmonarch.shtml. Retrieved 2008-02-10. 

^ “‘Colleges: The cathedral of Wells’, A History of the County of Somerset: Volume 2 (1911)”. British History Online. http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=40953. Retrieved 2008-02-10. 

^ “Hollywood parodies real life drama in Wells”. BBC Somerset. http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/content/articles/2007/10/24/elizabeth_feature.shtml. Retrieved 2008-02-10. 

^ Lee, Sidney (2001). Dictionary of National Biography. Adamant Media Corporation. pp. 206207. ISBN 1402170645. 

^ Lehmberg, Stanford E. (1996). Cathedrals Under Siege: Cathedrals in English Society, 1600-1700. Penn State Press. pp. 55. ISBN 0271014946. 

^ Hopkins, Clare (2005). Trinity: 450 Years of an Oxford College Community. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 161. ISBN 0199518963. 

^ “The Monmouth rebellion and the bloody assize”. Somerset County Council. http://www.somerset.gov.uk/archives/ASH/Monmouthreb.htm. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 

^ “Wells Cathedral”. Magic Statistics. http://magicstatistics.com/2005/10/02/wells-cathedral/. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 

^ “November 27th”. Every-day book. http://www.uab.edu/english/hone/etexts/edb/day-pages/331-nov27.html. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 

^ “Newsletter no. 35, Spring 2000:”. The Center & Clark Newsletter On Line. http://www.humnet.ucla.edu/humnet/c1718cs/Nltr35.html. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 

^ “Restoration”. Wells Cathedral. http://www.wellscathedral.org.uk/history/presentbuilding/restoration.shtml. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 

^ Liber Albus I (White Book; R I), Liber Albus II (R III), and Liber Ruber (Red Book; R II, section i) indexed by surname: scans available online.

^ “The Medieval Stonemason”. BBC History. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/middle_ages/architecture_medmason_02.shtml. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 

^ “Why ancient cathedrals stand up: The structural design of masonry” (PDF). Ingenia. http://www.ingenia.org.uk/ingenia/issues/issue10/heyman.pdf. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 

^ Sale, Richard (2007). Somerset: A landmark visitors guide (3rd Ed). Ashbourne: Landmark Publishing. pp. 149150. ISBN 9781843063285. 

^ Caroe, M.B. (1985). “Wells Cathedral Conservation of Figure Sculptures 1975-1984″. Bulletin of the Association for Preservation Technology 17 (2): 313. doi:10.2307/1494129. http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0044-9466(1985)17:2<2:WCCOFS>2.0.CO;2-C. Retrieved 2008-02-12. 

^ “Wells Cathedral”. Open University Geological Society. http://www.ougswessex.fsnet.co.uk/rep2003/wells.html. Retrieved 2008-03-17. 

^ a b c “The Medieval Stained Glass of Wells Cathedral” (PDF). British Academy. http://www.britac.ac.uk/pubs/review/_pdfs/09/07-ayers.pdf. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 

^ Leete-Hodge, Lornie (1985). Curiosities of Somerset. Bodmin: Bossiney Books. pp. 20. ISBN 0906456983. 

^ “Wells Cathedral clock, c.1392″. Science Museum. http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/time_measurement/1884-77.aspx. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 

^ “Wells Cathedral”. Isle of Albion. http://www.isleofalbion.co.uk/wellscathedral/. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 

^ a b c Wells Cathedral – Library & Archives

^ “Somerset, Wells Cathedral of St. Andrew, Dean & Chapter Of Wells [N06889"]. National Pipe Organ Register (NPOR). http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=N06889. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 

^ “Somerset, Wells Cathedral of St. Andrew, Dean & Chapter Of Wells N06890″. National Pipe Organ Register (NPOR). http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=N06890. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 

^ “Somerset, Wells Cathedral of St. Andrew, Dean & Chapter Of Wells N06891″. National Pipe Organ Register (NPOR). http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=N06891. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 

^ “Somerset, Wells Cathedral of St. Andrew, Dean & Chapter Of Wells N06892″. National Pipe Organ Register (NPOR). http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=N06892. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 

^ “Somerset, Wells Cathedral of St. Andrew, Dean & Chapter Of Wells N06893″. National Pipe Organ Register (NPOR). http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=N06893. Retrieved 2008-02-11. 

^ Dictionary of Organs and Organists. First Edition. 1912. p264

^ Dictionary of Organs and Organists. First Edition. 1912. p.286

^ Dictionary of Organs and Organists. First Edition. 1912. p251

^ Dictionary of Organs and Organists. First Edition. 1912. p.309

^ “Hollywood parodies real life drama in Wells”. BBC Somerset. http://www.bbc.co.uk/somerset/content/articles/2007/10/24/elizabeth_feature.shtml. Retrieved 2008-02-12. 

Further reading

Ayers, Tim (2004). The Medieval Stained Glass of Wells Cathedral. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780197262634. 

Cockerell, Charles Robert (1851). Iconography of the West Front of Wells Cathedral. J.H. Parker. http://books.google.com/books?id=RioEAAAAYAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=Iconography+of+the+West+Front+of+Wells+Cathedral&ei=qKNUSen1OISUzASWn5H6CA. 

Malone, Von Carolyn Marino (2004). Faade as Spectacle: Ritual and Ideology at Wells Cathedral. BRILL. ISBN 9004138404. 

Reid, R.D. (1963). Wells Cathedral. Friends of Wells Cathedral. ISBN 0902321110. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Wells Cathedral

Official Website

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Straight displays

Straight pop-ups are helpful to utilize exhibition space in an optimal manner. They are most suitable when you have a small space for display and discussions with visitors. In such a scenario you can go for straight pop-ups on the back walls. Against the display background, you can use the floor space for the customers.

Along with straight displays, you can arrange other displays like literature racks, banners, or table covers to highlight your products or services. This will create a good ambience in your exhibit space. Though the straight pop-up gives a good background, it is not as balanced as the curved model and you may need to provide extra attachments to make it steady.

Curved displays

Curved pop-up displays have more stability than straight displays due to their shape. They are more dynamic and aesthetic. The curved shape also provides the atmosphere of an enclosed and self contained discussion space where you can talk to your customers. This makes these displays very popular in trade shows. However, curved displays may require more space than straight displays.

Custom displays

Based on your requirement and the available space you can customize a display. Typically, straight and curved displays are joined together to make custom pop-ups. This is done in a modular way by using adjoining panels and it can be very useful if you have a large exhibit space. You can even divide the space using appropriate custom pop-ups. One of the best ways to organize your large exhibit space is by using different formations of custom pop-ups. This will help you effectively communicate your message to customers as well as create a self contained space for discussions.

Pop-ups are a very good medium to convince your customers about your products or services. The widespread availability of various types of pop-ups and their low cost makes them appealing for trade shows. A well considered pop-up gives visibility to the business and makes the exhibit space more interesting to customers.

To select the right type of pop-up, you need to factor in the space available and your communication objectives. With the right pop-up displays showing your message vividly through well designed and attractive graphics, you can significantly boost the effectiveness of your trade show booth.

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Posted by admin on December 31st, 2010 :: Filed under Pop Up Displays
Tags :: Displays, Popup, Types

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A description of different styles of mirrors

A mirror is an object that has at least one of its surfaces being reflective in nature. The first ‘mirrors’ were created using obsidian, a type of volcanic glass, in 6000BC. It is only during the early renaissance period that mirrors as we know them started being made in Europe, whereby glass was coated using a combination of tin and mercury. From then onwards, better quality mirrors have been made in many different styles.

Art Deco mirrors were first produced in Europe, Paris in particular, during the early 20th century and their popularity reached a zenith between the two world wars. Art Deco mirrors blend different styles including Modernism, Neoclassical, Art Nouveau and Cubism. The mirrors feature distinctive features like angular and geometric shapes, and frames of well-finished wood, iron or chrome. Art Deco mirrors are currently making a return and can be seen in many restaurants and homes.

The aesthetic value of the home can be greatly enhanced with the use of decorative wall mirrors. When these are hanged in various rooms they not only serve to show us our reflections but they also enhance the overall decor elegance by creating illusions of increased light and space. You will certainly be spoilt for choice when it comes to decorative wall mirrors since they come in many different shapes and sizes; you can use them functionally or aesthetically and this implies that you have to really think about their positioning in the house.

If you wish to brighten up your house, using full length mirrors may be the way to go. The cost of renovating can be quite steep considering the current times and rather than incurring such costs it may be appropriate to use various full length mirrors to give the house an interior facelift for a fraction of the conventional renovation budget. These mirrors will be of great help in producing illusions of depth and light especially when placed in positions where they can reflect natural sunlight to virtually every part of a room.

Multi faceted wall mirrors introduce more natural light into a room in a remarkably stylish manner on account of their multi angled pieces of glass from which sunlight bounces off in diverse directions. These mirrors make for beautiful reflections around the room with respect to the designs in which they are created.

With the help of ornate framed mirrors you can bring in more natural light into a room and as well make the space look larger. Framed mirrors are also functional in nature. They can be placed in different parts of the house including above fireplaces or in hallways and they’ll still achieve that very decorative outlook. In purchasing these mirrors you have a choice of going for ready-made or custom-made ornate frames crafted from various metal or wood materials.

Overmantle mirrors, like Art Deco mirrors, originated in France, and were associated with royalty and opulence. They were originally meant to liven up the usually sooty and dull fireplaces by introducing more natural light into the room. In buying overmantle mirrors you should be observant about the dimensions of the whole mirror and the colour of the wood that makes the frame so as not to out-dominate the fireplace and conflict the general decor of the room respectively.

Antique mirrors are increasingly popular home decoration accessories because they manage to add charm and glow into rooms quite uniquely. The Rococo mirror is an antique style that appeared at about the same era as the American Revolution and it is known for an asymmetrical design usually designed with ovals, knots and scrolls. Such mirrors blend really well with wrought iron furniture and wall sconces.

Children’ or novelty mirrors are generally shaped in child-friendly designs like letters and animals. For safety these mirrors are made of acrylic which is light and shatterproof but they are still very shiny and reflective.

Reflective surfaces become portals in this good-looking thriller starring Kiefer Sutherland as a haunted NYPD detective. 3/5

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Posted by admin on December 31st, 2010 :: Filed under Mirrors
Tags :: description, Different, mirrors, styles

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How to Fit Solid Wooden Floors

BASIC INSTRUCTIONS FOR FITTING SOLID WOOD FLOORING

You have chosen a solid wood floor which we are sure you will enjoy for years to come. Please read these instructions and advice before proceeding with installation or unpacking. Solid wood is a natural product and as such will react to its local environment by expanding and contracting. It is important that some basic rules are followed to ensure a trouble free installation and future enjoyment.

BEFORE INSTALLATION

Make sure that the cartons are stacked horizontally and flat. Open the ends so that the wood can acclimatise. All our boards are kiln dried to 8.5% moisture content and they need to acclimatise to your local environment in the rooms where they will be installed. You should allow at least 10 to 14 days for the boards to acclimatise making sure that you have a room temperature of about 18 degrees C with humidity no more than about 55%. Do not lay solid boards in basements for example, or over garages or open spaces such as open ground below the joists. In winter when the temperature is very low and the air is very dry you should use a humidifier if possible especially if the room is heated to a fairly high temperature.          

The following is very important

All wet trades such as plastering and wallpapering must be finished All the plaster must be totally dry Floor and wall tiles have been installed for at least 2 weeks Radiators have been bled with any leaks rectified The concrete sub floor has a moisture content of less than 10% All windows and doors are fully fixed All painting is completed All other trades have finished

SUB FLOORS

In most home we now have concrete floors and they should be checked for damp proof courses and also humidity. The surface should be firm, clean, level and grease free. If there is some possibility of dampness then use the Bona R410 to seal the floor. If the concrete floor is uneven by more than 2mm then you can use a self levelling compound but in this case you will not be able to glue the floor down as the glue may cause the levelling compound to break away.  

In older houses there is normally and air gap below the joists, in this case either use engineered boards or put a ply subfloor down with a damp proof membrane below to ensure that any humidity and temperature difference will not affect your solid floor once installed.

Where you are fixing to old floor boards you must make sure that they are firmly fixed and that there are no loose boards or protruding nails. It is always safest if you want to lay your new floor over an existing one that you add screws to the old boards as well as nails. If you want to take the old floor boards up then make sure the joists are sound and remove all the nails you can. If the old floorboards are substandard and you want to lay the new boards in the same direction then you should screw down a plywood sub base on which you can then glue down your new floor. This will ensure that you do not get “creaky” boards and your new floor will be completely flat and secure. If you lay your new floor directly onto existing boards in the same direction you are likely to get problems in the future. Normally it is always best to lay the boards lengthways in a room and not across the shortest space. 

INSTALLATION

There are two main methods to fixing your floor described below. Before starting your installation you should open several packs so that you can mix the packs to get the best layout. Random lengths mean that you will get a total range of different lengths in each pack, each pack will not always have the same length boards. As solid wood will move the random lengths mean that you will have less of a problem with twisting and warping.

 Wood is a natural product and nature always surprises us so you will get different colour hues and grain variation even from the same tree. Each board and each floor is unique and it is important that you get the layout correct so that you can enjoy your floor for years to come and regard it as a piece of beauty and art. With solid wood you must always leave an expansion gap around side of each room of at least 10mm to 15mm.  

Glueing

We normally recommend the Bona R850 adhesive as it dries like a hard rubber and is easy to use. We supply this at below trade price with a comb to spread the adhesive. When you use this method you glue the boards directly on to your old floorboards, concrete floor or plywood subfloor.  Please follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully which you will find on each tub of adhesive.

Nailing or Screwing

This is the traditional method and all boards should be secret nailed or screwed at an angle of 45% through the top of the tongue. Our comprehensive traditional installation guide shows this in diagrammatic form. You should us the lost nail heads and a pneumatic nail gun preset to the correct angle which you can hire from any good tool shop. For some very hard species you may need to use a small drill to make a guide hole so that you do not split the tongue when nailing through.

Floating Floors

You should not try and float a solid wood floor the natural movement of solid wood means that you may have problems in the future.

AFTER INSTALLATION WOOD CARE

Lacquered Flooring: we supply a maintenance kit for our aluminium oxide UV coated floors. Normally a quick hoover or dry dust mop will do the job, for stubborn stains just use a kitchen wipe or our special cleaners and replenishing solution.

UV Oiled Floors: these also require little maintenance as they have been sealed and heat treated at the factory. There is a special UV oil maintenance kit and also soap oil which can be used every few months depending on the level of traffic to keep the floor looking like new.  

Natural Oiled Floors: we only supply one board that has natural oil and these need to be maintained regularly, the new soap oil and maintenance kits are the perfect solution. 

NEVER USE AGRESSIVE CLEANING PRODUCTS CONTAINING AMMONIA, BLEACH OR SILICONES, AND NEVER LEAVE SURPLUS WATER ON THE FLOOR. 

Always protect chair and furniture legs with felt pads Place mats at entrances to absorb grit and dirt from outside Clean with the proper maintenance kits or just wipe with a damp sponge

 

REMEMBER: Wood is a beautiful natural product and due to this the industry standard states that up to 5% may not be usable for the intended purpose.

This short video shows how to install solid wood flooring onto a concrete base using Rewmar MS Polymer flexible adhesive. This adhesive is so easy to use and contains no solvents. Perfect for sticking down both solid hardwood flooring and engineered hardwood flooring. For more information please vist the website www.rewmar.co.uk This product can be bought online from: www.wood2u.co.uk

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Posted by admin on December 31st, 2010 :: Filed under Solid Wooden Flooring
Tags :: Floors, Solid, Wooden

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Professional Indemnity – Is Price Everything?

When shopping for a reputable professional indemnity company, where should you look? There are thousands of brokers that offer good professional indemnity insurance prices, but are their policies tailored to your profession & will they really be there in times of distress? There’s a big difference between cheap professional indemnity and bad professional indemnity. Fortunately, the Internet can be a powerful resource as you shop around.

Online professional indemnity prices

Gone are the days of confusing paperwork and lengthy waits. From your home PC, you can find online professional indemnity insurance prices in a matter of minutes. With a few clicks, you can do what would have taken days just a few years ago. Using a shortlist of professional indemnity insurance prices, you can determine a ball-park figure of what you can expect to pay. But your work isn’t finished yet. Price isn’t everything.

Advice about buying professional indemnity insurance

Of course you want cheap indemnity insurance, but be forewarned: not every professional indemnity insurance policy is suitable for you. Look for specialist PI policies tailored to the needs of freelance professionals & more specifically the industry you work in. Always read policy fine print, paying particular attention to any exclusions. Make sure you compare PI quotes on a ‘like for like basis’ ie are the limits of indemnity ‘any one claim’ or ‘in the aggregate’ also what are the excesses? These can vary from insurer to insurer. Next, check the credentials of the underwriter & the broker whose business should be FSA regulated. Only select reputable professional indemnity suppliers who are financially strong. Lastly, if you already have professional indemnity insurance & are changing to a new insurer make sure you check the new indemnity policy has ‘backdated’ or ‘retroactive’ cover to protect you from work carried out in the past.

In a short time, you should be able to create a solid list of about 3-4 suppliers that offer cheap, but reliable, professional indemnity insurance. Although many brokers will encourage you to buy indemnity insurance immediately, you’ll probably want to speak with someone over the phone before you purchase cover.

You can tell a lot about of company based on how easily you can connect with them via the phone. If they’re hard to reach now, they might be hard to reach if you need to file a claim. Similarly if they struggle to communicate clearly about your business activities its unlikely their professional indemnity policies are suitable.

Article Resource:-

http://www.coulsonpritchard.com/article.asp

know more about Professional Indemnity Insurance:-

Professional Indemnity Insurance|PI Insurance

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Posted by admin on December 30th, 2010 :: Filed under Professional Indemnity
Tags :: Everything, Indemnity, Price, Professional

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Contemporary fireplaces for the modern home

Nothing says “home” quite like a well made fire place. And with modern decor trends all about making a connection between the old and the new, the best way to make your house into a really warm and inviting home is to look into contemporary fireplaces.

The modern fire place is hand built, bespoke and inspired by the clean lines of modern living. It adds an air of timeless appeal to any lounge or living area – making a work of art from the living flame dancing in the grate. There is a definite link to the past in every design, though – a perfect combination of the clean bright look that defines modern architecture, and the classical fire places that have inspired them. Home owners are thus able to create a uniquely modern look, with Art Deco or even Doric flavours ensuring that the contemporary fireplaces they use become the centrepiece of every room. It is in those centrepieces that the influences that have been called forth for every interior home design should meet: and it is thanks to the subtle blending of these influences, by skilled designers, that the homes blessed with modern fire places are able to create a unique atmosphere.

The great thing about contemporary fireplaces is their versatility. Because a contemporary fire place calls forth both modern and classical forms, it can be equally well suited to pretty much every type and kind of interior theme. Very modern rooms are given a touch of classical elegance thanks to the hints of Art Deco, or Doric columns, alluded to above: while rooms that have a more classical feel, get an up to date tone thanks to the modern lines of the same fire places.

There is nothing like an open fire, or a wood burner, to make your house feel welcoming and warm. Contemporary fireplaces are further suited to the modern home because they are equally suited to hosting or holding a wood burner as they are to having a traditional grate and open fire. Indeed, modern room design can make provision for a fire place that is designed to hold a wood burner rather than a traditional fire. That means that the home can be designed for the warmth and comfort that fire traditionally gives, but with the more compact shape and size of a wood burner in mind. The modern fireplace can be fitted to parts of a room that held an old style hearth – or used as framing devices for wood burners that have been placed in their own original locations.

Contemporary fireplaces are the frames for the living art of the flames. They make a bold statement in a bold room and a soothing statement in a more classically arranged home. With their multi functional appeal and their real bespoke design, they become the perfect centre piece for every room and every life style. Blend the old and the new in style and find your unique individual theme – it’ll last for a whole lifetime.

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Posted by admin on December 30th, 2010 :: Filed under Fireplaces
Tags :: Contemporary, Fireplaces, Home, Modern

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New Jersey Tax Accountant – For Smooth Payment of Taxes

Tax accountant is proficient in offering assistance to the company or an individual in computing tax return amount payable to the administration. People who are putting up in New Jersey are lucky in this respect as they can easily come across tax accountant who are competent and able in their tasks. The New Jersey tax accountant are efficient not only in computing the tax return payable by an individual but at the same time assist small as well as big businesses to administer their account appropriately.

The most essential thing is to sign up the tax accountant services who work with colossal efficiency as far as their work is concerned. The best services of tax accountant will do wonders for you. The tax accountant should be thoroughly aware of all the secrets of his trade. You can seek out such a tax accountant in the yellow pages of your locality. It should be considered that to find the most excellent New Jersey tax accountant you will have to be patient. So gear yourself to engage yourself in this important task, if you want to render yourself free from taxes as often as you can.

In your search for the most proficient New Jersey tax accountant you will come across tax accountants which dedicate themselves to certain specific areas in tandem with payment of taxes. Nonetheless, if you are keen on appointing the tax accountant services who are well versed with the knowledge of payment of taxes as well as calculation of taxes then ensure to verify the experience of the person concerned. A tax accountant who has experience of several years will be more skillful in managing the work, wither in New Jersey or some other place.

The payment of taxes is essential and the process has to be handled with utmost care to avoid any perils. The tax accountants in New Jersey charges their fee in accordance with the work of tax accounting they perform. Maintaining all the documents related to the income along with any transactions done throughout the financial year. All these have to be kept a proper record as far as the fiscal transactions are concerned.

Subsequent to appointing the tax accountant services, it is imperative for you to acquaint yourself with all the facets related with tax payment. This knowledge enables you to take a rooted stand in presence of the overstated claims of the New Jersey tax accountant. If you can it is advised to counter-check thoroughly the backdrop as well as know the competency of the tax accountant. Garner as much as information possible for you about the payment of the taxes.

It is not possible for each and every individual to handle the payment of taxes solely themselves, this serves as the reason to appoint the services of tax accountant. There are several gradations concerning tax calculation as well as payment of taxes, which are immensely critical as far as the taxes payment within the time limits is concerned. So, make sure you employ the best services.

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Posted by admin on December 30th, 2010 :: Filed under Tax Accountant
Tags :: Accountant, Jersey, Payment, Smooth, Taxes

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Fashion of leather beds over other beds in furniture industry

Leather is becoming a very useful and demanding material not only in fashion industry but also in furniture industry. You can sense this from the very fact that in a furniture store you will find leather furniture like dining table set, leather beds and sofa etc. leather or semi leather materials are used because they are durable, fashionable and comfortable. From age old days men are using animal skins for they were available very much at that time but now this same material is not very easy to get. And the reason of high price of leather is this very thing. Now different types of bags, leather shoes, and leather straps are made from leather due to its durability. Use of leather is a common thing today. In industry it is used for many purposes. And in home décor leather made items are everyone’s want. In home decoration leather furniture, leather beds, leather bed frame are becoming very popular not only for its elegant shimmer but also for its gorgeous looks, comfort.

Leather beds are little bit costly but they are everybody’s wish. Leather has become costly because the unavailability of animal skins. Rather it has become illegal in some countries. So leather is mainly made chemically not used the original skins. But this leather is more good and advantageous for the buyers. The advantages are these leather made beds and bed frames are easily washable. And timeless appeal of leather beds makes it popularity. Like everything leather bed and leather bed frame have also advantages and disadvantages. So we have to take care of its advantages and disadvantages before we purchase any leather bed or leather bed frame.

Please look at the very point that has been said earlier is if you find original leather beds are so much costly for you then you can choose a faux leather bed. Faux leathers are durable and almost scratch proof. These are easier to maintain in comparison to real leather. Leather beds are available both in real and artificial faux type .Naturally artificial type of leather beds are wide in range in terms of color and styles. Economically they are cheap, easily washable, good looking with various styles. So leather bed has become most popular and choice able in modern life style to look home furniture gorgeous.

Leather bed has limited no of disadvantages. Mainly regular maintenance should required in leather bed and leather bed frame. A leather bed is available in many categories like leather single bed; double bed made of leather and the hi-fi king size leather bed. 5ft beds are termed as King sized beds.6ft beds are termed as super king sized beds. But all depends on your budget and space management. Each and every bed should be comfortable and cozy because your rest and repose comes from this. Any cheap and uncomfortable bed can cause several problems like back pain, neck pricks and can also lead to insomnia, which is not at all suitable for any working person.

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Posted by admin on December 30th, 2010 :: Filed under Leather Beds
Tags :: beds, Fashion, Furniture, industry, leather, Over

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Cheap Van Insurance – Proven Purchasing Suggestions

Van insurance quotes are a good thing due to the fact that they are complimentary and let you locate cheap van insurance using the least possible effort. But in the event you wish to locate cheap van insurance there’s a lot more that you’ll have to do than simply get a van insurance quote or two. Nonetheless, once you’ve done the required work it’ll be nice knowing you received the correct van insurance at the best rate possible.

The first thing you are required to be familiar with is that larger vans are ordinarily a lot more high-priced to insure than smaller-sized vans. Reported by insurance providers, smaller-sized vans are easier to control and caught up in fewer incidents, and hence can frequently be less costly to insure.

The age of the driver can frequently be a key issue in relation to cheap van insurance. Drivers under the age of 25 are ordinarily perceived to be a higher risk. And as all of us understand, a driver having a higher risk will ordinarily pay a lot more for insurance. A driver over 25 will ordinarily drop their costs by operating a smaller-sized van.

Nonetheless, when hunting for cheap van insurance you can’t get tense about the factors that cannot be controlled, including age, but will merely be able to alter the factors which are within your control. This is the right way to find cheap van insurance. It doesn’t matter what age you are, you will ordinarily locate a cost range for that exact range. Your aim is to obtain the lowest priced van insurance specifically within that cost range by making decisions which are within your control. That’s all you will ordinarily expect to do.

As you can see, age can frequently be controlled determined by if you buy the vehicle for individual or commercial purposes. This might help in your search for cheap van insurance. Nonetheless, the area you reside may be decided by you alone. If you choose to reside within a lower crime area your costs will ordinarily be inexpensive. If you reside within a high crime area your costs will ordinarily be more expensive.

Company van insurance is not going to necessarily be any more high-priced than when you buy a van privately. It’s achievable to obtain cheap van insurance for either type. If there is going to be a price difference among the two it’ll ordinarily be because of the items or equipment delivered in the van. If you have a commercial van that might be moving goods, tools, or other things from one location to another, buying insurance coverage for those commodities will ordinarily increase the rate of a policy. Nevertheless, this does not mean you cannot acquire cheap van insurance.

The optimum method to discourage theft and vandalism is by the use of alarms. By mounting an alarm system on your van you will usually deter vandals and thieves, which will usually lower the risk and most likely lower your insurance prices as well. Putting your van within a locked garage rather than a street or driveway is one simple method to lessen the risk of vandalism or theft.

Lots of, but not all, insurance providers will reward you with this decreased risk. If you want to locate cheap van insurance, there is more you need to do than simply obtain a van insurance quote or internet van insurance quote. To acquire the optimum rate you must take into consideration your various options and make smart decisions. Should you want to uncover cheap van insurance, this can be the finest way to go about it.

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Posted by admin on December 29th, 2010 :: Filed under Cheap Van Insurance
Tags :: cheap, Insurance, Proven, Purchasing, Suggestions

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Loft Conversions – Do They Really Add Value?

Can I Carry Out a Loft Conversion?

The very first thing to look at is can a loft conversion be carried out in the type of roof that you have. Some types of roofs are more suitable for loft conversions than others. Generally there are two types of roof that you may come across in a residential property.

Very Old Properties (Before 1870) – Is It Suitable For A Loft Conversion?

In properties prior to this date the supply of wood was relatively good. The Victorians have not fully engineered the roof structure, therefore there is often a great deal of timber in the roof, you will still need to check to see if there is head height and a suitable place for the stairs to come up from the first floor into the roof. In addition to this you will also need to check the quality of the structure, such as does it have woodworm, wet rot or dry rot. We would be more than happy to comment on this within one of our surveys when you purchase the property.

A word of warning, if your property is Listed or in a Conservation Area the roof structure itself may be considered an integral part of the Listing and therefore you do need to seek Local Authority approval. In fact, in all cases where you carry out a loft conversion it is better to seek Local Authority approval. Please see our further comments later on within this article.

Older Property (Before 1960′s) – Is It Suitable For A Loft Conversion?

An older property will have a purpose made cut timber roof. This type of roof comes in many forms, as it was literally purpose made for the property. A suitable type of purpose made roof is one that has a high ridge, therefore giving the head height necessary to form a room within the roof. You will also need to consider the things within the roof, such as water tanks that will need to be moved and also of course access to the roof space, which for a proper loft conversion will be via a staircase. This can often mean the loss of space on the floor below.

Sorry to repeat ourselves, but again it is important if the property is Listed or in a Conservation Area the roof structure itself may be considered an integral part of the Listing and therefore you do need to seek Local Authority approval. In fact, in all cases where you carry out a loft conversion it is better to seek Local Authority approval. Please see our further comments later on within this article.

Newer Trussed Roof (1960′s Onwards) – Is It Suitable For A Loft Conversion?

From the 1960′s onwards pre-fabricated trussed roofs were used in house construction. The main driving force behind a pre-fabricated trussed roof was economy of timber sizes. This therefore means these roofs are sometimes less adaptable to loft conversions than the older style roofs. Also during the 1970′s a shallow roof was often used, which is difficult to convert. You will also need to look at items already in the roof, such as the water tanks, which will need moving. Sometimes the boiler has been moved into the roof space as well and of course you will need to consider the access stairway to get into the loft conversion from the floor below.

Things To Look Out For In All Roof Types

Asbestos was a material very commonly used in years gone by, in fact up until very recently. This was due to it being economical and was almost a substitute for timber, particularly during the 1950′s, 1960′s and 1970′s.

What Does A Loft Conversion Involve?

In the very broadest sense you will require planning permission from the Local Authority to approve the look of the loft conversion, you will require Building Regulations approval to ensure the structure is suitably designed and built and in some cases you will require Party Wall Notice approval to ensure your neighbours are happy with the work being carried out.

Who Does A Loft Conversion Involve?

There are many ways of carrying out a loft conversion, from a DIY type project where you are actively involved, through to a project where you do little more than pay the bill. The work will involve a range of building professionals from engineers carrying out the structural design calculations to a designer, possibly an architect (although this can sometimes be considered as using a sledgehammer to crack a nut), an architectural technician or surveyor to carry out the design work and a builder to build the loft conversion.

Some companies carry out all these functions and they are often known as design and build companies. Design and build companies often specialise in this type of work and have a range of standard solutions to produce a loft conversion. A designer will look at a specific solution to suit your needs, which of course will come at a price.

What Does A Loft Conversion Cost?

In our experience it costs anything from £20,000 to £100,000 depending upon the quality and size of the loft conversion. Typically, the range of £30,000 to £50,000 is, in our experience, what it costs. Normally we find that it can cost up to 25% more than originally estimated and also usually runs over time. This is because the work is weather dependent, i.e. can’t take the old roof off during bad weather. Even if you use scaffolding and scaffold over to form a protective roof it has its limitations.

A Loft Conversion – Your Design Choices

In our opinion the very first choice to make is what do you want within your loft conversion. We very much believe in designing the loft conversion from the inside out. By this we mean decide on your requirements internally, for example that you require a bedroom and an en-suite bathroom, which will then give you the space that you require.

Then you can look at other features, for example will the loft conversion contrast the existing building, or blend in with it. This can be your choice, but often the planners from the Local Authority have a great deal of influence. You will also need to talk to the Conservation Officer, particularly if the building is Listed or in a Conservation Area, who will have to take into consideration how it matches its surrounding or how it contrasts with them.

Choices very much depend upon how much money you have to spend, i.e. things such as would you require a balcony? This outside space can be worth its weight in gold, do you want a lot of windows to add light? Both with the balconies and windows, however, you have to consider heat gain and heat loss that can occur during the summer and winter months respectively.

You can read the full article at Prestige Renovation the UK No: 1 Homes Renovation & Property Renovate Site.

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Posted by admin on December 29th, 2010 :: Filed under Loft Conversions
Tags :: Conversions, Loft, Really, They, Value

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