The St Laurence Buildings Regeneration Project
St Laurence Church (grade 2* listed) is on the Heritage at Risk Register. This means that some of the structure of the church is unsound, rain can get in and windows are failing. But devotional services, community engagement and a full programme of worship and other events continues apace!
Click here for the project's vision for the regenerated St. Laurence site
(i.e. the church, the churchyards and St. Laurence Rooms)
The first project for this long term regeneration and repair of St Laurence Church has been installation, in October 2024, of Radiant Heaters to keep the congregations and audiences warmer, particularly through the autumn and winter periods.
St Laurence Church (grade 2* listed) is on the Heritage at Risk Register. This means that some of the structure of the church is unsound, rain can get in and windows are failing. But devotional services, community engagement and a full programme of worship and other events continues apace!
Click here for the project's vision for the regenerated St. Laurence site
(i.e. the church, the churchyards and St. Laurence Rooms)
The first project for this long term regeneration and repair of St Laurence Church has been installation, in October 2024, of Radiant Heaters to keep the congregations and audiences warmer, particularly through the autumn and winter periods.
Why New Heating?
St Laurence’s has two gas boilers. The one that runs the main body of the church breaks down regularly – especially during the winter. And when it takes up to five days of continuous heating to warm the church enough for all users, it’s very inconvenient when it breaks down as it did in early December 2023. It was a chilly Christmas and St Laurence had to import various heaters to keep audiences and congregations warm at this very busy time. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) and the Building Regeneration Group were tasked with sorting this by the autumn and winter of 2024. There were to be no hold ups!
St Laurence’s has two gas boilers. The one that runs the main body of the church breaks down regularly – especially during the winter. And when it takes up to five days of continuous heating to warm the church enough for all users, it’s very inconvenient when it breaks down as it did in early December 2023. It was a chilly Christmas and St Laurence had to import various heaters to keep audiences and congregations warm at this very busy time. The Parochial Church Council (PCC) and the Building Regeneration Group were tasked with sorting this by the autumn and winter of 2024. There were to be no hold ups!
Why Radiant Heating?
Radiant heating heats people and surfaces rather than heating the air. It is run on electricity, doesn’t glow, can be turned on and off whenever needed and comes in a variety of different forms and bespoke installations.
We have bought six Herschel “Halo” Far-Infrared Heaters, made in Bristol. These overhead infrared heaters, each with output of up to 9.2kW, present a hugely efficient solution as it directly heats people and buildings and does not heat the air. The use of electricity aligns with the government’s plan to decarbonise the national grid and move to more sustainable sources of energy through solar, wind and water. The proposed heaters offer fast warm up times, with very little pre-heating required and can be turned off quickly.
Radiant heating heats people and surfaces rather than heating the air. It is run on electricity, doesn’t glow, can be turned on and off whenever needed and comes in a variety of different forms and bespoke installations.
We have bought six Herschel “Halo” Far-Infrared Heaters, made in Bristol. These overhead infrared heaters, each with output of up to 9.2kW, present a hugely efficient solution as it directly heats people and buildings and does not heat the air. The use of electricity aligns with the government’s plan to decarbonise the national grid and move to more sustainable sources of energy through solar, wind and water. The proposed heaters offer fast warm up times, with very little pre-heating required and can be turned off quickly.
Herschel's infrared heritage heaters, specifically designed for church buildings and the like
The supplier states that the Halos have no moving parts and require no servicing, unlike heat pumps and boilers - in our experience at St Laurence several rescues a year for the main boiler!). This represents a significant cost saving over the lifetime of the heating system. The Halo has been designed so that all parts have long lifetimes and are easily replaceable.
The Design of the Radiant Heaters
Herschel offered a variety of visual options for these chandelier type radiant heaters, and the St Laurence team decided on a warm red backing with a zig-zag design which is found on the church gutters and much of the door metalwork from the original 19th century building.
Herschel offered a variety of visual options for these chandelier type radiant heaters, and the St Laurence team decided on a warm red backing with a zig-zag design which is found on the church gutters and much of the door metalwork from the original 19th century building.
The Environmental Impact
The Church of England has tasked all their churches to be carbon neutral by 2030. This is a big ask with most churches struggling with gas heating and keeping churches warm when used. A large part of decarbonising heating across the country is to reduce the reliance on gas and to use electricity as the electrical supply itself is decarbonising with more and more renewables adding to the National Grid. Radiant heaters are only used as and when needed – no more five days to warm the church through.
The Church of England has tasked all their churches to be carbon neutral by 2030. This is a big ask with most churches struggling with gas heating and keeping churches warm when used. A large part of decarbonising heating across the country is to reduce the reliance on gas and to use electricity as the electrical supply itself is decarbonising with more and more renewables adding to the National Grid. Radiant heaters are only used as and when needed – no more five days to warm the church through.
The Cost - and How It’s Being Paid For
The overall cost of the project is £68,615. We are thankful for the kind support of Enovert Community Trust, who have provided a grant for the work of £49,000. The rest of the cost has been met by church funds and reserves, and community fundraising.
The overall cost of the project is £68,615. We are thankful for the kind support of Enovert Community Trust, who have provided a grant for the work of £49,000. The rest of the cost has been met by church funds and reserves, and community fundraising.
The Schedule of Works
Work began during the week of 16th September 2024, wrapping the organ area with polythene to protect from dust. During the rest of September we saw the delivery of all materials; taking down of the existing lights; and 'cherry picker' and scaffolding tower delivered and tested. Holes were drilled from arch centres to clear storey and through transept arches for cabling. Side cabling was put in place, and a control box installed.
Come the beginning of October the new radiant heaters were delivered and assembled (27kgs in weight each). The heaters have now been winched into place and wired in, and all the systems are now being tested and checked. All the work should be completed by the end of the month.
Work began during the week of 16th September 2024, wrapping the organ area with polythene to protect from dust. During the rest of September we saw the delivery of all materials; taking down of the existing lights; and 'cherry picker' and scaffolding tower delivered and tested. Holes were drilled from arch centres to clear storey and through transept arches for cabling. Side cabling was put in place, and a control box installed.
Come the beginning of October the new radiant heaters were delivered and assembled (27kgs in weight each). The heaters have now been winched into place and wired in, and all the systems are now being tested and checked. All the work should be completed by the end of the month.
Initial installation work at St Laurence during the week of 7th October
The Contractors
We are delighted to have been able to use a number of local contractors for the work:
Andy Nott of Hampton Electricals, based in Minchinhampton - full electrical installation and safety procedures
Herschel of Bristol - bespoke construction and delivery of the radiant heaters
Kevin Smith Diamond Drilling of Cirencester - hole drilling
Forrester Access of Cheltenham - suppliers of the cherry picker and scaffolding tower
We are delighted to have been able to use a number of local contractors for the work:
Andy Nott of Hampton Electricals, based in Minchinhampton - full electrical installation and safety procedures
Herschel of Bristol - bespoke construction and delivery of the radiant heaters
Kevin Smith Diamond Drilling of Cirencester - hole drilling
Forrester Access of Cheltenham - suppliers of the cherry picker and scaffolding tower
Project support has been provided by the St Laurence Building Regeneration Team:
Camilla Hale (Buildings Regeneration Chair)
Ned Skelton (day by day support to Andy Nott)
Paul Bingle (overall project manager)
Shannon Newton (fundraising)
Camilla Hale (Buildings Regeneration Chair)
Ned Skelton (day by day support to Andy Nott)
Paul Bingle (overall project manager)
Shannon Newton (fundraising)
Looking good so far!
10th October 2024
10th October 2024