Elizabeth Stocker, Director and co-founder of Nigel Tyas Ironwork, celebrates their association with the National Churches Trust:
Can you imagine our towns and villages without churches? These historic buildings are so integral to our urban and rural landscapes that it’s very easy to take them for granted.
They are often landmark buildings, especially if they have the traditional spires and towers we are so familiar with. And, of course, for many they are sacred places of worship and important centres of community life.
Centuries of craftsmanship
Often dating back centuries, the fabric of the buildings and their interiors features the handiwork of stone masons, stained glass designers, carpenters, painters, sculptors, textile artists and, of course, ironworkers. Bells, clocks and organs; tapestries, archways and chandeliers; even boot scrapers, gutters and gargoyles! All can be delights of inspired design and skilled craftsmanship.
Living breathing buildings
But all this physical stuff needs careful up-keep and repair – as well as modernisation and creative additions on occasion. Churches are living, breathing buildings and part of our communities today, and so may reflect the here-and-now as well our history and our heritage.
We have produced new work and enhanced existing ironwork for several churches in the past and we are proud to be members of the National Churches Trust and listed for our metalworking expertise in their Professional Trades Directory.
Some of the church and ecclesiastical buildings we have worked with in the past include the St John the Evangelist church in Kirk Merrington, Northumberland; the College of St Hild and St Bede at Durham University; the Oxford Centre for Mission Studies; and Monyash St Leonard’s parish church in Derbyshire.
It is always satisfying work creating wrought iron chandeliers, wall lights and other interior ironwork for such handsome, historic buildings and we look forward to working with other churches in the future.
Nigel Tyas Ironwork's chandelier at Monyash Parish Church, Derbyshire
When Sheenagh Mudford wanted to give something to her village church in memory of her late husband, Richard, we were honoured that she chose a Nigel Tyas chandelier.
Monyash parish church in the Derbyshire Peak District dates back to 12th century and is a grade II* listed building. In the garden by the south porch is a yew tree said to be one of the oldest in the country, dating back to Saxon times.
Sheenagh talked to Nigel and the team about the size and height of the space and ordered a two-tier 18-light Hartcliff chandelier in light burnished steel weighing about 30kg and measuring about 1.6 metres across.
The chandelier required some careful lifting into position and Nigel devised a special hoist to work with the electrician to get the light up and installed. It now hangs in place above the central aisle in the nave and radiates lights from 18 low-energy 4 watt LED candle bulbs.
Sheenagh says:
"I wanted to introduce something in memory of my husband of a permanent nature into the village of Monyash. I found Nigel Tyas on the internet and thought how wonderful it would be to have one of the chandeliers he produces in his workshop in the church. I especially liked the fact that it was made in Sheffield. It was perfect.”
“It was the most huge parcel when it arrived and it was a bit difficult to get through the door. When we unwrapped it and I saw it, I thought it was even more splendid in real life; because I hadn’t seen it before, only in pictures. I absolutely love it."
"When you come into the church on a cold day in the middle of winter when the skies are dark and put the lights on – and all those bulbs light up, it’s very emotional and its very beautiful.”
Find out more about Nigel Tyas Ironwork at the Professional Trades Directory.