The congregation can once again, worship and contemplate without interruption in the cavernous Grade II Listed St Patrick’s Church, following acoustic adaptations to block the noise from the new Bolton Trinity Interchange next door.

Drawing a great congregation from the local community, the diocese was concerned to hear of plans of a new local transport hub and interchange on the opposing corner to the church. It formed part of the Council’s masterplan to create an Innovation Zone attracting more professionals to the area to boost the local economy.

A consultation was launched in 2010 with plans for the construction of Trinity Interchange. The designs included the erection of an acoustic wall, to help protect the Church from the low frequency noise of the buses (70-80dB) while stationary at the Interchange. Unconvinced this would provide the necessary acoustic reduction; experts were brought in to provide further advice.

Fenestral, partner of Selectaglaze for over 20 years, was contacted by Architects Greengaugh and Williams to assist in working up a suitable internal secondary glazing treatment to submit for planning and subsequently approved.

The 4 clerestory windows were approximately 3m (h) x 1.2m (w) so Series 41 double side hung casements were transom coupled to Series 46 fixed lights. The chancery window at 4.3m (h) x 3m (w) took a bit more thought to ensure that the sightlines were followed. Four different units were used: Series 80 3-pane horizontal slider was transom coupled to three Series 41 mullion coupled curved casements above.

When now inside the church, deep in reflection and contemplation, the congregation would never know there is a bus interchange just outside; the acoustic secondary glazing treatment has worked miracles, providing the much needed noise reduction for generations of worshippers to come.

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When a couple bought a 1910 Edwardian semi-detached property in Nottinghamshire, their plan was to renovate the home with ‘lots of graft and love.’ The renovation started in January 2019 and saw the owners knocking down walls, gutting bathrooms, stripping carpets and dismantling fireplaces, to name just a few tasks. Over 15 months into the project, Mr & Mrs Shaw decided to turn their attention to the internal doors.