For full details of the 2008 Awards and the on-line entry forms please go to

http://www.clayroof-awards.co.uk/

It’s natural, it’s British and it’s time to celebrate all that’s best about the clay roof tile industry, with the launch of the 2008 Clay Roofing Awards.

The biennial awards have become an established event in the UK’s roofing calendar, with scores of new-build, refurbishment and self-build projects expected to be entered into the fourth awards event.

Not only does the competition highlight the environmental benefits of clay, it promotes its versatility, durability and sheer good looks while at the same time recognising innovative uses of clay roof tiles.

The event is organised by the Clay Roof Tile Council (CRTC), which has made some important changes to the 2008 event, adding several new categories, including an overall ‘best in show’ selected from each category winner.

CRTC chairman, Nick Oldridge, told RCI: “The awards have grown massively in importance since the inaugural event in 2002, attracting high-quality projects that really demonstrate the versatility and beauty of natural clay products. There is no doubt it is the flagship event for an industry that continues to flourish – not only do clay roof tiles look great, they are a good choice environmentally and have an outstandingly long life. Planners love them due to their aesthetics and ability to blend into environments, and end-users appreciate their natural, stylish looks.”

He added: “Since the last awards ceremony in 2006, members of the CRTC have invested more than £36 million in factory developments and technological advances, ensuring that production techniques are as efficient and economic as possible and that our products are of the highest standard. This investment has also delivered a larger product range, giving architects and specifiers much greater choice when it comes to selecting styles and colours of roof tiles.

“We’re therefore hoping that the 2008 awards will attract the highest level of entries yet seen by the CRTC, with new products well represented in the projects put forward.”

The 2008 awards ceremony will be held next September at a London venue to be announced. Entries open next month [October], with forms available online through the CRTC’s website (www.clayroof.co.uk) This site will also contain tips on how best to present entries, supporting material required and how to photograph projects. Entry is open to specifiers, architects, specialist contractors, builders, developers, self-builders, planners, conservation officers and building owners.

Categories are:

• Housing – Best New-Build Clay Roof and Best Refurbishment Clay Roof
• Commercial – Best New-Build Clay Roof and Best Refurbishment Clay Roof
• Ecclesiastical - Best New-Build Clay Roof and Best Refurbishment Clay Roof
• Self-Build – Best Self-Build Clay Roof

From these seven winners, an overall ‘best in show’ will be selected.

SIG Roofing Supplies has once again agreed to sponsor the event and, as on previous occasions, the judging panel will be chaired by Kevin Farrell, chief executive of the British Ceramic Confederation (BCC) and will comprise a number of senior figures involved in roofing from different disciplines, including architecture and conservation.

Following the last awards, in 2006,, Kevin Farrell said it had been a ‘personal pleasure’ to see the number and quality of entries submitted. “It was clear,,,,that the use of clay was indeed the appropriate product for each of the roofing projects, and that by using skilled workmen, masterpieces could be created. A number of the roofs we viewed were real focal pieces,” he said.

Judging will begin early in the new year, with short-listed projects visited before final decisions are made. Specification, design features, workmanship and the overall look of the roof will all be considered, together with any specific technical issues that were overcome.

The 2006 awards showcased just what can be achieved with clay. Winning buildings included the Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Birmingham (best ecclesiastical) and a Tesco store in Clapham (best commercial refurbishment).

For further details contact andrewm@ceramfed.co.uk

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CLAY ROOF TILE COUNCIL ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 2006 CLAY ROOFING AWARDS

Specifiers, architects and representatives of the roofing industry gathered at Kensington Roof Gardens in London to attend the prestigious 2006 Clay Roofing Awards, sponsored by the Clay Roof Tile Council (CRTC).

The biennial Awards ceremony, seen as ‘The Oscars of the Clay Roofing Industry’, celebrates what can be achieved with an enduring roofing material such as clay.

Chairman of the Clay Roof Tile Council (CRTC), Chris Morgan said, “This initiative has been well received by the industry. In fact, we had people clamouring for the limited tickets to attend the event. The Awards has proved to be an extremely successful venture for the CRTC, as well as for the many architects, builders, roofers, developers and homeowners who benefit from the kudos of winning a Clay Roofing Award.”

Speaking at the Awards he said, “For almost 800 years clay has adorned our country’s roofscapes and played a significant role in the historical development of the built environment. This is something that we should all be proud of and the Clay Roofing Awards acknowledges our [industry’s] collective achievements.”

Chairman of the Judging Panel and Chief Executive of the British Ceramic Confederation, Kevin Farrell said, “It is very heartening, and a personal pleasure, to see the improved interest generated by these Awards …not only in the sheer scale of the number of entries we have received, but also in the standard of the roofing work that has been submitted.”

“It was clear from this year’s many entries that the use of clay was indeed the appropriate product for each of the roofing projects, and that by using skilled workman, masterpieces could be created. In fact, a greater number of the roofs we viewed were real focal pieces, and more than complemented the buildings they adorned,” continues Kevin Farrell.

Gathered around the room to celebrate the Awards were some of the industry’s most prominent leaders and experts, including, Charlie Luxton, architectural designer and presenter of BBC2`s “Restored to Glory” who addressed the audience with his thought-provoking speech on conservation in which he congratulated all awards participants on their excellent work. “These awards show us all what can be achieved and demonstrates how a well designed and laid roof, featuring good quality materials can have a major impact on how a building looks and its surrounding environment.”

This year the awards were sponsored by SIG Roofing Supplies, Burton Roofing and
Jackson Building Centres. Philip Johns, managing director of SIG Roofing Supplies said of the awards: “We whole-heartedly support the Clay Roof Tile Council’s initiatives to promote a durable and natural roofing product such as clay, and are proud once again to be the main supporter of the Clay Roofing Awards.”

“We are delighted to lend our support to the 2006 Clay Roofing Awards – this is an excellent way of recognising work in our industry.” added Mr Johns.

The Awards were presented in six categories. The winners and runners up in each category were:

Graham Kiss of Kiss Builders,winner of Best New Build Clay Roof.

Richard Soan (left) of Richard Soan Roofing, winner of Best Refurbishment Clay Roof - Housing for Staveley Court and Phillip Johns of SIG.

Andy Fisher of William Davis, winner of Best New Build Clay Roof - Commercial for Oadby Retirement Development.

Charlie Luxton (left) with Kevin Friar of T&P Lead Roofing, winner of Best Refurishment Clay Roof - Commercial for Tesco.

Michael Potter of Michael Potter Architects, winner of Best Ecclesiastical Clay Roof for the Greek Orthodox Cathedral.

Rod Taylor, winner of Best Self Build Clay Roof for Mornish Road.