How to build a nestbox in a wall cavity

Building conservation is fraught with ethical dilemmas. At one extreme there is pressure to freeze buildings at a particular point in time and another to modernise them beyond all recognition. One thing that gets overlooked is that buildings are something that all of us borrow for a few years before we “move on”. Modern life tends to make us too busy to notice our journey through our buildings and how it is interwoven with many other species. As part of on-going research into historic buildings as “ecosystems”, the author presents an opportunity to use a small recess in an old masonry wall to accommodate a nest box

Silverfish: if they're not fish, they're not really silver, and they look like aliens, what on earth are they?

As part of a series of studies exploring the complex relationship between buildings and ecology, this piece considers the place of silverfish within part of a wider ecosystem. The artlcle presents some of the issues involved with having silverfish and what methods can be used to reduce numbers to avoid infestation

Oak trees, timber conversion and the structure of traditional timber-frame buildings

In the climate of Northern Europe keeping warm and dry during the long winters is a key priority reflected in the form and materials of our traditional buildings. Builders have always been pragmatic when sourcing materials especially within the vernacular traditions and although large parts of the British Isles have used stone and cob, timber-frame buildings have always been the best response to the weather. A steep roof pitch and a dry building platform enabled the creation space with potentially very satisfactory comfort levels especially if a fire can be safely deployed. Of all the trees available, it is the oak that has lent itself to providing the most suitable material to create such frames. Like all timber, oak has the ability to function within a frame structure in both compression and tension. Pegs, ties and braces combine to create stable structures capable of transferring all loads effectively and efficiently to the ground

Oak trees, carpentry traditions and timber conversion

There is a potential inter-relationship between the two main species of oak and the carpentry traditions of timber-frame buildings within the British Isles. It is suggested that natural distributions pre-date the development of carpentry traditions and that subsequent woodland management and the ability to convert timber using water power might have perpetuated the distribution until relatively recent times. In addition a suggestion is made that there may also be a link between cruck frames and the technology to produce appropriate sash-mounted saws and the ability to harness waterpower

Carpentry Traditions and Timber-Frame Buildings

Despite much of the forests being cleared in advance of agricultural expansion, areas of oak woodland have been managed as a valuable resource passed on from one generation to the next. The longevity of oak trees has required long term planning and an ability to forecast the demand of great grandchildren and beyond. Depending on circumstances, this management would have happened historically within family groups, or perhaps on a communal basis as part of the feudal system. Prior to the 1840s and the introduction of rotating “circular” saws, saw mills exclusively used a vertical movement for converting the trees into timber. Saw mills were traditionally powered by water, with the rotary motion of the wheel being transferred via a crank shaft to a rip-saw blade mounted in a vertical wooden frame known as a sash. The introduction of steam power would have also contributed to the demise of water power for timber conversion in the UK

Hole In The Wall

Often in the repair process we overlook the fact that buildings are borrowed vessels, used for a few years before we “move on,” and that our journeys through them overlaps with many other species. Not long ago, as part of my on-going research into historic buildings as ecosystems, I stumbled across a stone wall of a house that had enough of an eroded recess to accommodate a nest box

Hearts Of Oak: Traditional Timber Frames and Timber Conversion.

Traditionally, timber would have been cut down and prepared using axes, with wedges used for splitting and adzes for finishing surfaces. The ability to produce wrought iron enabled the production of metal that could be shaped, toothed and sharpened to form saw blades. Prior to the 1840s and the introduction of rotating “circular” saws, saw mills exclusively used a vertical movement for converting the trees into timber. Saw mills were traditionally powered by water, with the rotary motion of the wheel being transferred via a crank shaft to a rip-saw blade mounted in a vertical wooden frame known as a sash

Oak Trees and the technology of timber conversion with particular reference to the use of water-power in West and South Yorkshire

Here follows a discussion with regard to the potential inter-relationship between the two main species of oak and the carpentry traditions of timber-frame buildings within the British Isles. It is suggested that natural distributions pre-date the development of carpentry traditions and that subsequent woodland management and the ability to convert timber using water power might have perpetuated the distribution until relatively recent times. In addition a suggestion is made that there may also be a link between cruck frames and the technology to produce appropriate sash-mounted saws and the ability to harness waterpower

The Lancet Psychiatry Commission : a blueprint for protecting physical health in people with mental illness

No abstract available

An evidence-based approach to the use of telehealth in long-term health conditions: development of an intervention and evaluation through pragmatic randomised controlled trials in patients with depression or raised cardiovascular risk

Background: Health services internationally are exploring the potential of telehealth to support the management of the growing number of people with long-term conditions (LTCs). Aim: To develop, implement and evaluate new care programmes for patients with LTCs, focusing on two common LTCs as exemplars: depression or high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. Methods Development: We synthesised quantitative and qualitative evidence on the effectiveness of telehealth for LTCs, conducted a qualitative study based on interviews with patients and staff and undertook a postal survey to explore which patients are interested in different forms of telehealth. Based on these studies we developed a conceptual model [TElehealth in CHronic disease (TECH) model] as a framework for the development and evaluation of the Healthlines Service for patients with LTCs. Implementation: The Healthlines Service consisted of regular telephone calls to participants from health information advisors, supporting them to make behaviour change and to use tailored online resources. Advisors sought to optimise participants’ medication and to improve adherence. Evaluation: The Healthlines Service was evaluated with linked pragmatic randomised controlled trials comparing the Healthlines Service plus usual care with usual care alone, with nested process and economic evaluations. Participants were adults with depression or raised CVD risk recruited from 43 general practices in three areas of England. The primary outcome was response to treatment and the secondary outcomes included anxiety (depression trial), individual risk factors (CVD risk trial), self-management skills, medication adherence, perceptions of support, access to health care and satisfaction with treatment. Trial results Depression trial: In total, 609 participants were randomised and the retention rate was 86%. Response to treatment [Patient Health Questionnaire 9-items (PHQ-9) reduction of ≥ 5 points and score of < 10 after 4 months] was higher in the intervention group (27%, 68/255) than in the control group (19%, 50/270) [odds ratio 1.7, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1 to 2.5; p = 0.02]. Anxiety also improved. Intervention participants reported better access to health support, greater satisfaction with treatment and small improvements in self-management, but not improved medication adherence. CVD risk trial: In total, 641 participants were randomised and the retention rate was 91%. Response to treatment (maintenance of/reduction in QRISK®2 score after 12 months) was higher in the intervention group (50%, 148/295) than in the control group (43%, 124/291), which does not exclude a null effect (odds ratio 1.3, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.9; p = 0.08). The intervention was associated with small improvements in blood pressure and weight, but not smoking or cholesterol. Intervention participants were more likely to adhere to medication, reported better access to health support and greater satisfaction with treatment, but few improvements in self-management. The Healthlines Service was likely to be cost-effective for CVD risk, particularly if the benefits are sustained, but not for depression. The intervention was implemented largely as planned, although initial delays and later disruption to delivery because of the closure of NHS Direct may have adversely affected participant engagement. Conclusion: The Healthlines Service, designed using an evidence-based conceptual model, provided modest health benefits and participants valued the better access to care and extra support provided. This service was cost-effective for CVD risk but not depression. These findings of small benefits at extra cost are consistent with previous pragmatic research on the implementation of comprehensive telehealth programmes for LTCs