NFRC is celebrating recognition by the Scottish Parliament for efforts at the 10th Festival of Traditional Buildings, held in August.
A parliamentary motion submitted by Gordon MacDonald MSP received widespread support within the parliament. The motion highlighted the efforts of those who came together ‘to celebrate Edinburgh’s traditional buildings’, and bring together experts with the wider public, in order to share knowledge and skills across the whole spectrum of traditional construction skills, and assist and empower homeowners to undertake repairs and maintenance to their homes.
The festival is held annually, hosting demonstrations and activities that introduce the public to traditional building skills, including slating and leadwork demonstrations by NFRC members.
As well as sharing skills, the festival also focuses on sustainability. A high proportion of Scotland’s traditional homes are not wind and watertight, and activities highlighted how to identify disrepair to your roof and how it can be fixed, as well as how to identify a contractor to undertake the works.
A wide range of organisations contributed as part of the Edinburgh Traditional Building Forum: the motion recognises the involvement of ‘the National Federation of Roofing Contractors [NFRC], Historic Environment Scotland, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, the Built Environment Forum Scotland, the Stone Federation Great Britain, the British Geological Survey, GLM Chartered Surveyors, Bannockburn House, Scottish Lime Centre Trust, David Fisher & Sons Plastering, Nevin Decorators, Developing the Young Workforce, and City of Edinburgh Council’.
Scott Miller, NFRC Scotland chair, said, “As a young boy in Edinburgh, I never thought I would be participating in the official Edinburgh Festival Fringe but I am delighted to have once again given a roof slating demonstration with apprentices from Compass Roofing Ltd to help homeowners maintain their roofs and homes. The Festival of Traditional Buildings is a great demonstration of how the whole industry is working together in Scotland to help homeowners repair and maintain their homes.”
