Scammers still trying it on
Reports from The Tile Association confirm that the scam involving conglomerate marble with mirror fleck is continuing to plague tile retailers around the UK.
Birthday Board appointment for Martyn
East Midlands Ceramic's development manager, Martyn Slawson, has had the ideal 40th birthday present — promotion to the board of directors.
Jeans means buggy for Ethan
Staff at all N&C premises put their hand in their jeans pocket and raised £342 to buy a buggy for Ethan via Children Today, the tile industry's favourite charity.
World Cup Wednesday wnners scoop top prizes!
Despite England's World Cup bid ending in disappointment, trade visitors to Dunkley Tiles in Bournemouth were delighted with their World Cup scoop after winners netted £400 worth of materials from the South's leading tile supplier.
Tiles raise money for church
A scheme to raise funds for the restoration of a church organ in Rhyl has been harnessing the creative talents of local people.
Night on the Tiles
The first three weeks into the new football season has seen several high scoring matches and canny managers who picked the right players scored highly.
Currency News
Good news — bad news
A flurry of good news for UK plc at the end of last week with GDP increasing slightly thanks to the construction sector together with a slight increase in house prices in July. However, news from around the world was not so positive. USA GDP still teeters on the brink and Japan's main bank is trying to stabilise the yen.
Business News
Shortage of demand holds back construction businesses
Optimism and expectations of an increase in turnover and profits have increased among construction and real estate Privately Held Businesses (PHBs) in the UK compared to 2009. However, a shortage of orders remains the greatest constraint, according to a report from financial and business advisers, Grant Thornton UK LLP.
UK Green Building Council makes recommendations on the future of BREEAM
The UK Green Building Council today publishes an independent report of its recent consultation with members, which contains a number of recommendations on the future of BREEAM. BRE Global has supported the consultation process and has committed to consider and respond to the points raised by the UK-GBC.
MFI comes back onto the market
Following the purchase of the MFI brand name by the Walker Group, who also own the Victoria Plumb brand, the MFI website announces that
Products
As part of its service to the tile industry, Tilezine publishes news snippets about new products on the market, free of charge. If you would like us to publish details of your new products email us at news@tilezine.co.uk
Tiles of Tragedy £6.50
The fascinating history of and the stories behind the 213 hand painted memorial tiles installed at the parish church of All Saints, Brightlingsea in Essex, installed between 1872 and 1988. Each tile commemorates the loss of an individual or group at the hands of the sea off the nearby coast. Poignant tales of loved ones lost at sea, commemorated by decorative tiles, who would otherwise be forgotten. . For further information please contact Buckland Books, 01903 717 648.
Scotland’s Shops £15.00
Many of our regulars will be familiar with the beautiful tiled shop interiors produced by J Duncan and Co of Glasgow during the early 20th century. This superb book illustrates most of the remaining Buttercup Dairy shops and many other with a wide range of tile and mosaic decoration as well as other materials. The focus is on the restoration and conservation of these historic shops, and also on the social aspect of shop design and use. A truly fascinating study and remarkable value too! Congratulations to Historic Scotland on such an excellent publication!. For further information please contact Buckland Books, 01903 717 648.
Reflections, the Westminster Cathedral Mosaics £19.99
Westminster Cathedral, the principal Roman Catholic cathedral in Britain, is decorated in the Byzantine style with marble and mosaics. The marblework is effectively complete but the mosaic decoration will take many more years. With the help of almost ninety illustrations this book recounts the often eventful story of the Cathedral mosaics, which have been produced over a period of more than a hundred years by a variety of designers and mosaicists and in a variety of styles, and examines the ancient mosaics which influenced and inspired them. The mosaics include beautiful modern images, not just religious scenes and will be an inspiration to mosaic artists worldwide. For further information please contact Buckland Books, 01903 717 648.
Nek Chand’s Outsider Art £28.00
It’s great to have this homage to Nek Chand and his incredible ‘Rock Garden’ back in print. The amazing mosaic covered statues and architectural creations designed and made by this humble Indian Civil Servant contrast so amazingly with Le Corbusier’s architecture in the nearby Punjab State Capital of Chandigarh, and all built in secret using natural and discarded materials found on his journeys to and from work. The fact that it remained unknown almost until completion is even more remarkable. A must-have book for its inspirational story! . For further information please contact Buckland Books, 01903 717 648.
Mensen op Tegels £42.50
A very detailed and complete study of everyday life as depicted on 17th century Dutch delftware tiles. There is everything here from the Pope to views of people urinating and defecating! Most of the tiles are in blue and white with the odd touch of colour here and there, and depict trades such as butchers etc and pastimes including ice-skating. The English translations are OK, but why are only a few of the scenes described in English? In most cases, the occupation is obvious, but some are rather obscure to the non-Dutch reader! Nevertheless, this book is well worth the asking price just for the lovely, large, clear illustrations! A welcome addition to the literature on Dutch tiles. For further information please contact Buckland Books, 01903 717 648.
Situations Vacant
As part of its service to the tile industry, Tilezine publishes news snippets about job vacancies in the market, free of charge. If you would like us to publish details of your vacancies email us at news@tilezine.co.uk
Membership Recruitment Agent
As part of its continuing membership campaign, The Tile Association is looking for recruitment agents to target quality businesses in the wall and floor tile industry in Scotland, Wales and Southern England with a view to encouraging their membership application. The ideal candidate would be expected to plan and carry out sales visits initially within a defined area. The position will be a temporary six-month contract, which can be extended by agreement. The representative will receive commission payment for new members and may include travel expenses. For further information please contact The Tile Association, 02086630946.
