Conservation & Heritage Issue 49 October 2025 - Flipbook - Page 66
The AV system at St. Giles’ Cathedral is expansive,
comprising dozens of microphones, cameras, amplifiers,
audio processors and control systems. Regular, proactive
maintenance by the Whitwam team ensures the reliability
and longevity of this investment, from full equipment
inspections and testing to firmware updates and specialist
cleaning.
‘We are thankful for the hard work and significant efforts
of the Whitwam AVI team during recent maintenance
visits,” confirms John Andrew, chief steward of St. Giles’
Cathedral. “It is a real team effort, and I appreciate the
positive relationship that makes the maintenance visits and
all the efforts to resolve any faults so meaningful. Having
Whitwam as our ongoing partners gives us tremendous
peace of mind.”
For the team at St. Giles, knowing they are backed
by specialists who understand their specific setup is
invaluable. “Issues are resolved quickly without disrupting
our operations,” confirms Andrew, “The ongoing
relationship we’ve built means they can anticipate our
needs before they become problems, which allows us
to focus on our core business rather than technology
concerns. It’s not just about fixing things when they break,
it’s about having trusted advisors who consistently ensure
our AV systems are operational, in the best condition and
stand the test of time and regular use.”
The core AV system at the Cathedral includes a Sennheiser
wireless microphone system, a comprehensive network
of Panasonic and Marshall cameras for streaming of
worship and recording for security, along with the 47
Tannoy column loudspeakers. The system is powered and
managed from equipment in custom racks, whilst Apple
iPad touchscreens enable easy day-to-day user control of the
Crestron-based system to support live services, streaming
and recordings with the accuracy and professionalism that
the environment demands.
The ongoing managed services agreement with Whitwam
AVI ensures all components, from amplifiers and video
matrices to wall mounts and mixing desks, function as
intended. It also allows for early identification of potential
issues, significantly reducing the risk of operational
disruptions at the Cathedral.
“St. Giles has a customised maintenance contract in place,
with training for their users on the systems included
in this,” continues Baker. “Their SLA covers remote
monitoring and a 72-hour response guarantee, alongside
the crucial preventative maintenance visits.”
For almost a decade, Whitwam AVI’s dedicated team has
brought deep technical expertise and a true understanding
of heritage environments to its relationship with St. Giles’.
Through its ongoing managed services partnership, this
continuity will deliver peace of mind for the Cathedral
team and enhanced return on investment by extending
system longevity.
“Maintaining a system of this scale and importance takes
more than just technical skill; it takes trust, familiarity and
an eye for detail,” says Baker. “We’re proud to continue
supporting St. Giles’ and to be able to help organisations
get the most out of their investments over the long term.”
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