Many conifers won't grow new leaves (scales) from brown wood. The problem is over-trimming; it will happen again unlesss you learn. But I doubt whether disease is involved.
location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand. "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
I'm not too far from you @Alison-rimmer and the last 2 years have been unusually dry ( apart from this July!) Its likely that the confers just couldn't cope with the prolonged shortage of water.
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"Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."