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Architectural Stone Repairs |
| St John's Bristol | Stocklinch | The Leigh | ||
| Hazlegrove | Wemdon | St Mary Taunton | ||
| St James Taunton | Steeple Ashton | . | . | |
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The tower of St Mary Magdalen, Chewton Mendip is 126ft high, one of the highest in the county. The tower is built of Doulting stone and is an impressive structure with carved detail on every elevation and a dramatic crown of pinnacles set off by a pierced parapet. On the west front there is a life-sized sculpture of Christ set within a niche depicting the resurrection, surrounded by six angels carved in relief. The specification was to attend to the tower parapets and pinnacles, which were in urgent need of repair and to carry out a comprehensive conservation and repair programme to the west elevation of the tower below parapet level. The crowning pinnacles were dismantled where necessary and rebuilt using a hydraulic lime mortar and stainless steel fixings with code 6 lead dressed to the top surfaces. |
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The Tower after conservation |
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Tower sculptures before conservation |
Tower sculptures after conservation |
Tower sculptures after conservation. Note the careful choice of shelter coats to harmonise with the untreated surface behind. Also note the lead protection. |
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The choice of sheltercoat for the carved elements on the
stringcourses as well as the west front sculptures was crucial to the successful
outcome of the project. It is always technically difficult to harmonise
sculptural elements treated with the lime technique on a large structure or
elevation with surrounding untreated surfaces, which retain their patina of
lichens and general weathering. The sheltercoat as well as the repairs must draw
out the detail, design and meaning of the sculptures in relation to their
architectural setting thereby enhancing our understanding of the original
intentions of the builders. The re-pointing mix is also designed to sit back in
the wall and not to distract from the overall form and detail of the tower. |
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An extensive programme of repairs was carried out to the pierced parapet and to the severely damaged grotesques on the top stringcourse. New sections of stone were carved where conservation was not possible. As with all the stringcourse sculptures the top surface was protected with a layer of lime mortar and code six lead. |
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String course, parapet level. Tower sculptures before conservation |
Tower sculptures after conservation. |
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The conservation programme to the west elevation included re-pointing where necessary, lime mortar repairs and pinning to the windows and west door as well as the cleaning, repair and protection of the sculptures. The figure of Christ was found to be unstable which necessitated its dismantling, rebuilding and repair. The six angels retained much of their original detail however all were all suffering from lamination and hairline cracks to the surfaces, which required careful pinning alongside adhesive and surface repairs. |
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String course, parapet level, west face. Tower sculptures before conservation |
Tower sculptures after conservation. A new stone section was inserted to stabilise the carving. |
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This church is in an idyllic setting in the heart of the Somerset countryside. Although modest in it’s construction it is most pleasing in its proportions, design and detail. The outline of the project was the removal of the reinforced concrete roof from the tower and replacement with an oak structure and lead covering. All previous cement repairs and pointing to the tower including the parapet were to be removed and replaced with lime based materials. The chancel arch tie rod was to be replaced as well as drainage, rainwater goods and glazing to be made good. This contract also included conservation work to the monuments inside. |
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Before the programme of work started Eltolene tissue was applied to give protection to loose and vulnerable areas of Ham Hill stone. During the removal of the cement the top course of the parapet was found to be unstable. It was taken down and re-bedded and tile repairs were used to fill in the extensive voids on the inside of all faces of the parapet. Bridgwater tiles were used in this area but for the main elevations of the tower, Cotswold tiles were considered more appropriate. The whole tower was repointed with a hydraulic lime mortar, supplied by Tout Quarry HL2, designed with similar properties to the original construction mortar. However, the ingredients of the mortar were carefully chosen so that the colour and texture would sit well with the weathered and lichen covered surfaces of the Ham Hill stone. Lime mortar repairs were carried out on the windows and decayed surfaces of the tower stonework The old concrete roof was removed and replaced with oak beams which were then lined in lead. A new stainless steel tie rod was installed. Conservation to the weathervane and a more stable way of fixing it to the church roof was designed. New cast iron guttering was fitted on the tower. In the south chapel work to the south wall included grouting and the introduction of tie rods as well as specialist conservation work to the monuments. |
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Architect - Nick Joyce
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Tower from South West |
Tower from North West |
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<< Original architects drawing << Click on the picture to enlarge
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| The newly carved apex cross | The old apex cross |
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The
fine detail is not visible at this picture size |
The
fine detail is not visible at this picture size |
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| Newly carved pinnacle | Micro pinning windows |
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| Micro pinning at work | Window repair completed |
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