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unsatisfactory (Fig. 146). Furthermore despite having errors in setting out and
workmanship pointed out to them, the main contractor and his sub-contractor
were adamant that the completed work could not be improved upon.
Figure 146
The poorly rebuilt
gauged arch of Malm
cutters, 'Weavers
House', Wanstead,
London, 1859.
I therefore considered that in order to progress matters the best way for-
ward, without getting involved in a contractual 'wrangle', would be to engage
the professional services of someone who was an acknowledged authority on
traditionally constructed brickwork. This had to be someone who, if called
upon to do so, could demonstrate in a practical way how the condemned work
was incorrect and who would therefore command the respect of the main
contractor.
I have always had a fascination of historic buildings, traditional materials
and practices, with a particular interest in brick built properties. I have been
a member of the British Brick Society (BBS) for many years and of the RICS
Conservation Group since its inception. Through both of these bodies I have
been able to avail myself of many informative publications, articles and papers
and attended various CPD courses to study these subjects and to make use of
the knowledge thereby gained for the honest and faithful repair and restor-
ation of traditionally built structures. This has had the added benefit of allow-
ing me to meet some of the leading authorities in the fields of restoration and
conservation.
Such a person was known to me, as some years previously I had met Gerard
Lynch 'Head of Trowel Trades' at Bedford College - a fellow BBS member - as
a result of attending a CPD course, 'Introduction to Gauged Brickwork', in
the summer of 1990. I remembered that he had identified a significant defi-
ciency in the College part of brickwork apprenticeships and had pioneered the
re-introduction of traditional craft knowledge and skills alongside the modern
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