Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
emphasis. Furthermore his book 'Gauged Brickwork: A Technical Handbook',
clearly written by a master craftsman, had been published in May 1990 and
was receiving acclaim from leading figures and heritage bodies involved in
historic buildings and their repair. I knew therefore that he had not only the
technical knowledge when it came to gauged brickwork but also possessed the
ability to consolidate that knowledge into practice since he had been a 'time-
served' bricklayer before moving on to academia and consultancy work. By
1992 Gerard had returned to contracting on historic brickwork and employed
a team of highly skilled craftsmen. However, due to the developing demand
for his professional opinions, lectures and writings he established himself as
a full time consultant. I therefore asked him to visit site to pass an opinion on
the work that had been condemned.
Following his inspection, in early 1998, he prepared a detailed report, includ-
ing rule-assisted drawings that compared an identical gauged segmental arch
that was of the same size and which had been built at the same time as the one
that had been rebuilt but was the subject of dispute. This report set out clearly
those areas where the work was deficient. The geometry and setting out was
incorrect. There had been no preparation of the Malm cutter voussoirs prior to
relaying the arch, inferior quality lime had been used in the mortar, and poor
bricklaying meant that there were mistakes not only in the laying of the arch
but also in the surrounding standard stock brickwork too. He then proceeded
to detail precisely what would be necessary to rectify the numerous defects.
After studying this report the main contractor acknowledged that rebuilding
of this arch was not the work for an ordinary bricklayer but required a person
with a 'special touch'. It was therefore agreed, with the main contractor, that
I would 'nominate' bricklayers who possessed these skills and who would be
retained to dismantle the incorrectly rebuilt arch and reconstruct it correctly.
Unfortunately Gerard was not in a position to help me within the rapid time
frame necessary due to his commitments, but kindly provided the names of two
skilled craftsmen, Richard Keech and Scott Williams. Both were time served
apprentices of his from his time at Bedford College and had benefited from
being taught traditional skills including gauged brickwork by him and been
part of his contracting team and subsequently set up their own specialist sub-
contract company. Therefore he was confident that Richard and Scott would be
able to dismantle the incorrectly reconstructed arch and rebuild it correctly and
to the exacting standards of workmanship required.
The finished result of this exercise is now a structurally sound arch and a
piece of brickwork that equals a mirrored 150-year-old example at the oppos-
ite end of Weavers House in terms of workmanship and materials. Clearly the
reconstruction of this arch was a complex task requiring a great deal of under-
standing and sensitivity on the part of the bricklayers who were responsible
for its execution. Had I not had access to a knowledgeable and experienced
