Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
the areas that were most difficult to access, at high level and over the moat.
Condition surveys in the late 1990s showed that the west face of the gatehouse
and the upper parts of the west tower were now in a serious state. Lamination
of the brick faces was starting to escalate, and structural cracks were develop-
ing to the top of the west tower. Erosion of brickwork at the waterline of the
moat was also severe.
It was clear that a major, co-ordinated programme of work was needed. In
order to erect scaffolding for the west face of the gatehouse and the west tower,
it would be necessary to drain sections of the moat, a considerable undertak-
ing. A three-phase programme of work was organised, tackling first the gate-
house, then the west tower and finally replacement of the decaying oak bridge.
The overall project budget was £0.5 m.
The English Heritage team, consisting principally of Senior Architectural
Assistant Gurdev Singh and Inspector Glyn Coppack, had considerable experi-
ence of the repair of ruined brick monuments. The Inspector made inspec-
tions of the previous programmes of repair, alongside the preparation of a
conservation plan. It was quickly recognised that the exceptional import-
ance of the early brickwork demanded a very careful and considered repair
approach. Close inspection showed that none of the various twentieth-century
repairs had matched the high quality of the original brickwork. In particular,
the shaped bricks had been dressed rather crudely with a brick hammer, rather
than matching the original fifteenth-century finish.
It was agreed that expert advice was needed on this specialised aspect of
the repairs. A site meeting was arranged with Gerard Lynch, well known for
his expertise in the field. He was able to firmly identify the precise techniques
used and to explain how to replicate the original finish, with use of the trad-
itional brick axe. Supply of special matching bricks was also considered at this
early stage, and a visit arranged with Peter Minter of Bulmer Brick & Tile Ltd.
An early order was placed to ensure bricks would be supplied in good time.
A total of 15,000 bricks were used during the whole works programme.
The specification for the first phase of work could now be drawn together with
confidence. Detailed drawings were prepared to show the exact extent of the
brick repairs on each elevation. Wherever new shaped bricks were to be used,
it was specified that these would be cut and hand-dressed with the brick axe
on site, not supplied as ready moulded specials, or dressed with modern tools.
Shaped bricks were needed principally for the cut-moulded surrounds to open-
ings, angled corners, plinths, and repairs to brick vaulting. It was agreed that
the specification should include for training sessions of the workforce with
Gerard of the appointed contractor so that the brick-axing technique could be
properly learned and applied on site (Fig. 27). Competitive tenders were sought
for the work from a shortlist of selected contractors, and Midland Masonry Ltd
were duly appointed in 2004 to undertake repairs on the gatehouse, and after-
wards the other two phases of work on the west tower and bridge.
