The 2012 Restoration Project (1/2)

The project ran from January to March 2012.  During that period, the church was unusable, and so church services were held in the Church Hall.

Notes:

  1. To display the caption of an individual picture, hover the mouse pointer over the image.
  2. Because of the large number of pictures, they have been split over two pages and kept to a modest size.  To make the pictures a little larger, you may be able to adjust the zoom control on your web browser.
  3. The photographs may not be in precise chronological order.

The restoration companies

 

The overall restoration work was carried out by
J G RESTORATIONS LIMITED, based at 4 Hidcot Court, Swindon, Wiltshire, SN25 2ER.  Our contact for the project was Michael Bartoletti.  Click here to email Michael.

JG Restorations logo

Furniture restoration work was carried out by MORRISENS FURNITURE RESTORERS, based at East Ilsley, RG20 7LF, phone 01635-281349 or mobile 0799-088-717.  Our contact was Malcolm Morrisen.  Click here to email Malcolm.

Morrisen Restoration logo

The stonework restoration was carried out by RAMSBURY STONEMASONS, based in Marlborough, Wiltshire, phone 01672-520713 or mobile 07812-085785.  Our contact was Samuel MacArthur.  Click here to email Samuel.

Ramsbury Stonemasons logo


They made it happen

The builders, stonemasons, electricians, furniture restorers and sound engineers.

Michael, Jo, Raphael and Samuel

MichaelJoRaphaelSamuel

Nick, Malcolm, Wes and Patrick

NickMalcolmWesPatrick

January 2012 - How it looked before restoration

  • At this stage only a few mobile items have been removed for safe storage - the lectern, the Madonna statue, the organ console, some altar tables, and the north aisle ikon.

Nave, chancel and Lady Chapel (pre-restoration)Chancel and high altar (pre-restoration)High altar and east window (pre-restoration)

Chancel and choir stalls (pre-restoration)The chancel window of St Gregory, St Augustine and St Chrysostom (pre-restoration)Lady Chapel altar and Vanlore tomb (pre-restoration)

The north aisle (pre-restoration)North aisle, pulpit and old vestry (pre-restoration)The pulpit (pre-restoration)

Main aisle and back of church (pre-restoration)The main nave aisle (pre-restoration)Main aisle and north aisle (pre-restoration)

The Lady Chapel altar and William More brass (pre-restoration)Vanlore tomb and window in Lady Chapel (pre-restoration)The back of the Lady Chapel (pre-restoration)

The base of the towerOld vestry (pre-restoration)Old vestry (pre-restoration)

The entrance from porch to nave (pre-restoration)Sound system and wiring at back of church (pre-restoration)The back of the church (pre-restoration)

January 2012 - The builders begin their work

  • More items are dismantled and moved elsewhere for safe storage, or for individual restoration.
  • Items that are too large or heavy to move are covered for protection.
  • Tiled floors and wooden floors are lifted for repair or replacement.
  • Scaffolding is installed in stages, up to roof height.
  • Any issues are discussed with the builders and architect from time to time.
  • A start is made on restoration, cleaning and repairs.
  • Any unsound plasterwork and structural timbers are replaced.
  • Stonework and windows are restored and cleaned.

Chancel floor tiles in need of repairChancel floor tiles in need of repairPreparations for restoration in the chancel

The organ loft with loudspeakers and pipesChoir stalls removed and organ loft being dismantledChancel floor joists in need of repair (north side)Chancel floor joists in need of repair (south side)

Removal of old tiles in need of repair near the high altarRemoval of old tiles in need of repair near the high altarHats off to the builders - preparation for new reredos stonework behind the high altar

Pulpit wrapped for protectionFont wrapped for protectionBrass plaques on the tower wall to be removed for restoration

The choir stalls after removal from the chancelNave pews and choir stalls stacked in the north aisleDouble-decker pews stacked in the north aisle

Lady Chapel pews covered for protectionPreparations for new floor joists and new stone chancel stepProtection for scaffolding in the chancel

Chancel scaffolding partly installedLow-level scaffolding installed in chancelLow-level scaffolding installed in chancel

Restoration work on chancel wallsWork continues after sunsetWater damage visible on right-hand side of the roofA worker who has reached the top of his profession

January / February 2012 - Restoration continues apace

  • Scaffolding is extended into the nave.

Scaffolding partly installedOrgan loft with pipes and loudspeakers removedThe organ was moved backwards into the old vestry, and the pipes had been removed for restoration

Top of the east windowDetail of the east windowDetail of the east window

Roof joists and raftersDetail of roof timber carvingChurchwarden and Architect in discussion

Churchwarden and builder discuss progressChurchwarden arrivesChurchwarden and architectScaffolding in the nave

Extensive scaffolding throughout the churchRoof joistsRestoration work above the chancel arch

Roof timbers - wall plate and raftersScaffolding to access nave roof timbers

Click here to go on to the second part of the 2012 Restoration Project gallery.