Issue 39 Sept 23 - Journal - Page 38
Coventry Cathedral –
Two Projects At Once
Medieval and Modern
With its mix of both medieval and modern, Coventry
Cathedral provides a diverse challenge for conservation
professionals. Heritage Stone Access are specialist
stonemasons who operate at height and are able to utilise
rope access, with extensive experience working where
peregrine falcons are nesting. In the last few years, the
company were engaged concurrently in heritage
stonemasonry projects on both the medieval cathedral
and the more contemporary Cathedral building.
This particular project involved a highly diverse team of
experts and, as well as the architect, Cathedral representatives, specialist stonemasons and structural engineers,
also included a geological analysis of stone to be used, and
strict guidelines from ornithologists and conservation
specialists for the protection of nesting peregrine falcons.
Following the inspection, Heritage Stone Access provided
a comprehensive report on the condition of the structure
of the tower, lantern and spire, and details of the remedial
repair work carried out. All hazardous loose material was
removed and documented during the inspection. A
programme of regular monitoring and condition surveys
continues on the structure to conserve heritage property,
consolidate the structure and ensure peregrines have safe
nesting sites.
These commissions began in 2020, with a comprehensive
high level inspection, investigations and remedial repair
work to the tower, lantern and spire of the oldest remaining
part of Coventry Cathedral (St Michael’s Church). These
works, instructed by Kelley Christ, architect A&RME Ltd.,
were to provide a thorough review, documentation and
baseline to enable planning for future works.
Structural engineers of the Morton Partnership worked
in conjunction with Heritage Stone Access to piece
together all information regarding the stability of the spire
top and future repairs. Internal Remedial repair work was
undertaken, in the most sensitive manner, by Heritage
This inspection covered both the medieval perpendicular
tower (1370s-90s) and spire (1440s) which were both
heavily restored in the 19th century; the tower by George
Gilbert Scott in the 1850s, and the spire by his son John
Oldrid Scott in the 1880s.
STONEMASONRY ● SCULPTURE
CONSERVATION ● ROPE ACCESS
Comprehensive Inspections ● Report Writing ● Stonemasonry ● Conservation
Letter Cutting ● Heraldry ● Architectural Ornament
RICHARD MARTIN 07950 571476
info@heritagestoneaccess.co.uk
WWW.HERITAGESTONEACCESS.CO.UK
@heritage_stone_access
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Conservation & Heritage Journal
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