Issue 41 Spring web - Flipbook - Page 38
pioneer plant species, causing them to fail and allow water
to enter the wall core local to the collapsed plaster ceiling.
The two established saplings growing in the coping stones
provided further evidence of a saturated wall core. On
the north and south sides of the eastern gable, two
substantial kneeler stones adorned with carved lion heads
also had noticeable open joints.
To make the tower watertight, we re-pointed the
stonework at the base with an hydraulic lime mortar and
installed new lead coverings to sky-facing surfaces, we also
repointed around the clockfaces and windows with burnt
sand mastic after careful repainting and gilding of the
numerals. These works further ensure the preservation
and integrity of this historic structure.
To monitor the moisture levels within the tower walls
before and after, wooden dowels were inserted around the
wall core of the tower drum inside in key locations. By
measuring the initial water take-up in the dowels at the
beginning before repair, we could benchmark and compare the success of the remedial works after completion
by repeating the process.
Our work to the church ceiling was highly complicated
and involved many challenges because the water damage
had destroyed large areas of the ceiling. It also became
apparent many of the timber gallows’ brackets that
support the plaster on the east wall were rotten and these
all had to be matched with correctly gauged timber
replaced to the existing. The thickness of the existing
traditional-haired lime ceiling plaster was greater than
necessary; therefore, the architect detailed new timber
laths on battens. This effectively reduced the thickness of
the plaster coats. We carried out careful squeezes and
mould making of the original embellishments and cast
new parts to recreate the original scheme; concurrently,
we are-plastered the large flat, curved panels and re-ran
new cornices and mouldings.
Because of the listed status of the church, the restoration
and reinstatement work had to adhere to traditional
methods and craftspeople. We enlisted Cliveden Conservation as a specialist and principal contractor to conduct
the external tower masonry repairs, lead works and
internal plastering repairs, including the redecoration of
the ornate ceiling.”
David Bloxam, Head of Architectural Projects at
Cliveden Conservation, explains more about the skills required to restore the storm-damaged Saltaire URC. “Like
most projects we encounter, it is a huge privilege to be involved in restoring our country's most treasured architectural gems, and Saltaire URC is no exception. Before we
could work on the decorative ceiling, our stonemasons
needed to conduct remedial repairs to the tower.
Our Decorative Arts conservation team reviewed the
paint analysis and used multiple paint samples to achieve
an authentic colour match for the redecorated plaster
ceiling with the architect's approval."
Saltaire URC welcomed its congregation back through
the doors in December 2022 and is again back on the map
Above, storm damaged ceiling
Above, work in progress to restore ornate ceiling rose
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