34
BCD Special Report on
Historic Churches
19
th annual edition
Structural engineer James Birdwood of BTA
Design in Shipton Moyne, Gloucestershire,
was appointed as part of the restoration
team. Verity and Beverley was to act as CDM
co-ordinator for the project, in addition to
being the project architects. An analysis
of the quotations received had indicated
that it would be most cost-effective for a
conservation contractor to carry out all the
repairs and works. However, being a small
parish, the PCC did not have sufficient
available funds to be able to commit to a
contract and the team was instructed to do
nothing further until funding could be secured.
By July 2009 the PCC had obtained
a faculty approval from the Diocese of
Gloucester to carry out the works using the
information provided by the restoration
team. With help from the diocese in obtaining
supporting grants and funding, the PCC was
in a position, in December 2009, to instruct
the team to proceed with the project. The
selected contractor, Ward & Co (Building
Conservation) Ltd, was appointed and the
team waited until early spring to start work to
avoid the possible effects of bad weather and
frost, with works arranged to commence on
6
April 2010 and complete on 25 June 2010.
On site and jacking
up the timbers
Following the erection of the scaffolding
during the first week of the contract, the
render infill panels were dismantled and the
boards that had been applied to the face of the
sole plates were removed. This gave the team
full access to the exterior of the belfry, enabling
a more detailed inspection of the timber frame.
A method was devised for the insertion
of the new frame members which entailed
releasing four original holding-down
bolts, one in each corner, and jacking up
the whole roof structure with jack props
off the top of the inner masonry sill of
the tower. To minimise the possibility of
any damage to the roof structure and its
stability, the roof would be raised only
enough to be able to allow the ‘angling’ in of
new posts and sole plates. The contractors
proceeded with opening up and removing
the rotted sections of the timber frame.
During earlier inspections, remnants of
an original brown paint finish to the frame
had been discovered under the protection of
the eaves of the tower roof. It was felt that
this should be reinstated as it was the original
intention of the architects to finish the timber
frame with paint. In addition to providing a
weatherproof finish, this would also unify the
patchwork of repairs that would result from
the works. Analysis of the paint indicated that
it was a standard lead-based oil paint typical
of the 1880s but it was decided that, for health
and safety reasons, a lead-based paint would
not be used. Instead, a water-based paint
with a similar appearance and durability was
specified. This was particularly important
in consideration of its suitability for future
maintenance. Although the original paint
material was not exactly replicated it was
felt that the reinstatement of a paint finish to
the timber frame was still compatible with
the spirit and philosophy of the restoration.
Works proceeded with the formation of
the new frame members, all of which were
formed on site by skilled craftsmen. The
frame joints were required to exactly match
the originals where they were being replaced,
and were fixed together in the traditional
manner with tapered timber pegs. It was
agreed with the structural engineer that the
additional use of angled stainless steel dowel
pins would be prudent at the junction of the
corner post and sole plate in one location
due to the condition of the original timbers.
From a study of the surviving timber
lathing it was clear how the original infill
panel had been constructed. Grooves in the
original timbers had provided a weathering key
for the render panels, and these were exactly
replicated in the new timbers. New riven oak
laths were fixed to match the existing, and
the infill panels were finished externally with
a smooth lime render flush with the face of
the timber frame, and internally with lime
render torching to the back of the laths.
Project cost and completion
The contract account had been closely
managed throughout with the adjustments
costs for all variations being reported to the
client. The works were valued at four-weekly
intervals and interim certificates issued to the
client for progress payments to the contractor.
By closely working with the contractor to
agree variations to details of repair, and by
the careful management of the costs, the
project was completed for a little below the
contract sum. Following completion there
was a three-month defects liability period
at the end of which the completed work
was inspected. There were no significant
defects to attend to but instructions were
given to return to site to check and finally
tighten the four corner holding-down bolts.
Restoring St Andrews’ belfry has been a
hugely engaging experience involving some
very specific technical challenges, particularly
jacking up the roof. By thoroughly inspecting
and understanding the problems suffered
by the structure, and carefully considering
the methods of its original craftsmen, the
restoration team has ensured the structural
integrity of the belfry. This in turn ensures the
continued life and use of a historic building
that is a central focus, both visually and
socially, within the village of Leighterton,
and of cultural importance to us all.
David Butcher
DipArch RIBA CA is senior
consultant architect at Verity and Beverley
Architects and Designers, based in the Cotswolds.
A restoration specialist and expert in ancient and
historic buildings, he is listed on RIBA’s Conservation
Register as an accredited conservation architect
and he is on the approved list of architects for the
dioceses of Gloucester and Bristol.
Remnants of the frame’s original brown paint finish
had survived under the protection of the eaves
The finished belfry with its shingle louvres, lime-rendered panels and newly painted timbers
