Historic Churches 2022

BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 29TH ANNUAL EDITION 31 and yellow ochre, lime white, lead white, red lead, vermillion, synthetic copper greens, including verdigris and copper resinate, carbon black and gold leaf. Tobit Curteis Associates stated that style of the painting indicates it is of the late 15th or early 16th century, and the detail and materials indicate that it is finely painted and of significance. Of the details that are visible, there is clearly a background of foliage, including grass and a section of a painted timber with a knot. The ornate decorative details may be elaborate architectural decoration or details of fine cloth and clothing. The subject of the painting is unclear, but the details are all ones which are commonly found in Crucifixion and Doom paintings of the period. As part of the conservation of the painted decoration, they were recorded and covered over again. RECASTING THE BELLS During the fire, the intense heat (measured as high as 600°C by the fire brigade) followed by the cold water used to extinguish the fire, resulted in cracks forming in all eight bells which dated back to 1739. John Taylor & Co Bell Foundry recast all eight bells from the usable portion of the original metal, and rehung them in 2021. Bakers of Danbury’s team carried out structural repairs to the ends of the large steel beam and thoroughly cleaned and redecorated the existing metal bell frame. FINAL REDECORATION AND REFURBISHMENT THROUGHOUT THE CHURCH All existing leaded and stained glass windows were carefully cleaned and restored. The broken clerestory windows were replaced with a traditional handmade ‘mouth blown’ antique glass (which gives the glass its inconsistent, crinkled texture effect) to match the existing glass. In many areas where the interior walls of the church had been affected by the fire and saturated by the fire brigade’s water, layers of paint were now peeling, resulting in a dusty surface. The layers included a multitude of different paints used over the years. Zinsser Peel Stop was applied to these areas to bind the existing paint and form a sound surface for the new paint. This is a clear acrylic binder that stays flexible and helps prevent peeling by letting moisture escape. The whole church has been fully redecorated, the fire damaged kitchen and toilet were completely refurbished, a new sophisticated LED lighting system, audio-visual system and fire prevention alarm system installed. A wet underfloor heating system was laid within a new breathable floor, measuring in excess of 300 sq m. The new breathable floor, Ty Mawr’s Sublime, is an insulated limecrete flooring system made up of two layers. The first layer is made entirely from recycled glass – acting as hardcore and construction layer, while also providing moisture management and insulation. The second layer is a breathable limecrete slab, made from a blend of natural hydraulic lime and recycled aggregates – a perfect alternative to concrete for use in traditionally constructed solid wall buildings. The floor was finished with 50mm thick sandstone paving with a riven finish, except in the nave and aisles where the existing very large and heavy ledger stones were reincorporated into the new floor construction after they had been cleaned and repaired by conservators. The ornately carved wooden pulpit in the nave was gently steam cleaned and repolished. However, the fire had devastated all other joinery within the church, so Bakers of Danbury’s joinery workshop has manufactured new solid oak furniture which includes large vestment cupboards and a bespoke servery designed to sit seamlessly within the nave. KATE GUNNER BA(Hons) is the marketing manager of Bakers of Danbury Ltd; kate.gunner@bakersofdanbury.co.uk. The new stone floor with a wet underfloor heating system Painted decoration from the late 15th or early 16th century which was uncovered during the work Specialist cleaning of a stone effigy