Skillington Workshop

Skillingtons Training Course in the Architectural Conservation of Archaeological Sites in North Macedonia, 10-24 May 2025

January 13, 2025 by Elizabeth Blood in Building, News 0 comments

Skillington’s work to conserve the Theodosian Palace at Stobi in North Macedonia is being extended and will include the provision of a training course in conserving archaeological sites for the Balkan Heritage Field School 2025. The spectacular archaeological site of Stobi is close to the village of Gradsko in the Republic of North Macedonia. The course runs from 10-24 May 2025 and provides attendees with 6 ECTS academic credits (through the New Bulgarian University, Bulgaria). The variety of activities on offer as part of the course, and Skillingtons’ wide range of skills and expertise make this course suitable for both beginners and advanced students in architecture, Roman, Late Roman and Medieval archaeology and conservation. No previous experience is necessary. The two-week field school provides a minimum of 75 hours of fieldwork, workshops, lab work, lectures, instructional practical work, and guided tours. Participants will learn about: Roman construction techniques Understanding traditional mortars The deterioration and conservation of archaeological stone structures Ecology and archaeological ruins Practical techniques such as consolidation using mortars Different approaches to treating wall heads Earth mortars How to present the pointing of archaeological structures Reconstructing/ restoring losses Good maintenance This is a new field school […]

Skillingtons Project Shortlisted as 2025 AABC Conservation Awards: Regional Finalist!

December 31, 2024 by Elizabeth Blood in Building, News, Sculpture and decorative arts 0 comments

Leighton Buzzard Market Cross Skillingtons recent conservation of the Leighton Buzzard market cross has been shortlisted as a Regional Finalist for a Civic Trust Award. Project Architect, Rena Pitsilli-Graham, nominated the work. The 2025 AABC Conservation Awards are for “projects which demonstrate the highest standards of historic building conservation”. Following a period of decline, in which stone decay and falls, plant growth, and build-up of pollution and dirt had become a major problem, the Leighton Buzzard Townlands Trustees in association with an Architect, Rena Pitsilli-Graham, commissioned research, surveys, scientific analysis and trials to inform a specification of repair works. It was seen that previous repair works had failed, stonework was decaying, and the accumulation of pollutants and biological growth had begun to affect the structure. Trustees then engaged Skillingtons to examine the condition of the carved stonework and subsequently commissioned them to carry out the specified cleaning and repairs to the whole structure, including its fragile sculptures, original vaulted ceiling, its steps and railings. Skillingtons’ Alan Micklethwaite also produced new carved stonework for the repairs. Being a Regional Finalist means that the project has been selected as a scheme that has “demonstrated a significant standard of historic […]

Theodosian Palace Conservation Project: Stobi, North Macedonia

August 05, 2024 by Elizabeth Blood in Building, News 0 comments

Conservators from Skillingtons worked with an international team led by Graham Abrey for the Balkan Heritage Foundation with the National Institution Stobi at a site in North Macedonia. They were helping to conserve part of one of the most important buildings at Stobi; the 4th century Roman residential Theodosian Palace. An exemplar trial was wanted to show how current conservation practices could work for the rest of the site. The works consisted of repairing damage to a wall caused by post-excavation exposure to the atmosphere and the failure over time of historic attempts to stabilise it, and included repairs to the wall head and consolidating losses through salt damage. Whilst working on the site in May 2024, Skillingtons trained local heritage workers in conservation best practice and maintenance. The project was funded by the Kaplan Fund. Stobi is a Roman city archaeological site, mainly dating from the Early Imperial (1st century BC) to Late Antiquity (6th century AD) periods. It is vast, with many important buildings and mosaics, much of it yet unexcavated. Next to the River Vardar in North Macedonia, it is easy to appreciate Stobi’s strategic position. The Palace was excavated in the 1920s, and in […]

Monumental Brasses

October 20, 2016 by Tony in Building 0 comments

We have established a new department to the company specialising in the conservation of monumental brasses. Trading under the name Skillington Lack, we work with William Lack ACR as our consultant with Simon Nadin as our lead specialist conservator. Simon has been serving an apprenticeship under William’s guidance since 2013 and Skillington Lack is now taking on commissions in its own right. Since brasses are generally set in stone ledger slabs, the preservation of which our stone conservators are long established experts, we are unique in being able to provide a complete service for the conservation of these fascinating memorials. See the new Services page for further details. Click here.

Bats in churches

January 22, 2015 by Tony in Building 0 comments

There are 18 species of bat in the UK, all of which are protected by law since they have been in serious decline in numbers over the last century. One of the reasons for this is the loss of habitat. Barns have been converted into houses, and modern dwellings tend to be far more carefully ‘sealed’ than those of 100 years ago. Churches, however, have remained as they were and – anecdotally at least – it would seem that whereas bat numbers generally are going down the number roosting in churches is significantly rising. Much as those of us working to conserve historic buildings, and in particular works of art in churches, might love bats, generally it cannot be denied that their presence can cause real problems. Bat excreta can stain and chemically alter wallpaintings, textiles, monumental brasses (and other metal fixtures and fittings) and even marble. Larger roosts can result in a huge build-up of droppings which can be nigh on impossible to keep on top of by regular maintenance. Protective covers, even where practical at all, can be a visual disaster. Meanwhile there are potential health issues with bat excreta which can have an impact on the […]

Wrest Park Orangery

May 06, 2014 by Tony in Building 0 comments

Wrest Park Orangery Skillingtons have recently won by competitive tender the Main Contract for the repair of the Orangery at Wrest Park, Bedfordshire, for English Heritage. The Orangery was designed by the architect James Clephan in a French 18th century style for the De Grey family in about 1836. The facade is of ornate stucco in an early form of cement, using a combination of mouldings formed in situ and cast elements. The repairs are not only to the stucco but also to the roof (including the glass), the interior, and with the return to working order of the great north doors – where a whole bay opens up on huge hinges. This was designed to allow the wheeling in and out of orange trees, and is believed not to have been opened for around 50 years. The contract will be completed with complete internal and external redecoration, with a planned hand over date of December 2010.