Audley End House is a magnificent Jacobean ‘prodigy’ house, and is arguably the jewel in the crown of English Heritage’s East of England portfolio. Skillingtons seem to be involved here in some capacity every year, having carried out major projects to the Tea Bridge, the Lion Gateway and the service range as well as to the main house. In 2005 we won the competitive tender to carry out a major programme of work to the South Wing. The largest part of this was very sensitive mortar repairs to clunch ashlar and decorative work to a loggia. Clunch is a very soft limestone which is easily carved with fine detail, but it is this very quality that leaves it vulnerable to decay in the elements. The approach here was to preserve as much original fabric as possible by means of lime mortar grouting, fillets along loose edges, and capping over cavernous decay. The mortars had to be carefully made to be virtually indistinguishable from the stone, and were sometimes further covered by equally subtle protective lime shelter coats. Contract value range: £75-£100K Client: English Heritage Architect: RH Partnership Architects To view the gallery, simply click on an […]
Harlaxton Manor, near Grantham, Lincolnshire was built by Gregory Gregory mainly between 1831-1837 firstly with the architect Anthony Salvin then with William Burn. The ‘Front Circle’ is the entrance courtyard to the main house, built circa 1840, comprising large screens and staircases, and then lodges either side of the entrance gate, mainly of Ancaster Hard White limestone. In the 20th century the roofs of the Lodges – which were low lead roofs concealed behind the parapets – had collapsed and the Lodges were capped with massive bronze lions. All had fallen into a state of disrepair particularly with the failing of some of the huge pieces of limestone where acting as copings. Skillingtons were delighted to have the opportunity to negotiate for a repair contract with the College – who had confidence in our skills and integrity from previous contracts here. This was also in part enabled by the private funding of the works. We drew up a fully priced schedule of works which formed the basis of our contract. As well as the usual (but not inconsiderable!) Ancaster Hard White replacement we managed scaffold access; removal, conservation and reinstatement of the bronze lions; joinery repairs; and […]
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. Similar projects St Alban’s Cathedral – Restoration of the Shrine of St Amphibalus Shrines were focal points of medieval cathedrals, housing relics of saints and attracting... Read more! Worksop Priory Gatehouse Shrine The original Worksop Priory, an Augustinian monastery founded in the early 12th... […]
