VEHS lecture on the Bell Tower - the problems, the project, the appeal, and new insights on an ancient landmark (by Stan Brotherton)

1www.eveshambelltower.org.uk

The Bell Tower AppealThe problem, the project, the

appeal, and new insights on our iconic landmark

Thursday 25th September 2014


Evesham Bell Tower – conserving our local national treasure

Contents

• The problem & the Project• The Appeal• New insights on an old landmark



• In August 2012 some large pieces of stone fell from the upper reaches of the Bell Tower (some fell close to the footpath!).

• Heras fencing was put up; and public access re-directed.

• Urgent interim maintenance was undertaken and a detailed inspection performed ( using a cherry picker).

• A report prepared detailing the damage and the types of repairs required (final report March 2013).

• Previous inspections – performed with binoculars – did not pick up the range and extent of issues.

• Work required is extensive and, unfortunately, expensive……

The problem



• Replace and/or insitu repair badly eroded stones.

• Piece-in repair or replace functional stonework: dripstones, cornice and string courses, surrounds and cappings (buttress, pinnacles and plinth base).

• Insitu repair of cracked or loose stone (where material can be re-used using approved pinning techniques).

• Piece-in repair or replacement of ornamental stonework (panel tracery) with mortar repair and consolidation.

• Remove sulphate skins.• Remove vegetation in open

joints.• Repoint open mortar joints

generally.• Overhaul, repair and re-gild clock

faces.• Repair/renew other external

items (e.g. timber windows & guards, rainwater pipes).

• Renovate the four weathervanes (new maintenance-free bearings and re gild the vanes).

The project: the work required



Worries about the weathervanes

The bearings for the weathervanes need routine greasing. If they stick there is a risk the weathervane will be damaged in a high wind (or stormy weather) which might, in turn, damage the pinnacles.



Damage amongst the pinnacles

Missing stone Cracked stone held together with copper wire

Open joints & weathered stone



Damaged tracery and stones

Weathered detail Worn flashing & open joints between worn stones



Broken stones & dripstones

Missing ornamental detail

Ineffective dripstones (water run-down over carved supports)



Sulphate skins & wear

Sulphate skins causing surface layer to peel away

Worn stone, sulphate skins, flaking stone surface, broken dripstone



BUT some is NOT damage!

Rounded holes from Civil War musket fire?

Limewash!



The timetable

2013 2013 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014 2014Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct

Project startup activitiesProject ManagementArchitect (part-time)Tender/appoint contractors tender appoint

Archive research collate

Rectified PhotographyEcologistCherry PickerTrial AreasReview/Schedule of WorksCDMQuantity SurveyorTenders for Delivery PhaseFund-raising activitiesHLF round two submission

v0.14 05-AUG-2014; SBB

Delivery work will hopefully start March 2015 and run for 6-9 months.



The cost of the proposed work?

Development Gross Delivery Gross£ £

Prof fees Archive research 18,000 Capital costs Building repairs 192,000 Architect/Surveyor fee 26,536 Refurbish weathervanes 9,600 CDM (Health & Safety) 1,638 Refurbish clock 18,000 Quantity Surveyor 6,060 Scaffolding 78,000

Other Rectified photography 7,200 Architect/surveyor 17,690 Trial stone conservation areas 12,000 Quantity surveyor 6,061 Hire of cherry picker 6,000 CDM (Health & Safety) 1,638 Ecologist 3,600 Building contingency 30,000

Activity costs Education element 18,000 Budget for Development phase 81,034 Other costs Record information 3,000

Project Manager 30,000 £ General contingency 14,977

Overall Development 81,034 Delivery 418,966 Budget for Delivery Phase 418,966 Total costs agreed by HLF 500,000

So £500k to raise……



The Appeal & the people

• May 2013: Application submitted to Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).• June 2013: Bell Tower Appeal officially launched in Evesham Journal.• September 2013: award of £200k from HLF (subject to conditions!)• December 2013: confirmed eligibility to apply for DCMS/LPWGS grant scheme based

on VAT element on some costs (estimated value c.£40k).• June 2013 to now: apply for grants; plus lots & lots of fund-raising events!• HLF and DCMS/LPWGS provide about ½ of the funds required: so we need to raise the

other ½!• We have benefited hugely from the help of a lot of supporters and volunteers: helping

with stalls, street collections, events, raffle prizes, bids for charity auction, organising own fund-raisers!

• The committee at the centre of the Appeal:

Sue Ablett Chris Povey Reg Jakeman Fran Webb Diana Raphael Stan Brotherton



So what’s been going on?....

Sponsored cycle ride to Beccles (Sept 2013)

Hanna-h concert(Nov 2013)

Donation from St Mary’s(Dec 2013)

Boxing Day walk (Dec 2013)Stall at Christmas Market (Dec 2013)



…walks & displays & gigs & VEHS & America…

Loud & Local(Mar 2014)

Donation from VEHS(Apr 2014)

Auction in Evesham, New Jersey(May 2014)

Dog walk (Jan 2014) Display in Riverside Centre (from Jan 2014)



…festivals & walks & dance & swim & steam…

VE Vintage Festival(May 2014)

NYFTE(June 2014)

Ashley Gibson walk(June 2014)

One mile river swim(July 2014)

Bell Tower steam rally(July 2014)



…flowers & food & displays & cycling…

Harrell’s Hardy Plants(July 2014)

Walk & Talk & Lunch(July 2014)

Wedding dress display(Aug 2014)

Charity Auction(Aug 2014)

Cyclefest BIG One(Sept 2014)



How we’ve been getting on…



• We’ve raised a lot – through grants and giving – in about 15 months we’ve gone from a target of £500k to c.£50k

• But there’s still some more to do!• Fund-raising events are planned for the next

few months, and we have had kind offers for fund-raisers into the new year!



New insights on an old landmark

Upper layers typically well-shaped & well-fitting Guiting stone

Lowest level is very worn in comparison



Lichfield Chapel (All Saints)

Lichfield Chapel, All Saints’ Church (built c.1513)

Compare a section of lowest level of stone on the Bell Tower

D.C. Cox, Evesham Abbey and the Parish Churches: A Guide (Evesham: VEHS, 1980), 23.



Lichfield Chapel (St Lawrence)

Lichfield Chapel, St Lawrence’s Church (built c.1520)

Compare a section of lowest level of stone on the Bell Tower



Lichfield’s Porch (All Saints)

Base and corner stone of the West Porch of All Saints (c.1503-9)

D.C. Cox, Evesham Abbey and the Parish Churches: A Guide (Evesham: VEHS, 1980), 24.



Profile of the buttresses

North elevation, west buttress (near the churchyard): looking at it’s eastern face.1

2

3

4

5

6

1

4 5

2 3

6There are six stages to each buttress: with the top five stages marked by a “double-scallop” design. The lowest (sixth) stage is marked by a single protruding stone lip. Is this difference meaningful?



Purpose of springers

Springer

Vaulted ceiling

Springer

Springer

Springer

Springers

A springer is the lowest element on each side of an arch; where the arch support rests on the pier or abutment of the arch (from which the arch arises)



Springer (SW corner)



Springer (SE corner)



Position of springer (SE corner)

Where is it?



A little speculation…

• Suggestive evidence:– Significant weathering of lowest level

of stone (esp. compared to nearby structures of similar age).

– Significant weathering of springers under archway.

– On the buttresses the profile of the lowest dripstone is different to the other dripstones.

– Purpose of springers given location of stair turret?

– No hammer or chisel marks as evidence for removal of a vaulted ceiling.

• So… were parts of an earlier campanile incorporated into the Bell Tower?

Year Detail

c.1180 Bell Tower built by Abbot Adam Sortes

1319-20

William of Stow, Sacrist, built or completed a new tower (or paid for repairs to an existing tower).

c.1395A new bell tower (campanile) was built in abbacy of Roger Yatton

1530 Abbot Clement Lichfield built his Bell Tower



Local History Dayschool

• Bells and Belfries, Chimes and Time, in Worcestershire

• Saturday 11th October 2014 (9:30am to 4pm)

• All Saints’ Church• £20 with lunch (£15 without)• A local history dayschool

organised by the VEHS in support of the Bell Tower Appeal!

• Book your tickets now!


Environment

VEHS lecture on the Bell Tower - the problems, the project, the appeal, and new insights on an ancient landmark (by Stan Brotherton)