The outstanding items of work list that was included in our last update is now largely completed. There are some exceptions where work is ongoing and these are noted below. Scaffolding Following some issues with the design of the restraint scaffolds which have now been resolved, the scaffolders are finally back on site. They are currently erecting the nave/chancel wall restraint scaffold. Once this is complete, this will only leave the temporary bridge to the working platform to the north of the church. They should have these completed by early next week. Bell Removal John Taylor & Co. have been on site this week to remove the bells from the tower. This process was complicated slightly by the original floor hatch to the bell chamber being obstructed by a large structural timber that appears to have been installed as a strengthening measure at some point in the past. This meant that the bell hangers had to form a new hatch through which the bells could be lowered. This required an Interim Faculty to be obtained which the Registrar and Chancellor provided in very short time frame for which we are grateful. The bells have now been removed and relocated to John Taylor & Co.’s storage facility where they will remain until the time comes to rehang them. Clock Removal Unfortunately, we had to delay the removal of the clock in order to get the necessary permissions in place. This has now been done and the clock removal is scheduled for Saturday 7th August. Timber Sampling The timber identification specialists were also on site this week taking core samples from the aisle, nave and chancel roof timbers. They will now process the samples and report on the timber species and age of the timber to allow us to complete our design of the aisle roofs using the correct species of timber. They will need to return to sample timber from the bell frame. Basement Boiler Room We were able to access the basement boiler room for the first time in a while following the pumping out of standing water. The vaulted arch roof/ground floor structure appeared to be in a reasonable condition however it was clear that the moist atmosphere is causing some issues. We have instructed Buildzone to install some temporary props to the arch as a precaution due to the imminent installation of the scaffold above. The southern end of the west wall was particularly badly affected by damp. Closer inspection identified an entrance to a duct/passage of approx. 400mm in width which has been bricked up at some point in the past. Holes in the brickwork revealed a void running in the east-west orientation with a brick vaulted arch at its head. There was no heating pipework apparently running through this duct therefore the purpose of this void was unclear (possibly a coal bunker from a previous heating system?). If anybody has any further information on this it would be appreciated. Mundy Tomb Buildzone have now installed to the upgraded protective enclosure to the Mundy Tomb. Hirst Conservation Hirst have completed their inspection of the remaining fixed artefacts and we are awaiting their report. This is expected on 20th July. Wessex Archaeology We have asked for a quotation from Wessex Archaeology for an update to their report as requested by Historic England. We expect this by early next week. Aisle Roofs Once we receive the report from the timber specialist confirming the species of the timber, we will be able to complete the design work. We hope to receive their report within the next two weeks. Building Envelope and Structural Reinstatement We currently have enquiries out with a number of companies to provide assistance in assessing the damage to the stonework. Once, we have responses to all the enquires we will be forwarding our recommendations. We are also liaising with the project architect to bring them up to speed on the project and we have a site meeting booked on 29th July. We are hoping to get a design team meeting (DTM) in the diary in early August. Gawaine Dawes BEng (Hons) MSc CEng MIStructE Senior Structural Engineer
<span style="font-size: 1rem;">We are nearing the completion of phas</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">e 1 – the stabilisation of the walls of the church. The final details for the scaffolding have been drawn up and issu</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">ed for construction. All scaffolding will be completed within 2-3 weeks. The debris clearance is all but complete and once the scaffolding is finished, we will have completed the phase 1 works.</span>ArchaeologistThe Archaeologists have completed their work and have now left site. They are currently compiling a report on their finds but have sent the following interim summary:“<em>We finished our works on site at All Saints on Wednesday this week. All of our records have been brought back to the office. The material we have retained comprises approximately:</em><em>156.95kg of Window glass/lead</em><em>11.5kg of Complete roofing slates</em><em>19.5kg of timber, including burnt remains, that contains detailed decoration</em><em>177.7kg of decorative alabaster fragments</em><em>624.3kg of decorative stone remains and stone faced on more than one side</em><em>170.5kg of other stone</em><em>326.8kg of marble</em><em>60.2kg of tile/ceramic building material</em><em>19.2kg of ceramic/pottery</em><em>227.27kg of iron (much of which will be nails).</em><em>97.5kg of other metal pieces.</em><em>The total weight of retained material comes to approximately 1,891.42kg.”</em>Aisle RoofsThe detailed inspection of the remaining timbers to the aisle roofs cannot be undertaken until the scaffolds to these areas are completed. We are also awaiting dates from Historic England as to when they will be able to complete to dendrochronology investigation of the timbers. Therefore, the works to reinstate the aisle roof will not commence until later in the summer once the designs are completed and DAC faculty approval is granted. There will be gap between the end of the phase 1 works and the start of the aisle roof reinstatement.In the meantime, the bells and clock will be removed for safe storage until funding is made available for their restoration.
<span style="font-size: 1rem;">We are beginning to close in on the scheduled completion date for the debris removal works.</span>The nave and aisle are now clear (despite some timbers being temporarily stockpiled here) and the chancel is approx. 85% clear. The archaeologist has indicated that the chancel will be cleared by the end of the next week. However, due to the amount of stone rubble, it is unlikely that the vestry area will be cleared within this time.<strong>Scaffolding to stabilise the building.</strong>The scaffolders started on site on Tuesday and have commenced the erection of the north and south aisle scaffolds. They have estimated it will take 2 weeks to install both of these. It is anticipated to take a further 1-2 weeks to complete the restraint scaffold to the other areas. This will be subject to the clearance of debris from within the vestry.<strong>Programme</strong>As reported, the debris removal is taking slightly longer than anticipated. We are therefore currently assessing the impact on the anticipated completion date for this phase.<strong>Clock</strong>Smith of Derby have issued their report on the clock and have recommended that it be removed and placed in safe storage whilst restoration works are ongoing. If this is something you wish to undertake whilst we have a contractor on site to assist with the removal, please let us know.<strong>Bells</strong>Taylor bells have now carried out their inspection and provided an interim report into their findings. Although the full report has not yet been issued, it is highly likely to recommend that the bells are decommissioned and removed to allow repair work to be undertaken to the bell support timbers, head stock and the bells themselves. Again, please let us know if this is something that you would like to undertake whilst the contractor is on site. <strong>Asbestos</strong>Buildzone are continuing to keep a watching brief during the debris removal but no further issues have been reported. The removal of high-level asbestos will be carried out when access is available.<strong>Hirst Conservation- Mundy Tomb</strong>Hirst have now issued their report and recommended that the protective enclosure be upgraded. We have since forwarded costs from Buildzone for carrying out this upgrade (or potential alternatives) and we await your instruction. Hirst have recommended that a further inspection should take place two months after the installation of the upgraded enclosure and at six monthly intervals thereafter. We have requested costs for this exercise from Hirst and will forward these on when we receive them.<strong>Unstable Stonework</strong>Work to provide further temporary propping to the unstable stonework within the vestry has now been carried out. Further work may be required to this area, but we will review this once better access is available. We will continue to monitor the propping that is in place.<strong>Chancel Crypt</strong>Initial investigations by Buildzone and the archaeologist have found nothing of significance below the floor on the chancel. Where the floor has partially collapsed, the construction appears to comprise a thin, unreinforced concrete slab/screed cast on top of loose sub-base material. If further investigations are required, this will require a further instruction.<strong>Site Visit</strong>As this phase of work is now nearing completion and the structure is much more stable, we propose to host a site visit by a small group of PCC members to review the work that has taken place. We propose a visit on Thursday 3rd June at 11:00am. If the PCC could nominate four people, we will be happy to make the arrangements. If more people would be interested in reviewing the works, please let us know and we can arrange a second visit later that day.<strong>Key risks:</strong>1 Debris clearance- increased rubble density within the vestry estimated completion 4th June2 Scaffolding installation – Estimated completion 11th June3 Chancel crypt- further investigation required?4 Further asbestos discoveries- Organ pipes?<strong>Aisle Roof Reinstatement</strong>The design of the aisle roof reinstatement is now underway. As we are unable to complete a detailed inspection of the remaining roof timbers until the scaffolds are completed, the design and approval period is likely to take us beyond the completion of the debris removal. Therefore, there is likely to be a hiatus between the end of the debris removal phase and reinstatement of the aisle roofs.Historic England have indicated that they are able to carry out the timber investigations includingdendrochronology and species identification and fund this through their own scientific budgets. We will liaise with HE to finalise the details of the investigations.Due to the requirement for site inspections of the remaining timbers, we propose to leave these in-situ until the aisle roof replacement scheme commences. We intend to ask Buildzone to price this work once the detailed design is completed. Our QS will examine the costs and agree rates. We would be grateful if you provide confirmation that this approach is acceptable.<strong>Further considerations</strong>Whilst Hirst conservation have provided input into the Mundy Tomb, we have not sought any advice regarding other fixed elements of significance such as the candle sticks, reredos, communion rail and vestry door surround etc. Please could you provide confirmation as to whether further conservator input is required at this stage or alternatively, if you require Buildzone to build temporary protective enclosures around these elements before they complete this phase of work.Finally, the current site manager, Jay Tomlinson, is on holiday next week and part of the following week. Buildzone will be providing a suitably experienced replacement, however you may see some unfamiliar faces around the site next week.Some photographs, along with an up-to-date plan of the debris clearance are attached.Gawaine Dawes, Thomasons.
Update 20 April, 2021 Concrete spraying to strengthen the columns Completed 9th April. The safety container has now been removed from site. Debris removal During the concrete spraying works and following the discovery of asbestos, the debris removal has been focussed on the external zones of the church. All the external zones are now clear of debris. As a result of the delay due to the asbestos find, we took the decision to defer the start of the second archaeologist until Monday 19th April. Two archaeologists are now established on site and are reported to be keeping Buildzone very busy! Their original estimated timescale of 70 man days to complete the debris removal still remains. We area also awaiting costs for a secondary container for storing the artefacts that have been / will be recovered. Asbestos An asbestos contractor is on site this week to carry out an initial assessment of the debris to identify any asbestos. So far 5 bags of material have been removed internally and externally. It is thought that most of the asbestos tile debris has been identified and removed but this is being continually monitored. Asbestos cement downpipes that are fixed to the walls will be removed at a later date when access is available. Restraint scaffold We have completed a cost analysis for various scaffolding options which we are hoping to have approved this week. There are several factors which influence the cost of the scaffolding and deciding on the most economic approach requires several assumptions involving the likely hire periods and the proposed aisle roof reinstatement. Unstable stonework We made the decision whilst on site to remove some more unstable stonework the wall between the vestry and north aisle. A localised area of stone appeared very precarious and posed a risk to anyone entering the vestry area. A temporary timber prop has been installed on a temporary basis and the area has been cordoned off. A more robust temporary propping solution will be designed and installed in due course. Programme The addition of the second archaeologist has pulled the programme in slightly to give an anticipated a completion date of 27th May. There are still some factors which could affect this and these are outlined in the Key Risks section below. Electrical connection We now have a quote for establishing this connection and are awaiting approval for access to the tower for inspection of the clock and bells. Debris removal is now concentrated on the nave of the church. We therefore anticipate the tower being accessible for the inspection to be carried out w/c 26th April. Hirst conservation- Mundy Tomb Hirst conservation will be attending site on Wednesday 21st April to carry out their further assessment of the Mundy Tomb including fibreoptic investigation. Forensic scientist Completed the site investigation Thursday 15th April. Items removed Whilst the crane was on site to remove the container, several other large items were removed from the debris. These include water tanks, a filing cabinet and the safe. These will be disposed of in due course unless instructed otherwise. Future Key risks Debris clearance- heavy rubble removal puts more pressure on Buildzone to keep the momentum of the debris removal going. Scaffolding procurement and installation takes time. Investigate the presence of a Chancel crypt Further asbestos discoveries may be made in the rema
