Medieval Tiles Conservation Project

One of the great treasures of Winchester Cathedral is its vast expanse of Medieval floor tiles. In 1996 a huge project was undertaken to conserve and clean the tiles laid down by the Benedictine monks in the thirteenth century. The tiles depict an array of patterns and religious symbols including the Fleur de Lys, representing the Trinity and the six-pointed star, symbolising Jesus “the bright morning star” from Revelation 22:16. As part of the project, some of the original tiles, fragmented beyond repair, were replaced with replicas, enabling the visitor today to see more fully the vibrant colours with which the monks and pilgrims would have been all too familiar, seven hundred years ago.

In 1844, the Rector of Barton Stacey, Henry Middleton, died after only a short time in office. As a memorial to him, Medieval floor tiles were laid in the sanctuary of All Saints Church. The story told is that the Dean of the Cathedral at the time, Thomas Garnier, offered the tiles to the Village by way of consoling the whole community on the sudden loss of their vicar. If true, one suspects that the Dean didn’t quite appreciate what it was that he was giving away!

In more recent times the tiles have begun to show more than their great age. In 2004 the Parochial Church Council commissioned a survey but were put off by the expense of pursuing any further works. In early 2018 the PCC commissioned Cliveden Conservation, the firm who undertook the conservation project at Winchester Cathedral, to do a fresh survey and advise on a way forward. Cliveden produced a detailed report in August of last year recommending much-needed conservation if the tiles weren’t to be lost. It was noted that two tiles were so fragmented that they posed a health and safety risk and would need to be removed.

In November a ‘sponsor a tile’ fundraising venture was launched and to date, the response from the village community has raised over<span style="font-size: 1rem;"> £8 000 of the estimated £26 000 needed. A remarkable achievement in a short space of time. Though housed in Barton Stacey Church, the tiles are a national treasure and we are lucky to have them in the Dever Valley. If you would like to help us raise the balance, you can sponsor a tile at £30 each. Every sponsor receives a certificate showing the position of their adopted tile. Please contact me at [email protected] or telephone 01962 886883 for more details.</span>

Mark Bailey

Rector