Old House Project - Repairs and Research continue

During the autumn the Old House Project (OHP) moved into its next major phase. With roof and chimney repairs complete, land cleared and a new entrance created, we have begun to implement the major works permitted by our main planning and listed building consents. These works have been overseen by our architects Mal Fryer and George Hodgson (both SPAB Scholars), supported by various consultants including structural engineer Ed Morton, sustainability adviser Paul Mallion of Kent based Conker Conservation, and mechanical and electrical services engineers PCS Consulting Services. Owlsworth IJP have been appointed as conservation builders for this next phase, after competitive tendering, with Dan Winch as their foreman. Jonny Garlick remains SPAB’s lead staff member for the project, supported by a team of volunteers, including local residents Chris Muffet and Mark Murthwaite-Price.

Door repair in progress at Old House Project

Remaining work includes carpentry to the timber framed eastern range, completion of joinery repairs to windows and doors begun by specialists and volunteers during the 2022 Working Party week, and pointing and shelter-coating of stonework using feebly hydraulic chalk-lime produced in our on-site kiln. Most importantly though, phase one will include structural repairs to the building’s bulging west wall. This is St Andrew’s most significant remaining repair issue and once the work is completed in 2023 we hope Historic England will feel the house is ready to be removed from its national ‘At Risk’ register. It was with Historic England’s financial assistance that the preparatory work for the west wall’s structural repair was undertaken.

We remain hugely grateful to the Pilgrim Trust, as our principal funder, and to the Architectural Heritage Fund whose loan is supporting the project until the building can be sold – we hope in 2024. Although the repair project has now become more conventional in terms of contracts and management; education and promotion are fully integrated and remain fundamental to our objectives. Autumn 2022 has seen the site open each Wednesday for courses and group and local visiting. We plan for this to be a feature of the project during all remaining works. In October we hosted a visit to the site by the Wealden Buildings Study Groups whose expertise helped improve our understanding of the building’s phasing and constructional details.

Group visit to OHP Summer 2022

The OHP has allowed new links to be forged by the SPAB – particularly with archaeological groups - but landscaping will offer us further opportunities. This autumn we have been working with hedge layer and Partnership Officer at Medway Valley Countryside Partnership Derek Whitehead, who has been helping to consolidate and improve the site’s boundaries. His expertise has also been integrated into our education programme.

First published in SPAB members-only magazine. Become a member to see the latest SPAB Magazine and get access to digital back issues.