Having an enviable reputation for conservation and restoration work on some of the most historically important buildings in the country stood us in good stead to be awarded the contract to carry out further work at Windsor Castle.
Carpenter Oak & Woodland has been appointed to carry out conservation work to the oak timber frame that houses the bell and clock inside the stone curfew tower at Windsor Castle.
The tower was built by Henry III in the 1220s to command the north-west of the lower ward defense. In 1477 the tower was granted to the college as a belfry and the bells are still rung regularly. Following laser scanning and 3D modelling by Plowman Craven 3D the necessary repairs have now been identified. This isn’t the first time we’ve carried out work at Windsor castle. Previously we have restored the kitchen roof (after the fire in 1992) and conducted repairs to the cloisters.
The work to the belfry involves a range of specific repairs to the structure to ensure its structural integrity for the next couple of hundred years! On a structure of such historical importance it is paramount that each repair is considered individually and the appropriate method and materials used. In conservation it is normally desirable to retain as much of the original fabric as possible. This often necessitates the use of modern materials such as resins and proprietary stainless steel fixings as an ‘all timber’ repair may mean removing existing unstable material to allow a sound fixing to be made.
Work on site is due to start towards the end of July with the insertion of an engineered scaffolding that will allow us to support parts of the frame as repairs are undertaken. A couple of weeks later work will start in earnest and last about 4 weeks. If you would like any more information about this project as it progresses please don’t hesitate to contact us.
More information
For more information about this news story, please contact:
E-mail: Laura Martin
