Patch repairs to decayed stonework - Example 2

Gaps in staircase turret wall cleaned out and remortared

Patch repairs to decayed stonework on NE pinnacle

Repointing of capping stones on W parapet wall

 Capping stones on N parapet after being removed/rebedded/repointed

New lead flashing around SE corner

New flashing along S wall

Remortared and new flashing around NE corner

Remortared flashing on staircase turret roof

New flashing on N wall. As for the other new flashings new chases were cut into the masonry.

New flashing on S wall - 1

New flashing on S wall - 2

Detail of SW corner flashing

Detail of NE corner flashing

Detail of SE corner flashing

Cover strip repair - examples

Cover strip junction repair

Small splits rewelded - examples

Capping stones removed on W parapet wall

Capping stones removed on S parapet wall

Capping stones removed on N parapet wall

Patch repairs to decayed stonework - example 1

Mortar loss in capping stone bedding making capping unstable

Decayed stonework and mortar loss 

Defective mortar around lead flashing

Defective mortar around lead flashing

Defective mortar and cracking above lead flashing on chimney

Mortar loss/open joints on stair turret wall

Mortar loss/open joints on stair turret wall (inside)

 NW pinnacle after removal of upper stones for safety (not addressed in current contract)

Lead crack on tower roof - example1

Lead crack on tower roof - example2

Our initial estimate for the cost of the West Tower masonry repair project was between £15,000 - £20,000 (excl VAT). This included both the direct work and professional fees. As we near the end of the project (Feb 2022), this estimate has now been reduced to about £13,500 following the exclusion of the pinnacle repair work (see 'What we are doing')

Funding.

We started with about £1000 in our Roof Repair Fund and through local fund-raising and donations this was increased to about £5000 by December 2021. In addition, we have committed £3500 from money raised by the Friends of St Marys, mainly by kind and faithful donations.

We have also secured generous grants from the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust  and from the National Churches Trust for which we are very grateful. We are hopeful that with these grants to supplement the local fundraising the project will be completed without having to dip into church reserves. Any surplus will help to replenish the Roof Repair Fund where funds are always needed!

How you can help

If you would like to support the conservation of our beautiful village church, here are some ways you could help financially:

• Become a 'Friend' of St Mary's. The Friends were formed in 2003 to help raise money to maintain and restore the fabric of the Church building. Over the years they have raised many thousands of pounds, through donations and a diverse range of events, for which we are much indebted.
• Make a direct donation: 

* By bank transfer:

    Name:   Parochial Church Council of Purton General Account

    Sort Code: 60-21-40

    Account: 40461629

    Ref: West Tower

* By cheque:

    Payee: PCC of Purton General

    Ref (on back of cheque): West Tower

    Post/deliver to The Vicarage, 2 Kingsacre, Hyde Lane, Purton, Swindon SN54DU

* Online by card:    

* or contact our Treasurer, Berta Legg, for other means to make a donation.

Thank you!

See the following pages for photos for the defects addressed, the masonry and lead work in progress and the completed work.

UPDATE August 2021

Tenders were received and assessed.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2021

Following tender assessment we realised that the pinnacle repair work was going to need external scaffolding to be carried out safely. As we didn't have the funds for this the scope of the contract was reduced to include only the parapet work. SK Conservation were awarded the contract with a start date in early October.

UPdate October 2021

Eagle-eyed passers-by will have noticed that during October a number of capping stones were temporarily removed from the parapet. This allowed for rusted clamps between the wall sections to be replaced and for the capping stones to be re-bedded more firmly. In addition, a number of wall joints were raked out and re-mortared and areas of weather-eroded stonework were repaired. The parapet repair work was substantially completed this month. The contractor was asked to quote for some additional work to install new lead flashings and to repair some splits in the old lead roof. 

UPDATE DECEMBER 2021

Quotes for the lead flashing work were obtained and a sub-contrator (West Country Tiling) appointed but it was not possible to get the work done in December due to other commitments

UPDATE FEBRUARY 2022

The lead work was successfully completed in early February. SK Conservation then completed the mortar work associated with the new flashings and carried out final mortar repairs on the stair turret roof at the end of the month.

FINAL UPDATE AUGUST 2022

Following the 6 months 'defects' period the contract was officially signed off.

In the 2013 and 2018 Quinquennial Inspections our architect flagged up decay to the mortar on which the West tower parapet capping stones are bedded. On a more recent inspection in September 2020 he also identified a number of instances of failed pointing to the mortar joints of the parapet wall masonry, particularly at the junction with the parapet gutter. He recommended that all these mortar defects should be repaired within 12 months to prevent loosening of the masonry which could affect the overall integrity of the parapet structure.

Part of the parapet wall showing decayed masonry and loss of mortar on joints.

The 2018 Quinquennial Inspection also found that the upper stones on the NW pinnacle on the West tower were loose due to decayed masonry/mortar. The situation became worse in early 2020 and urgent action was taken to remove the upper stones in May 2020 so that there was no risk of any loose stones falling. The removed stones were stored for future possible reinstatement. We hope to restore this pinnacle as part of the repair work, if this is affordable.

NW pinnacle after removal of upper stones for safety