Restoration Report – Stanley Farrugia Randon

Restoration Report

Stanley Farrugia Randon

The Restoration Committee of Din l-Art Ħelwa is currently composed of Maria Grazia Cassar and myself. Josie Ellul Mercer is no longer involved but the committee would like to thank him for his help and voluntary involvement over the past years. Without the hard work of other committee members and our office manager Rosanne Zerafa, Din l-Art Ħelwa would be unable to obtain the necessary funds to restore heritage sites. The wardens and volunteers of the sites are also of invaluable help during restoration projects.

u The chapel

of St Roque

Ħaż-Żebbuġ

At present the bell of this chapel is being restored. Every attempt is being made to keep all the original elements of the bell and the surrounding stones. The bell, striker, headstock and clappers all need urgent attention.

u The White

Tower

Mellieha

Thanks to funds obtained from the PostPandemic Support Scheme for Cultural Heritage, issued by the Ministry for Cultural Heritage, the Arts and Local Government, as well as funds from the Malta Tourism Authority, Din l-Art Ħelwa recently completed the drainage system and electricity required to install three bathrooms at the White Tower. Two dormitories with beds and cupboards, apertures and other commodities to accommodate people in the Tower were also installed. The White Tower was used as a hydrophone station school soon after the First World War and it then accommodated students. On the roof, security railings were fitted to make the place safer for visitors. Din l-Art Ħelwa has also applied for 3-phase electricity for it to be possible to hold receptions.

u Comino Tower

The isolation of Comino Tower from the mainland makes the restoration of this tower very problematic. Volunteers often do handyman jobs themselves but at times the works require professional help. Some stones will eventually need replacement or consolidation using carbon-fibre rods. Pointing gets eroded easily and will be needed in different areas.

u Torri Mamo

Marsaskala

Unfortunately this summer Torri Mamo required a lot of maintenance. Water was seeping in from the roof and there were leakages in the plumbing system on the ground floor. The interior walls required pointing in some places, and part of the dry stone ditch wall collapsed. All needed urgent attention.

u Qalet Marku

Tower (Torri Marku, Torri tal-Qrejten)

Baħar iċ-Ċagħaq

Din l-Art Ħelwa has applied for the restoration of Qalet Marku Tower and permits are in hand. Following the successful restoration of the Ghallis Tower with Gal Majjistral funds, Din l-Art Ħelwa will be restoring Qalet Marku Tower after again applying for more funds. The last time that this tower was restored was between 1995 and 1998. Since then most of the pointing between the stones has weathered away, and some stones will have to be replaced as they have deteriorated beyond repair. Apertures have been kept in a good operating condition by Din l-Art Ħelwa, although the door on the ground floor has often been vandalised.

u Dwejra Tower

Gozo

Thanks to European funds obtained by the Malta Tourism Authority, the restoration of the Dwejra Tower in Gozo is nearing completion. The south wall is presently being restored and this elevation required most attention as a number of stones needed replacement. The south walls of buildings in Malta are affected by weathering due to the effect that the sun has on the wet-dry cycle of salt crystals, which contributes to the accelerated deterioration of the stone. This is not necessarily the elevation which is closest to the sea.