Co-ordination allows numerous repairs to be carried out at once [
TWO CONTRACTS were recently undertaken together as a chancel, damaged misericords and small single project at the Grade One-listed church of St Mary in Aylesbury. areas of missing floor tiles. The works included stonework repairs, repointing, leadwork repairs, A project was put together that would window restoration, the introduction of isothermal glazing, furniture address urgent stonework repairs at specific, and flooring repairs, as well as renewal of the boiler flue and various concentrated areas – which gathered other sundry works. together and incorporated other necessary St Mary’s is a nationally important church. works which could sensibly be undertaken using The ancient edifice has Saxon origins and has shared access scaffolding. Having scaffolding at undergone many visible periods of growth, specific areas would allow for works other than alteration and restoration – resulting in the the primary need to repair stonework. characterful and imposing church we see Generally, much of the clerestory stonework today. The church dominates the town centre was badly weathered and decayed, with several of Aylesbury and is situated in a walled areas missing and others cracking away from churchyard ringed by historic buildings the walls. Some jamb and arch stones were which, in effect, creates a setting akin to a clunch (chalk), which had decayed by more by cathedral close. than half the stones’ depth, while in other areas The 2015 and 2020 quinquennial inspections the stones were cracking and pulling away by Daniel Benson of Ablett Architects from the walls. All the window surrounds were highlighted several serious issues on a general carefully surveyed and detailed drawings were level, including unsafe stonework on the made of the different profiles. clerestory walls and aisle parapets, buckled The project had a long gestation period, glass in the chancel windows and defects to which allowed for thorough investigations and the lead roofs. Other issues more specific to research by the architect to inform the detailing the fabric of the church included a stone gable and specifications. That included analysis cross – taken down as unsafe a few years of the walling stone and identifying suitable previously – an unsafe and unlined boiler replacements. A source of the The new stone cross in situ on the chancel gable flue and badly decayed chimney and, in the correct walling stone was found at a disused quarry on a nearby farm. For replacement ashlar stone, Hartham Park stone was chosen for durability, the existing being a combination of different stones, including very soft clunch. Funding for the work was made possible by the happy convergence of several events, including a successful fundraising drive by the parish, the obtaining of a substantial grant from the COVID Recovery Fund and the Church Commissioners’ commitment to their liability for chancel repairs. The project drew together a team of specialists and experts with whom the architect was familiar and had worked with previously on other, similar projects. The structural engineer was Robert Wallbank, who advised on the existing structure which could, for the first time in decades, be examined up close. The buckled and fading chancel windows were fully surveyed and restored by Martin Johnson Stained Glass (York) Ltd. The heating and flue lining works were overseen by David Gadsdon of Environmental Engineering Partnership. The main contractor was Universal Stone Ltd, whose team of expert masons demonstrated the skills and craftsmanship for which the firm is known. Within the chancel area, misericord repairs were undertaken by Gavin Dingle of D & F Polishing, who even gave a tutorial to the parish volunteers on how to refresh and polish woodwork generally. The successful completion of the work on time and on budget was a testament to the planning and subsequent attention to the processes on site. The whole project was commemorated by the Bishop of Buckingham, the Rt Rev Dr Alan Wilson, who publicly rededicated the new stone cross on the chancel gable – which represented a visible testament to the success of the larger project – in a public ceremony. Instrumental to the success of the project was the inspirational leadership of the rector, Fr Doug Zimmerman. The project is a lesson in sustainability. The historic church has been successfully repaired and made secure for successive generations to appreciate and enjoy, and it will be able to continue its mission as a focus for worship within the Aylesbury community. q www.ecclesiasticalandheritageworld.co.uk
27
