Bakers of Danbury Newsletter Winter 2022 Builders

Church Restoration – All Saints and St Andrew Church

November 27, 2023 Rachel Finlay Comments Off

Bakers of Danbury commenced work in July 2023 to carry out essential restoration works to this 12th Century Grade I listed church situated in Kingston in Cambridge. Features of special interest include the medieval wall paintings and a beautiful Perpendicular arcade.

An overview of the restoration works

External clay peg tile roofing repairs and replacement to Nave & South Aisle & Porch, masonry repairs to South Clerestory windows, including redecoration to the cast iron rainwater goods, leaded glass repairs.

Internal replacement of Nave ceiling, using chestnut riven laths & lime plaster, redecoration of internal walls & ceiling to the Nave, using lime wash.

Preserving the past

External – stone replacement to Clerestory window jambs were required to match the existing “clunch” limestone which is difficult to source and can take many weeks to procure via the quarry, but Bakers had already some quantities of “Clunch” stone in stock which allowed the work to be carried out to achieve the programme of work required.

Handmade peg roof tiles had to produced specially in advance, requiring 14-16weeks, these needed to be sourced and ordered in good time to achieve the programme of work.

Internal – The extensive replacement of lime plaster to walls and ceilings had to be carried out with careful planning and adequate protection to ensure no damage to the existing historic wall painting to the Nave walls.

Celebration to mark the reopening

In January 2024 a celebration was held to make the reopening of this historic church.

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Article_Village church famed for wall paintings reopens after repairs