Tag Archives: Conservation and restoration

Architectural Awards 2022

We are delighted to announce that the extension and redevelopment project Bakers of Danbury carried out on Westminster School has won the Diaphoros Prize at the Architectural Awards 2022 which is held every year by the Georgian Group.

To read about the extension Bakers of Danbury built at Westminster School click here.

The Georgian Group said;

The redevelopment of the Adrian Boult building by Ptolemy Dean Architects was the final stage of a 20-year-long project to repair and reorder Westminster School’s historic campus. The building stands on the site of the former great kitchen that in the Middle Ages served the refectory of Westminster Abbey. This monastic building had long since been lost and the site encumbered by various 20th century buildings and additions that also compromised the adjoining Ashburnham House, one of the finest late 17th century houses to survive in the capital. Thoughtful and patient redevelopment, however, has enabled a number of wider improvements. The lower floor level of Ashburnham House, for example, has been restored, avoiding stepped access. At the same time, the remains of the monastic kitchen exposed by archaeological excavation before construction began, have been left visible through glass floors. The new building was intended to have a polite but modest 18th century personality. It’s built of red brick with its main facade articulated by arches. There is a mansard roof of salvaged pan tiles, and an oval roof lantern inspired by that over the top-lit staircase of Ashburnham House. This is a model of sensitive and contextual design in a highly sensitive place."

To find out more about the Georgian Group Architectural Awards 2022 click here.

DAC Design Awards 2022

We are delighted to announce that two of Bakers' recent projects have been awarded at the DAC Design Awards 2022. The redecoration project at St Bartholomew Church in Wickham Bishops received Highly Commended, and the recent new build extension to St Mary's Church in Wivenhoe received a Commended award.

To find out more about the DAC Design Awards 2022click here.

Repairs to Bourn Windmill

Summary = Timber repairs to Bourn Windmill - the oldest windmill in the UK

Location = Caxton, Cambridge

Repairs to Bourn Windmill = This open trestle post mill is the oldest surviving windmill in the UK, and is Grade I Listed and designated an Ancient Monument. The entire weight of this windmill is supported on a central post, which is supported by a trestle. We have raised the buck by approx. 100mm clear of the main post to carry out urgent repairs to the timber trestle.

Repairs to Bourn Windmill include installing replacement trestles constructed from air dried oak (minimum 4 yeas fallen). A traditional joint will be formed by hand and held in place with iron brackets & rods. Bakers will construct four replacement brick piers) which will need to cure for 28 days before any loading is placed on them.

How Trestle Post Mills Work

The post mill is the earliest type of European windmill. It's defining feature is that the whole body of the mill that houses the machinery is mounted on a single vertical post, around which it can be turned to bring the sails into the wind. It takes around two or three people to turn the mill around to bring the sails into the wind, and although it is a dramatic job it is fairly easy to do so. All post mills have an arm projecting from them on the side opposite the sails and reaching down to near ground level.

Bourn Mill Project Tours

The mill is currently closed whilst repair works are being carried out to the rotted timber trestle - however the general public enjoyed seeing the work in action during two project tours which took place in July and August 2022.

History of Bourn Windmill

The earliest written record of Bourn Mill was made in 1636. This style of mill has barely been changed since the 13th century. In 2021, scientists attempted to age the timbers in the mill and concluded that the tree that provided the huge timber for the main post in the mill was cut down during 1513-49, making it the oldest wood in any mill in the UK. Various structures and parts on the mill were replaced over the centuries as they wore out or rotted. The machinery dates from the 19th century and the trestle was renewed using oak in 1874.

Save Bourn Mill

Works to the save the mill are being supported by significant grants from the Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England. To find out more about the Save Bourn Windmill Appeal click here.

Church Redecoration

Summary = Church redecoration and repair to St Bartholomew Church in Wickham Bishops

Location = Wickham Bishops, Essex

Awards = DAC Design Awards Scheme 2022 (Highly Commended)

Solution = Bakers recently carried out the ornate decoration of the church to St Bartholomew in Wickham Bishops.

St Bartholomew’s is Grade II listed and is a fine example of Victorian Gothic church architecture.  The church was built in 1850 by Sarah Leigh in memory of her father, the Reverend. Thomas Leigh who was Rector from 1803 to 1843.  The church was designed by Ewin Christian and is built of Kentish Ragstone and Caen stone. It replaces the redundant St Peter’s church to the west, over the disused railway line. The 120 foot high spire is a local landmark visible from the A12.

This project won Highly Commended at the DAC Design Awards Scheme 2022

Bourn Windmill Project Tour

The public were given the opportunity to see and learn about the major conservation and restoration work being carried out by Bakers of Danbury, to save Bourn Windmill. The open trestle post mill is oldest surviving windmill in the UK, Grade I Listed and designated an Ancient Monument. The entire weight of the body is supported on a central post, which is then supported by a trestle. The sails of the mill have to face squarely into the wind and to achieve this the entire mill is rotated around the central post. The mill is currently closed because the supporting beams have rotted - however work to save the mill is underway and the general public enjoyed seeing the work in action during to project tours which took place in July and August.

Works to the save the mill are being supported by significant grants from the Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England.

To find out more about the Save Bourn Windmill Appeal click here.

Structural Repairs to a Rectory

Summary = Structural repairs to a Rectory

Location = Tolleshunt Knights, Essex

Bakers recently carried out structural repairs to a Rectory in Tolleshunt Knights for the Community of St John the Baptist. The flank wall was removed and two existing walls underpinned due to subsidence.

Temporary support for the structure was designed by an independent engineer using props, scaffold and timbers. Once the structure was supported from the ground floor to the roof level; two walls were removed, 3 meter foundations constructed and the walls were reconstructed using the salvaged brick (which had been consecrated many years prior), supplemented with new bricks to match existing. To underpin two existing walls, a trench was opened and pins were formed, ensuring it was supported at all times.

Bakers protected and removed the religious artifacts, fittings and furniture before the flank wall was removed. Those rooms affected were later plastered, redecorated and all services were made good. All external walls were re-rendered and a mosaic mural created by Sister Gabriella was inset within the render

To keep up to date on similar conservation projects carried out by Bakers of Danbury visit our Latest News page or the Bakers of Danbury Facebook page.

Cathedral Preventative Maintenance

Summary = Planned and preventative maintenance for Chelmsford Cathedral

Location = Chelmsford, Essex

Challenge = Bakers of Danbury are the appointed Retained Contractor for the planned and preventative maintenance, as well as emergency works, to the Grade 1 listed Chelmsford Cathedral over a two-year period.

The preventative maintenance to the Cathedral includes the roofs, rainwater disposal and clearing all hopperheads and downpipes of debris as well as regularly checking for damage. Such damage is reported to the Surveyor.

Bakers follow a schedule of maintenance inspections broken down by month and Cathedral location to ensure the Cathedral is thoroughly inspected and maintained throughout the year. Bakers provide a detailed inspection report every month. The report provides inspection results broken down by the location within the Cathedral.

Bakers notify the Cathedral’s representative of any variation from the regular maintenance programme as soon as possible including changes in the timescale for delivery and variation to the estimate of cost. When recommending solutions to both emergency and planned maintenance issues Bakers will always ensure all work carried out is as cost effective as possible.

Bakers have carried out various restoration works and preventative maintenance to Chelmsford Cathedral since the 1960’s

To keep up to date on similar conservation projects carried out by Bakers of Danbury visit our Latest News page or the Bakers of Danbury Facebook page.