<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Progress</span> Sandberg were on site from the 5<sup>th</sup> to the 8<sup>th</sup> October carrying out the core sampling to the stonework. The coring went as well as could be expected and samples were retrieved from all 22 locations. The quality and condition of the samples varied considerably. Some cores were retrieved intact with very little damage apparent, whilst others were clearly affected by cracking damage and could not be retrieved as a core. In some of the samples, the first 30-40mm of the core was retrieved separately from the main core indicating that the fire had caused a crack at this depth even though the face of the stone may have appeared reasonably intact. We are now awaiting feedback from Sandberg following laboratory testing. We have uploaded a PDF file containing some photographs showing the coring process underway and a selection of cores and core holes.Buttress Architects were also on site on 8<sup>th</sup> October. They carried detailed visual inspections of the <span style="font-size: 1rem;">stonework to help inform the options appraisal due to be presented at the consultation meeting in </span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">November.</span>We have instructed Buildzone to provide a new external 110v supply and sump pump to the basement below the vestry. We are awaiting further costs and clarifications regarding repowering the pump to the foul water pumping chamber.Hirst have now provided an updated report and recommendations regarding the remaining fixed monuments and artefacts. Buttress expressed concern at leaving some of the more exposed items unprotected for much longer if there is an intention to restore them. Buttress will forward some comments on this to help to inform any decisions that are made. Gawaine Dawes BEng (Hons) MSc CEng MIStructESenior Structural Engineer
<span style="font-size: 1rem;">Progress</span>A productive review meeting with Buttress Architects covered the programme, potential reinstatement options and consultation with the Diocesan Advisory Committee. Buttress have commissioned the production of rectified photographic images to assist them in carrying out a detailed survey of the stonework. These images are due to be issued by mid-September which will allow Buttress to commence their site survey work. Buttress are also currently working on:<ul><li>assessing the profiles of the timber roof structure to the nave and chancel</li><li>solutions to incorporate insulation to the new roofs to meet current standards and</li><li>assessing the stone profiles of the nave columns using photographic records. </li></ul>Buttress will carry out an options appraisal exercise which we intend to present to the PCC, DAC and other stakeholders. This process will take approx. 4-6 weeks to complete from receipt of the rectified photography images. Sandberg have carried out their initial site visit and have now also been commissioned to do the sampling of the stonework. This was provisionally booked for the end of September but has been delayed until the start of October due to a positive COVID test within the Sandberg site team. This means that we will not have the full Sandberg report back before the consultation meeting. We do however hope to have some interim feedback from the sampling exercise which will assist us in the options appraisal. We appreciate that the timescales are frustrating but we are finding that current circumstances are creating a challenging environment across the construction sector. This is notably having an impact on the cost and availability of materials and lead times for goods and services.Aisle RoofsGiven the feedback we have received from the Chancellor and Historic England and the ongoing survey work, we recommend deferring the aisle roof works at this time. Whilst it would have been good to make a positive start on the rebuilding work, doing so now will introduce unnecessary risk and complication to the approval and reinstatement process. Additionally, as the temporary restraint scaffolds to the north and south aisles have been purchased outright, the cost implication of deferring this work until the main restoration work is insignificant. By rolling the aisle roof works up within the main reinstatement works we will avoid having to submit two separate schemes to the DAC and avoid two separate tender processes. HirstWe have now received feedback from Hirst who have reported that they cannot comment on the restoration potential of the remaining monuments and artefacts without further investigations. We have outlined the position of the PCC to them, explaining that we do not want to commit significant funds to carrying out further investigations and providing protective enclosures to items which may ultimately not be suitable for restoration. We have asked them to provide proposals to this effect and we await their response.Wessex Wessex attended site on Monday 6<sup>th</sup> September to carry out their further processing. The general impression is that there are very few items that are likely to be suitable for long term retention but there is a lot of material that could inform the restoration works depending upon the scope of the project. Many of these items will be related to the Phase 3 fit out works therefore consideration should be given to progressing this phase to establish the scope of the material that ought to be retained. We await Wessex’s updated report but have attached the email update from the team conducting the processing in the interim.Removal of Boiler and PlantWhilst things are relatively quiet on site at the moment, this may be an opportunity to consider removing the existing heating system and other M&E services that remain on site. If there is a consensus that the oil-fired system will not be reinstated, we could also include the removal of the oil tank and pipe to eliminate the residual risks associated with this. If this is something that you wish us to look into please let us know and we will make enquires and put a proposal together.Display BoardsWe are working in conjunction with Buttress to produce ‘story’ boards to display on the site fencing to help maintain public engagement with the project and future proposals. We intend to produce more of these as the restoration work progresses. We hope to have something to share with you on this front very soon.Finally, during the site meeting with Historic England, some ornate carving was identified to the stone threshold between the chancel and the vestry where the organ chamber used to be located. This possibly marks the location of burial within the church, although its location appears to be above a wall. Gawaine Dawes BEng (Hons) MSc CEng MIStructESenior Structural Engineer
The outstanding items of work list that was included in our last update is now largely completed. There are some exceptions where work is ongoing and these are noted below. Scaffolding Following some issues with the design of the restraint scaffolds which have now been resolved, the scaffolders are finally back on site. They are currently erecting the nave/chancel wall restraint scaffold. Once this is complete, this will only leave the temporary bridge to the working platform to the north of the church. They should have these completed by early next week. Bell Removal John Taylor & Co. have been on site this week to remove the bells from the tower. This process was complicated slightly by the original floor hatch to the bell chamber being obstructed by a large structural timber that appears to have been installed as a strengthening measure at some point in the past. This meant that the bell hangers had to form a new hatch through which the bells could be lowered. This required an Interim Faculty to be obtained which the Registrar and Chancellor provided in very short time frame for which we are grateful. The bells have now been removed and relocated to John Taylor & Co.’s storage facility where they will remain until the time comes to rehang them. Clock Removal Unfortunately, we had to delay the removal of the clock in order to get the necessary permissions in place. This has now been done and the clock removal is scheduled for Saturday 7th August. Timber Sampling The timber identification specialists were also on site this week taking core samples from the aisle, nave and chancel roof timbers. They will now process the samples and report on the timber species and age of the timber to allow us to complete our design of the aisle roofs using the correct species of timber. They will need to return to sample timber from the bell frame. Basement Boiler Room We were able to access the basement boiler room for the first time in a while following the pumping out of standing water. The vaulted arch roof/ground floor structure appeared to be in a reasonable condition however it was clear that the moist atmosphere is causing some issues. We have instructed Buildzone to install some temporary props to the arch as a precaution due to the imminent installation of the scaffold above. The southern end of the west wall was particularly badly affected by damp. Closer inspection identified an entrance to a duct/passage of approx. 400mm in width which has been bricked up at some point in the past. Holes in the brickwork revealed a void running in the east-west orientation with a brick vaulted arch at its head. There was no heating pipework apparently running through this duct therefore the purpose of this void was unclear (possibly a coal bunker from a previous heating system?). If anybody has any further information on this it would be appreciated. Mundy Tomb Buildzone have now installed to the upgraded protective enclosure to the Mundy Tomb. Hirst Conservation Hirst have completed their inspection of the remaining fixed artefacts and we are awaiting their report. This is expected on 20th July. Wessex Archaeology We have asked for a quotation from Wessex Archaeology for an update to their report as requested by Historic England. We expect this by early next week. Aisle Roofs Once we receive the report from the timber specialist confirming the species of the timber, we will be able to complete the design work. We hope to receive their report within the next two weeks. Building Envelope and Structural Reinstatement We currently have enquiries out with a number of companies to provide assistance in assessing the damage to the stonework. Once, we have responses to all the enquires we will be forwarding our recommendations. We are also liaising with the project architect to bring them up to speed on the project and we have a site meeting booked on 29th July. We are hoping to get a design team meeting (DTM) in the diary in early August. Gawaine Dawes BEng (Hons) MSc CEng MIStructE Senior Structural Engineer
<span style="font-size: 1rem;">We are nearing the completion of phas</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">e 1 – the stabilisation of the walls of the church. The final details for the scaffolding have been drawn up and issu</span><span style="font-size: 1rem;">ed for construction. All scaffolding will be completed within 2-3 weeks. The debris clearance is all but complete and once the scaffolding is finished, we will have completed the phase 1 works.</span>ArchaeologistThe Archaeologists have completed their work and have now left site. They are currently compiling a report on their finds but have sent the following interim summary:“<em>We finished our works on site at All Saints on Wednesday this week. All of our records have been brought back to the office. The material we have retained comprises approximately:</em><em>156.95kg of Window glass/lead</em><em>11.5kg of Complete roofing slates</em><em>19.5kg of timber, including burnt remains, that contains detailed decoration</em><em>177.7kg of decorative alabaster fragments</em><em>624.3kg of decorative stone remains and stone faced on more than one side</em><em>170.5kg of other stone</em><em>326.8kg of marble</em><em>60.2kg of tile/ceramic building material</em><em>19.2kg of ceramic/pottery</em><em>227.27kg of iron (much of which will be nails).</em><em>97.5kg of other metal pieces.</em><em>The total weight of retained material comes to approximately 1,891.42kg.”</em>Aisle RoofsThe detailed inspection of the remaining timbers to the aisle roofs cannot be undertaken until the scaffolds to these areas are completed. We are also awaiting dates from Historic England as to when they will be able to complete to dendrochronology investigation of the timbers. Therefore, the works to reinstate the aisle roof will not commence until later in the summer once the designs are completed and DAC faculty approval is granted. There will be gap between the end of the phase 1 works and the start of the aisle roof reinstatement.In the meantime, the bells and clock will be removed for safe storage until funding is made available for their restoration.
