<span style="font-size: 1rem;">We are beginning to close in on the scheduled completion date for the debris removal works.</span>The nave and aisle are now clear (despite some timbers being temporarily stockpiled here) and the chancel is approx. 85% clear. The archaeologist has indicated that the chancel will be cleared by the end of the next week. However, due to the amount of stone rubble, it is unlikely that the vestry area will be cleared within this time.<strong>Scaffolding to stabilise the building.</strong>The scaffolders started on site on Tuesday and have commenced the erection of the north and south aisle scaffolds. They have estimated it will take 2 weeks to install both of these. It is anticipated to take a further 1-2 weeks to complete the restraint scaffold to the other areas. This will be subject to the clearance of debris from within the vestry.<strong>Programme</strong>As reported, the debris removal is taking slightly longer than anticipated. We are therefore currently assessing the impact on the anticipated completion date for this phase.<strong>Clock</strong>Smith of Derby have issued their report on the clock and have recommended that it be removed and placed in safe storage whilst restoration works are ongoing. If this is something you wish to undertake whilst we have a contractor on site to assist with the removal, please let us know.<strong>Bells</strong>Taylor bells have now carried out their inspection and provided an interim report into their findings. Although the full report has not yet been issued, it is highly likely to recommend that the bells are decommissioned and removed to allow repair work to be undertaken to the bell support timbers, head stock and the bells themselves. Again, please let us know if this is something that you would like to undertake whilst the contractor is on site. <strong>Asbestos</strong>Buildzone are continuing to keep a watching brief during the debris removal but no further issues have been reported. The removal of high-level asbestos will be carried out when access is available.<strong>Hirst Conservation- Mundy Tomb</strong>Hirst have now issued their report and recommended that the protective enclosure be upgraded. We have since forwarded costs from Buildzone for carrying out this upgrade (or potential alternatives) and we await your instruction. Hirst have recommended that a further inspection should take place two months after the installation of the upgraded enclosure and at six monthly intervals thereafter. We have requested costs for this exercise from Hirst and will forward these on when we receive them.<strong>Unstable Stonework</strong>Work to provide further temporary propping to the unstable stonework within the vestry has now been carried out. Further work may be required to this area, but we will review this once better access is available. We will continue to monitor the propping that is in place.<strong>Chancel Crypt</strong>Initial investigations by Buildzone and the archaeologist have found nothing of significance below the floor on the chancel. Where the floor has partially collapsed, the construction appears to comprise a thin, unreinforced concrete slab/screed cast on top of loose sub-base material. If further investigations are required, this will require a further instruction.<strong>Site Visit</strong>As this phase of work is now nearing completion and the structure is much more stable, we propose to host a site visit by a small group of PCC members to review the work that has taken place. We propose a visit on Thursday 3rd June at 11:00am. If the PCC could nominate four people, we will be happy to make the arrangements. If more people would be interested in reviewing the works, please let us know and we can arrange a second visit later that day.<strong>Key risks:</strong>1 Debris clearance- increased rubble density within the vestry estimated completion 4th June2 Scaffolding installation – Estimated completion 11th June3 Chancel crypt- further investigation required?4 Further asbestos discoveries- Organ pipes?<strong>Aisle Roof Reinstatement</strong>The design of the aisle roof reinstatement is now underway. As we are unable to complete a detailed inspection of the remaining roof timbers until the scaffolds are completed, the design and approval period is likely to take us beyond the completion of the debris removal. Therefore, there is likely to be a hiatus between the end of the debris removal phase and reinstatement of the aisle roofs.Historic England have indicated that they are able to carry out the timber investigations includingdendrochronology and species identification and fund this through their own scientific budgets. We will liaise with HE to finalise the details of the investigations.Due to the requirement for site inspections of the remaining timbers, we propose to leave these in-situ until the aisle roof replacement scheme commences. We intend to ask Buildzone to price this work once the detailed design is completed. Our QS will examine the costs and agree rates. We would be grateful if you provide confirmation that this approach is acceptable.<strong>Further considerations</strong>Whilst Hirst conservation have provided input into the Mundy Tomb, we have not sought any advice regarding other fixed elements of significance such as the candle sticks, reredos, communion rail and vestry door surround etc. Please could you provide confirmation as to whether further conservator input is required at this stage or alternatively, if you require Buildzone to build temporary protective enclosures around these elements before they complete this phase of work.Finally, the current site manager, Jay Tomlinson, is on holiday next week and part of the following week. Buildzone will be providing a suitably experienced replacement, however you may see some unfamiliar faces around the site next week.Some photographs, along with an up-to-date plan of the debris clearance are attached.Gawaine Dawes, Thomasons.
Update 20 April, 2021 Concrete spraying to strengthen the columns Completed 9th April. The safety container has now been removed from site. Debris removal During the concrete spraying works and following the discovery of asbestos, the debris removal has been focussed on the external zones of the church. All the external zones are now clear of debris. As a result of the delay due to the asbestos find, we took the decision to defer the start of the second archaeologist until Monday 19th April. Two archaeologists are now established on site and are reported to be keeping Buildzone very busy! Their original estimated timescale of 70 man days to complete the debris removal still remains. We area also awaiting costs for a secondary container for storing the artefacts that have been / will be recovered. Asbestos An asbestos contractor is on site this week to carry out an initial assessment of the debris to identify any asbestos. So far 5 bags of material have been removed internally and externally. It is thought that most of the asbestos tile debris has been identified and removed but this is being continually monitored. Asbestos cement downpipes that are fixed to the walls will be removed at a later date when access is available. Restraint scaffold We have completed a cost analysis for various scaffolding options which we are hoping to have approved this week. There are several factors which influence the cost of the scaffolding and deciding on the most economic approach requires several assumptions involving the likely hire periods and the proposed aisle roof reinstatement. Unstable stonework We made the decision whilst on site to remove some more unstable stonework the wall between the vestry and north aisle. A localised area of stone appeared very precarious and posed a risk to anyone entering the vestry area. A temporary timber prop has been installed on a temporary basis and the area has been cordoned off. A more robust temporary propping solution will be designed and installed in due course. Programme The addition of the second archaeologist has pulled the programme in slightly to give an anticipated a completion date of 27th May. There are still some factors which could affect this and these are outlined in the Key Risks section below. Electrical connection We now have a quote for establishing this connection and are awaiting approval for access to the tower for inspection of the clock and bells. Debris removal is now concentrated on the nave of the church. We therefore anticipate the tower being accessible for the inspection to be carried out w/c 26th April. Hirst conservation- Mundy Tomb Hirst conservation will be attending site on Wednesday 21st April to carry out their further assessment of the Mundy Tomb including fibreoptic investigation. Forensic scientist Completed the site investigation Thursday 15th April. Items removed Whilst the crane was on site to remove the container, several other large items were removed from the debris. These include water tanks, a filing cabinet and the safe. These will be disposed of in due course unless instructed otherwise. Future Key risks Debris clearance- heavy rubble removal puts more pressure on Buildzone to keep the momentum of the debris removal going. Scaffolding procurement and installation takes time. Investigate the presence of a Chancel crypt Further asbestos discoveries may be made in the rema
Our church was tragically burned to the ground by fire on Thursday 3rd December 2020 and the roof and interior of the church has been completely destroyed. We wish to raise funds so that we can uphold the mission and restore our church services for the benefit of our God loving congregation and wider community as soon as possible. We have set up a JustGiving page for this purpose, the link for our page is https://justgiving.com/allsaints-mackworth Please see our 'Weekly Updates' publication, which are available to download under the 'News and Notices' tab for all up to date news on where services will now be taking place and where we are at with rebuilding our mission project.
