Project Architect Fergus Mc Cormick of Thomas Ford & Partners Architects led a small group of EASA members on their second visit to inspect the spire repairs which are nearing completion on site. The EASA members were able to view the repairs that have been carried out to the upper levels of the Spire which include repairs to the defective Yorkstone bands and replacement of defective Ragstone. The EASA group were also able to view at close quarters the excellent stone repairs carried out by the Contractor PAYE to the spire lights. The visit forms part of the activity plan for the Heritage Lottery Funded repairs to the Spire.
Fergus McCormick B.Arch, RIBA, Dip.Prog. Management, AAABC
Our Weathervane is now back where it belongs.
After being carefully removed and brought down to ground level it has been Restored, Re-gilded and Replace at the Top of the Spire and is looking very GRAND!!
This marks a great moment as it means the work is coming to an end and they will shortly be taking down some of the scaffolding at the top of the spire where their work is completed.
One of the joys of the work on the Spire has been the interest of the children at St Mary’s School. During the School’s Art Week, 1st to 5th June, we had visits each day from children working on various projects about the spire, about the tower, and the church itself. Each Class had a special topic to study and their spectacular work was exhibited in the Monastery at the end of the Art Week. It was truly exciting and in parts dramatic as the imagination of the children soared around the lovely building. One Class imagined what the spire might look like if Gaudi had designed it. The whole exhibition was wonderful. Here are some of the images that record the occasion.
