Sally Strachey brings over 30 years of experience in the care of historic buildings, monuments and sculpture. She is both an Art Historian and an ICON accredited Conservator, offering a unique combination of the academic and practical, underpinned by a detailed knowledge of original materials and structures.
The Sally Strachey Historic Conservation team of skilled carvers, masons and conservators has a proven ability to successfully deliver projects from ruinous castles to chest tombs. We execute work of a consistently high quality, completed to programme and budget, both as main contractor and specialist sub-contractor.
We are experienced in both advising on and undertaking the conservation of architectural stonework, archaeological sites and museum pieces, church monuments, historic plaster and render, sculpture and decorative surfaces.
Our clients include English Heritage, the National Trust, CADW, the Churches Conservation Trust, Friends of Friendless Churches, Local Authorities, parish churches and private clients.
When contacting this company, please mention you found them through www.projectbook.co.uk.| Address: | The Barn
Temple Cross House
Lower Godney
Wells
Somerset
BA5 1RZ | | View Map: | Click here to view a map of this location. | | Tel: | 01458 832441 | | Mobile: | 07525 470710 | | Website: | http://www.sallystracheyconservation.co.uk | | E-mail: | office AT sallystracheyconservation.co.uk | | Established: | 2010 | | Employees: | 8 | | Job Value: | £500 - £750,000 | | Proficiency: | Pre 1919, Grade II, Grade II*, Grade I, Churches, Scheduled Monuments | | Register Listings: | Access Specialists
Archaeological Surveyors
Balustrades & Staircases(stone)
Bird Control
Bird Proofing
Brickwork
Brickwork(repairs)
Building Contractors
Building Renovation
Building Repairs & Maintenance
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Ceramic Conservators
Deconstruction Of Buildings
Ecclesiastical Carvers and Gilders
Ecclesiastical Contractors
Exterior Gilding Specialists
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Historic Building Consultants
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Interior Conservators & Decorators
Lath & Plaster
Lightning Protection
Lime Plasterwork
Main Contractors
Masonry Cleaning
Materials Analysis
Mortar Analysis
Mosaics
Non-destructive Investigations
Photographic Surveys
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Pointing
Project Management
Project Managers
Roofing Repairs
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Scaffolding
Sculpture Conservation
Steeplejacks
Stone Carving
Stone Conservation
Stone Flooring
Stone Identification & Sourcing
Stone Masons
Stone Sculptors
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Stonework(repairs)
Structural Repairs
Structural Surveys
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Tuck Pointing
Wall Painting Conservators | | VAT Registered? | Yes | | Brochure Available? | No | | Viewed: | 5387 time(s) |
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| Title: | St Mary's Church, Beaminster |  |
| Year: | 2002 |
| Client: | The PCC of St Mary's Church, Beaminster |
An extensive programme of conservation to every aspect of the damaged stonework of St Mary's Church tower was carried out. The almost obliterated medieval and Victorian sculptures and decorative detail were repaired and conserved. The project incorporated a detailed archaeological survey, which is normally applied only to cathedrals. The collaboration of the architect, conservation team and the archaeologists not only produced an outstanding example of stone conservation but also revealed the extraordinary history of this much loved church tower. This information was communicated to the local community through on-site dialogue, permanent display boards in the church and an evening of lectures. The project went on to win the SPAB John Betjemin Award, and to be shortlisted for the Pilgrim's Trust Awards.
| Title: | St Martin's Chapel, Chisbury, Wiltshire |
| Year: | 2005 |
| Client: | English Heritage |
We were asked to provide an extensive survey of the existing plaster and render on all elevations of this 13th century chapel. Based on this consultancy service, and the detailed report we produced, we went on to implement the first phase of the work.
| Title: | Church of St Mary the Virgin, Isle Abbots |  |
| Year: | 2007 |
| Client: | PCC of St Mary the Virgin, Isle Abbots |
This exquisite late 15th century tower is often considered the jewel in the crown of Somerset Churches. Our work at St Mary the Virgin involved an extensive schedule of repair and conservation. The tower retains ten original sculptures, many of which have areas of original polychrome still visible on the surface. The wealth of architectural detail and sculpture on this tower insisted on a refined approach to the methodology of protection, using lime-based materials, including sensitive mortar repairs, micro-pinning and sheltercoating. Replacement stone and structural supports were also necessary on the pinnacles and parapet.
| Title: | St Mary’s Church, Llanfair Kilgeddin, Monmouth |  |
| Year: | 2007 |
| Client: | Friends of Friendless Churches |
The secluded church of St Mary hides an extraordinary and rare scheme of sgraffito panels illustrating the Benedicte. The murals were executed in 1888 by the eminent Arts and Crafts artist Heywood Sumner and cover nearly every surface of the interior of the church. The panels were threatened by cracking, crazing, bulging, staining and delamination caused by moisture and salt movement and a trapping of water between the brittle cement murals and the soft stone wall behind. Our work involved an intricate programme of stabilisation and repairs to the three layer system, including grouting, micro-pinning and fine surface repairs. Detailed recording and trials formed an integral part of the project.
| Title: | Southernhay United Reform Church, Exeter |
| Year: | 2008 |
| Client: | Southernhay United Reform Church |
This 180 foot spire in Exeter city centre required replacement stone at high level to safeguard its structural integrity. A team of skilled masons removed embedded ferrous rings in three locations up the spire, and pieced-in ashlar blocks and ribs.
| Title: | St Michael's Church, Musbury |  |
| Year: | 2008 |
| Client: | PCC of St Michael's Church, Musbury |
Conservation programme to tower including judicious stone replacement.
| Title: | All Saints Church, Lullington |  |
| Year: | 2008 |
| Client: | PCC of All Saints Church, Lullington |
Extensive 2008 conservation programme including repairs to historic render and stonework, internal decoration and monument conservation.
| Title: | Corfe Castle |  |
| Year: | 2009 |
| Client: | National Trust |
This complex project at one of the country's most eminent castles has been successfully carried out in three continuous phases over two years. Following a rope access survey, works were specified to 80% of the ruinous castle's fabric including the consolidation of the cappings, masonry and historic plasterwork. The technical aspects of the work involved an analysis and understanding of the external and internal characteristics of the ruins as well as a careful choice of materials and techniques, which had to perform at an optimum level for such a harsh environment. We were also mindful that all our interventions had to sit back into the overall aesthetics of this historic site. Close liaison with the National Trust throughout meant that visitor access was continuous and that outreach and education initiatives formed an integral part of our work at the castle.
| Title: | Reredos and monuments at St Stephen's Church, Bristol |  |
| Year: | 2010 |
| Client: | The City Parish Church of St Stephen's |
The church of St Stephen is the parish church of the City of Bristol. In 2010 we carried out a survey and conservation report to the forty five interior monuments, the reredos and elements of decoration. The church is in the process of preparing a major reordering programme to draw in the city community and create a living building. The first stage was a cleaning and conservation programme to the Reredos as part of the Heritage Lottery funded Reconciliation Reredos. The Reredos was cleaned with Technocell poultices, repaired and sheltercoated with a variety of tones to resonate with the contemporary art installation within the four panels created by Graham Mortimer Evelyn. The access scaffold was also used to carry out trials for the regilding of the nave angels.
| Title: | Church of St Mary the Virgin, Bishops Lydeard |  |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Client: | PCC of St Mary the Virgin, Bishops Lydeard |
Full conservation programme to limestone and sandstone church tower, including tuck-pointing, recarving and fixing of pinnacles and string courses, intricate lime repair and sheltercoating of decorative features and tracery windows.
| Title: | The Coventry Monument, Elmley Castle |  |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Client: | PCC of St Mary's Church, Elmley Castle |
William Stanton’s Monument to the First Earl of Coventry is composed of a variety of marbles and limestones. Sally Strachey Historic Conservation was initially commissioned to carry out a full condition survey to establish causes of instability and decay. This was followed by a two-year period of monitoring of the movement of the monument, and further structural investigations. The proposed methods of cleaning and conservation were then fully explored prior to any intervention. The monument was painstakingly dismantled to remove the corroding iron cramps, and was rebuilt with an air gap to minimise the damaging movement of moisture through the stone. Four of the angels’ wings were missing or beyond repair, and were re-carved in limestone. The new wings, along with the Earl’s coronet were then re-gilded. Once reinstated, a full cleaning programme was carried out to the monument.
| Title: | The Savage Monument, Elmley Castle |  |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Client: | PCC of St Mary's Church, Elmley Castle |
The 17th Century monument to the Savage family was carved by Samuel Baldwin. The alabaster panels of the chest supporting the monument to the Savage family had become dangerously distorted with the complete corrosion of the cramps that originally held it together. Full dismantling of the chest revealed the original vault beneath containing the family remains. Once the panels of the chest had been pieced back together, repaired and repositioned with air gaps, a lead membrane was carefully positioned between the vault and the alabaster figures above. The alabaster figures were then carefully replaced, repaired and cleaned by hand to produce beautiful results.
| Title: | Porch at St Stephen's Church, Bristol |  |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Client: | The City Parish Church of St Stephen's |
Our work at St Stephen's Church is ongoing and involves a detailed conservation programme to the 15th century fan vaulted porch to remove the heavy layers of limewash and paint to the interior and clean and repair the delicate carvings on the exterior. The contract also includes the installation of a contemporary lighting system to the interior of the porch. A complex series of cleaning trials were conducted to remove both the layers of limewash and paint as well as the sulphation on the exterior surfaces. Historic layers of paint have been found beneath the more recent layers of paint and these are currently undergoing analysis before consolidation.
| Title: | Church of St George Easton in Gordano, Bristol |  |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Client: | PCC of the church of St George, Easton in Gordano |
A condition and recommendation report to the church tower was carried out in July 2010 by crane access. The optimum techniques for the cleaning, repair and sheltercoat of the Dundry limestone detail and sculpture were considered and samples and recipes for the mortar mixes were submitted. A cover meter survey was carried out at parapet level to assess the structural stability of the pinnacles and parapet and areas of stone loss were recorded in order to determine the level of stone replacement. The red sandstone walling needed particular attention due to the deterioration and disaggregation of the surface. Examples were provided to show how to both re-point and consolidate the sandstone to both protect the fabric and improve the legibility and aesthetics of the whole tower. The final report was used to create a specification for tender purposesIn March 2011 we were awarded the contract for the conservation of the tower and are currently carrying out a detailed programme cleaning, repair and protection with a minimal amount of stone replacement. A number of overarching structural issues are also being addressed as well as a small amount of lead repair.
| Title: | Sandsfoot Castle, Dorset |  |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Client: | Weymouth and Portland Borough Council |
Conservation works are currently being carried out on this unique example of one of Henry the VIII coastline defensive castles. The current condition of this ruinous monument requires substantial consolidation to the extant walls as well as the addition of soft cappings. The project is aimed to ensure that safe public access is possible to this truly stunning national treasure.
| Title: | The Hardy Monument |  |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Client: | The National Trust |
The monument has been subject to previous stone replacements within the last 15 years which have subsequently failed leaving elements of the tower structurally precarious. An initial ropes access survey helped to identify and quantify the level and nature of the failure and helped inform the specification of works. The report concluded that in its present condition it represented an immediate threat to health and safety and its continuing deterioration would likely be accelerated by its exposed location. The current project comprises the replacement of numerous failed stones as well as mortar repair and pinning to individual stones on the external elevation, raking out, deep packing patch pointing the failed cementitious mortar joints.
| Title: | St Marys Church, Iffley Oxford |  |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Client: | Andrew Townsend Architects |
St Mary’s Iffley is a Romanesque church with a dramatically adorned west front comprising chevroned arches, carved panels including signs of the zodiac and exquistly carved beaked creatures. A survey of the West Front and South Porch of St Mary’s Iffley was carried out in order to assess both the condition of the original fabric as well as an extensive lime repair program carried out by Professor Baker during the early 1980’s. The survey is intended to inform future works to the church and is to include an updated appraisal of the aesthetic intent and execution of any future conservation works.
| Title: | Taunton Museum |  |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Client: | Pollards |
An extensive program of stone consolidation, repair and rebuilding to a scheduled ancient monument. The contract also included a considerable amount of detailed conservation to the coats of arms. In addition an extensive program of structural anchoring, plaster conservation was completed as well as replastering the Great Hall, Undercroft and main stairwell. Working as specialist conservation practice included liasing and working closely alongside main contractors Pollards.
| Title: | Downside Abbey, Somerset |  |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Client: | Beech Tyldesley Architects, Somerset |
From a visual inspection of the external stonework of the Abbey with the architect in November 2010 it was evident that there were a number of features that required urgent attention if they are to be preserved. For example, the pierced panels of the parapet on the east gable of the choir, where pieces of carved stone are falling on to the roof during certain weather conditions. Additionally, some elements, such as the grotesques and gargoyles of the north elevation, are so thickly covered in deposits, dirt and lichen that the condition of underlying stone is completely unknown (and likely in need of attention). Perhaps most importantly, the overall architectural grandeur of the building is heavily obscured by the patina of lichen, dirt and deposits on the stone surface.
| Title: | Buckland Newton, Churchyard Monument Dorset |  |
| Year: | 2011 |
| Client: | West Dorset District Council |
The monument was in a very poor condition prior to conservation including extensive damage wrought by a large elder tree which had grown up through the West end, breaking the lid. In addition the North side panel had fallen, inscription side face down, this was also buried in the ground and the remaining sections were misaligned. However the surfaces of the carving were in a very good condition. Conservation works comprised removal of vegetation from around the monument. Further digging and removal of soil and vegetation uncovered a plinth course that was completely buried. This was set aside. The roots from the tree had broken through the stone causing fractures to the plinth course.All sections of the buried plinth course were carefully cleaned, and then rebedded in a hydraulic mortar on the new concrete footing. The monument was subsequently rebuilt using lime mortar and stainless steel threaded dowels, returning it to its former glory!
