New Look Blog Site - www.smvheritage.co.uk

Owing to the tremendous success of this blog we have relocated to a new address so that we can offer you even more information about the project.

You can find our new blog at www.smvheritage.co.uk.

We hope that you like our new look site. Please continue to follow us and to leave comments on our posts.

Reaching New Heights

On March 1st Vicar Brian Mountford, Education Officer Lucinda Williams and Project Coordinator Sophie Slade braved the dizzy heights of the scaffolding to be rewarded with what can only be described as the most spectacular views of Oxford.

The ascent, which took the team to the pinnacle of 27 scaffolding platforms, was led by project architect Oliver Caroe and several sturdy footed members of the construction team whose reassuring words were very much appreciated by all!!

February 2012 - Project Update

Since the contractor took over the North-East corner of the church a comprehensive programme of protection works have taken place to ensure that areas within the site are protected from damage during the course of the works. Meanwhile, the scaffolding was completed on the tower and stonework cleaning and repair commenced. We have been rather lucky and have only lost one day to date on the stonework due to cold weather.

On the 15th of February all the bells were successfully removed from the tower and taken to Whites’ workshop where some of the fittings will be repaired. Conservation work in the Chancel, De Brome Chapel and other areas is due to start within the next few weeks.

 Sophie Slade, Project Coordinator

January in Pictures - Part II

Week 3 – Not for the faint hearted

With the scaffolding around the main body of the Tower now complete, the team begin the heady job of extending the framework up the spire.

    









                         




Week 4 – That’s a lot of bubble wrap!
The historic stone pillars are one of the many structures in the church to be protected from damage during the works with layers of bubble wrap.

All photographs (c) 2012, Natalie Nolan, David Goodwin, Richard Taylor

Coming up in February.......

• The Adam de Brome gains a storey
• The bells are removed from the Tower for conservation
• We meet the people behind the hard hats

Lucinda Williams, Heritage Education & Volunteers Officer

January In Pictures

With our photography team now firmly established we can begin our new feature. Each month we will bring you an update on the works as they happen, through the eyes of our photographers. 

Week 1 - The big spring clean. 
The beginning of the year saw staff members, parishioners and clergy rallying together to clear the church ready to hand over the North East corner to the contractors in the second week.

     

The Vaults & Garden Cafe

The Old Library

The Shop

The Vestry

Week 2 – No going back
The wait is finally over as the contractors move in and begin to erect the protective screens between the De Brome Chapel, the Chancel and the Nave.

 


Coming up in week 3......The tower and spire disappear beneath the scaffolding!



Photographs 1-5 (c) David Goodwin
Photograph 6 (c) Richard Taylor

Lucinda Williams, Heritage Education & Volunteers Officer

January 2012 - Project Update

After the New Year we came back to a flurry of activity in readiness for handing over the north-east corner of the church to the building contractor. The vestry/sacristy has been moved to a new temporary location in the former Vaults Café office. The shop has been temporarily moved to the north-west corner of the church near the font. There has been a lot of clearing and sorting of various parts of the church. We are working closely with the contractor to develop the protection for the organ in such a way that it can be played during the next phase of the work, although there will inevitably be some muffling of the sound.

From the 11th of January the shop, De Brome Chapel, chancel, café, library and tower will be in the possession of our contractor EJ Beard. The next few months will undoubtedly be some of the most challenging for all concerned however I hope to update you on the progress of the work whenever I can. Working with our Education Officer Luci, we aim to give you more information on some of the processes and rationale for various aspects of the work in due course.

Sophie Slade, Project Coordinator

Easy Does It!

Back in December we were able to capture some extraordinary footage of 21st century scaffolding being lifted carefully into place without damaging any of the church's delicate 14th century features. It is worth sparing a thought at this time for the workmen and tradesmen who were responsible for building this magnificent church over 700 years ago – without cranes or hard hats!

With thanks to Natalie Nolan for her persistance in recording this footage.

Lucinda Williams, Heritage Education & Volunteers Officer