Adding the new and preserving the old

Part 3 in the blog series from John, one of the volunteers reporting on the South Bridge Project.

With the formwork in place rebuilding commenced firstly building the arches in handmade bricks then adding a base filing before seeking to reassemble the steps

Where stonework to the steps was broken or cracked new pieces need to be added and are shown above.

Yes aren’t they clean and fresh looking but, soon they will be fitted and start to weather and ‘pattinate’ picking up the dust and dirt from the atmosphere, hardening by exposure to the elements and over several years they will gradually blend into the re-fixed old steps.

Whilst the operations to rebuild the steps are proceeding the stonework flanking the access from the Hall is being gently cleaned and preserved.

 

 

 

This brings out the delicately detailed carved decoration and where this is less weathered it gives one the impression of how grand it must have been when new.

 

 

Meanwhile the steps are being re-assembled firstly by positioning and levelling

 

 

Then, finally by hand bedding to the correct height one on the other using a modern accurate instrument combined with the craftsmen’s skilled eye and hand.