Archaeology
November 2006Dr Michael Rhodes
I am delighted to welcome thirteen members of the Devon Archaeological Society for a special guided tour. All site visitors have to wear full protective gear, and the Devon Archaeological Society is no exception. As the Society regularly helps with archaeological fieldwork, I reckon our visitors will be used to this sort of thing, and indeed they are.
We begin by climbing the scaffolding, where carpenters are busy repairing the roofs of the south-west wing. The roofs here were built between 1803 and 1810 (we know this from old prints and drawings). About 60% of the rafters need replacement, and most of the frames have rotted away where they came into contact with the walls. Fortunately, the frame ends can be saved by bolting on thick steel plates.
Our next stop is in the medieval undercrofts, where we find plasterers hard at work. In the northern undercroft (under the chapel), the fine medieval surface plaster is being undermined by a sooty black layer. No one knows what it is, so samples have been sent away for analysis. Elsewhere, much of the old loose plaster has been cut away, and the plasterers are “deep packing” the stonework with fresh haired lime plaster.
In the former laybrothers’ refectory two new discoveries have been made. The headstones of a medieval doorway have been found in the north-east corner. This doorway once gave access to a small spiral stair (now blocked). A large quatrefoil has been found scratched into the surface of the medieval plaster above one of the two columns that supports the vaulting. It probably enclosed a small medieval painting - a Madonna and child perhaps. It would have been the first thing to catch your eye when entering the room in medieval times.
It proves very hard to keep a party of visitors together when there is so much to see and so many obstacles to hinder progress. We are tired by the end of the tour, but at least my visitors seem pleased.
Project Meetings
September 2006Dr Michael Rhodes
Each month a Project Meeting is held in the contractors’ site hut - to monitor progress and to keep the project on track. Everyone responsible for delivering the project is present or represented. Site managers Basil Paske and Keith James are there. So too is Simon Parsons, the project manager for Kier Western, the principal contractor. Torbay Council is represented by project manager Steve Parrock, and myself, and by Hal Bishop from the Conservation Planning section. Paul Richold and Sarah Moore represent Architecton, the conservation architects, and they are joined by Craig Dashfield, who is responsible for services (electricity, gas, heating, communications, etc), and Clive Dawson, the structural engineer. Chris Thomas represents the Museum of London, which is taking care of the archaeology.
Although the formal business does not start until 10.30, most of us arrive on site long before, to view the works and catch up with progress. And when it has ended, follow-up discussions last all afternoon, with people forming and reforming in different groups to visit different parts of the building and to discuss various aspects of the project.
Like the project itself, the meeting proceeds at a terrific pace. Identifying and solving problems is the name of the game, and everyone is playing to win. Simon Parsons the project manager for the contractor Kier Western, reports that almost all of the external render has been removed. The repair of the roof timbers is already well advanced, and steel supports for the floor beams are due to be delivered.
The focus of the project is changing. With the external render off, the builders are raking loose material from between the stonework and “deep pack pointing” the joints with lime mortar. Sample mixes of external renders have been applied as patches, to help us choose which colours and textures may be appropriate for different parts of the building.
Special safety measures are in force around the north-east stair extension, which is still at risk of collapse! Not only was it built on loose soil and entirely without foundations, but the stonework above consists of rubble loosely held with splatters of weak lime mortar. No wonder the walls are leaning so precariously! Without our project, we could have lost this entire corner - and the best Gothick windows in the whole of Torre Abbey!
Progress has been so rapid that the contractors are hungry for further instructions. Everyone leaves the meeting with a long list of investigations to carry out, and questions to answer.
Windows on the Past
September 2006Dr Michael Rhodes
The architects have asked my opinion on a wooden window frame that has just been found behind some later woodwork in a first floor window opening. I climb the scaffold and find the greater part of yet another window dating from around 1680.
The frame is made of solid pieces of squared softwood, held at the corners with two large wooden pegs. Because so much survives, it will be possible to repair the frame and to restore the window to its original appearance. This is excellent news.
The new window brings to seven the number of complete or nearly complete windows of this style and date. Installed by the Cary family in around 1680, they are helping to show us how the Abbey was first converted from a monastic building to a grand country mansion. The outer doorframe of the main terrace entrance is made in a similar manner, suggesting that the Carys also created the Abbey’s familiar front entrance.
I reflect that, after the alterations, the front door will no longer be used by visitors - for the first time in 350 years. In future, everyone will enter by a medieval doorway under the Abbot’s tower. This will be a more exciting way to enter the Abbey, but it will also change how the building has to be managed. More than once I have lain awake at night thinking through the changes that are needed to make it all work.
Grave Find
February 2006A 15th Century grave slab believed to be one of the best surviving examples of its kind has been surprisingly uncovered during a three-week excavation of the cloister by the Museum of London archaeology service. The aim of this excavation was to determine the floor levels of the original cloister to help in the planning of a new contemporary design as part of Torbay Council's Torre Abbey restoration project.
The cloister walks were used as a burial place for members of the abbey community. The positions of around 30 graves have been discovered, and there may be even more below them.
The grave slab is made of slate and has a boldly engraved design, incorporating a Celtic-style cross standing on a plinth. This has been dated to the 15th Century by Barney Sloane of English Heritage. Closely similar designs have been found in Dorset, which is where the stone carver who made the grave slab was possibly based.
The excavation revealed that the original 12th Century cloister was rebuilt on at least one and perhaps two occasions. The earliest cloister was the widest and the later cloisters were narrower and had higher roofs.
The grave slab has been restored and will be displayed in the new visitor entrance of the Abbey.
