Town Surveyor, Daryl Chambers, who has overseen the repairs and restoration of the building, said “this project has saved the building from what could have been devastating structural failings.  We have worked hard to ensure that the numerous unexpected problems have been resolved without pushing the project over budget or substantially over the timetable for the original work”

Bob Gillis, Town Clerk, said, “The project hasn’t been straight forward and we have uncovered a large number of unexpected problems.  The building was structurally in far worse condition than anyone anticipated and it is very fortunate that we have been able to tackle these major problems as part of the project.”

As well as the historic restoration of the building, the project has created level access into the building from Bucky Doo Square and included the  installation of a lift.  New lighting, heating, and ventilation systems have been installed to make the building more comfortable for users and to   protect the historic interior with its newly restored Newbery paintings and murals.  On the first floor, a new kitchen, toilets, secondary glazing and IT facilities have also been incorporated. 

Councillor Martin Ray, Leader of Bridport Town Council said: “This project has not been simply about saving an historic building but creating a ‘living’ building that welcomes everybody and embodies the vibrancy and character of our town. Thanks to the support of our partners in this project, West Dorset District Council, Dorset County Council and primarily the   Heritage Lottery Fund, the Town Council is looking forward in 2012 to realising its long held wish that for the first time in its history, the Town Hall will be open and accessible for everyone to enjoy.”

Later in the week the new ground floor exhibition space will be showing an exhibition charting the progress of the project.  Information on the history of the building and the Newbery paintings will be available within the building, both in written and audio format.  The whole building is due to open to the public in mid Febrruary.

In the past, historic masonry was frequently cleaned because cleaning was equated with improvement.  However, experience has shown that inappropriate cleaning and coating treatments are a major cause of damage to historic buildings, resulting, in some cases, in irrevocable damage.  Advice from English Heritage is that the cleaning of brickwork particularly, should be avoided wherever possible. 

Abrasive blasting was popular in the early days of cleaning masonry because dramatic results could be achieved.  However sand or grit blasting commonly tears or pits the surface of the brick, which will then soil and weather more rapidly.  The fired face of the brick can also be removed by this method, rending the brickwork porous to rainwater.

On close inspection, the condition of the brickwork on the Town Hall was found to be good so cleaning was not advised.  Built up dirt was more obvious on the lighter stone sections of the building and so it has been gently cleaned with water, which is generally agreed to be the safest method of cleaning.

The northern roof truss has clearly sagged under the weight of the clock tower

All repairs to the cupola, roof and external walls of the Town Hall have now been completed.  As a Grade 1 listed building, the process of undertaking even the smallest repair is considerable. Work has had to be referred to English Heritage for approval, both of the process and final finish. Listed building permission has been sought for every detail, from removal of internal panelling to check the condition of the external walls, to installation of bell sounders for the fire alarm system. This rigorous process ensures not only the quality of the work undertaken but that it is appropriate to the history and  heritage of the building. 

What’s been done?

The cupola has been repaired and repainted, slates have been replaced and there has been a considerable amount of lead work, both on the clock tower and the roof. Repairs have been made to the flag pole, clock face and weather vane, which has also been re-gilded. 

At roof level, the impact of the later addition of the clock tower, which has caused so many structural problems to the building, is clear.  The northern roof truss has clearly sagged under the weight of the tower.  Although no longer a cause for alarm as the roof has been strengthened, the building did require a specially constructed scaffolding solution, to avoid additional pressure being placed on the main roof.

On the roof, slates have been replaced and new vents for the air conditioning system installed, to support the upgraded heating within the building.  Old roof lights have been re-glazed and the new toilets on the first floor will benefit from natural light through sun tubes. 

Around the parapet of the building, a complete fall arrest system has been installed, to allow future roof level maintenance without the need for  scaffolding.

Brickwork has been repointed using a lime mortar which was laboratory matched to the mortar originally used on the building. This means that although initially brighter, it will weather down to be an exact match. Fortunately the majority of the brickwork was in a good state of repair. Repointing has also stopped water penetration on the stone ledges of the building. All windows in the building have been repaired and repainted.

Crystal Johnson, Activities Coordinator, said, “we are now at the stage where the major works on the Town Hall have been completed and the final finishes are about to commence. A staggering amount of restoration, repair and upgrading has been undertaken, much of which will not be immediately apparent when the building reopens.  The tours have been programmed at this crucial stage to enable people to really understand the extent of the work that will safeguard the Town Hall for the future.”

The building is still a hard hat area and those booking a tour will be required to wear sturdy, closed in footwear.  Hard hats and high visibility vests will be provided.  To book your tour please contact Bridport Town Council on 01308 456722

Ship artwork created by Mountjoy students

As part of the Bridport Town Hall Heritage and Conservation project, local artist Darrell Wakelam has been working with local disability groups and young parents to create a permanent artwork for the interior of the new lift at Bridport Town Hall.  Involving over 50 participants, the workshops have used the history and heritage of the Town Hall as inspiration for cardboard and rope montages.  The first workshops were held at Mountjoy School, where pupils created fantastic ships like those built at West Bay in the past.  Further workshops have also been held at the Fisherman’s Arms day centre, with young parents groups in the town and in partnership with Artz+, who provide holiday activities for children with disabilities and their siblings.   Helen Day, Artz+ Co-ordinator said “The children really enjoyed creating some fabulous fossils art and were pleased to contribute to the artwork planned for the Town Hall”.

All work produced during the workshop will be assembled into a single piece and photographed.  The high quality photographs will then be reproduced to cover the interior walls of the new lift.

The workshops are part of a larger programme of activities to create permanent artworks in the restored Town Hall.  Activities Coordinator Crystal Johnson said, “the project is a wonderful opportunity for the local community to make a lasting mark on their Town Hall.  A key element of the restoration is the installation of a lift in the building, which will allow everyone access to the first floor.  We are really excited that so many different community groups are engaged with the project which will not only contribute to the Town Hall’s local distinctiveness but also offer visitors to the building an insight into its history and heritage.”

Children enjoy making fossil art at the Artz+ event in Bridport

Weather vane before gilding

As part of the Bridport Town Hall Heritage and Conservation project, local artist Jemma Thompson has re-gilded the weathervane that tops the distinctive tower of the building.  The weathervane was removed from the building and taken to Jemma’s studio at St Michael’s to undergo the skilled process of reapplying the sheet gold finish.   Moving such a heavy and cumbersome object was no mean feat and it took 10 men to get the weathervane back into place on the top of the building.  Despite looking quite small from a distance the weather vane actually measures 2.4 meters across and is made from lead and copper, weighing approximately 100kg.

Bob Gillis, Town Clerk said “it is very pleasing to see the restored weather vane shining in the sun on the top of the building.  The dome of the cupola has also been cleaned and the columns repainted.  The clock face and surrounding slates are now being repaired and restored and as work is completed from the top down we will be lowering the scaffolding”.

Jemma Thompson (right) oversees installation of regilded weather vane

Borough well

During initial ground floor excavations the old town well was uncovered.  What came as a complete shock however, was the discovery of a second well

Second well & tunnel to south

beneath the main southern entrance.  This second well is about 8 metres deep and has a 1.8 metre foot high culvert running off it under Bucky Doo square.  The project archaeologist has surveyed both wells and is currently researching date and potential uses.  As with all elements of the project English Heritage have been consulted on the best method for dealing with the wells to ensure that they are both preserved but also do not put at risk the structural stability of the Town Hall.

Local businesses have been praised for their quality and professionalism by Farnrise Construction, the main contractors on the Town Hall Heritage and Conservation Project.  From the outset the project has sought to use local businesses where possible within the restrictions of the building’s Grade 1 listed status.  Speaking about Bridport based company Weller, who have undertaken the complex scaffolding contract for the project, Farnrise site manage Keith Fiddyment said “Weller’s work is certainly up with the best and I am extremely pleased with the scaffold. For once in my life it has been a pleasure to work with scaffolders. Weller’s men were polite, and very professional in the way they carried out their work.”  A number of other local businesses have been involved in the restoration project including AP Chant who are undertaking all the mechanical and electrical work together with roof repairs.  Town Surveyor Daryl Chambers said “it makes complete sense to use local companies and supplies wherever possible.  Not only is it putting money into the local economy but it also means that we have companies on our doorstep with experience and knowledge of the building to help us manage and maintain it in the future.”  Overall the project is estimated to be placing in excess of £300,000 worth of work with local businesses.  Dave Arnold, manager of Travis Perkins said, “We are happy to be the main supplier of building materials to the Town Hall and Farnrise Construction who are doing thousands of pounds worth of business with us in Bridport.”

When completed, the building will be open to the public six days a week and available for the whole community to use.  Town Clerk Bob Gillis said, “when finished, the Town Hall will truly be the focal point of the town, welcoming visitors and providing fantastic facilities for the local community.  It is a major project for the local area, which in the long term will serve to attract additional visitors to the town and enable a greater variety of town centre activities and events.”