Building Work Report - March 2024

Over the summer 2021 a number of quotations were sought to replace one external door and 3 internal doors that were in poor condition. This process gave a preferred supplier, but sadly although the work was scheduled for the Easter vacation 2022, it didn't happen as the contractor went out of contact. Fortunately, we were able to find an alternate carpentry company and the work took place in the Autumn Half Term 2022.

​The next job was flooring. The original cork tiling has suffered damage in the hall area and a number of replacement tiles were needed. After consulting with 2 flooring specialist it was decided that the lobby area should be over-tiled with barrier mat carpet tiles which will be durable and will protect the main chapel cork floor from dirt/damp ingress. This work was successfully carried out at the beginning of the summer vacation 2022. Photos are available below. Click the photo for the full gallery.

​The flooring in the main body of the building was also damaged although not quite so badly. There were some damaged tiles and a poor tile colour match from when the choir stalls were moved some years ago. However, the floor was quite dark from ageing and the original pattern had been lost. We were able to find a company that was prepared to sand the tiles back to remove all the accumulated polish and varnish, repair the damaged tiles and colour match the previous poor repair in the choir stall area, refinishing with a durable coating that can be further refinished as and when necessary. Luckily, the company was able to fit us in for the summer 2022 vacation and the work has been completed.

Having failed to get the agreement of the school for an earlier offer by a company to clean the chapel exterior effectively for free, the Trustees remained committed to trying to improve the external appearance. Heritage Blast Cleaning Co were engaged and they cleaned the building using a high pressure steam process to preserve the delicate nature of the Portland Stone faced blocks. Again, we were fortunate that they could fit us in during the summer 2022 vacation. The results were spectacular, photos below.

During Easter 2023 and into the summer vacation, we were able to get an additional internal door replaced and also have all the new internal doors and all the external doors (excepting the new one on the south side) refinished. For the old doors this involved a complete strip and refinish, the internal doors being new just required finishing coats. The work on the main double doors revealed previous repairs to broken glazing panels (replaced with thin acrylic sheet) and we had new safety glass cut and installed to properly weather proof the doors.  

So a good start to the various renovations and a considerable improvement in the aesthetics of the building.  

​

​

​

​