Introduction to the projects
WMF Britain’s activities are tailored to the needs of the heritage in question. We will always aim to raise the profile of a site and to build partnerships with building preservation trusts, NGOs or professionals but the centrepiece of our work is conservation management out in the field.
While we are involved with many projects, we focus our principle fundraising and conservation management energies on a smaller portfolio of projects. Typically this will be up to ten projects at any one time, both within the UK and outside it.
Emergency appeal
St Mary's Stow in Lincolnshire
We are urgently seeking £35,000 to cover the cost of unforeseen repairs to the Mother Church of Lincoln Cathedral, St Mary’s Stow, one of the oldest in the country. A critical phase of works to the roof has just revealed that a number of roof beams are rotting and some of the masonry is in a much worse condition than previously thought.
Active projects
WMF Britain is currently at work on the following projects and we would welcome any donations towards their progress:
Strawberry Hill, Twickenham
In essence Walpole’s ‘built essay’ on architecture and gardening. As one of the group of Thames-side villas that survive from the 18th Century, Strawberry Hill’s significance in architectural style, political history and connections to the life of Horace Walpole is compelling. WMF Britain recognised this importance with its Watch Listing in 2004 and the facilitating of Wilson match funding. Just £500,000 is required now to meet the overall target.
Headfort House, Kells, Co. Meath, Ireland
When it comes to investigating the work of an architect as well-researched as Robert Adam it is unusual for the results to be as exciting as those recently uncovered at Headfort. We have revealed a decorative scheme of highly unusual detail and colour variation – unlike that seen in any of Adam’s other works – beneath the cheerful debris of a busy boarding school.
The John Cheere Sculptures at Queluz in Portugal
“The surviving sculptures by Cheere in the gardens of the Palace of Queluz are critically important to the history of English garden sculpture and the conservation of the largest collection of lead sculpture outside this country is of high importance...”
St George’s Bloomsbury, London
Nicholas Hawksmoor, protégé of Sir Christopher Wren, built 6 churches resulting from the 1711 Act of Parliament which demanded '50 new churches in London.' His most idiosyncratic work combines baroque splendour wand classical references with the most eccentric spire in London.
Sedilia at Westminster Abbey
Not for nothing is Westminster Abbey known as the ‘Valhalla of the nation.’ Its significance as a coronation site and burial place is renowned. But imagine the responsibility of looking after such a crowded and ancient place, with so much to maintain.
Hampton Court, Richmond, Surrey
The field of conservation technology is constantly updating itself through developments in scientific innovation, and WMF Britain needs to be at the forefront on this. This project at Hampton Court provides us with an opportunity to utitlise the latest technology for the benefit of these ten terracotta roundels.
Chinese Palace, St Petersburg
“When the trees are in bloom, the shutters are flung open and the sun strokes the finely decorated parquet of the romantic Hall of Muses, rays of light glitter across the glass panels in the Glass Bead Salon and the original silk walls of the Small Chinese Cabinet reflect gold in their threads.”
The Temples at Angkor in Cambodia
“Half a league from the city is a temple called Angkor. It is of such extraordinary construction that it is not possible to describe it with a pen, particularly since it is like no other building in the world. It has towers and decoration and all the refinements which the human genius can conceive of.”
Completed
Examples of WMF Britain’s completed projects are:
Stowe Marble Saloon, Buckinghamshire
“As the central state room of the House, the Marble Saloon showcases the outstanding work that can be achieved in conservation and restoration”
Browne Clayton Monument, Ireland
The column presented us with two major challenges, the first being the structural damage caused by the lightning strike, and the second being that the column was in fact in private ownership.
The Small Concert Room at St George’s Hall, Liverpool’
“St George's Hall is one of the most magnificent buildings in Liverpool, and it is fitting that its restoration is complete in time for Liverpool’s 800th birthday and prior to the city taking up its title as the European Capital of Culture in 2008.”
Out in the field
Down in Somerset, the framework for the North Gallery is taking shape. Richard Holttum sent us these images.
Back in London, we noticed a demolition in the ‘Gin Lane’ of Bloomsbury area has actually opened up a view of St George’s.
At Queluz, our first workshop ran at the end of last year.
