About the project
The complex project to save the Monastery and Friary was completed on time and on budget. In total, 300 people took 609 days to conserve the structures, and 100 miles of scaffolding tubes were erected, enough to stretch end to end from the Monastery to Hadrian’s Wall. Among the building materials used were 15,000 slate tiles, 125 tonnes of lime mortar and plaster, 400 stained and leaded panes of glass, and 20,000 reclaimed bricks.
The main contractor for the conservation project was William Anelay of York and, through an innovative partnership with the Trust and support from English Heritage; the site was accessible throughout the conservation work for pre-arranged visits for those interested in seeing heritage craft skills in action. Over 5,000 people benefitted from this arrangement and led to two showcases of heritage skills for young people from local schools, work which is continuing through partnership with the Manchester College and local construction academy.
