WW1 Memorial Chapel Repairs

In October 2020 we announced that the Cathedral had been awarded a grant of £83,840 from the Arts Council England Culture Recovery Fund, to cover the cost of repairs to the War Memorial Chapel Roof and it’s ancillary buildings. The fund forms part of the Government’s £1.57 billion package to support the UK’s culture and heritage sectors from the economic impact of Covid-19.We are now delighted to inform you that this repair work has been completed and the chapel exterior has been restored to its former glory.

Please find on this page updates on the work as it progressed along with some images of the completed works.

Update 1: 3rd February 2021

Work began on the repairs to the Chapel roof and ancillary buildings on Monday 18th January. Architect in charge of the project Duncan Sanderson reports the following progress so far:

 Site establishment complete in the Cathedral House car park.
 Scaffold around the WW1 Memorial Chapel complete, including tin sheet protection to the base and temporary roof over.
 Slating stripped from the Memorial Chapel roof, and temporary sheeting in place.
 DOFF cleaning of paint from the north wall of the Chapel progressing, and also to the stone copings along the head of the lower walls. The paint has had 2 no. passes and proprietary treatment to remove more stubborn areas, and the work should be completed later today , (3rd February).
 The raking coping stones have been removed from the head of the Chapel east gable wall.
 The rainwater gutters and downpipes have been removed from the Chapel roof.

Update 2: 26th February 2021

Following on from our first update at the start of the month, work is progressing well on the repairs to the exterior of the chapel and remains on schedule. Please see and update from Architect in charge of the project Duncan Sanderson:

 DOFF cleaning of paint from the north (brick) and east (stone) walls of the Chapel, including window tracery, complete.
 Cement slurry removed from window tracery and surrounds.
 Copings to head of lower annexe walls removed and the wall heads protected pending reinstatement.
 Raking coping stones have been removed from the head of the Chapel east gable wall.
 Timber remedial works to Chapel roof complete, and joinery progressing to secret gutter bases.
 Repointing of Chapel walls progressing well.

Update 3: 10th March 2021

Following on from our second update at the end of February, work continues to progress well on the repairs to the exterior of the chapel and remains on schedule. Please see and update from Architect in charge of the project Duncan Sanderson:

 Temporary roof over the WW1 Memorial Chapel now removed and scaffolding starting to be struck to allow works to the lower roof to be progressed.
 Leadwork, slating, and works to rooflights, Memorial Chapel roof, complete except for minor works and pointing to cover flashings and fitting of ridge tiles to roof.
 DOFF cleaning of paint from the north (brick) and east (stone) walls of the Chapel, including window tracery, complete.
 Raking coping stones have been reinstated to the Chapel east gable wall and pointing nearing completion.
 The rainwater gutters and downpipes have been removed from the Chapel roof and fascia boards fixed. Awaiting delivery of new rainwater goods.
 Rainwater goods to low level flat roof removed and redecorated ready for reinstatement.
 Repointing of Chapel and lower annexe walls complete except where scaffolding precludes access.

Update 4: 19th March 2021

Following on from the third update from the beginning of March, works are continuing to progress well with work still on schedule. Please see and update from Architect in charge of the project Duncan Sanderson:

 Leadwork, slating, and works to rooflights, Memorial Chapel roof, complete.
 DOFF cleaning of paint from the north (brick) and east (stone) walls of the Chapel, including window tracery, complete.
 Copings to head of lower annexe walls removed and the wall heads protected pending reinstatement.
 Raking coping stones have been reinstated to the Chapel east gable wall and pointing complete.
 The rainwater gutters and downpipes have been removed from the Chapel roof and fascia boards fixed. Awaiting delivery of new rainwater goods.
 Rainwater goods to low level flat roof removed and redecorated ready for reinstatement.
 Repointing of Chapel and lower annexe walls complete.
 New carved replacement stone starting to arrive on site, still to be fixed.
 Timbers denoting gutter channels and kerbs to rooflights in place ready for insulation and asphalt.

Update 5: 20th April 2021

Following on from our fourth update in March, work near completion on the repairs to the exterior of the chapel and remains on schedule. Please see a final update from Architect in charge of the project Duncan Sanderson:

 Asphalt works are complete. Some unevenness is noted but this may be due to runs in the paint finish. To be reviewed when finally cleaned down.
 Window guards for the Chapel east window have been delivered and look good, and fixing holes drilled in the masonry of the stone surrounds and tracery.
 The fixed rooflight over the corridor has been delivered to the wrong specification (flashings are for inserting into a pitched roof). Replacement ordered but not yet arrived.
 The ogee gutters require ‘stop ends’ to the east, parts ordered but awaited.
 Work progressing to the low level copings. North run complete but final pointing required, east return to abut North Sanctuary Aisle wall progressing.
 Additional stone for indents to the north side of the Chapel east window cill ordered.

Works complete: April 2021

We are delighted to report that work is now complete on the repairs to the roof of the WW1 Memorial Chapel. The Chapel exterior has now been restored to it’s former glory and is protected for years to come. The repairs give a glimpse of what the rest of the cathedral could look like as restoration work continues in the years ahead.

Our thanks go to Architect in charge of the project, Duncan Sanderson of Kepczyk Pearce Sanderson Architects and to all the team who have worked so hard to bring the project to a successful coompletion.