Ledbury in Bloom

The team at the Masters House are pleased to be sponsoring Ledbury in Bloom this year - the first tubs have recently brightened up the High Street. Last year saw the town winning the Gold Award for the 5th sucessive year. Obviously it is a something that we would like emulated or bettered this year!

You can support them as well and follow their updates by visiting their Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ledbury-in-Bloom/233194630034155

April Progress Update

Progress Update 2nd April 2012

Phase 1C

Phase 1C consists of the exploration of the existing fabric of the historic section of the building to enable the design for the future 'Library' Phase to be firmed up. Whilst the designers have a good idea of what the structure underneath is like - until it is exposed the location and condition of many of the timbers is unknown.
Stripping back some of the woodchip wallpaper has already revealed extremely well preserved timbers which will left exposed so they can viewed once the building is in use.



Historic timbers now exposed for inspection.



 Butler Hegarty architects have produced this excellent model to illustrate how the existing frame is likely to have looked and to illustrate which parts of the original strucutre will be exposed.





Nearing Completion

The hoarding has now been adjusted ready for the final external works and tidying up of the flower beds. As you can see from the photo below the daffodils are out and Spring is in the air!

Considerate Constructors Scheme

Our site in Ledbury is registered with the Considerate Constructors Scheme which is a national initiative, set up by the construction industry to improve its image. Any work that could be construed by the general public as ‘construction’ can be registered with the Scheme. Sites and companies that register with the Scheme are monitored against an eight point Code of Considerate Practice, designed to encourage performance beyond statutory requirements. The Code consists of the following eight sections: Considerate, Environment, Appearance, Good Neighbour, Respectful, Safety, Responsible and Accountable. When monitoring, the Scheme considers all those involved in the construction process, from the local authority and the client, to the operatives and delivery drivers.

We have recently had our 1st inspection and are extremely pleased with the result achieving a score of 37.5 out of a possible 40 points. As can been seen in the table below - it is very difficult to achieve such high marks with our site being rated well within the top 10% of sites in the UK. 

Of course we wish to continue this through the duration of the project - so if there is anyway in which you think we can improve or have suggestions how we can get involved in the community please do not hesitate to get in touch.  Our site telephone number is 01531 633 917.

Update: Visit http://www.ledburyreporter.co.uk/news/local/9595312.Contractor_stars_in_the_community/  to see how the Ledbury Reporter's write up on our assessment and score.

Project Update 1st March 2012

 

March see's the Phase 1 works nearing completion with the external works complete with the exception of a new tarmac topping to provide access. The hoarding will be altered at the start of April to allow access to what Ledbury residents may remember as the old entrance to the Doctors surgery. The lift installation will commence in the next couple of weeks. The internal fit out elements will progress over the month ready to handover to HCC mid-April.

Phase 2 Planning

As Phase 1B the relocation of HCC services from their existing location to the newly refurbished 19th Century Wing nears completion in April works to progress the main phase '2' of the buildings can begin.

Initially this will consist of a 'stripping out' phase where certain areas of the historic fabric will be exposed during Phase 1C. This will enable the designers to see and assess how the existing layout can be altered whilst repairing and retaining the heritage of this Grade 2* listed building. As the building is of national significance it is not possible to undertake too many alterations to the existing layout - which is a challenge faced by the design team in how to turn the Masters House into a exciting and usable community space but within the space constraints imposed.

To faciliate the assessment of the fabric and protect the works as the roof is replaced the current proposal is erect a large temporary roof over the whole of the building. We are currently working on the design for this structure - with particular thought going into how the main site will setup up. Adequate room for the scaffolding is needed, so is adequate work area to allow the project to progress whilst complying with all Health & Safety legislation. We are also looking at how to rearrange the setup to minimise the impact on the carpark. The erection of the scaffolding is currently hoped to start in the New Year 2013.

Meet Buzz Sitegear

James Speller welcolming Buzz to the SpellerMetcalfe Team!

Buzz Sitegear is SpellerMetcalfe's new Mascot and Safety Champion. He will be visiting local schools and nurserys spreading the message of Site Safety. 

We have already been to visit Bubbles Nursery at Eastnor where Safety Signs were shown to the Pre-Schoolers for them to identify and learn the different meanings. The Children enjoyed the visit and took part in building site related colourings. We are looking forward to visiting more schools in the future although we will be taking turns in the suit!

Eastnor Nursery Visit

Scaffolding being Dropped

The scaffolding is being dropped - exposing the recently repointed 19th C wing

January 2012 Progress Board

Happy New Year to everyone involved and likewise interested in the Master's House Project.

Here is the latest update on the project and the next update will be due in February.

I hope that local residents and everyone that visited St.Katherines car park over the christmas period enjoyed the festive lights that we provided around the top of our site hoarding.

It was very refreshing to meet so many people from The Friends of the Master's House Group on Monday 16th January 2012 who were so enthusiastic about the project and it's progress.
We had numerous questions from all that visited site and hope that we satisfied those that attended with the information that we provided.

We are very keen as a local company and Ledbury based team to provide as much information to those people that are interested in this project as possible.
If you would like to visit the site individually or as a group please contact any one of the team who's contact details are on the progress board.

Likewise we would also like to hear from anyone who has any negative notes on the project and the inpact the works are having on them so that we have the opportunity to address these issues as soon as possible.

Masters House project wins Heritage Lottery support

Herefordshire Council has received initial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) for the Master’s House project in Ledbury. A development grant of £39,300 has been awarded to help Herefordshire Council progress their plans to apply for a full grant of £995,700 next year.

The project aims to carry out a full conservation repair of the grade II star listed building and preserve its heritage for future generations. Once completed, the medieval core of the building should be visible to the public for the first time in hundreds of years as well as serving as a hub for statutory and voluntary sector organisations to serve the local community.

This hub will be accessible to all and include a public library service, registrar’s service and ceremony space, a localities office and customer services as well as offices for Ledbury Voluntary Action.

The full HLF grant will focus on the second phase of the restoration programme, specifically the medieval section of the building including the roof, timber frame repairs and external elevations.

There are also plans for a dedicated storage and display area for the John Masefield Archive, making these documents accessible to the public for the first time. Funding will also be requested for a range of learning and community participation events that will encourage the community to learn more about the heritage of the Masters House and the history of Ledbury.

Contractors Speller Metcalfe are already working on phase one of the project which concerns the renovation of the Victorian wing of the building. This is expected to be completed in April 2012 and then services in the medieval part of the building will move to this area during phase two.

Updates on progress can be found at http://ledburymastershouse.blogspot.com/ where latest photographs and news will be posted and interested parties can also have their say.

The development funding will be used to work with stakeholders and the community to ensure the history of the Masters House is interpreted in an accessible and appropriate way as well as consulting over how to attract as many visitors to the building as possible.

Ledbury Localities Working Group will also, in conjunction with Friends of the Masters House, other heritage providers, the community and school, develop a plan for the second stage of the HLF application process as well as ensure the public are kept informed about the project.

Roger Phillips, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for enterprise and culture, said: “We are delighted that the Heritage Lottery Fund has given us this support. This project offers us the opportunity to preserve the Masters House for people to visit and also ensure it is sustainable into the future by becoming a hub for statutory and voluntary services.

“We will continue to keep people involved as the process progresses and plan to be in a strong position to bid for the rest of the HLF grant money in six to nine months’ time,” he added.

Explaining the importance of the award, Anne Jenkins, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund for the West Midlands, said: “We are pleased to give our initial support to this project which aims to restore and interpret this rare surviving medieval timber framed building in Ledbury. While there is much work to be done, we look forward to receiving a full application from Herefordshire Council for the Master’s House in the future.”

PROJECT UPDATE

SCHOOL VISIT:-Following four successful visits from John Masefield High School to view the interior of the Masters House, Peter Heaton kindly allowed access to the rear of the Almshouses & St.Katherines Chapel.
Peter was most helpful and informative as to a brief history of the buildings.

GENERAL PROGRESS:-The overall project is moving along well and the new year will bring construction of the lift to a close and allow a substantial amount of other works to proceed.

Salters Hill Charity

Salter’s Hill Charity is based in Falcon Lane, Ledbury and provides services for people with a learning disability and promotes choice, independence, respect, dignity and responsible lifestyle choices.

They provide a wide range of high quality services working in partnership with our clients, local authorities, parents and family members developing people to reach their full potential and integrate with their local community

Site Manager Ed with Andrew and Kelly

Part of their work is to give opportunities to experinence paid working environments and SpellerMetcalfe are proud to be able to offer part-time work to two of the individuals they support.

If you would like to learn more about the Charity or offer assistance to them please visit their website http://www.saltershill.org.uk/index.html  or call 01531 671 080

Car Park Repairs

Just to make everybody aware - we found out this afternoon - Amey will be undertaking tarmac repairs to St. Katherines Car Park. They will be blocking off a number of parking spaces while the works will taking place but they anticipate the works being completed by Thursday night.

John Masefield High School Y8 Visits

This week we are running a series of site visits from John Masefield High School - giving the Year 8 pupils a chance to visit the Masters House, St. Katherines Hall/Chapel and the Alms Houses. Graeme Sampson - Head of Humanities was keen to get the pupils thinking about the reasons why money is spent on preserving old buildings - and to take an interest in the history of the local area - in particular places like St. Katherines Hall which are right under people's noses but often get forgotten.

Each class was split into 2 groups with Peter Heaton - Secretary of St. Katherines Hall kindly giving up his time to show the children around - and imparting some of his intimate knowledge of the history of the site.

List of Masters of St. Katherines

Medeival Floor Tiles in St. Katherines Chapel

St. Katherines Chapel - c.1232

Y8 Pupils line up to peek into the roof space

Group Switch Over

Ed explains about the use of lime plaster

Looking into the Roof Void