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

Site Staff

Our Site Manager Ed Mandrell. You may have already spotted his smiling face on the sign board! Any problems or issues relating to the work please do not hesitate to contact him on 07976763579.

Project Update 27th November 2011

Work continues apace with strip out works to the 19th Century Wing completed.

Works were delayed for around a week due the discovery of asbestos underneath the floor boards on the ground floor which resulted in the area being sealed off whilst it was removed under controlled conditions.

The formation of the lift pit and service trenches are well underway - as are the Mechanical and Electrical Installations to the 1st floor.

External repairs including extensive repointing in lime mortar are well underway. Replacement stone cills are on order after being accurately identified using a petrographic survey to ensure they matched the originals. Overhauling of the sash windows which had badly degraded has also commenced.

Internally lath and lime plastering works are due to commence in the next week.

Formation of the New Lift Pit - This was undertaken under the watchful eye of a Archeologist from Herefordshire County Council.

Lime Mortar Repointing of the existing brickwork undertaken by local directly employed staff.


Areas of particular badly degraded plasterwork have been removed ready for lath repairs and replastering using traditional lime plaster.

New Electrical and Data Installations being undertaken on a existing wall ready to recieve replacement lime plaster

Site Manager Ed Mandrell explains to site staff planned works to the existing floor

Community Involvement

· As part of the Considerate Constructors scheme - we are keen to be involved in community as much as possible during our time at the Masters House. Many of our site team are Ledbury residents and as such feel as a special attachment to this project. If anybody has any good ideas how we can actively get involved please do not hesitate to contact any member of our team so far this year we have:

• Sponsored Ledbury Reserves Football club shirts for the forthcoming season.
• We sponsored the Ledbury Young Farmers Frog Racing Fundraising Evening in August.
• 20+ members of Speller Metcalfe staff took to the streets to take part in the Ledbury Carnival on a float specially constructed by our apprentice carpenters. The event raised a significant amount of money for local charities.
• We held a community opening afternoon in St. Katherine’s hall on the first day of the project to explain how we would be managing the works to minimise impact on the community – around 30 people attended throughout the afternoon including the Mayor. Our fortnightly project update will delivered to the Town Council offices for display.
• We letter dropped the entire Ledbury High Street & nearby local residents prior to starting the project to explain how we would be managing the works to minimise impact on the local community & bring benefits to the town.
• We have met with Andy Evans (Headteacher of John Masefield High School) to discuss the educational opportunities that the project will afford to the school and also the seven feeder primary schools in the locality. We intend this to include site visits, use of the hoarding as an outdoor art gallery, have Ivor Goodsite visits to the primary schools & talks on Sustainability in Buildings at the High School.
• We have contacted the Chairman of Ledbury in Bloom and will be making the site hoarding and surrounds a centrepiece of the St. Katherines Car Park next year.
• We will be sending out a questionnaire to local businesses and residents to ask how we are getting on at minimising negative impacts of construction work in the new year.
• · We have met with the Local Salter’s Hill Charity for children & adults with learning difficulties. Commencing and are employing two Ledbury residents with learning difficulties to clean the site accommodation at the project. As well as giving them good work experience they will also be paid. We recently completed the construction of an outdoor covered learning space with the charity at their Ledbury base with staff from our Malvern office on a voluntary basis.
• We are monitoring the site’s CO₂ footprint & transport to and from the site.
• We will be making an effort to erect Christmas Decorations in December and to send Christmas cards to Ledbury residents.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts.

The first progress update