Conservation of the Priory Alabaster Arch (CoPAA)
Bekow is an overview of the now completed CoPAA project
CoPPA Overview
Conservation of the Priory Alabaster Arch
The Alabaster Arch, which forms part of the outside of the West Door of the Grade 1 Listed Priory Church of St. Mary, Tutbury, is unique.
Built from local alabaster, it is the only external alabaster arch in the country and the earliest example (circa 1160) of alabaster carving.
In the early 19th century it was described as being in “a state of perfect preservation”. In the 1960s it was described as being “in a remarkable state of preservation”. But in 2013, Hirst Conservation noted that the general environment is having “a catastrophic effect on the stone”. A cursory examination today will show many of the alabaster blocks that make up the arch are badly weathered and almost all the arch is badly discoloured.
The first picture shows a block in reasonable condition, the next picture shows one of the more weathered blocks, although not the worst. The arch is made up of 30 blocks, almost half of which have significant weathering.
The discolouration can also be seen – the near white colour in some parts of the pictures is what it should look like.
To protect and preserve as much of the Priory Arch and its unique architecture as possible for future generations will require that it is cleaned (with a laser!) and the worst of the fissures that let in the water sealed (consolidated).
Therefore, St. Mary’s Parochial Church Council launched a project to conserve the Alabaster Arch. The project, known as the Conservation of the Priory Alabaster Arch (CoPAA), is raising funds, has obtained the necessary ecclesiastical and secular permissions and subsequently has carried out the Condition Survey and the physical Conservation. An earlier smaller Condition Survey and separate Cleaning Trials were carried out in 2013 and 2015 by Hirst Conservation at a cost of £3,312.
It is expected that the total project cost will be about £80,000 and will complete in 2018 (the actual on-site work by Hirst Conservation will take 8-9 weeks). The money will be raised from grants, donations, events, collections and gifts – it is reliant on the generosity of the people of Tutbury and the surrounding areas and those who care about the preservation of irreplaceable church architecture and craftsmanship from over 850 years ago. So far, approximately £76,000 has been raised leaving £4,000 still to be raised.
Contacts
Conservation of the Priory Alabaster Arch
People on the CoPAA team were:
Name | CoPAA Team Role | Fabric & Finance | Church Role | Phone (01283) |
Rick Nuth | Project Lead | Volunteer | 810 166 | |
Jane Nuth | Secretary | Volunteer | 810 166 | |
Joycelyn Hickman | Treasurer | Yes | Treasurer | |
Judith Collison | Member | Yes | PCC | |
Margaret Pyle | Member | Yes | Church Warden | |
Roger Sharp | Member | Yes | PCC Deputy Chair | |
Jane Taylor | Member | Yes | PCC |
The conservation was carried out by Hirst Conservation (www.hirst-conservation.com) overseen by the Church Architect Robert Kilgour (www.robertkilgour.co.uk)
Please feel free to contact us if you want to know more.
Contact the Project lead below:
Progress
Time-lapse photography – cleaning an alabaster block (6 hours in 1 minute)
Photographs of progress can be found on Flickr at CoPAA Progress to 2018 09 28
The latest CoPAA progress and status reports can be read at
2018 11 11 CoPAA Status Report – End of Phase II and
2018 10 06 CoPAA Status Report – End September 2018
2018 08 06 CoPAA Status Report – End July 2018
2018 08 06 CoPAA Status Report – End August 2018
2018 09 14 – Time-lapse photography – cleaning an alabaster block (real time circa 6 hours)
Progress notes of the work on the Alabaster Arch by Sabina van de Bruck of Hirst Conservation can be read at:-
2018 08 24 Tutbury Progress Notes
2018 09 09 Tutbury Progress Notes
If you have any queries about the project please contact copaa@andricks.co.uk
The Condition Survey from Hirst Conservation – 155 pages long can be read here:
FP-020 Tutbury Condition Report March 2018 revised – Part I (46 pages)
FP-021 Tutbury Condition Report March 2018 revised – Part II (Appendices) (110 pages)
The specifications for the proposed work can be read in:
FP-030 Hirst Cover Letter and Quote
FP-031 Kilgour Quote RN3 060418
FP-032 Russell Geomatics_Tutbury St Mary’s West Door Arch – Schedule of survey costs 23.04.18
Funders
The following organisations and people have contributed to the CoPAA project – others have contributed anonymously:
British Gypsum
Duchy of Lancaster
J&O Lloyd Trust (Staffs Community Foundation)
Staffs Historic Churches Trust
ChurchCare (Condition Survey)
Tutbury Civic Society
Tutbury Priory Chapter
Open Gardens
Tutbury Priory Lodge
Friends of St. Mary’s
Restoration Fund
Priory Crafters
Cash donations
Friends of St. Mary’s- Kay Chapman Bequest
Organ concerts
Local Vocals Concert
Hot House Jazz concert
Bequest for Ben Sherratt
Ann Chan Foxley coffee morning
Mike and Judi Miller
Dr Philip & Janie Bell – “In memory of Phyllis M and Wilfred J Bell”
Ann Chan Foxley
Mrs Wildeblood
A Ward
“A Tutbury Christmas” Concert Donations
Susan Irvins
JH Grice – Funeral Directors
Miss Peggy King
American visitors
Wedding collection
