Caring for War Memorials in Wales – Technical Guidance

War Memorials in Wales Technical Guidance FOR CARING Cadw, Welsh Government Photography for this booklet was provided Plas Carew by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Unit 5/7 Cefn Coed Historical Monuments of Wales (RCAHMW); Parc Nantgarw all images are © Crown copyright: RCAHMW Cardiff CF15 7QQ unless otherwise specified. Cadw gratefully 01443 336000 acknowledges the help of Phil Parkes (Cardiff [email protected] University), Cyllene Griffiths (Powys County www.cadw.wales.gov.uk Council), and staff at RCAHMW, Historic Scotland, English Heritage and War Memorials Cadw is the Welsh Government’s historic Trust in the preparation of this booklet. environment service working for an accessible The content is based on Advice on Maintenance and well-protected historic environment for of War Memorials (English Heritage and War Wales. Memorials Trust) and Short Guide 3: The Repair and Maintenance of War Memorials (Historic War Memorials Trust Scotland and War Memorials Trust). 2nd Floor These documents can be accessed from the 42a Buckingham Palace Road War Memorials Trust website. London www.warmemorials.org/a-z SW1W 0RE Conservation advice/grants: 020 7233 7356 [email protected] This publication is available in alternative formats. www.warmemorials.org For details please contact Cadw at the above address or telephone 01443 336000. War Memorials Trust is a national charity which works for the conservation and protection of Cover photograph: The weary face of war, Lampeter. war memorials in the UK. Contents photograph: The Royal Welch Fusiliers memorial, Wrexham. First published by Cadw 2014 ISBN 978 1 85760 318 7 (PDF) © Crown copyright 2014 WG 19995 Caring for War Memorials in Wales Technical Guidance Contents Introduction 3 Ironwork 20 Repair and Maintenance 5 Lead 22 Stone 5 Gilding 22 Stone decay 6 Wood 22 Surface soiling 7 Paper 23 Plant growth 7 Mosaics 23 Moss 8 Painted decoration 23 Algae 8 Stained and decorative glass 23 Lichens 8 Buildings 24 Use of biocides 8 Protecting against theft of metals 24 Stone cleaning 9 Graffiti and vandalism 25 Re-pointing masonry 11 Removing graffiti 25 Specifying mortar for repairs 12 Preventative measures 26 Stone repairs 13 Bird control 26 Eroding inscriptions 15 Summary of Common Defects 27 Concrete 15 Grants, Advice and Useful Resources 29 Metal 16 Grants 29 Bronze 16 Advice 29 Brass 20 Useful Resources 29 Copper 20 Introduction ar memorials continue to be a focal Wpoint in towns and villages throughout Wales for commemorating two world wars and other conflicts. It is important that these memorials are properly maintained and conserved for the benefit of future generations. This technical guidance explains in detail how best to care for war memorials in Wales. It is intended mainly for custodians to help them identify what maintenance work can be done by non-specialists, including volunteers, and when they should seek professional help with specialist maintenance or remedial work. In general, any specialists or contractors should have experience of working with historic structures. Specialist contractors and conservators may also find the guidance useful. Introduction ar memorials continue to be a focal The companion publication, Caring for War Wpoint in towns and villages throughout Memorials in Wales, explains the special interest Wales for commemorating two world wars of war memorials in Wales and provides a and other conflicts. It is important that these general introduction to their maintenance for memorials are properly maintained and custodians, local authorities and local people Below: War memorials conserved for the benefit of future generations. interested in the conservation of this unique are found in every part of This technical guidance explains in detail how legacy. Wales. They are a unique best to care for war memorials in Wales. It is The emphasis of both publications is on record of the impact of war and their long-term intended mainly for custodians to help them freestanding memorials and plaques rather than conservation ensures that identify what maintenance work can be done by larger structures such as buildings or parks and the memory of those who non-specialists, including volunteers, and when gardens for example. War memorials may be lost their lives endures (By they should seek professional help with specialist statutorily protected by listing or scheduling courtesy of Media Wales maintenance or remedial work. In general, so it is best to seek guidance from your local Ltd). any specialists or contractors should have planning authority Conservation Officer before Opposite: This memorial experience of working with historic structures. you begin any work to find out if any consents at Aberbanc, near Llandysul, was erected to Specialist contractors and conservators may also are required. There is more information about commemorate the First find the guidance useful. consents in Caring for War Memorials in Wales. World War. 3 hen planning works to a war memorial, Wit is important to have a clear understanding of the materials the memorial is made from and to understand the specific conservation requirements relevant to them. This technical guidance looks at the different materials used for the construction of war memorials, the risk of damage caused by physical, biological or atmospheric agents and the appropriate care and maintenance necessary to ensure their long-term survival. Specialist advice should be available from your local planning authority Conservation Officer and War Memorials Trust and there is a list of useful resources and contact details on page 29. Stone Sandstone, limestone and granite are the most common types of stone used for war memorials in Wales. Alongside other stone types, imported marble was occasionally used for sculptures and slate was sometimes used for roofing and inlaid panels with inscriptions. Repair and Maintenance hen planning works to a war memorial, Stone can vary widely in quality, appearance Wit is important to have a clear and durability. Where repairs are required, understanding of the materials the memorial you may need to identify the source of the is made from and to understand the specific stone, either from records or by using a stone- conservation requirements relevant to them. matching service. Unlike granite, which is hard, This technical guidance looks at the different other stones are softer and more porous and, materials used for the construction of war therefore, more vulnerable to damage from memorials, the risk of damage caused by inappropriate cleaning, poor detailing and physical, biological or atmospheric agents and weathering. Some types of stone can be prone the appropriate care and maintenance necessary to delamination, where layers flake away from Below left: Slate was to ensure their long-term survival. the surface. This normally occurs when the sometimes used for carved Specialist advice should be available from stone has not been laid correctly with respect panels like this at Capel Baladeulyn, Nantlle. The your local planning authority Conservation to its grain but can be a natural occurrence that carved detail shows a scene Officer and War Memorials Trust and there is cannot be prevented. from the lives of the slate a list of useful resources and contact details on Granite was frequently used for war workers. page 29. memorials even when it was not found Below right: Marble was locally. This may be because its durability and often used for memorial panels inside places of aesthetic qualities were considered particularly Stone worship and civic buildings. appropriate for war memorials. Granite has This poignant memorial is in Sandstone, limestone and granite are the most a crystalline structure which can take a high Pendref Methodist Chapel, common types of stone used for war memorials polish making it particularly suitable for interior Denbigh. in Wales. Alongside other stone types, imported memorials. External memorials may use a Opposite: War memorials marble was occasionally used for sculptures and combination of finishes and were often left rustic are often made of a number slate was sometimes used for roofing and inlaid of different materials. deliberately. If appropriately treated, granite Here, at Ebbw Vale, the panels with inscriptions. memorials can have a long lifespan and require bronze statue, the granite relatively little maintenance. But, they can still be pedestal and pillars, and iron chain-link each has its harmed by aggressive cleaning methods or the own specific conservation use of inappropriate repair materials. requirements. 5 Caring for War Memorials in Wales — Technical Guidance Below left: When properly Conservation and repairs to stonework on Stone decay maintained, stone is one war memorials should follow the principles of Stone is one of the most stable building of the most stable building minimum intervention and maximum retention materials and can be materials when it is properly maintained of original fabric. Cleaning, re-pointing, indent used for both building providing that it has been correctly selected repairs or re-facing should only be considered and decoration. Erected in and bedded, and designed to shed water. 1919, the intricate carved where the condition or structural integrity of the However, over time all types of stone will erode sandstone head of the memorial is compromised, or where the defects memorial at Hanmer has and weather. The rate of decay depends on detract from its significance and status. withstood almost 100 years the type of stone and the level of exposure. Historic structures often lean and usually this of exposure to the elements. Deterioration can also be affected by the way is not a problem or sign of structural instability. Below right: Not all stone, the stone has been dressed and laid, or by Unless it is clear that the memorial is at risk of however, survives well. natural variations within individual pieces of The deterioration of the collapse, you should monitor it to see whether masonry. columns and inscription on or not movement is still active.

Load more