Stained Glass Condition Report

Holy Trinity Church Bradpole, Diocese of Salisbury

Survey carried out 28th June 2019 and report compiled by Dan Humphries ACR

Scope of survey and report:

I was contacted by the inspecting architect and asked to liaise with the PCC with a view to inspecting all of the stained glass at Holy Trinity and providing a condition report for them with recommendations for any work required with priorities and quotes.

Brief history of the church.

From the church guidebook by Ivan Andrews, 4th edition Nov 2018

Holy Trinity Church was erected in 1845-6 as a completely new structure to replace a small medieval church, which was, at the same time, demolished… Building stone, additional to that taken from the old structure, was obtained from quarries at neighbouring Mangerton and Loders, and ‘dressings’ came from Ham Hill, near Yeovil… It then consisted of the main nave, chancel, north aisle in four bays… The vestry… now housing the organ, and the spire did not exist.

The year 1897… (diamond jubilee year) … saw the church enlarged, improved and beautified by the addition of the north-east vestry, the erection of the erection of a decorated wrought iron and bronze chancel screen, and the painting of the murals. The distinctive arch mural, understood to be the largest of its kind in at the time, and the chancel east wall were painted by Mr W G Rich.

A double lancet window that existed in the east end of the north aisle and two single windows in the north wall of the chancel were naturally removed when the extension was added but re-used in the north and east walls of the new work.

… the original stained glass window in the wall of the north aisle, being of a dark nature, were removed in the early 1950s to create more light for that side of the church.

Attributions.

Attributions are from www.stainedglassrecords.org, where Holy Trinity, Bradpole is listed under Southern Counties by Robert Eberhard.

2 CVMA Floorplan

3 Mail light dim.s Window I Date 1894 2@ 330 x 2750 Firm W G Rich?1 1@ 380 x 3250 Source News Narrative Crucifixion Memorial Rev Alex Broadley 15.6.1894 stainedglassrecords.org

Condition notes Relatively good condition. The internal support bars have been replaced with non-ferrous but now insufficient ties remain. Bar paint has been carelessly splashed onto the glass. A repair piece has been inserted at Christ’s knees. The internal face of the glass is dirty (see above right). Upper b light is bowed by appx 10mm but is stable.

Suggested works Priority high / Quote med / low • Remove 24 bars, renew ties as necessary and re-fit Med £868 bars using hydraulic lime mortar • Carry out cleaning tests and clean internal face of Low £768 stained glass • Putty daylight gap at Mary’s knee – solder on lead Low £32 shield if required.

1 This seems to be a mistake. W G Rich was a painter, responsible for the two wall paintings. 4

Date stained glass Mail light dim.s probably around 1850 Window nII Firm Unknown combined with late 19thC 250 x 1930 squares Narrative Crucifixion and Memorial N A Source N A ascension

Condition notes thin, flat plumbers lead to figurative glass, probably original, combined with later lead and painted and unpainted glass.

• There is bowing to the diamond quarry panel at the base of b light, but no associated broken glass. • The bars have been replaced with non-ferrous, but there are insufficient ties to support the stained glass. • There are a couple of stable cracks to Mary’s robe. • Purple robe to a light is a repair plate applied to the inner surface. • The stained glass is quite dirty, especially higher up the window. • Some pieces of foliate painted glass are inside out, and the paint is in poor condition as a result.

Suggested works Priority high / Quote med / low • Remove 6 bars, renew ties as necessary and re-fit Med £192 bars using hydraulic lime mortar • Carry out cleaning tests and clean internal face of Low £64 stained glass • Remove lower quarry panels to both lights and re- Low £328

5 lead

Mail light dim.s Window nIII Date unknown Firm Unknown 285 x 1850 Narrative Cross in mandorla Memorial N A Source N A

Condition notes • Relatively recently re-leaded with new non-ferrous bars.19th C glass within the mandorla shape has been combined with later 20th C glass. • The dove at the head of the window appears to be 19th C but is now upside-down (see above right). • The ferrous, bottom hung casement is poorly designed and though recently decorated, is hampered by a single rusted hinge at the base which is preventing the casement from closing. The lower member of the fixed frame would ideally be reversed to shed water to the outside. • Some loss of glass paint to the dove and the foliate pieces. • Externally, there are 4 ferrous fixing left in the stone, perhaps from old wire guard fixings. These are rusting.

Suggested works Priority high / Quote med / low • Remove casement and make new in stainless steel Med £696

• Drill out ferrous fixings from external stone, point HIGH £133 with matching lime mortar

6 Mail light dim.s Window nIV Date unknown Firm N A 295 x 1850 Narrative instruments of the passion on 19th C foliate Memorial N A Source N A grisaille pattern

Condition notes Little seen window hidden away behind the organ • various sized plumbers lead glazed quite slack; daylight visible around some pieces. • Most of the glass is inside-out and the glass paint is in very poor condition • The bars have been replaced with non-ferrous but are not well aligned with the leads and only 1 tie is actually attached from 3 bars! • Glass is very dirty to the inside face • A painted piece at the sill has been clumsily replaced with float glass and black silicone (see above right) • Externally, the hard cement fillet has failed in places • There are 4 ferrous stubs left in the external stone adjacent to the window

Suggested works Priority high / Quote med / low • Remove 3 bars, renew ties as necessary and re-fit Med £96 bars using hydraulic lime mortar • Carry out cleaning tests and clean internal face of Low £192 stained glass • This window will need re-leading soon and the Low N/A opportunity should be taken to lay out the glass properly with the glass paint to the inside

7 Mail light dim.s Window sII Date 1897 Firm Unknown 300 x 2450 Narrative 17th and 18th C Memorial A M Broadley Source N A vicars of Bradpole

Condition notes Relatively good condition. • The internal support bars have been replaced with non-ferrous – in this case sufficient ties have been replaced. • The glass is a little dirty to the inner face

Suggested works Priority high / Quote med / low

• Carry out cleaning tests and clean internal face of stained glass Low £256

8 Mail light dim.s Window sIII Date 1894 Firm W G Rich?2 300 x 2450 Source Bridport News Narrative St Paul Memorial Rev Alex Broadley 16.3.1894 stainedglassrecords.org

Condition notes the face of St Paul (see above right) is a portrait of the Rev Alex Broadley. • Some minor paint-loss to foliate work • A few minor cracks that are stable • One star-break above St Paul’s head • The bars have been replaced with non-ferrous but inadequately tied. Of the three upper bars, only one is securely tied. Suggested works Priority high / Quote med / low • Remove 6 bars, renew ties as necessary and re-fit Med £192 bars using hydraulic lime mortar • Carry out cleaning tests and clean internal face of Low £256

2 This seems to be a mistake. W G Rich was a painter, responsible for the two wall paintings. 9 stained glass

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Mail light dim.s Firm Heaton Butler Window sIV Date 1897 405 x 3m & Bayne Memorial William and Fanny Source Stylistic attribution Narrative Good Shepherd Way stainedglassrecords.org

Condition notes All relatively sound. • The bars have been replaced with non-ferrous, in this case a sufficient number of ties (though barely) have been re-used. • Internally, the stone moulding between the glass and the angled reveal is painted (unlike in the chancel where this stone has been left unpainted). This paint is blistering away from the stone (see above right) • Mild bowing to the upper and lower panels which is not currently cause for concern

Suggested works Priority high / Quote med / low • Remove 6 bars, renew ties as necessary and re-fit low £192 bars using hydraulic lime mortar • Carry out cleaning tests and clean internal face of Low £256 stained glass • Carry out cleaning tests using Art Mundit latex Low £356 poultice and remove paint from stone profile adjacent to glass

11 • Allow to carry out mortar repairs if necessary Low £128

Mail light dim.s Window sV Date 1897 Firm Unknown 405 x 3m Memorial 7th Birthday F Narrative Mary Magdalene Source N A Bradley

Condition notes Like some of the n windows, sV appears to incorporate elements that have less durable glass paint than the figurative work. These may be salvaged from the c.1850 glazing that was re-ordered elsewhere here, or simply pieces produced by the glass painters apprentice for use within borders. Here, as in the n windows much of this glass is placed inside-out. • Severe but localized loss of glass paint (see above right), especially to horizontal patterned strips • Numerous cracks to the borders, mostly stable • Blocked weep hole to lead sill • Internal angled sill has been repaired with gypsum plaster (lime would be preferable) • There are water run marks below the window and down its inner face • The bars have been replaced, some have sufficient ties to support the glazing, others don’t • Internally, the stone molding between the glass and the angled reveal is painted (unlike in the chancel where this stone has been left unpainted). This paint is blistering

12 away from the stone (see above right) • Externally the cement fillet is failing in places and a small section of stone has failed to the lower right-hand side.

Suggested works Priority high / Quote med / low • Remove 8 bars, renew ties as necessary and re-fit Med £256 bars using hydraulic lime mortar • Unblock weep hole at sill Med N/A • Carry out cleaning tests and clean internal face of Low £256 stained glass • Carry out cleaning tests using Art Mundit latex Low £356 poultice and remove paint from stone profile adjacent to glass • Allow to carry out mortar repairs if necessary low £128

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Mail light dim.s Window sVI Date 1846 Firm N A 405 x 700 Narrative Trees and text Memorial N A Source N A

Condition notes Recently re-leaded and in good condition.

Suggested works Priority high / Quote med / low

• None N A N A

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Mail light dim.s Window sVII Date c.1850 2@ 330 x 2750 Firm Unknown 1@380 x 3250 Narrative Angel and Memorial Henrietta Source kneeling saint on foliate and Warburton stainedglassrecords.org strapwork ground

Condition notes • Thin plumber’s lead possibly original • Base and middle panels are missing, filled with white textured glass. • The junction between the upper stained glass and the textured glass below sits the wrong way, with the lower panel to the outside – this is sealed with silicone. • The bars have been replaced with non-ferrous, but with barely sufficient ties done up. • The panel with the kneeling figure is bowed inwards appx 15mm inward with four associated breaks. • The upper panel seems relatively sound. • Glass paint seems sound. • The stained glass is quite dirty. • Internally, the stone molding between the glass and the angled reveal is painted (unlike in the chancel where this stone has been left unpainted). This paint is blistering away from the stone. • Externally there are ferrous wire guard fixings. • External cement fillet (replaced with linseed oil putty in places) 15

Suggested works Priority high / Quote med / low • Remove 5 bars, renew ties as necessary and re-fit Med £160 bars using hydraulic lime mortar • Remove lower stained glass panel and re-lead in Med £242 narrow-heart commercial lead • Remove white glass and either replace employing Med £ depending on suitable junctions with stained glass or discuss discussions their replacement with client.

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Mail light dim.s Window eI Date 1847 Firm Unknown Appx 1m x 1m Source Bridport News Narrative A cross with Memorial Rev Alex Broadley 15.6.1894 foliate and strapwork stainedglassrecords.org

Condition notes I could only inspect eI through binoculars. The strap around the cross appears to read: Alexander and Francis Jane Broadley A S 1847 • Condition appears relatively sound with two damaged and missing pieces of the blue ground. • Very dirty.

Suggested works Priority high / Quote med / low • Erect tower scaffold to inside face to properly High £548 assess condition. • If no further works are found to be required, then: paint and stop in two new pieces where glass is Med £328 missing – clean.

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Mail light dim.s Window wI Date c.1850 460 x 3650 Firm Unknown

Narrative grisaille and Memorial various including strapwork ground with Source Templar and Lethbridge kneeling angels, symbols and stainedglassrecords.org families memorial inscriptions

Condition notes

• Thin plumber’s lead, possibly original, now separating at the head and base of b light (see above right) and bowing inward by 20mm elsewhere to b light and at the head and base of a light.

• Ten bars per light have been replaced with non-ferrous, but many of the ties have not been re-tied effectively.

• Especially to b light the stone pockets have been damaged, probably by rust expansion from the previous bars, meaning that the bar tips are held in place by mortar alone. The failure of the mortar at one of the pockets has allowed the head of b light to bow and separate (above right).

• To a light, 2 large pieces of float glass, covering the entire space between the 6th and 7th bars and the 7th to 8th bars have been effectively glued to the inside face of the stained glass with liberal applications of clear silicone. The silicone also appears to have been 18 used to glue the stained glass to the bars in places.

• Like the other nave windows, the inner stone profile between the glass and the angled reveal have been painted. This paint layer is now bubbling and cracking in places.

• Externally, the wire guards are sound, though the fixings are ferrous, and rust is showing through the galvanizing in areas, especially to b light and the quatrefoil above.

• The perimeter pointing has been patched to the outside with linseed oil putty, which is now failing in numerous places.

• Strangely, a sponge has been pushed through a gap in the wire guard and sits between the guard and the stained glass. This was presumably to support the panel whilst the float glass was glued to its inner face.

• The condition of the quatrefoil over the two main lights could not be assessed due to its height but it should be assumed to be in similar condition to the two main lights.

Suggested works Priority high / Quote med / low The lead matrix of a stained glass window should be retained wherever possible and practicable. The leads here are probably original but have become thinner and brittle with age. There are numerous cracks at solder joints and the flanges are paper thin and weak. In my opinion, it is beyond sensible repair and should be replaced with commercially available leads, matching the original profiles as closely as possible.

The window should be scaffolded, and the stained glass removed from both main lights. The float glass that has been glued with silicone to the inside face of a light should be removed and the glass stripped from its leads and cleaned. The entire window should be re-leaded, perhaps retaining one small section of original lead as a record. Damaged at the stone pockets should be repaired with ss armatures (set into sound stone with resin) and lime mortar to properly house the bars on re-fixing.

The window should be recorded photographically before and after work and a report compiled for the church archive documenting the methods and material employed and mapping any repairs.

The condition of the quatrefoil over the main lights should be accessed with scaffold, examined to determine its HIGH £16,235 condition and, if necessary, treated as per the main lights.

19 The wire guards could be replaced with stainless steel weldmesh whilst access is in place. Ferrous guard fixings low £1,360 will need to be replaced with non-ferrous whether fitting new guards or re-using the old.

Notes:

Costs for all works include access costs. For the west window, cost includes scaffolding to both faces of the window. The external scaffold will be hoarded to a height of 3.5m.

Summary

Low priority works include replacement of rusting wire guards and cleaning of the stained glass etc. These works will lead to an improved appearance, but the glass or surrounding fabric are in no danger if the works are left.

A recurring issue is a problem with the support bars; most of the windows have had (presumably) ferrous bars replaced with brass bars. In itself, this is an improvement, but in many cases the replacement bars have not been sufficiently tied to the glazing and / or stone spalled by the old ferrous bars has not been sufficiently repaired to support the new bars. This lack of support, if left unaddressed is bound to lead to panels bowing, especially on the south side. Hence, I have given these remedial works medium priority.

The condition of the west window is poor. The lead matrix is probably original but is now beyond repair and the whole window should be re-leaded. Since the survey was carried out, the upper section of b light separated and sagged inward in high winds. It has been safely removed but illustrates the fragility of the lead matrix. The bar pockets need more structural repairs than mortaring alone to provide the window with adequate support. The stained glass has had ill-advised holding repairs, with sheets of float glass glued directly to the inner surface of the stained glass using silicone. The reversal of these repairs will be painstaking work. I have given this work high priority and the PCC should have this work carried out as soon as funds allow.

Summary of cost for priorities

Priority High £16,952

Priority Medium £ 3,030

Priority Low £ 4,953

TOTAL £24,935

All costs are exclusive of VAT and assume that 240V power, water, hand wash and toilet facilities and a small rest area are available for us to use on site.

20 Notes on Report

I can provide a full specification for any or all areas of works if required.

If you wish to obtain quotes from other contractors, I can provide a copy of this report without prices.

Yours sincerely

Dan Humphries ACR

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