Stone mason at work
Work experience student stone mason Joe sets to work on a replacement carving in Bath stone. Note how a normal hardpoint saw will cut Bath stone.
Stone mason at work
The chiselling process to form the required shape in detail now begins.
Marshfield School Visit
Head of Marshfield School Kay Pettifer and her team of teachers research their visit for 60 children to the project and West Littleton village on 9th September.
Hillier memorial
Removal completed - large holes in the church wall where new fixings will be needed.
Hillier memorial
Lower backing panel in Bath stone ready for reinstallation.
Hillier memorial
Lower backing panel located on new stainless steel supports.
Hillier memorial
Very strong stainless steel bars support the memorial lower panel. Separate supports for the upper panel will carry most of the weight of the memorial.
Hillier memorial
The fixing on the left has virtually disappeared. The picture on the right shows one of the fixings for the marble figure elements. These will have to be drilled out and replaced with stainless steel.
Hillier memorial
Reinstallation of the inscription panel begins.
Hillier memorial
Reinstallation of the inscription panel continues. The marble elements surrounding the central panel are fixed with casting plaster.
Hillier memorial
Top panel almost completely dismantled. Note the curious cast lead on fixings used to hold the marble elements of the memorial in place.
Hillier memorial
Marble figure waiting for a 'bath'.
Hillier memorial
Cleaning of the face and upper body in progress.
Hillier memorial
Left - before cleaning, Right - after cleaning.
Hillier memorial - This memorial is the heaviest memorial in the church. It has serious cracking in the back panel and front facing marble so it has to be removed from the wall in numerous pieces. The main central fixing of the top section has rusted badly and appears to have been the main element causing the most damage. The lower part of the top section to which the carved figure elements are attached was found to be in one piece making it very heavy and difficult to handle. Once removed, fixings of the marble figure and associated elements to the panel were visible. There are 11 fixings - all iron - which will have to be replaced. Work this week will include the removal of the carved figures and inscriptions from the backing panel by drilling out the many fixing points.