I am pleased we have manged to do something about the fixing of wreaths that has been a problem, see link: Arrangement_For_Fixing_Poppy_Wreaths

Read the full: Heritage Statement

SUMMARY OF THE WORKS

The scope of works for the project will be:

The work to clean and conserve the memorial has now started.

This display describes the works that are to be carried out and specialist processes involved.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused while these essential works are carried out to protect Crompton War Memorial.

The memorial is a Grade II listed monument and was commissioned by the Crompton War Memorial Committee in 1919, the main bronze statue being designed by Richard Reginald Goulden.

The bronze statue sits on a Scottish Granite plinth and depicts a male figure protecting children from two marauding beasts.

1.0  Recording of the Works

The works will be recorded prior, during and following completion of the proposed treatment.

Prior to commencement, a comprehensive photo record of the monument, granite plinth and adjacent stone paving should be undertaken as an existing record.  Any areas of damage will be clearly recorded and noted accordingly.

During the works and at each defined work stage a series of record photographs should be undertaken to record the treatment process and provide an archive record of the tasks undertaken.

Following completion of the works a final “as-constructed” photographic record should be undertaken and documented accordingly.  This will form part of the completed Health & safety file for the project and the Historic Environment Record (HER).

2.0  Site Temporary Works

A full scaffold has been erected around the monument to allow full access around the bronze work and offer protection from the external environment.

The scaffold will be erected independently of the monument and no fixings or attachments will be allowed from the scaffold to the monument structure.  Where necessary, additional kentilage shall be provided to ensure the structure remains independent.

All tube ends shall be capped off and timber sole plates provided under all base plates.  The scaffold structure shall be fully sheeted to provide a watertight enclosure during the execution of the works and additional extract ventilation shall be provided during any chemical stripping or treatment of the bronze work.

The scaffold shall be made secure by additional fencing provided around the base of the structure.  This should be a min of 2.0m high and fixed to the base of the scaffold.  No materials, plant or equipment should be left on the scaffold overnight.

3.0  Bronze Treatment

3.1  Removal of existing coatings

The removal of the existing lacquer coatings should be undertaken to ensure minimal disturbance and colour change to the existing patina of the monument. Whilst it is noted that the original dark patination is no longer present the works to treat the bronze work should ensure the retention of the current monument patina.

Removal of the current lacquer coatings will require trials to be undertaken to determine the most effective and least intrusive cleaning method.

The failing lacquer coating should be removed from the surface of the bronze using the Enviromorse softener manufactured by Chemicals Ltd and as used in the trials process.  The removal process should be carefully undertaken to ensure that the Enviromorse is fully cleaned from the bronze once the lacquer is softened.  Adequate protection should be provided to protect adjacent stonework and areas of bronze where lacquer has been removed.

The stonework and softened areas of lacquer coating should be removed using the DOFF / Thermatech high temperature steam cleaning system as was trialled on site.

3.2  Patination

The bronze work should be patinated to a mid-brown colour to closer match its original appearance using the Potassium Polysulphide solution and 2 costs of clear microcrystalline wax applied and hand buffed to a polished finish.

3.3  Wax Finish

The finished surface is to be protected by application of a coating of a microcrystalline wax to replicate the original finish of the monument. This is to be applied hot rather than cold, to ensure good penetration into the surface to give maximum protection.  The surface of the bronze should be gently heated to warm the bronze and to ensure any residual moisture has been removed.  The liquid wax is to be applied by brush to the bronze surface and left for 10 – 15 minutes so that the solvents can evaporate off.  The wax coating should then be gently heated in order to allow it to be absorbed fully into the surface and left before buffing to a polished appearance.

All areas of porosity and holes in the cast bronze are to be filled using a tinted wax to prevent future water ingress.

4.0  Granite Plinth Treatment

The granite forming the Memorial and steps is to be cleaned using a DOFF or Thermatech cleaning system.  These systems clean using low pressure, low water steam. Steam cleaners or hot wash systems will not be permitted. Areas of staining on the granite which remaining visible after cleaning shall be treated by poultice to remove staining where possible.

The original ferrous fixings used to fix the planters in position are to be removed from the stonework by locally core cutting around the fixings. Cores should be no more that 2mm greater than the body radius of the fixings.

The granite stones, forming the body of the Memorial, are to be re-pointed using a lime mortar made up to match the existing in consistency and colour. Samples of the original pointing material shall be taken and analysed to determine the original mix proportions which shall be replicated in the re-pointing material.

A number of the granite steps around the base of the Memorial are misaligned or no longer level.  These are to be lifted and re-bedded to the correct line and level on a suitable lime mortar mix

The monument should be repointed using the Mix1 as per the sample area undertaken on site.

5.0  Planters

The three cast planters sitting at the base of the Memorial (two to the rear and one to the front) are to be carefully lifted and transferred to a workshop for treatment.

The existing iron fixings, securing the planters to the granite steps are to be removed and replaced with new formed in 316 grade stainless steel.

The missing planter is to be replaced with a replica based on the originals in a matching material.

The existing planters are to be cleaned to remove old paint layers and corrosion back to a sound metal surface.

The 4 no planters are to be repainted using a suitable Sherwin Williams paint system in a bronze colour to be agreed with the Conservation Officer.

The planters are to be reinstated on site, back to their original locations using the new stainless steel fixings set in an epoxy resin.

6.0  Wreath Fixing System

The existing nylon string that surrounds the base of the monument is ineffective at retaining the wreaths to the base of the monument in windy conditions and shall be removed and disposed.

4 No new stone coloured nylon blocks will be manufactured and loose fitted at each corner of the stonework at the base of the monument.

2 No new 3mm stainless steel wires will be fitted around the base of the Monument over each nylon corner, locating into a slot in each.  The meeting ends are to be connected using a stainless steel Duplex wire grip of the correct size, immediately adjacent to the side of one nylon block.  This should be tight fitting.