The Cleaning and Conservation of Crompton War Memorial

Crompton_War_Memorial

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.

Oldham Council celebrates Peace Week 2016

Peace-week-FB-large-2016 (2)Oldham Council will be celebrating action on peace between Wednesday 21 September and Monday 26 September.

Oldham’s Peace Week is a week of celebration, reflection and action on peace, starting on the UN International Day of Peace on Wednesday 21 September.

The week of activities aims to engage the public, schools, the community, faith groups and businesses in helping to make Oldham a more peaceful borough.

In 2015 Oldham Council became the first local authority in the UK to sign the Pledge to Peace; a commitment of intent that saw Oldham put in place projects and actions promoting a culture of peace.

13 local organisations have joined the council in signing the pledge and they have formed the Oldham Pledge to Peace Forum.

The council further showed their commitment to peace in 2016 by appointing the first Mayor of Peace, Councillor Derek Heffernan.

Various activities will take place throughout the week including a Peace Day celebration event at Oldham Gallery/Library on Saturday 24 September from 1 to 4 pm – with the launch of a new peace book section, live music, entertainment, poetry and book readings, and a technology section with Hack Oldham and Roamer the Robot.

The event will be followed by a Peace Picnic in Dunwood Park on Sunday 25 September with arts and crafts, face painting and family entertainment.

A webpage has been set up which includes more information and a full list of events www.oldham.gov.uk/peaceweek

Alex Rose Voucher News a disappointment, says Councillor Sykes

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The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has expressed his disappointment that the Alexandra Rose Charity (www.alexandrarose.org.uk) has chosen not to partner at this time with Oldham Council on developing a new pilot project to promote healthy eating to low-income mothers in the Borough.

Commenting Councillor Sykes said: “I commend the efforts of Council officers in putting together an excellent bid at short notice, and I thank the Alexandra Rose Charity for considering our bid and for their feedback, most of which was very complimentary.”

The Alexandra Rose charity has run three successful projects in London, where low-income women in recipient of Healthy Start vouchers, which are redeemed for fruit, vegetables and milk, receive additional vouchers from Alexandra Rose.  The charity had invited local authorities in Northern England to apply to partner with them in establishing pilot projects in their municipalities.

Councillor Sykes added: “The Alexandra Rose charity hopes to secure further funding to enable it to invite a second round of bids. I am sure that we will put together an even-better bid second-time around and, as we are clearly a Borough with a demonstrable need for such a project, I remain optimistic that Oldham will eventually partner with the charity.”

The Leader of the Opposition is though still concerned that the take-up of the existing Healthy Start scheme is still low and rather than see the Council sitting on its laurels want it to promote Healthy Start more widely.

He said: “When I wrote to Cabinet Members asking them to apply to join Alex Rose, I also asked them to look at the recommendations published in the ‘Beyond the Food Bank’ report which identified ways in which London Councils could promote the take up of Healthy Start.  Although many low-income families can claim it, only seventy five percent of those eligible do so.

“Healthy Start provides low-income mothers with vouchers to spend on good things that will help them maintain their health.  I would like to see Oldham Council take these recommendations forward locally, and I have written again to the Labour administration asking them to do so.  Like Community Shop, this represents another practical suggestion from the Liberal Democrats to help women in our Borough struggling to make ends meet and faced with food poverty.”

Duchess Street / Pencil Brook: Deteriorating Retaining Wall

Rubbybanks

See attached map: Duchess Street – Pencil Brook Business’s Residential

The above wall that is shown on the attached plan is starting to deteriorate and in a few areas has started to show signs of collapse.

To minimise the risk to the Highway User, parts of Duchess Street adjacent to Pencil Brook will have to be ‘fenced – off’ to keep vehicles away from the worst areas of damage.

The Environment Agency will be removing vegetation from Pencil Brook so that a thorough survey of the wall’s overall condition can be undertaken. It is anticipated that this will be completed by the middle to the end of September 2016.

Depending on the results of the survey it may be necessary to install temporary fencing along the whole length of Duchess Street. If required, the temporary fencing will be positioned 3metres from the carriageway edge to Pencil Brook and will reduce Duchess Street to single lane traffic and this will require areas of suspension of parking.

I apologise in advance for the inconvenience that these proposals may cause, but the safety of the public is paramount and cannot be compromised.

In the meantime if you have any queries or comments then please do not hesitate to contact me.

Yours faithfully,

Steve Jones,Senior Technician, Direct Line: 0161 770 1957,Email: steve.jones@unitypartnership.com

Retaining Wall located between Rossendale Close and Parkgate Way, Shaw

Location Map - Back of Rossendale Retaining Wall

The retaining wall mentioned above supports a footway at the back of properties 2-20 Parkgate Way and 1-19 Rossendale Close.  It has been classified as a risk to the public because the parapet is failing.

The footway in the vicinity of the retaining wall, which are shown on the attached map, are due to be closed until the structure has been made safe.  Remedial repairs to the wall will be undertaken within the next 4 to 8 weeks as soon as all options have been assessed and appropriate funding is sourced.

During this time it has been agreed with the Oldham Council Waste Collection teams that your bins will be collected as follows:

  • For residents of Parkgate Way, as part of the works it will be necessary for us to accommodate your refuse and recycling collections, could I therefore ask that you move all your bins and containers to the path at the front of your property. The Waste Collection team have agreed to collect all containers from this location and therefore you will not be required to take them to a collection point.
  • For residents of Rossendale Close, your bins will be collected from the front of your properties as usual.

The retaining wall will continue to be monitored. We are hopeful that any necessary major works (i.e. retaining wall replacement or strengthening) will be undertaken as soon as appropriate funding is made available.

Finally, we apologise in advance for the inconvenience that these works may cause, however the safety of the public is paramount and cannot be compromised.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further information.

Yours faithfully

Antony Bhunu

Bridges / Structures / Drainage & Flood Management

Asset Management, Highways & Engineering

Direct Line: 0161 770 3851

Email: antony.bhunu@unitypartnership.com

Rossendale Close Traffic Proposal

Oldham Borough should become a Alexandra Rose Voucher Pioneer, says Councillor Sykes

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The Leader of the Liberal Democrat Opposition Group on Oldham Council, Councillor Howard Sykes MBE, has welcomed news that Oldham Council intends to put its hat in the ring to become a pioneer to promote healthy eating to pregnant women who are under eighteen or on a low income.

In June, Councillor Sykes wrote to Labour Cabinet Members asking them to consider putting Oldham Council forward as a partner of the Alexandra Rose Charity (www.alexandrarose.org.uk) and develop a new pilot project for the borough.

The charity has already run three successful projects in London, where women in recipient of Healthy Start vouchers, which are redeemed for fruit, vegetables and milk, receive additional vouchers from Alexandra Rose.

Commenting Councillor Sykes said: “We have to recognise that many mothers start out on a very-low income. Healthy Start provides them with an additional income in the form of vouchers, but this is a healthy income as it can only be spent on good things that will help them maintain their health.

“A partnership with the Alexandra Rose Charity would be exciting as Oldham Council would be amongst the first, if not itself the first, local authorities outside of London that would be able to provide an additional ‘top up’ to low-income and young mothers – and not only mothers because young children living in these families also benefit.

“Like the idea of establishing a Community Shop in our borough, this too represents another practical suggestion from the Liberal Democrats to help women in our borough struggling to make ends meet and faced with food poverty.

“The other benefit of the Alex Rose scheme is that these vouchers have to be spent in local markets or otherwise with local food suppliers helping to boost the fortunes of our local market traders and shop keepers rather than the profits of large supermarket chains.

“The deadline for submitting our expression of interest is 27 July and I am confident that our officers will meet it.  I look forward to the second round when we can expect to meet representatives from the Alexandra Rose charity visiting our borough to discuss taking my proposal forward.”