CA2/810

Meppershall; Emergency repairs to St. Thomas's Chapel, Chapel Farm (also known as Meppershall Chantry) (P/M1/P1)

1975-1977

From: 1975 To: 1977

Includes: Memo from Conservation Officer to County Architect; 'I refer to my discussion with Mr White concerning architectural services for the urgent repair and restoration work at this ancient monument and listed building. I understand that you are unable to provide direct services for this work ...Presumably it will be necessary to seek the services of an outside architect, and it may be desirable to make contingency arrangements, in the hope of a favourable Committee decision, bearing the extreme urgency of works to this building. While you will obviously have the full picture of possible architects for this work, bearing in mind its specialist nature, I would mention for your consideration Mr Alan Frost of Insalls. I understand that he has a non-office practice involving a number of churches and similar buildings. He therefore has not only the necessary experience but also is used to working within small budgets where the fee element is not very large'; Oct 1975 Letter sent from County Architect to Councillor A T Blowers, Bedford, with the heading 'Special European Architectural Heritage Year Scheme'; 'You will recall that your Committee ...agreed to make a grant of £1,500 towards the cost of urgent repairs to St Thomas' Chapel, Meppershall, and I was asked to provide technical advice and to ensure with the Area Superintendent of Works from the Department of the Environment. I was hoping to be able to help with this scheme but the work needs to be undertaken urgently and my present staffing resources are fully committed on County Council projects. I therefore consider that a specialist adviser should be appointed for this scheme and I could recommend Donald W Insall & Associates, Chartered Architects and Planning Consultants of 19 West Eaton Place, Eaton Square, London SW1, who have been used for this type of advice by the former County Council. I am assured by the County Planning Officer that the fees could be met from funds in the approved Revenue Estimates'; Nov 1975 Letter from County Secretary to J T Simkins, Chapel Farm, Meppershall; 'I now write to advise you that the Environmental Services Committee decided to make a grant of £1,500 in accordance with the provisions of the Local Authorities (Historic Buildings) Act 1962, towards the cost of urgent repairs to St Thomas' Chapel, provided that access is made available to the public at suitable times'; Nov 1975 Initial response from Councillor Blowers 'I am not fully satisfied that such an appointment is necessary'; on dorse notes from later telephone call 'Mr Blowers agreed to appointment in view of the urgency of the matter but asked that a full report be made to Committee when seeking confirmation of his action'; Nov 1975 Donald W Insall & Associates invited as Specialist Adviser; Nov 1975 Insalls accept the offer; 'In view of the urgency of the work, we advise that a negotiated contract with an approved contractor would be most desirable. Messrs R Marriott Ltd of Rushden, Northants, have been carrying out very satisfactory repairs under our direction at Woburn Abbey for the past six years and we recommend that we should immediately approach them on this basis within an absolute ceiling of £7,500'; Dec 1975 Draft Schedule of Work lists order of priority for the works: 1) Stabilisation of west end of north wall together with reconstruction of fallen masonry; 2) Stabilisation of badly honeycombed areas of south wall by gravity grouting; 3) Provision of temporary rainwater gutters; 4) Securing timberwork of east gable; 5) Minor interim repairs to east and west verges of roof tiling; 6) Stabilisation of east wall top; ?Dec 1975 Specification and Schedule of Work for Emergency Repairs: 8 pages; Notes on repair and preservation (masonry): 4 pages; drawing of typical example of galvanized furnace pan; drawing of typical example of gravity grouter; Dec 1975 Letter from Alan J Frost of Insalls; 'You will recall that work is being carried out under temporary protection to minimise disruption by winter weather. If the proposed contract figure of £6,534.50 is acceptable, may we ask for confirmation ...so that work on site may commence on Monday 5th Jan 1976. If by copy of this letter Mr Simkins will also signify his approval to us, we shall proceed to draw up a Contract between his company, as Employer, and Messrs Robert Marriott Ltd as contractor'; Dec 1975 Letter from Alan J Frost states that R Marriott Ltd has accepted the tender in the sum of £6,527.13; Jan 1976 Architect's Instructions: (4); Jan-Mar 1976 Memo from Conservation Officer; 'I understand from Alan Frost that there are sufficient funds left for the roof to be done properly rather than just patched up to deal with the worst of recent storm damage. This is clearly preferable, since the roof will not need major attention for a long time and scaffolding will only have to be paid for once. I also understand that the question of VAT has been sorted out with Mr Simkins; [Mr Simkins' Company, as employer, could recover all VAT, meaning nearly £1,000 extra towards the budget]; Feb 1976 Final Certificate states that total costs were £7516.98; May 1977 Letter from Alan J Frost; 'We should state that: a) all emergency repairs have been completed according to the agreed Specification and Schedule of Work; b) additional repairs have been carried out, including: i) complete re-tiling of roofs, using second hand handmade tiles; ii) permanent timber gutters, chute to pond and cast iron rainwater pipe on north side; c) construction cost has been limited to the agreed total of £7,500 (excluding fees); Oct 1976

English

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MEPPERSHALL, chapels, Meppershall St Thomas' Chapel, Meppershall Chapel Farm, chantries