Swindon & Wiltshire News
Conservation experts use modern technology to give a medieval church a spring clean
A medieval church on a busy roundabout in Wiltshire has been given a spring clean by conservation experts Stonehealth.
The historic church – where Thomas Wolsey, later Henry VIII’s Lord Chancellor was ordained in 1498 – was deconsecrated in 1974 and might have been demolished to make way for a road-widening scheme had local campaigners not protested against the plans.
But the position of the church on the busy A4 means carbon deposits and organic matter build up on the historic stonework.
Stonehealth used cutting-edge cleaning machinery that it has developed to give the entrance to the church a spruce up.
Whilst Stonehealth – based in Cam in Gloucestershire – is not a contractor it has wanted to help the trust that now runs the redundant church to maintain their iconic building.
Stonehealth used their new Doff III machine with high pressure steam, superheated to 150 degrees C, to remove moss and algae from the stonework.
Meanwhile their Torc machine was used on heavy carbon deposits, combining low air pressure, water and a fine granulate, to create a gentle swirling vortex to clean the delicate masonry.
“As custodians of this magnificent building we have a duty to protect its structural integrity for the benefit of future generations,” said Nicki Evans, trustee and secretary at St Peter’s and Paul’s Marlborough Trust.
“This work is an example of how the trust cares for this special building and recognises its responsibility to the community.
“We are grateful to Stonehealth for the quality of their work and are delighted with the results, and we are sure the community groups which use the church will be, too.”
The view from the tower of St Peter’s Church
Brian Crowe, executive chairman and founder of Stonehealth, said: “We are delighted to have been entrusted with the important work of helping St Peter’s and Paul’s Marlborough Trust look after this fine old building.
“We care deeply about the preservation of our nation’s heritage and it’s great to see this church continuing to be used as a focal point of the community in Marlborough.
“To maintain their longevity it’s vital to keep them clean. Algae, for example, traps water which can then cause the stone to deteriorate, so it’s important to remove it properly.
“However the challenge comes in removing this matter without damaging the sensitive stonework underneath. That requires expertise and the right equipment.
“Our machines are highly effective but the technology they use is also extremely gentle. So they’re perfect for churches and other buildings of antiquity, as we hope our work on this project shows.”
Stonehealth has recently launched the Doff III, the third iteration of its superheated steam cleaning machine favoured by architects, specifiers and cleaning industry professionals in the UK and worldwide.
