Projects Updates:

14/07/2010 08:57: Corfe Castle conservation work wins building award

National Trust Press Release

Issued on 21 June 2010


Parts of the ruins of the castle, a scheduled ancient monument, had to be closed for safety so the National Trust organised an £800,000 project of much needed conservation work.

Now the project has been presented with a prestigious RICS South West Award for Building Conservation and will go on to a national final in London

"The objective was to retain as much of the historic stonework as possible and to use traditional materials for the repairs which will extend the life of the castle, as well as allowing previously closed areas to be re-opened to the public, explained Martin Roscoe, senior building surveyor.

The work carried out included recapping of wall heads, stabilising stonework walls, tears, windows and door openings and patch repointing using lime mortars. Some surviving plaster was also repaired.

"We also, as an experiment, have used patches of soft capping, placing turf and wildflowers along the tops of stonework, both to protect the stonework and to discourage people from climbing. It also maintains the romantic appearance of the castle by having grass and wildflowers lining parts of the ruin. The turfs came from within the castle site, supplemented by plants grown from seeds taken from the ruins."

The work was made possible thanks to a major grant from SITA Trust, which supports community and environmental projects through the Landfill Communities Fund (LCF), and gave a £250,000 grant to Corfe Castle. The project enabled the whole castle to be re-opened and enjoyed by the public with a marked increase in visitor numbers.

"These repairs represent a major achievement in the long-term conservation of this iconic structure," added Martin.

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) awards are the annual celebration of built and natural environment projects that demonstrate excellence in their category and a commitment to value for money and sustainability. The Corfe Castle project was judged on factors including the use of traditional materials and techniques, how architectural features have been conserved and how much of the original material remains and methods to re-use these materials.

Corfe Castle is one of Britain's most majestic ruins with breathtaking views over the Purbeck countryside. It was a royal fortress for over 600 years but its demolition in 1646 by the Parliamentarians left the ruins which are enjoyed by many today. The castle is open daily, with more information available on www.nationaltrust.org.uk/corfecastle


Ends

For more information please contact:
Allan King, Regional Communications Officer, 01985 843592 / 07771 837988 allan.king@nationaltrust.org.uk
Or alternatively contact
Clarissa Price on 01985 843614 or email Clarissa.price@nationaltrust.org.uk

12/07/2010 15:49: Corfe castle restorations wins RICS award

The Corfe Castle restoration project has been presented with a RICS South West Award for Building Conservation and will go on to a national final in London.

The Corfe Castle project was judged on factors including the use of traditional materials and techniques, how architectural features have been conserved and how much of the original material remain, and methods to re-use these materials.

Martin Roscoe, senior building surveyor, said: "The objective was to retain as much of the historic stonework as possible and to use traditional materials for the repairs which will extend the life of the castle, as well as allowing previously closed areas to be re-opened to the public."

"The work carried out included recapping of wall heads, stabilising stonework walls, tears, windows and door openings, and patch repointing using lime mortars. Some surviving plaster was also repaired." 

A £250,000 grant  was given to Corfe Castle by SITA Trust to allow the restoration to go ahead.

More info can be found on the National Trust's website http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/main//w-vh/w-visits/w-findaplace/w-corfecastle/
to read the full news story visit the BBC news website: http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/dorset/hi/people_and_places/newsid_8755000/8755722.stm

17/06/2009 15:33: Corfe Castle saved thanks to timely restoration

The two-year project to restore Corfe Castle helped it to survive one of the coldest winters in the past 20 years.

The National Trust partly paid for the £840,000 work with a £250,000 grant from the SITA Trust, the largest of its kind to date.

The Dorset castle was surrounded by 50 miles (80km) of scaffolding while damaged stonework was repaired.
Doug Whyte, property manager for the National Trust on Purbeck, said: "It's no underestimation to say the work has saved Corfe Castle from closure.

"If this work hadn't been carried out in the last two years, the harsh winter we've just had would have caused further damage that would have forced us to close Corfe Castle to the public."

The castle was destroyed by the Parliamentarians during the English Civil War. Its ruins have remained under attack from the coastal weather but still attract 150,000 visitors each year. The mortar absorbed water in the wet weather which then expanded during frosts, causing the mortar to crumble and stone to fall.

A team of seven craftsmen and women repaired and relaid stones in the North Building, Tumbles, South West Gatehouse and Outer Gatehouse. New breathable joints will allow water to evaporate through the lime mortar rather than through the stonework, which caused erosion.

Marek Gordon, chairman of SITA Trust, which supports community and environmental projects, said: "The restoration of Corfe Castle is a fine example of how vital the Landfill Communities Fund is to the nation's heritage."