North – Winter 2022 – 2023
Winter was busy as ever at H+R where our services were requested and employed at several large and small buildings across the UK
In December, H+R undertook a survey of St Paul’s Methodist Chapel at Abergele in North Wales. Appointed by Circuit Cymru of the Methodist Church, the team surveyed the 19th Century limestone building designed in the Classical style by Richard Davies, Architect of Bangor. During its peak it was in use by both Welsh and English congregations of the Methodist faith. H+R’s survey was undertaken ahead of a series of restoration works planned for the chapel over the next few years
In January the Northern team were appointed by the National Trust to investigate ‘the Poem’, at Bodnant Gardens. Built in 1882 by Henry Davis Pochin, the founder of the gardens, the building was intended as a mausoleum for Pochin’s own family, but became the final resting place of the McLarens in the early 20th Century. It was designed by WJ Green of London, its marble interior sculpted by Samuel Barfield of Leicester. H+R got a close-up look at the stunning painted starry ceiling whilst surveying the roof structure
As the multi-million-pound restoration programme of the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester continues H+R were appointed to undertake a detailed timber condition survey of the roof structure to the ‘New Warehouse’. The building was constructed in 1880 and now forms the museum’s main exhibition space. H+R have now undertaken surveys of all buildings at the site, which includes the Powerhall, Liverpool Road Railway Station and 1830 Warehouse
H+R were invited to investigate moisture in the basement of the Manchester Art Gallery in preparation for a series of remedial works following the 1998 refurbishment and installation of the extension. The Greek Ionic-style Mosley Street building houses the exhibitions and is Grade I listed. Originally housing the Royal Manchester Institution in 1823, it was transferred to the Manchester Corporation in 1882 where it became the Manchester Art Gallery. The Grade II* listed Italian Palazzo Athenaeum building at the rear, was built in 1837 and purchased by the Manchester Corporation in 1938 to provide additional gallery space. Both buildings were designed by the notable architect Sir Charles Barry (1795-1860)
