Earlier this year, the Messenger Staffs team completed the fourth and final phase of Coughton Court’s Through the Roof project.
Spanning almost two years and costing over £2.3m, these major reroofing works have been the largest restoration project undertaken in the property’s 600 year history. Home to the Throckmortons since the 15th century, the property holds a fascinating past including plots to overthrow Queen Elizabeth I and the family’s adherence to the Catholic church in face of persecution.
Across the 22 month project, Messenger has helped preserve, repair and ultimately improve the roof and façade of the historic property.
The roof was stripped in its entirety, allowing for detailed surveys of the timbers to take place and repairs made, before being completely re-tiled. In amongst the new tiles, were a number decorated by local children as part of a “tag a tile” event, making them part of the ongoing history of the building.
All repairs were in keeping with the original appearance, with slates, bricks and mortars undergoing rigorous testing for suitability, and the decorations to the outside of the building carefully colour matched.
Whilst working, the Messenger team found various tradesmen markings from throughout the building’s history. These intriguing carvings included the outline of the previous lead fitters’ feet, as well as graffiti and images etched into the wood by carpenters of the past.
Throughout the works, the public were regularly welcomed behind the scenes. Visitors were given access to a scaffold viewing platform to see firsthand the extent of the works taking place, and what it takes to secure a building of this magnitude. The project also featured in the BBC’s Hidden Treasures of the National Trust, which perfectly captured the extraordinary challenges the project faced, from transporting invaluable artifacts, to unpredictable weather conditions and accommodating resident wildlife.
Sustainability also played a key role during the project, with a bespoke solar solution implemented. The use of these panels reduced the need for diesel run generators, lowering the carbon footprint of the project.
