25-01-2025 · 5 min read
Scaffolding Goes Up: The Restoration Begins in Earnest
After months of careful planning and fundraising, the extension of scaffolding to the full height of the tower marked the beginning of the active restoration phase. The sight of the tower wrapped in steel and protective netting was a bittersweet moment for many in Warwick, signalling both the scale of the challenge and the determination of the community to address it.
The scaffolding operation itself was a significant undertaking. The structure needed to reach the very top of the 130-foot tower while maintaining stability in exposed conditions and allowing the specialist conservation team safe access to every section of the stonework. Roads around the church, including Church Street, Old Square, and Northgate Street, were temporarily closed to traffic to accommodate the heavy vehicles required for the operation.
A Necessary Disruption
The road closures and the visual impact of the scaffolding inevitably caused disruption to daily life in the town centre. Local businesses, residents, and visitors all had to adjust their routines while the work proceeded. The campaign team acknowledged the inconvenience and expressed gratitude for the patience shown by the community, recognising that the disruption, while significant, was temporary and essential for the tower's long-term survival.
Pedestrian access was maintained throughout the scaffolding phase, and arrangements were made with Warwickshire County Council to provide alternative parking and ensure that the weekly market continued to operate normally. Clear signage directed visitors to accessible routes around the works, and regular updates were provided through the campaign's communication channels.
What the Scaffolding Reveals
One of the unexpected benefits of full scaffolding access was the opportunity for detailed surveys that would otherwise be impossible. Conservation specialists were able to examine every square metre of the tower's exterior at close range, documenting the condition of individual stones, mortar joints, and decorative features with a level of detail that ground-level inspection could never achieve.
These surveys confirmed what had been suspected from below: while the overall structure of the tower remained sound, the deterioration of mortar and the erosion of individual stones had progressed further than anticipated in several areas. The east face showed the most extensive weathering, consistent with its exposure to prevailing winds and rain. However, all four faces required attention, and the scope of works was adjusted accordingly.
As Historic England's guidance on maintaining places of worship emphasises, regular inspection and prompt intervention are essential for managing the condition of historic buildings. The scaffolding phase at St Mary's provided a rare opportunity to conduct exactly this kind of thorough assessment.
Looking Ahead
With the scaffolding fully erected and the survey work complete, the hands-on restoration could begin. Specialist stone masons, many trained in traditional conservation techniques, started the painstaking process of repointing, repairing, and where necessary replacing the tower's stonework. The aim throughout was to preserve as much original material as possible while ensuring the structural integrity needed to protect the tower for decades to come.
The anticipated timeline for the main restoration works ran from early spring through to late autumn, with the removal of scaffolding planned for the following winter. While weather conditions and the discovery of unforeseen issues could affect the schedule, the campaign team expressed confidence that the project was on track and well supported by both professional expertise and community goodwill.