Flint Wall Repairs - TrustNews Winter 1992
Bob Bennett of The Lime Centre, Morestead, writes:
Winchester is built mainly of flint with brick and stone dressings and the use of these naturally occurring materials contributes greatly to the unique character of the city. Apart from modern development, all of the city was built using lime as the principal binder in mortar, plaster, render and colour wash for at least four thousand years - certainly before Stonehenge and the Pyramids were built! Portland cement on the other hand was patented about one hundred and fifty years ago and only came into regular use within the last hundred years. Old materials are incompatible with modern cement, which should not be used to repair a structure built using lime.
Three years ago, prompted by the increasing damage being done by incorrect repair, I obtained permission from the local authorities to convert the redundant buildings at Long Barn, Morestead, into a Lime Centre. Since then we have held increasingly popular day courses for professionals from all over the country, and this year the Lime Centre has won a Heritage Award from the Ford Foundation.
Providing courses for local people has also been one of my aims, and last year interested members of the Trust attended a Saturday morning 'teach-in' so that they could learn either to repair their own walls, or to properly instruct their builders. So I am delighted not only to have seen some competent DIY repairs, but to learn of the two Trust Design Awards to local builders: Everest Construction for repairs in the Cathedral Close, and Scammell & Higgins for a garden wall in St Cross Road. The latter award gives me particular pleasure because it recognises the importance of simple boundary walls.
As we travel around Winchester we look upon, often unseeing, miles of modest flint garden walls and humble outbuildings. Just imagine the change if these integral parts of the city were missing. One would see a collection of individual buildings no longer linked with a network of flint walling, but probably replaced by a hotchpotch of boarding, cheap brick or concrete block, and plastic.
Even in a conservation area I recently saw a section of flint wall demolished to make way for a caravan! This sort of ignorant vandalism must be stopped, and examples of skilled repair by owners and builders, together with the awards made by the Trust, will help to engender the respect and care needed to preserve this very important aspect of our City.
Anyone interested in attending a course or seeking advice on the use of Lime should contact Bob Bennett at the Lime Centre Tel: 713636.