The fruits of years of hard work will soon be ready for public viewing. A five-year project involving several phases of repairs to the Shrewsbury Castle is coming to an end with all involved relishing the outcome.
Charles Armstrong, Portfolio Holder for Culture and Leisure said "As a council we undertake all types of projects big and small. One of the biggest we have carried out is the five year repair program at the castle. This program has gone unnoticed by most but has secured the future of the castle for future generations and improved the use for us all now. A big thank you must go to all those involved in delivering this difficult and sensitive process with out major disruption to the town."
Mary White Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council Museums Manager quoted ‘Restoration, particularly major work such as re-roofing the Great Hall, allows management to approach the future development of the Castle with confidence. The contractors have been terrific, working in often difficult conditions because of the sensitive and awkward nature of the site and the need to retain public access.’
Following consultation with English Heritage, the council took a decision to pursue further repairs concentrating on the keep, incorporating the Great Hall and Towers and also Laura’s Tower and the Postern Gate.
The early stages of the project began back in 1999 when S.T. Walker & Partners (Architects & Historic Building Consultants) were commissioned to carry out a conservation study and ultimately a Conservation Plan. This was combined in January 2001 with archaeological and architectural analysis from Richard K. Morris and Nigel Baker and combined into the Conservation Plan that was finished in October 2001.
In 2003 the project got underway when the council commissioned Donald Insall Associates as conservation architects with supporting consultants, Bowen Associates of Newtown and Opus Veryards of Wrexham.
‘Donald Insall Associates were delighted to be awarded, as Lead Consultants, the five year maintenance programme for works to the Castle and associated buildings following our preparation of a maintenance programme in 2002. The work has been particularly rewarding and is due to a strong team effort by all involved with the Castle. It has been an honour to work on such a prestigious landmark building in the town.’ noted Donald Insall Associates.
All the repair work has been completed with consultation and inspection by English Heritage and has involved work being carried out by a variety of local and regional businesses, Frank Galliers Ltd. of Shrewsbury, Chester Masonry of Hawarden and Treasure & Son Ltd of Temeside, Ludlow.
The work has included essential repairs to consolidate the monument in the most sensitive and interesting areas of the building and secured access for the local public and visitors together with the Castle’s long term business future as a museum and location for a range of events.
Further details about Shrewsbury Castle can be found via the Shrewsbury Museums web-site, www.shrewsburymuseums.com.
Geoff Broster, Donald Insall Associates (Conservation Architects).
Tel. 01743 351244
Mary White, Museums Manager, Shrewsbury & Atcham Borough Council.
Tel. 01743 361196
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