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Castle Keep Phase III

The Castle Keep, Newcastle upon Tyne

The third phase of work to conserve Newcastle’s famous Castle Keep – the city’s namesake – has now been completed. The 14 week scheme, which required Scheduled Monument Consent from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, involved a painstaking process of de-shaling, [the physical removal of the outer skin of loose stone], re-pointing and, where necessary, replacement of some of the 800 year-old sandstone blocks, which form the outer walls and architectural features of this Ancient Monument.

The 12th Century Castle Keep stands on a steep sided promontory overlooking the River Tyne. Over the centuries, its sandstone walls have suffered the ravages of wind, rain, ice and snow. In more recent times, smoke pollution from the heavy industries that made Newcastle the power-house of the North-East, has resulted in deep carbon staining [soot], making the ancient monument even darker and more brooding in appearance.

On the Eastern elevations which are open to the salt-laden winds blowing from the nearby North Sea, surface decay of the stone blocks was found to be particularly severe with up to 1/2 an inch thickness of loose, shaley material evident over large areas. In other parts, pieces of stone up to 3 inches in diameter could have fallen away without warning.

As well as the de-shaling operations, St Astier has undertaken the painstaking recreation and installation of all the new stone features including stone capitals, projecting string courses and hood mouldings, which were in danger of being lost. As well as preserving the design and architectural features for future generations to enjoy, the position and function of these new stone elements will also aid the long-term protection of the building by improving the flow and discharge of rainwater.

Look out for further details of the scheme together with plenty of photography, all of which will be available in our Projects section in mid November (when scaffolding is fully dismantled).

Posted on 21 August 2008 by Phil Brown and filed under .

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