Sandford Orleigh: conservation talk, 17 Oct

Newton Abbot Museum has a forthcoming talk on 17th October - Timber Conservation: a case study and more - on the on the conservation of the Sandford Orleigh screen - a Tudor carved-oak screen, said to be one of the best in the country, incorporated as a fireplace surround in a 19th century mansion. The talk is organised by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) in association with Newton Abbot Museum's 'Heart of Oak' project.


 From the flyer:

Timber Conservation
– a case study and more

Newton Abbot Museum and Town Hall
17th October 1.30pm - 4.30pm

This is the third in a series of occasional talks organised by the SW Regional Committee which aim to be both of interest and good value CPD to IHBC members. Together with Newton Abbot Town and GWR Museum, we have organised an afternoon event to look at timber conservation using a particular case study, the Sandford Orleigh screen, a high quality and important example of Renaissance and later carving.

We will cover the history and significance of this unusual item, the Heritage Lottery funding; it’s physical conservation and the research undertaken. It will also include an update on other current timber conservation projects in the SW and wider, and illustrate conservation techniques for fire and water damaged historic timberwork.

There will be three speakers:

• Felicity Cole, Newton Abbot Museums’ Curator and driving force behind the “Heart of Oak project” to conserve the Sandford Orleigh screen and ensure its importance is fully recognised.
• Hugh Harrison, of Hugh Harrison Conservation, an internationally renowned conservation contractor specialising in historic structural and decorative woodwork.
• Dr Nicholas Riall, archaeologist and art historian, expert in the field of Renaissance decorative ideas and English carvers of the 16th century in Devon and Southern England.

The afternoon will also include the opportunity to study the newly conserved screen at close quarters with leading experts at hand to answer questions.

The cost to IHBC members £6.00, and non-members £7.50. This includes afternoon refreshments and a donation to the Museum – who are providing the venue for free. Places are limited so please book early. Please email IHBCSW.events@gmail.com to arrange a place.

Sandford Orleigh was the1832 mansion of the local industrialist George Templer, builder of the Haytor Granite Tramway; it has recently been restored and converted into apartments as Court House. The Sanford Orleigh screen was a 'vermantel' - an ornate fireplace surround - made of panels thought to be originally from St Leonard's Chapel (aka the Clock Tower), Newton Abbot. After being in store for some years during the modern renovation, the screen was donated to Newton Abbot Museum in 2008. See The Heart of Oak Project for further information.

Images: right - Sandford Orleigh screen in situ, 1970s; below - detail.