Milestone reached in restoration of 16th century National Civil War Centre building!
Oak beams dating to the Tudor period will be revealed for the first time in decades as work to restore the Grade II* Old Magnus Building in Newark, Nottinghamshire, reaches a crucial stage. The building – built in 1529 as a free grammar school and whose old boys include a distant ancestor of Walt Disney – will become home to the UK’s first National Civil War Centre when it opens next year. The £5.4m project by Newark and Sherwood District Council has been supported by £3.5m from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). It will tell the story of Britain’s epic 17th century civil wars, while boosting the regional economy.
Michael Constantine, Business Manager for the National War Civil Centre, explained:
“With scaffolding encasing the building to a height of 70 feet and a giant temporary roof fitted to protect against the rain this is a key point in the restoration. As work progresses we are also unravelling more about the building’s history. Exposing the beams will allow us to make repairs, but it also gives us chance to look for signs of Civil War damage such as scorch marks from grenados and musket ball holes. We know that one sixth of all Newark’s buildings were destroyed during three sieges in the 1640s. What’s clear is that thanks to the grant from the HLF we are on course to create a unique experience in Newark, igniting interest in a compelling period in the UK’s history.”
The council is working with the HLF, Woodhead Heritage, a specialist team of Robert Woodhead Ltd, based in Edwinstowe, Nottinghamshire, and architects Purcell to transform the building into a 21st century museum and visitor centre.
Emma Sayer, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund East Midlands, said:
“It’s wonderful to see work progressing so well on this hugely impressive scheme. The oldest parts of the Old Magnus Building witnessed and survived the Civil War so it is fitting it should be used to tell the story of a conflict which shaped the modern world. Not only is the project breathing new life into an historic building, but it is playing a big part in regeneration efforts and creating a focal point to inspire young people to consider heritage crafts as a career.”
The Old Magnus Building comprises a Tudor hall, Georgian town house and Victorian school room and since last November experts have been carefully ‘unpicking’ the fabric – stripping back floors, walls and ceilings. This has paved the way for the main phase of restoration work to start. Roof tiles have now been carefully removed allowing the original oak beams to be inspected and scaffolding has given engineers access to a massive ornate Tudor chimney stack built in the time of Henry VIII. Roof tiles in good condition will be re-used, while English oak will be employed where beams need repairing. Elsewhere, new floors are being laid, a staircase remodelled and modern galleries, reception area and gift shop created.
Simon Butler (pictured), Conservation Manager with Woodhead Heritage, explained:
“This is an exciting project for us and, as with all our conservation projects, we are using traditional skills throughout. Where re-pointing is required a lime mortar mix is being used similar to that employed 500 years ago, while timeless carpentry and brickwork skills are also being extensively used.
“Our experienced craftspeople are helping to pass on their specialist skills to our apprentices making sure the techniques, that in some cases have been used since Tudor times, aren’t lost.”
One of the Woodhead Heritage apprentices is Chris Richards, 18, from Sutton in Ashfield, training to become a joiner. He has already worked on another of the company’s projects at Lincoln Castle and is combining on-the-job training with studies at West Notts College. According to national surveys such skills are in short supply and the existing workforce is ageing making it vital young craftspeople are trained.
Simon Butler added:
“What is remarkable about the Old Magnus Buildings is just how well the Tudor part is constructed. The foundations go much deeper than the later additions - we’ve been highly impressed by the skill of our 16th century predecessors.”
A major challenge for project chiefs is the conservation of graffiti dating back to the 1600s. Carved into plaster walls by ‘naughty’ school-boys in the former Tudor school dormitory, the names include an ‘R Disney’ (1608) - thought to be an ancestor of Walt Disney of movie making fame, and ‘W Darwin’, cousin of evolutionist Charles Darwin, author of “Origin of Species”.
The National Civil War Centre will open early next year and is expected to attract 60,000 visitors annually. Restoration work will continue throughout the summer.
