Hunstrete, Somerset
First screened 17 February 2008

Repairing the Past

A look at the business of stopping our historic buildings from falling apart.

Can we fix it?
The reconstruction cameo that was carried out to accompany this programme featured the delicate creation of some replica cornice work based on examples known to have been used at Hunstrete House. The repair and conservation of historic buildings isn't something to be taken on lightly (as many fans of Grand Designs will know). It's often a painstaking process, which requires in-depth research, a good knowledge of materials and ancient techniques, and the skills to put them into practice.

Many of our historic buildings were constructed in times when the environment was a little kinder. Stone buildings in our cities that once looked down on horses and carts now face a constant battering from automotive and industrial exhaust chemicals, not to mention acidic rain, which seriously damages old stonework. Buildings in the rural environment don't get away lightly either and face constant attacks from insects and fungi which love nothing better than a nice damp piece of heritage to get their teeth into. The natural decaying processes that affect archaeology in the ground, such as changes in the environment, fluctuating moisture levels, bacterial attack and weathering, can also cause problems for our buildings.

Restoring the historic environment is big business. For example; in the south west of England alone The Heritage Lottery Fund has given more than £3 billion to some 15,000 heritage projects since 1994, many of which involve either historic buildings restoration or regeneration of ancient lands, and there's no end to the job in sight. In the ongoing battle against threats to our heritage some talented companies have evolved to join the fight.

Gary Jones and Allan Bailey from St Blaise Ltd (www.stblaise.co.uk) certainly know their onions when it comes to conservation and reconstruction work for Time Team. The company they work for was started in the early 1980s to meet a demand for historic building restoration. Over the years the company has gained a fine reputation for using talented craftspeople who work in traditional ways. They can restore a wide and diverse range of materials from wattle and daub and joinery to lead work and stonemasonry and have specialised in matching skilled craftspeople to modern problems. This has allowed them to rightfully claim they have over 25 years of outstanding achievement. It's companies such as St Blaise and their team of trades who play an important, and ever increasing, part in preserving our historic environment for future generations.

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