New Roof to Secure Kelmarsh Hall for the Next 100 Years

One of the biggest-ever renovation projects at Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire will see the roof of the Grade I listed building replaced next autumn (2012).

The last time the roof was completely replaced was sometime in the 1820s or 1830s when it was remodelled to create a new suite of rooms on the first floor of the hall. Holding repairs were carried out to the roof in the 1970s but a complete renovation is now required. Earlier this year, asbestos was removed to allow structural surveys and renovation works to get under way.

Tenders for the re-roofing project, which is expected to last about 21 weeks and should be complete by the end of February 2013, have been sent out to companies who specialise in listed building techniques. Staff at Kelmarsh Hall have been working closely with conservation officers to ensure all the building works are carried out sensitively.

The Westmoreland green slates will be replaced like for like and original building techniques will be used, such as pegging slates instead of nailing them. The work is expected to cost around £250,000 – which will be funded by the Kelmarsh Trust - but tenders are still being finalised.

Operations Manager Des Brack said: “Over the last 20 years we have been monitoring and maintaining the roof but the time has come to get the job done and to get the building in a water and wind tight condition for the next 80 to 100 years. We’ll be using the original building techniques - they’ve stood the test of time. This will be one of the biggest jobs we’ve undertaken.”

The works will see scaffolding going up, a temporary roof cover being erected, slates removed, structural timber strengthened or replaced and repairs to the stone work. Visitors will be able to find out more about the project when the hall opens to the public in the spring next year.

The project was originally going to get under way in January 2012 but with a number of weddings booked in for the spring, Kelmarsh wanted to avoid letting any couples down.
It means there are now some dates available for couples looking to get married in January, February or March 2012, with a 25% reduction in venue hire fees on the remaining dates in these three months.
There will also be special rates while the roof work goes on - for more details contact Wedding Co-ordinator Jill Doughty on 01604 686543 or email weddings@kelmarsh.com.