Corfe Castle
Corfe Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument in a very sensitive position close to the south coast of Dorset. SSHC Ltd has worked at Corfe Castle over several different phases between 2007 - 2019. This ancient structure presented a unique set of challenges in terms of health and safety risks, not least because the castle remained open to the public throughout the works, albeit with restricted access to some areas. The fact that restricted areas were kept minimum was a testament to the working relationship between the National Trust, the CDM coordinator and the Strachey team.
These contracts at Corfe Castle included a number of challenging sections of the castle including sections of the curtain wall, the outer perimeter towers, further areas of the south west gatehouse and the north tower. This programme of work was carried out by fixed and rope access to take into consideration the difficulties in reaching all the elements and included:
- The lime mortar consolidation of the stonework to the tears, walls and cappings, including the conservation of historic mortars.
- The repointing of failed and cementitous mortar joints.
- The removal, sortingh, storage and reintroduction of existing plants and new plants to form soft cappings to selected areas of stonework.
- Conservation of extensive plaster fragments within the north tower and third tower.
Another contract undertook works to the tumble on the outer slope of the Outer Ward, between the first and second towers. This tumble is part of the first tower that partially collapsed when the castle was slighted in 1645 and now lies upside down and at an angle. Community engagement with local schoolchildren also formed part of the contract at the castle.