THE HOSPITAL CHAPEL APPEAL
In 2002, because of increasing worries about dampness, the Friends paid for a survey of the Chapel building to be carried out by Chartered Architects and Surveyors, Ronald Wylde Associates. They gave us a fully detailed specification of the necessary work to preserve the Chapel for future generations. This is a short version for easy reference:
Brief Specification of Conservation Repairs to be undertaken to the fabric at the Hospital Chapel Ilford
- Flat Roof
- Replacement of defective felt coverings to flat roof on the South side of the Chapel with either sheet lead or asphalt
- Rainwater System
- Replacement of defective plastic rainwater system with cast iron to original profile
- Drainage
- Structural repairs to existing drainage system to ensure all surface water is carried away from the building. This will require some excavations on the south side of the building. Possible introduction of French Drain on north side of the building and reduction of ground levels at the west end
of the building.
- Hardstanding
- Reconstruction of the collapsed hardstanding on the south side of the Chapel
- Fleche
- Reinforcement works to the existing timber fleche which houses the two bells, and replacement of the shingle roof coverings
- Porch
- Structural repairs to contain any further movement of the front porch
- Masonry
- Repairs and/or replacement of defective exterior rendering and selective repointing to brickwork. Repair and repointing of coping stones on south side of building
- Plasterwork
- Replacement of all defective and missing interior plasterwork with appropriate lime plaster
- Flooring
- Restoration and repair of encaustic and geometric floor tiling
Architects, Quantity Surveyors and Planning Supervisors for the project:
Ronald Wylde Associates
Through Ronald Wylde we successfully applied to English Heritage for regrading and the Chapel complex became Grade II*. We decided it was necessary to set up the Hospital Chapel Appeal and were fortunate enough to get as Patrons:
The Most Hon.The Marquess of Salisbury P.C. D.L,
The Lord Petre, Lord Lieutenant of Essex .
The Rt.Revd.John Gladwin, Bishop of Chelmsford
The Ven.Michael J. Fox, Archdeacon of West Ham (now retired)
Sir Edward Hulse, Bt. D.L. Lord of the Manor of Barking
and Bamber Gascoigne Esq.
We are very grateful to the many organisations and individuals who have and are supporting our Appeal which is ongoing and we thank Ian D.J.Row, our Appeal Secretary for his work. We received substantial grants from English Heritage, the London Borough of Redbridge (where the Chapel is located), Friends of Essex Churches, The Heritage of London Trust, and The Charles S. French Charitable Trust and donations were received from The Salisbury Charitable Fund and many others.
Friends of the Hospital Chapel and many, many members of other churches and the public gave generously and, in answer to a second Appeal, enabled us to completely replace the Chapel floor with encaustic tiles to complement the original aisle tiles. This has meant that for the first time wheelchairs and people with crutches or frames can easily access all areas inside the Chapel.
We are working on a Memorial Book to acknowledge the many donors and to record in a special section monies received in memory of departed family members and friends. |