Wells Cathedral

Margaret is the Structural Engineer for the Grade I listed Wells Cathedral – the estate and archive. The repair work is technically challenging and the conservation approach critically important. Following a structural survey prioritisation of projects was agreed with the client. Re-roofing the north nave aisle has been one major project which is now completed. This involved the removal of all the lead, repairs to the timber structure below and realigning the gutter. The timber trusses of the north nave aisle are particularly interesting and have been recorded by timber historian Cecil Hewitt as ‘probably the oldest that survive in England’. The next three projects are underway – re-roofing the nave, making an assessment of the Retroquire columns and putting in new balustrades, handrails and walkways to allow safe public access to the ‘high parts’ such as the tower.