Open to the Sky, Again

At last, after nearly two years, the temporary roof covering Betley Court has been carefully dismantled and removed! Bravo to the team from MD ScaffoldingServices for successfully removing those massive spans so skilfully.

Michael Nind, (Director of MD Scaffolding) many, many months ago told me it was always moving when owners saw their building again after a period of being shrouded in a temporary structure. He was not wrong! Last week, I walked to the front of the house, and could see the crisp lines of the new roof against a blue sky. Prior to that, my previous view of that roofline, or at least the old roofline was on the day of the fire (23^rd August 2019 – a date etched onto all our memories!). It was thrilling to see the familiar shape emerging from the shroud.

Betley Court, summer 2019

Betley Court, a week after the fire (August 2019

Betley Court, winter 2019/20

Betley Court, spring 2021

Betley Court, Betley Bonfire night 2021

Betley Court, March 2022 - roofing spans being installed

Betley Court, summer 2022

Betley Court, December 2022 emerging from the shroud

We’ve had some lovely messages from people in the village, pleased to see the new version of Betley Court taking shape. Thank you for your positivity! I wonder what people will make of the new tiles, their freshly quarried colours of Vermont green and Ffestiniog blue/grey.

Spot the difference! Ffestiniog blue/grey (right) and Vermont green (left) slate tiles

Currently, there are flood tests taking place on the roof, to establish in a controlled way where any leaks might be. Better to find out while contractors are still onsite! One challenge is that not all the downspouts are installed yet. The remaining scaffolding is getting in the way. Midland Conservation Ltd are still on site, finishing up outstanding bits of construction. Attleys, the roofers are finishing tiling over Royds House. HP Windows, who are recreating most of the new windows, are onsite installing them, as is local conservation joiner, PhillipBailey, who is refurbishing any window that could be saved.

Phillip Bailey's stunning photo over the dove cote towards Betley village (photo credit: Phillip Bailey) 

Phillip sent over some stunning photos taken first thing in the morning on one of the crisp clear days earlier in the week. They show that the skyline of Betley really is one of the most beautiful in England. It is unique period in Betley Court’s history, and I will miss the opportunity afforded by the scaffolding to look out over the rooftops.

The eagle-eyed amongst you will notice that the stone urn ornaments facing the road have plastic bags over the top. We’re rearranging the scaffolding to create a work area, then I will be able to climb up and gild the top parts of the urns.

The top of the urn will be gilded

Gilding is an ancient technique of using a special glue (gilding size) to apply gold leaf to an object. The goldleaf I’m using is 23.5 carat gold, hammered to an atom thickness ad pressed onto a sheet of tissue transfer paper. I first learned how to gild when I worked for Professor Brown when he ran Betley Court Antiques Gallery. It is an immensely satisfying embellishing technique. I’m really pleased that a technique I learned nearly thirty years ago can be used to help put a finishing touch to Betley Court

All best wishes

Ladybird Su