The Eyes of the House

We are at an amazing point with the rebuild of Betley Court; scaffolding disappearing one pole at a time and the now-tatty scaffold wrap consigned to a skip. Finally, we are finding out exactly what Betley Court looks like after the external repairs. I stopped in my tracks when I arrived yesterday to see the west elevation of ‘the factory’ – the old servants’ wing – free of contractors’ clutter. This was a point that was almost unimaginable in the days and weeks after the fire, and it made me so happy to see.

'The Factory' - the old servants wing, well on the way to restoration (Photo: Su Hurrell/Ladybird Su)

One thing that has been consistently and positively commented about during the rebuild of Betley Court has been our use of craftspeople to bring their skills and expertise to the task. We’ve were very fortunate to choose Midland Conservation Ltd as our main contractor, as they have access to a wealth of specialist heritage trades such as master stonemasons. We’ve also found our own craftspeople for certain jobs. As most of the windows were completely destroyed, they’ve been remade by a large window contractor, but where repair and refurbishment has been required, we found a conservation joiner right here in Betley. Phillip Bailey, who is based (rather handily from our perspective) at neighbouring Betley Court Farm has been working his way through a programme of saving salvageable windows, in all weathers.

Phillip Bailey at work in December's freezing weather (photo: Washington & Peart, Centre Space Arts)

Phillip Bailey, who is based (rather handily from our perspective) at neighbouring Betley Court Farm has been working his way through a programme of saving salvageable windows, in all weathers.

Sash windows became popular in the years after the Great Fire of London (1666). They gave several advantages over earlier casement windows. In an age of candle light, sash windows reduced draughts that extinguished flame. As the manufacture of glass, first crown (blown) panes, then flat panes of glass increased, larger arrangements of glass were possible. Multiple-paned sash windows allowed more sunlight into the interior of buildings. Sash windows also employ a counterweight mechanism within their frames, typically with two sliding windows one above the other, making larger windows easier to open. They were a technological innovation that defined the look of Georgian buildings across the country.

Sash window schematic

Obviously, in a historic house like Betley Court, a Grade II* listed building, the windows are an integral part of the appearance of the house, so there was never a thought of going for a cheap option like uPVC replacement windows (I can only imaging the Heritage organisations’ wails of anguish!). We’ve used rebuild as an opportunity to refurb windows that survived, and matched any that have to be replaced to the originals. Former tenants remember, with mixed emotions, the dramas involved in getting windows open – one even bares a scar where his hand went through a glass pane as he tried to bang a window open! The windows often closed badly too, leaving drafty gaps. In an age of high fuel bills and higher environmental standard, we felt it was worth addressing.

Starting point - broken sash window (Photo: Phillip Bailey)

New pieces in place (Photo: Phillip Bailey)

Polished pulleys (Photo: Phillip Bailey)

Completed window, ready for painting (Photo: Phillip Bailey)

Phillip has systematically tackled each frame, replacing rot, repairing sash cord, replacing weights, cleaning pulleys and striping back old paint to the wood. We’ve had some nice surprises too. Some frames were found to be oak, and Phillip’s even found the original carpenter’s handwriting on some frames, noting the customer (Fletcher-Twemlow) and the room position of the window. One of the huge first floor windows was found to be in such a bad state that it was in danger of falling out! Phillip has now re-secured it using angle, a repair that will see out our tenure at Betley Court!

It has been great to have craftspeople like Phillip Bailey on site. For one thing, we’re restoring Betley Court to how it should look. For another, it keeps craft skills like Phillip’s alive, and relevant in a modern world!

All best wishes

Ladybird Su