HUNDREDS turned out to bid a fond farewell to Evesham’s Almonry Museum on Saturday (September 20) before it closed its doors for two years of vital restoration work.
Brilliant building was the order of the day and a number of heritage building specialists were on hand to show the public the skills needed to repair historic structures like the 14th Century home to monks of the town’s former Benedictine Abbey.
This included a thatcher, wood carver, roof slater and stone masonry specialist.
Museum manager Ashleigh Jayes conducted tours about the ancient rooms that has played host to a miscellany of objects relating to the town’s past, including prehistoric fossils and archaeological items, finds relating to 8th Century Abbey.
Gavin Bews-Pugh watches Tom Stevens thatching. Picture by Marcus Mingins 3925005MMR2
Archaeologist Viv Walker, who is also a carpenter and wood carver, demonstrated her skills on the day to visitors. Viv, who wants to work in heritage building conservation currently is undergoing training with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB).
“We travel around the country and look at old buildings and how people repair them using heritage crafts,” she told the Observer.#
Viv, who came all the way down from the Lake District to participate in the event, part of Heritage Open Days, demonstrated her detailed wood carving skills to visitors and spoke about the knowledge needed to be successful.
Carl Shaw hewing a jowl post. Picture by Marcus Mingins 3925005MMR3
“When it comes to wood you have to have a really strong understanding of the material and the grain which applies whether doing a tiny carving or structural timber.
Using hand tools is the best way to understand the properties and how it behaves, which is the same as stone.
“Wood will split if you cut it in the wrong direction. This also applies to carving tiny pieces – you have to carve it in the right way. Just like you would if carving a joint in a timber frame.”
In 2016, Historic England placed the Almonry on the Heritage At Risk Register following which a wide range of surveys have been conducted to identify structural issues and more.
A longstanding campaign to save the Grade I-listed building owned by Evesham Town Council came in March 2024 with the welcome news that a £2.1m grant from the Arts Council had been secured.
Phase 2 of the project will include an internal fitout and reinterpretation of objects and subject to a successful Heritage Lottery Grant.
Manager Ashleigh Jayes added: “The day went really well. Despite the threat of bad weather, the rain held off, and we welcomed many old friends and new faces.
“Huge thanks to all our demonstrators, the team from WJ Conservation, Oakley Timber Frame, David from Simply Stone in Evesham, The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) and the Fellows, Tom and Viv.
“While it’s sad to close the building, it’s exciting to finally see all the years of hard work, raising the money for the project, commissioning surveys and reports, all paying off and being able to save the Almonry.”
The Tourist Information Centre and gift shop are in the process of relocating to 1-3 Merstow Green and will open on Monday, October 6.
See almonryevesham.org to keep up to date with developments.
