March News

Well, March 2013 will most definitely be remembered for snow, frost and being generally cold!  This is usually prime time for starting lime plastering works, but until it gets constantly above 5˚C then we’ll just have to wait! A few flowers managed to struggle into bloom, but most were much delayed.  As a matter of survival, birds are still relying heavily on us mere mortals to feed them at a time when they would usually be fending mostly for themselves after winter.  

• The repairs and alterations by Fairhurst Ward Abbotts to the Grade I listed Finchingfield Guildhall are looking fabulous. The exterior has been lime-washed white, and the leaded windows have gone into the mullioned windows, which were made by Auravisions locally.  The oak Glulam beams are up for the new contemporary glazed walkway.  The oak double boarded doors have been hung, and the modern interactive museum is in production. We’ve had numerous visits from Heritage Lottery Fund, and are a now on the home stretch to completion in the next couple of months.
• The Grade I listed Country House in Suffolk is going full steam ahead with the decoration scheme to this ancient house underway in each room. The new contemporary Morning Room extension is up, and they have installed the full height glazed bi-fold doors which cover one face completely, allowing one whole side to be opened up in summer. The modern structural glazed roof-light is also being fitted, allowing glorious amounts of light into the new space. The new woodchip boiler has been designed and fitted by a local company, and will power the house using wood from the Estate.
• We are in the final stage of refining the design proposals to a large C17^th lobby entrance Farmhouse in Essex, ready for submission next month, having consulted the council.   
• Listed Building and Planning Permission are pending for a single storey extension and outhouse conversion to a beautiful Grade II* farmhouse in Hertfordshire which has lovely brick noggin details in between the oak frame. 
• A pre-contract meeting at All Saints Church, Gt. Chesterford, has confirmed that local church contractors Lodge and Sons will commence the roof repair works in April.
• At a Grade II Listed country home in Essex, our client is interviewing contractors to undertake the conversion of a Georgian flint outbuilding to a home-office.
• We are awaiting the pre- application advice feedback from the Local Authority for a new-build eco-home within the grounds of an old orchard in Essex. 
• Investigations are underway to determine the earlier occupation of a moated site for archaeological interest at a Grade II Listed former rectory in Hertfordshire.  Provisional costings are being undertaken by the contractor and the applications are being considered by the council.
• The design for a converted Essex barn to annex and studio/workshop space for a well-known, English furniture manufacturer in Essex is taking shape. The design realises and restores the ancient features in the older barn and we have gone for a strikingly modern design in the later barn where the workshop is.   
• At a Grade II Listed former rectory in Hertfordshire, the Local Authority and Conservation Officer have visited site, and the public consultation time is complete without comment, so we are awaiting Planning Permission/Listed Building Consent.
• Sibyl and Kay undertook a Quinquennial Inspection for the P.C.C. of St. Michael and All Angels, Galleywood.
• We have reached Practical Completion at a Grade II listed Regency house in Essex, where we undertook full external renovation and internal design and a full decoration. Villagers have commented on the new appearance of the house with its ashlar lime plaster. With the front fencing and gates complete, the client is now enthusiastically designing the gardens. The building and decoration works were undertaken by G. Illiffe and Sons, who have done a wonderful job.
• Designs for the community village library at Finchingfield at well under way with a computer area, children’s book shelves, reading sofa in the inglenook and local oral histories are all being included in the design.
• At a C16^th Hall House in Essex, second fix of the first floor electrics is almost complete.  The decoration has begun in the house and the new Sun Room oak roof truss frame is going up.  The Utility Room has been fitted out and attractive oak weatherboarding now clads the old Cartlodge.  
• Contractors are providing costings for a Breakfast Room/Orangery extension and other works to a beautiful Arts and Crafts Grade II Listed house in Essex.
• The survey and initial interior design is underway for the reorganisation of the internal spaces of a C18th house in Essex.
• The feasibility design for a large grouping of new houses in Essex has been completed and we are preparing to show them to the village for consultation.
• Monica will be on maternity leave from the end of March.  We sent her off with our love and best wishes.  Watch out for a tweet announcing the birth of Ailsa’s baby brother or sister very soon!
• Meanwhile, we look forward to Richard Ellis joining us next month, as Monica’s maternity cover. Richard is a Conservation Architectural Surveyor who has worked on many well-known and significant buildings such as the Cambridge Colleges, Westminster Hall and Stowe House. He has a wealth of knowledge and we are delighted to welcome him to the team.