St Oswalds Church, Askrigg 

Main Contractor | Conservation Masonry | Lime Rendering | Lime Mortars | Monument Conservation | Heritage Consultancy | Community Engagement

Conservation of the church tower, including the renewal of the traditional lime render, masonry repairs, lime repointing, repairs to the timber louvres, leadwork, rainwater goods and the historic tower clock.

Evening light over St Oswald’s Church.

Masonry Conservation

Throughout the project, weathered stonework, open joints and failed earlier repairs were addressed across the tower. Original masonry was retained wherever possible, with localised repairs and selective stone replacement carried out before repointing with traditional lime mortars.

Centuries of weathering and exposure- and a lot of lichen.

Cleaning, raking out and washing down historic masonry.

Traditional Lime Rendering

The tower was re-rendered using traditional lime techniques, renewing the protective sacrificial coat that had sheltered the masonry for centuries. Careful preparation, application and curing ensured the new render was appropriate to both the historic fabric and the exposed conditions of the site.

Rendered surfaces against the renewed downpipes.

Lovely new oak dormer windows by Tom Addison complete the work.

Community Engagement

Working closely with the PCC and local community was an integral part of the project. Regular site visits and open discussions allowed people to follow the progress of the works, learn about the traditional materials and techniques being used, and gain a greater understanding of both the building’s history and its ongoing conservation.

Sharing the conservation works with the local community.

Tower Interior

Repairs within the tower included the renewal of decayed structural timber, renewed louvres, repairs to the historic tower clock, and the carving and installation of a new date stone recording the conservation works.

Repairs to the bell chamber interior, including a newly carved date stone.