Visit to 10a High Street - 'Headcase', on 19th April 2017
Committee members were kindly invited by the owner of 10a High Street, Mr Clive Aldridge, to visit the historic premises which date back to the early 1600s. The building had been damaged by fire in July 2016, with smoke and water causing more damage still. The ground floor ‘Headcase’ suffered most and the construction company, specialists in restoring old buildings, had uncovered interesting architectural features while clearing the building in readiness for its restoration. The conservation officer at WBC has been involved throughout.
The Haslemere Society group, equipped with white hard hats, followed the owner and the contractor up the narrow stairs to start the visit on the top floor where they saw the massive central brick chimney, a feature of timber-framed buildings of the period, and the intricate construction details. Throughout the building many of the original joists and rafters had suffered earlier damage by wood-boring beetles and rot.
A few early open fireplaces have been altered by inserting Victorian cast iron fireplaces, and walls using bricks of various ages were visible, but some of the original internal wattle and daub infill panels remained as well as parts of the old lath and plaster ceilings.
The tenant ‘Headcase’ will return, and the other storeys will be restored, converting the building into 2 apartments, each with its own entrance.
Our thanks go to the owner for an intriguing and informative guided visit to one of Haslemere’s oldest houses.
Committee members were kindly invited by the owner of 10a High Street, Mr Clive Aldridge, to visit the historic premises which date back to the early 1600s. The building had been damaged by fire in July 2016, with smoke and water causing more damage still. The ground floor ‘Headcase’ suffered most and the construction company, specialists in restoring old buildings, had uncovered interesting architectural features while clearing the building in readiness for its restoration. The conservation officer at WBC has been involved throughout.
The Haslemere Society group, equipped with white hard hats, followed the owner and the contractor up the narrow stairs to start the visit on the top floor where they saw the massive central brick chimney, a feature of timber-framed buildings of the period, and the intricate construction details. Throughout the building many of the original joists and rafters had suffered earlier damage by wood-boring beetles and rot.
A few early open fireplaces have been altered by inserting Victorian cast iron fireplaces, and walls using bricks of various ages were visible, but some of the original internal wattle and daub infill panels remained as well as parts of the old lath and plaster ceilings.
The tenant ‘Headcase’ will return, and the other storeys will be restored, converting the building into 2 apartments, each with its own entrance.
Our thanks go to the owner for an intriguing and informative guided visit to one of Haslemere’s oldest houses.
|
|
|