Donald Insall Associates’ Post

The Grade I-listed and scheduled ancient monument, King Charles Tower in #Chester, was opened up to the public as a rare treat this weekend.  “We are delighted to be able to show members of the public round the tower these weekends and look forward to them especially enjoying the motion activated talking history of the tower that we have installed," says consultant and former Insall chairman Tony Barton. In partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council, Donald Insall Associates completed works to the tower in 2013, as part of works across Chester city walls to improve visitor access. Learn more about the towers and their fascinating history:

“This project represents a significant development for heritage conservation, demonstrating the possibility of more radical interventions sensitively protecting history – while reducing the need for regular repair and maintenance.” Grade I-listed Hardwick Old Hall has been longlisted in the heritage project category of Dezeen Awards 2024. Following careful and sensitive conservation works, in line with English Heritage's Sustainable Conservation Strategy & Asset Management Plan principles, the site is now open for visitors for the first time in five years.  The Hall's 400-year-old plaster friezes, which intricately depict plants, animals, and decorative features, have been preserved allowing visitors to view and enjoy them for years to come.  Read more about Hardwick Old Hall and more in Dezeen: https://lnkd.in/edBcfe-B English Heritage  | Historic Engineering  | RNJ Partnership  | Mason Clark Associates | British Geological Survey | Skillington workshop | Philip Gaches | Tim Floyd | Allen Archaeology Ltd  | David Archer Associates

How does our built environment, old and new, contribute to our sense of belonging? Conservationists and historians help historic buildings to live and evolve for a better future. Through researching and repairing these places, we can uncover a treasure trove of unexpected narratives and reveal forgotten stories… As a part of the London Open House festival 2024, explore our pop-up exhibition, where you’ll find a collection of artifacts, records, samples and images that tell the story of places that might in plain sight. You can drop in, with no booking required, on Friday 20th and find out more about the event here: https://lnkd.in/eBhhfC6M

Described as "a jewel in the crown of Barnsley’s cultural offer” by Robin Franklin from Barnsley Council, the 18th century, Grade-II listed Cannon Hall is a country house and museum visited by hundreds of thousands each year. Now, work has begun to repair the roof and protect its precious collections of ceramics, furniture and paintings, including a collection of works by William and Evelyn De Morgan. Insall associate Daniel Elkington explains: “This project is fundamentally about maintaining a safe environment for Cannon Hall’s significant collection and visitors. But it’s also about making the building better, more robust and reinstating a traditional material. The building will become more resilient to changing climate conditions and increasing levels of rainfall, benefitting from widened gutters and downpipes which will help the council maintain it for many years to come.” Work is due to complete in early 2025, but the museum will remain open to visitors throughout the project. Read more in BBC News:

Following months of careful cleaning and repairs at Chester Cathedral, the in-house Works Team is gearing up to install a fossil-rich, Kilkenny limestone, 17th-century Font. This Font will sit directly below Artist Stephen Broadbent’s Pilgrim Porch and will complete the new West end steps and reordering. Cathedral Architect Tony Barton explains "To accord with the Christian welcome to the church, via Baptism, the Font will be immediately visible from the three main doors into the Cathedral, indeed processions via the West Door and Pilgrim Porch will process either side of the Font." Next week, the font will be set in its new home and ready for use.

Join Insall architect Holly Chapman alongside Madeleine Adams, Charlotte Davies, and panel chair Sarah Hollis for an inspiring and lively discussion on Women in Conservation on Tuesday 10th September, part of Architecture Week 2024 hosted by MWK Architects Ltd in #Northampton. Book tickets to the panel at 78 Derngate, an iconic venue designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh in 1916: https://lnkd.in/eiCSUPMS

York-based professionals in property, construction, and development, how would you like to network in the Viking age? The First Thursday Festive Special networking event is taking place on December 5th at the Jorvik Viking Centre, and tickets are available now. The team's informal and friendly monthly events are open to all and focused on those involved professionally within the property, construction, development, and associated industries. You can learn more about events and get in touch with the First Thursday: York Property + Construction Professionals via LinkedIn. Book your tickets for the festive special event here: https://lnkd.in/etf8p-ba First Thursday: York Property + Construction Professionals | Rebecca Burrows | Lanpro | nineteen47 Ltd. | York Archaeology