The Stiwt Theatre, Wrexham
| Project Architect | Geraint Roberts of Tim Ratcliffe Associates |
|---|---|
| Contract Value | £107,808.60 |
| Contract Start Date | December 2019 |
| Contract Completion Date | March 2020 |
| Site Address | The Stiwt Theatre, Board Street, Rhosllannerchrugog, Wrexham LL14 1RB |
| Awards | Wrexham Area Civic Society Best Building Conservation Project of the Year Awards 2019 |
Project description
The works comprised general building fabric repairs and maintenance, with the main emphasis on the south-facing front elevation of the theatre, along with the repair of the clock and clock turret located centrally above.
Clock Turret
All woodwork to the clock tower and the pinnacle on top of the dome was thoroughly rubbed down, filled, and repainted. The entire zinc covering of the dome was cleaned and coated in 24-carat gold leaf, along with the columns. The clock face Perspex was replaced with new white glass. The metal frame forming the clock faces and clock hands was rubbed down and recoated with an iron oxide undercoat. The chiming mechanism and clock mechanical workings were overhauled by specialist subcontractor Smith of Derby.
External Walls
Sections of the stone cornice were renewed, and the defective zinc flashings atop the arched hoods on either side of the front elevation were removed and replaced with sand-cast lead, including new drip details. Plant growth was removed from the masonry joints of the turret cappings and the entablature, which were then repointed. Nine sections of stone were replaced in the frieze and architrave. Isolated damaged ashlar stones were repaired using traditional stone piecing-in techniques, along with isolated repointing of the stone and brickwork.
Windows
The metal casements in the windows on the front elevation were rubbed down, de-rusted, and repainted. All timber-framed windows on the front elevation were sanded down and redecorated. Several sash windows on the side elevations were released, with timber splice repairs carried out along with the replacement of the original glazing and redecoration.
Base Walls
All copings on the base walls were lifted and re-laid, with ten being replaced and traditional stone piecing-in repairs carried out on others. Fifty percent of the mortar joints in these walls and the interim pillars were repointed, and approximately forty bricks were replaced.
Cast Iron Railings and Gates
The entrance roadside railings and gates were carefully removed, sandblasted using a low-pressure system, repaired by a local blacksmith, decorated, and then re-erected on-site.
