Cathedral church of St Martin, Leicester
Following the cathedral architect’s quinquennial report, a grant of nearly £250,000 was awarded by English Heritage to carry out stone repairs and repointing to this fine Victorian church’s 200 foot spire.
The contract was tendered in July 2004 on a preliminary scope of work based upon a steeplejack survey, and awarded to Linford Bridgeman Ltd of Lichfield.
Once the spire was fully scaffolded, each stone was examined and scheduled for repair or replacement. New crosses were carved where these had been lost from the lucarne gables, and the weathervane cockerel and cardinal letters were regilded. The spire and upper section of the tower were repointed inside and out, and the stonework cleaned.
The works were completed in March 2006 at a cost of approximately £430,000.
The works were preceded by a separate contract of internal works to improve access to the bell chamber and unblock the sound openings to the base of the tower, carried out by Church Conservation Ltd.
