Works started to preserve and restore much-loved Buttercross
Planned works to clean and repair the iconic scheduled monument in the heart of Winchester city centre began today.
After a number of years of discussions with Historic England, and specialist consultants and contractors, the works on the Buttercross have now started and are expected to be completed early this summer.
Believed to have been commissioned by Cardinal Beaufort, Bishop of Winchester from 1404 to 1447, The Buttercross is a holy cross – although, following its construction, the monument also served as a market cross, as butter, cheese and eggs were sold from the steps that surround it.
Councillor Martin Tod, Leader of Winchester City Council, said: “The Buttercross sits at the heart of our city and the heart of our community - and for hundreds of years the City Council and its predecessors have taken care of it. Now it falls to this generation - with the help of the best experts we can find - to repair, conserve and maintain it for the years to come. There will be scaffolding around it while this essential work is being done. I'd like to thank everyone - residents, visitors and businesses alike - for their understanding as these important works take place."
Winchester City Council received formal Scheduled Monument Consent for the restoration works, after the submission of a specialist commissioned report by Philip Hughes Associates to ensure the sensitivity of the programme.
Samir Khatri, from Philip Hughes Associates, said: The Buttercross is a wonderfully intricate and important structure dating from the 15th century. Significant repairs were carried out by George Gilbert Scott, the architect of St Pancras Hotel and the Albert Memorial, in the nineteenth century but it is now suffering from severe staining caused by pigeons and there are many repairs required to damaged or missing elements. We’re delighted to be working with Winchester City Council and Stonewest to carry out the much-needed conservation of the Buttercross Monument.”
Last year, Winchester City Council appointed award-winning specialist contractors Stonewest to carry out the sensitive repairs and conservation cleaning of this historic monument.
Russell Coombe, Project Manager at Stonewest, added: “It is a privilege for our team to conserve such a special monument for the local community - a wonderful opportunity to protect and safeguard a rare and important historical and architectural asset.”
The proposed works include; stonework repairs, the removal of moss and ingrained dirt and the installation of humane pigeon deterrents, and are expected to take between 16-18 weeks to complete.