Historic archway is preserved for future
WORK to restore an ancient stone archway has been completed following a fund-raising campaign backed by Prince Charles.
The archway, made from alabaster, is now due to be officially unveiled with a weekend of celebrations following the £80,000 facelift aimed at preserving it for future generations.
The 859-year-old ornate arch above the west door of Tutbury’s St Mary’s Priory Church was in desperate need of renovation, with a conservation report compiled in 2013 saying the general environment was having “a catastrophic effect on the stone”.
It is the only external alabaster arch in the country.
The urgency of the problem led to the creation of the Conservation of the Priory Alabaster Arch Committee, which encouraged businesses and organisations to donate to the £80,000 restoration fund.
After hearing about the situation, Prince Charles sent a letter of support to the church committee tasked with finding the funding.
Work to restore it has been completed and to mark the success, the church will be holding a two-day celebration on Saturday and Sunday. Over the weekend, there will be various exhibits, church tours, an art exhibition, music, children’s crafts and face painting.
The unique arch, which forms part of the outside of the west door of the Grade I-listed church, was built by Henry de Ferrers, who also built Tutbury Castle.
Built from local alabaster stone, a type of gypsum specially mined around the Burton area, it is the only external alabaster arch in the country and the earliest example of alabaster carving, having been completed in 1160.
The arch is made up of 30 blocks, almost half of which had significant weathering.
It was cleaned by Hirst Conservation with a laser and the worst of the fissures which let in the water were sealed.
Some areas were injected with lime-based materials during the repair work.