Out & About July 2017

Children can spot Legomen placed around the roof structure

It was then that the ambitious £5.4m project was hatched, with the added bonus of the public being able to see the work going on and, in addition, it was decided to take the opportunity to also do some scientific research. The team at the house are working closely with scientists from the University of Oxford, gathering as much data as they can to more accurately date the materials used on the house. It is the first time that science and technology have joined forces with traditional skilled craftsman in this way to discover how a building was constructed. It benefits both sides – it means the team working on the conservation can more closely replicate the bricks and tiles which were originally used and the university researchers can gain a greater insight into building methods from Tudor times. There are also other discoveries to be made, through analysis of seeds, plants and insects found in the building’s framework. NT archaeologist Gary Marshall explained: “Through extraordinary scientific and technological equipment we are finding out so much about The Vyne’s construction and we’re sharing our discoveries with our visitors. “With a variety of different methods and technology we are able not only to pinpoint more accurately the date of The Vyne’s construction, and the materials the original builders used to create tiles and bricks, even insulation, but also show how we have made these discoveries and give visitors a chance to explore the science involved.” One of the discoveries they made was that a fair bit of early recycling went on as Professor Heather Viles from Oxford Rock Breakdown Laboratory explained: “New dendrochronology analysis – the science of tree-ring dating – has revealed that some of The Vyne’s 16th-century timbers were recycled from an earlier building.” If you want to find out more scientists from Oxford will be on hand in their mobile heritage laboratory on monthly dates up to September to share their discoveries as they analyse the tiles, bricks and mortar from the house.

NT archaeologist Gary Marshall and building works manager Andrew Harris

General manager Stuart Maughan

Professor Heather Viles

The extent of the works means that 71,000 handmade clay tiles need to be replaced and again the public are being invited to get involved through The Vyne’s Tag-a-Tile sessions. Visitors can purchase and write a message or draw a picture on a tile, for a suggested donation of £5, that will go up on the new roof. This really does seem to be a labour of love for everyone involved in the project and for visitors it is a once in a lifetime experience. As Andrew Harris said: “The repairs we are carrying out now should protect The Vyne for the next few hundred years to come.” Once you have been up on the roof, and had a stroll round the grounds you should also visit the magnificent chapel at The Vyne. 

You can decorate a tile, which will eventually be used on The Vyne roof

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