Alan’s team often find themselves working in ancient or historically interesting buildings so it was not unusual to be summoned to Sir William Turner’s Almshouses in Kirkleatham, by architect, Hugh Massey, who had spotted evidence of infestation in several ancient timbers. Built in 1676, the almshouses still provide accommodation to elderly residents today in a complex of cottages, apartments and common areas which are built around a small chapel. Thorburn Preservation were contracted to spray all timbers in the roof space above the chapel, the bell tower and the adjoining attics – once used as children’s dormitories.
The chapel was remodelled in 1742 and features one of the most unusual ceilings Alan had ever seen. From below, its vaulted shape appears to be of stone construction, but once in the roofspace it’s obvious that the ceiling is formed of curved wooden lathes which have been plastered with horse hair plaster and decorated to give the effect of stonework. Once the area had been cleared of dust, debris and cobwebs, the Thorburn team took great care in spraying this area, using a very fine mist. All remaining timbers in the roofspace, including the huge 12” x 18” oak baulks, the adjoining attics and the bell tower were then sprayed over and under with Tritec 121.
Due to the proximity of the residents living accommodation, Alan recommended the use of Triton’s Tritec 121, which is a completely non-hazardous water based system, designed to treat all types of timber affected by wood boring insects and timber destroying fungi. Tritec 121 is designed to penetrate the timber very quickly and offers a one hour re-entry time.
Before he left the site Alan was also asked to spray one more item with Tritec 121 – an ancient Jack Hobbs cricket bat, belonging to the husband of an elderly resident and which was infested with woodworm!