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Welcome
to Highcliffe Castle - Restoration
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Since
acquiring the Castle in 1977 Christchurch Borough Council
has concentrated on keeping it safe from public intrusion
and vandalism.
After
several public consultations it was agreed to proceed
with works of repair and conservation on a zonal basis.
Phases 1 and 2 were to cost £1 million funded by £0.5
million each from Christchurch Borough Council and English
Heritage. Phase 3 would also cost above £1 million, bringing
the total contributions to £1.2 million and again funded
jointly by each body.
Phases 1 to 3 concentrated on the repair and conservation
of the fabric of the building, including masonry repairs,
structural strengthening, the replacement and repair of
doors, windows and glazing as well as the provision of
roofs.
Phase 1 began with the Conservatory and was completed
in October 1994. This was opened as a Visitor Centre by
Lord Montagu of Beaulieu in 1995. In 1997 the Visitor
Centre was extended into the partially restored library
allowing for exhibitions to be held during the season.
It was run with the help of local volunteers and the Highcliffe
Castle Charitable Trust until the end of the 1998 season.
In April 1999 Christchurch Council appointed its own manager,
and now together with the band of over 40 volunteers manages
the centre and its grounds. The Visitor Centre is open
throughout the summer season and is attracting 20,000
visitors each year to a static exhibition of the Castle's
history and a varied programme of activities and events.
Further funding was required for the fourth phase which
was to include much of the unique stonework. Help came
in the form of the newly created National Lottery and
a successful application was submitted to the Heritage
Lottery Fund. This £2.65 million grant has allowed completion
of the conservation and repairs project as well as infrastructure
improvements. Work began on this final phase in March
1997 and was completed in November 1998. Included in this
fourth phase was the first stages of the refurbishment
of the grounds which has re-established the historic paths
and the vista to the Needles - all dating back to Capability
Brown's day.
In
1999 two more rooms were opened to the public, the ante
library and the Octagon. In October 1999 the Council agreed
to spend a further £19,500 to enable the drawing room
to be repaired and opened as a further exhibition room.
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| Stonework |
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Much of the local stone used
to build Highcliffe Castle came from the nearby Isle of
Purbeck, though Portland, Bath and Totterstone have also
been identified. In total 14 different types have been
identified. The French medieval stonework, collected by
Lord Stuart de Rothesay, was brought across the English
Channel to nearby Steamer Point and required twelve barges
to transport it.
Probably the most magnificent
piece, and most notable, is the oriel window. Known as
the "King's Oriel Window", this was brought, complete,
from the Grande Maison des Andelys. Its name was acquired
because Antoine de Bourbon had died in the room lit by
the window following the siege of Rouen in 1562, while
his son, the future Henry IV, knelt beside him.
The King's Oriel Window has
been repaired and renovated by the Council's specialist
stonework sub-contractors, St Blaise, as part of Phase
3 of the programme.
Stonemasons have used a variety
of stone types to recreate the original and often intricate
designs.
In the first phase of repairs
new finials were made to stand along the parapet of the
Conservatory. The finials consist of Roman Cement set
upon carved tracery panels. However, this is not a full
restoration. Many damaged pieces have been delicately
conserved, allowing future generations to see the detail
of the original work. It has been remarked upon that the
stonework being carried out at the Castle demonstrates
the opportunities that this type of project creates for
very talented, dedicated and enthusiastic craftspeople,
ensuring centuries old skills are being carried forward
into the next generation.
Their skills, artistry and
craftsmanship won an award in the Restoration category
of the 1997 Stone Federation Awards. To sum up, the judges'
comments stated: "This is a most unusual building and
the work has involved almost every aspect of repair, restoration
and conservation. It is a textbook example of great care
and skill."
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Included amongst the artefacts
brought to Highcliffe by Lord Stuart de Rothesay was
a magnificent collection of stained glass. Ranging from
the 12th to 19th centuries in date, it is mainly French
but with outstanding examples from Germany and Switzerland.
A complete 16th century window, known as the "Jesse
Window", is the jewel in the Castles crown.
The Jesse Window became the
large north window of the Castle's Great Hall. From
the church of St Vigour, Rouen, the window depicts the
tree of Jesse and dates from 1547. Further French glass
was added to complete the window by Christchurch glazier,
Charles Holloway in 1838 who has worked with Louisa
Stuart who had created new designs to complete the window.
Two disastrous fires in 1967 and 1968 caused some fire
crazing, but more seriously, the Castle was empty and
open to theft and vandalism. It was decided that the
glass should be removed for safekeeping and much of
it remains in storage. In 1997 an appeal was launched
by the Highcliffe Csatle Charitable Trust to raise funds
to reinstate the Jesse Window and, happily, in 1998
the window was put back in place.
Examples of German, Swiss
and Flemish glass are amongst the fine collection. Subjects
depicted range from religious and heraldic to domestic.
Added to this the glass sizes range from 1.3m by 63cm
panels to 22cm diameter roundels. The magnificence of
the glass would merit an exhibition of its own.
The examples here show little
text is required to describe the glass: its beauty speaks
for itself.
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| Partners |
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Plans
are in hand to conserve and display the remaining glass at the
Castle and during 2002 a bid will be made to the HLF for this
to happen. Highcliffe Castle has regained its former glory and
a new page has been turned in the history books which record
the nation's heritage. This remarkable achievement has been
accomplished by different organisations working and acting together;
the principal partners have been:
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Christchurch
Borough Council
Civic Offices, Bridge Street,
Christchurch BH23 1AZ
Tel: 01202 495000 Fax: 01202 482200
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Although
one of the smallest local authorities in the country,
Christchurch Borough Council has set an example to many
other organisations and individuals faced with the task
of bringing a ruined building back to life and providing
a place within the community. Christchurch Borough Council
manages the Castle and the Heritage site although the
staff are based mostly at the castle. It is supported
by a band of volunteers who staff the Visitor Centre.
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English
Heritage
23 Savile Row, London
Tel: 0171 973 3000
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English
Heritage recognise the importance and uniqueness of Highcliffe
Castle and has worked with Christchurch Borough Council
since 1987. English Heritage has been a partner in undertaking
emergency works and the joint funding of the first three
phases of the repair and conservation programme.
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Heritage
Lottery Fund,
7 Holbein Place, London SW1R 8NR
Tel: 0171 591 6000
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Without
the support of the Heritage Lottery Fund it is unlikely
that the repair and conservation of Highcliffe Castle
would have been achieved. The Heritage Lottery Fund grant
recognises that Highcliffe Castle is a worthy heritage
project bringing an important building back into life
and one which makes contributions to the local economy.
Whilst
the repair and conservation of Highcliffe Castle has enabled
a fine building to be given a new lease of life, the project
has also brought with it other benefits.
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The employment of craftsmen and skilled contractors
locally and around the country (up to 80 people were
working on Highcliffe Castle at any one time);
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Materials and services supplied from local, regional
and national businesses;
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The possibility of testing new technology and techniques
that will produce benefits for other similar projects;
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An opportunity for a new generation of craftsmen to
relearn traditional skills and expertise.
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