SICS Full Response to Conservation of the Carved Beam at 7 The Pavement, St Ives

Overview by Chair SICS (St Ives Civic Society):

Planning application ref 24/01883/LBC Re: Carved wooden beam, historically part of the coat of arms of Ramsay Abbey, currently a lintel over one doorway of the shopfront at 7 The Pavement.

This carved wooden beam acts as a decorative lintel over one doorway of the vacant shop at 7 The Pavement, privately owned and previously tenanted by M & Co but from January 2025 to be tenanted by Mountain Warehouse.

Following concerns expressed by townspeople about the lintel’s vulnerability to vandalism or accidental damage either during the shop’s period of vacancy or during its subsequent refurbishment, the St Ives Civic Society commissioned advice from a restoration company, experienced in conserving medieval carvings from churches, cathedrals and colleges buildings and interiors –
www.andrewandmarkhoskins.co.uk.

Their report states: “Although extremely weathered and bleached in appearance, the oak timber is remarkably sound. The central split to the beam is quite natural and would have appeared soon after the work was completed. Erosion of the details and bleaching is to be expected on medieval timbers. Oak can remain untreated quite happily, gently weathering for centuries. Some of the whiteness may be caused by vestiges of a plaster or gesso layer, the relic of some paintwork the carving probably had during its Roman Catholic lifetime which has been washed away, now showing an attempt at some preservation: build-ups around the mortices, visible along the top edge. Though probably intended to limit the ingress of moisture, the filler is absorbing atmospheric humidity and feels noticeably damp.”

Treatment Proposed

A three-stage process is proposed to examine, clean and conserve the beam:
– to explore the accumulations of powdery filler – cost appx £600.
– to consolidate any pieces of wood left delicately exposed, possibly to fit some new timber or apply a consolidant like paraloid B-72 or B-67 – cost is based on 2-3 visits costing appx £900.
whilst oak is fairly happy without protective layers a protective microcrystalline wax layer which is hydrophobic so doesn’t attract dust and salts would be appropriate to preserve the carvings and corners – cost appx £350.

The Civic Society recommends that the conservation work to clean and protect the historic carved beam is undertaken as a key element of refurbishing the premises, and that the Planning Committee require the work to be funded by either the landlord or the tenant.

It is further proposed that the carved beam is given historic status by the dedication of one of the Civic Society’s Black Plaques.

For further details of the restorers: www.andrewandmarkhoskins.co.uk.