Conservation works to begin on former cathedral porch

Monday, 3 February 2025 06:00

Conservation work is due to begin in February 2025 to preserve the historic porch in Bourne Hill Gardens, which was originally part of Salisbury Cathedral.

Salisbury City Council is working with D&N Maintenance and Albion Stone Masons to carry out the £21,000 works.

The project will include removing rusting iron cramps, reinstating any necessary structural ties using stainless steel fixings, removing unsuitable previous hard cementitious repairs and replacing it with lime mortar, restoring damaged stone surfaces and removing embedded roots.

Known locally as the 'Devils Arch', it sits at the top of the hill in the 'Council Grounds' with many who locals remember it fondly from their childhood as a place they once played.

Cllr Paul Sample said, “In recent years, this porch has fallen into disrepair. It can be found in the southeast corner of Bourne Hill Gardens. The porch dates back to the 15^th century. It was taken from Salisbury Cathedral and re-erected in the garden by the owner of Bourne Hill, Henry Wyndham, in 1791.”

Recent assessments revealed that three embedded circumferential bands of rusting iron cramps have expanded over time, causing the stone faces to crack and break.

Some of these damaged areas had previously been repaired with hard mortar. A detaching fragment of stone was recently removed, revealing the extent of deterioration around the rusting metal fixings.

At the spire's base, where it intersects with the square main structure, a hard cementitious mortar haunch was previously installed to divert water away and towards designated drainage outlets at the corners.

However, the haunch, which sits behind a perimeter projecting string course, has suffered from significant root penetration over time.

Approximately 60% of the string course has been lifted and displaced by root growth, causing further disruption to the perimeter stones. This displacement allows water to seep in, encourages the propagation of seeds and contributes to the ongoing deterioration of the upper structure.

These factors have underscored the necessity of the restoration works to preserve this historic structure.