In September and October 2018 Chroma Conservation carried out works to the chancel screen, pulpit and tablet memorials in the chancel, and north and south aisles of the nave.
Chancel Screen and Pulpit
The screen and pulpit were first cleaned. Following thorough removal of surface dust a reviver was used to clean the surface of the wood. Several applications were needed in some areas of severe soiling; the cleaning fluid was then thoroughly removed with clean cotton wool cloths. Following the above a coat of liquid beeswax in pure turpentine was applied by spray whilst masking adjacent masonry if required and allowed to dry overnight. Subsequently it was buffed to a shine with lint free cotton cloths.
The top of the screen including the polychrome crucifixion was found to be highly soiled with surface dust. The crucifixion figures were cleaned following trials. It was noted that the application of paint to the timber had originally been dilute, and rather than sitting on the surface of the substrate it had become imbibed within the timber. This had contributed to the discolouration of the pieces over time due to the paint becoming transparent and subsequently the visual uplift as a result of cleaning was at best moderate. To counter this, some reversible acrylic washes were applied locally to the worst areas of discoloration. The loin cloth of Christ was particularly discoloured.
Tablet memorials
The seven memorials from the nave and chancel identified for treatment were Robert Nicholls d.1826; Augustus Plincke Esq d.1810 from the north and south aisles of the nave respectively, and Henry Williams Clerk d1834; William Augustus Johnson Esq d.1863; Revd. Robert Augustus Johnson d.1799; Revd. Woolsey Johnson Clerk d.1756 and William Dalrymple d.1945 from the north wall of the chancel.