Roost neversleeps
An especially fine and rare Shropshire dovecote dating from the Cromwellian period has recently been repaired by Donald Insall Associates and its partners. Conservation architect Sarah Butler reports
I
n themedieval period and through to the 17th century, dovecotes played an important part in the economy of country estates. Along with fishponds, deer parks and rabbit warrens, they provided a reliable source of food; and their by-productswere highly prized as fertiliser and as a key component of gunpowder. The importance of dovecotes to manorial life was
often reflected in their sophisticated architectural design,which led to their becoming status symbols that reflected the wealth of a country estate. Hodnet’s dovecote is located on raised ground and
forms a focal point in the deer park of the Heber-Percy family’s historic estate near Market Drayton, Shropshire. Its size and the articulation of its simple traditional form express the symbolic importance attached to its construction. Richly embellished with stone dressings and patterned brick recesses picked out inwhite render, the principal north elevation is enhancedwith three decorative arches. The central arch has rich terracotta relief and the inscription “TM 1656 IM”,whilst another recess has the “lion rampant” from the Vernon coat of arms. The north door, typically Tudor, is a plank door with iron strap hinges. By themid-19th century, the dovecote had been
adapted to serve as a cow byre. A large, segmental- headed opening had been formed in the south elevation, originally fitted with a door; and the north door had been bricked up. A loft floor was introduced, with the nest boxes retained in the upper level, whilst
the lower nest boxes at ground level were infilled. It is likely that the brick floor may have been introduced at this time, as the arrangement of drainage channels falls towards the south door. Its designation as a scheduled monument and
grade II* listing indicates the importance of this building. It is a classic example of a mid-17th century symbol of high social status and of the specialised structural formof this building type. A pencil sketch by Stanley Leighton, dated 1863,
shows the north-east viewof the dovecote with larger sketch details of the central arch and “lion rampant”. Despite the 1850s changes, the use of the building by
animal stock, and subsequent 1950s repairs, the dovecote survives remarkably well, with its design intent intact and architectural features clearly evident, although weathered. Donald Insall Associates acted as lead consultants
for the repair and renovation of the building, assisted by structural engineers Frank Haywood Associates, NJL Consultant Ecologists and John Pidgeon Partnership as CDM co-ordinator. The principalworks were funded by Natural England, and EnglishHeritage was closely involved in the consultation process because of the building’s Scheduled Monument status. A local conservation contractor, IJ Preece, carried out theworks. Our conservation objectives and approachwere to
preserve and repair those elements of the fabric and fittings that are of historic significance; ensure conservation works were specified and undertaken in accordance with best practice, using traditional materials and methods appropriate to the relevant historic period of construction; remove recent interventions which were having a negative impact on the heritage values of the site; bring the building back into a sound condition to ensure longevity in survival; and to take care that proposals to adapt or alter details protected the heritage fabric. Repairs were categorised as essential, necessary, or
The south doorway, brick floor and blocked nesting boxes of the cow byre portion Hodnet Dovecote, after conservation
desirable. Essential repairs were related to structure, excessive weathering and health and safety issues. Structurally, the principal concernswere the
Cornerstone, Vol 32, No 3 2011 41
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