Conservation Management Plan - Tamworth Borough Council

2.3.13 Collation of information on earlier repairs
Information on the more recent phases of repair work (1950s-1980s) is filed within the Holloway Lodge. There may
be other earlier records of repair and adaptation elsewhere in other archives. There has been little formal analysis
or recording of the historic building associated with repair or conversion works (apart from the detailed analyses
of paint finishes carried out by Ian Bristow in 1986). As a result, understanding of the development of the castle is
incomplete. It would be of great value in developing a basis for future building analysis and the planning of future
repairs and studies if all records relating to repairs and conservation be collated, indexed and maintained as part of
the castle collection.
Policies that relate to these issues:
B3; D1; D2
2.3.14 Past approaches to conservation
Inevitably in a building which has seen repairs and conversion going back over 200 years, there are considerable
variations in approaches and techniques employed, especially for pointing, repair and replacement of stone/
brickwork, timber repairs or replacement and the treatment of smaller wooden elements such as doors, doorways,
windows and panelling. In some cases these variations will be of archaeological interest as a record of changing
technique, but they have led to a very variable and patchy appearance, which is in conflict with the presentation
of historically accurate interiors and can be visually intrusive. In some places modern materials have been used (eg
cream emulsion on the walls of the dining room/gilt leather room) which conflict with the character of the historic
places. The return of these elements to a more consistent and historically accurate appearance is desirable.
Policies that relate to these issues:
B1; B4; G2
2.3.15 Consistent approach to future repairs
It is desirable that a coherent approach is adopted to every type of work or scale of work, that consistent advice
and control are available for all categories, and that an explicit philosophy of conservation is defined, agreed and
implemented.
Policies that relate to these issues:
B1; B4
2.3.16 Restoration issues and principles
Restoration works are those that are intended to reveal or recover something of significance that has been eroded,
obscured or previously removed (eg the Jacobean Doorway into the south range; medieval gatehouse and
associated lodging range; or the backfilled ditch around the motte). In some cases, restoration can thus be said to
enhance significance. However, additions and changes in response to the changing needs of the various occupants
and owners over time (for example the covered glass walkway and domestic apartments of the Cookes) are also
part of the castle’s significance and this needs to be taken into account when deciding to remove later additions/
alterations.
Previous repairs and alterations may be historically important and may provide useful information about the
structure of the buildings within the castle, as will the recording of any features revealed by the work. New work
can be distinguished by discreet dating or other subtle means. Overt methods of distinction such as tooling of
stonework, setting back a new face from an old, or other similar techniques are unlikely to be sympathetic or
appropriate.
Restoration of parts of the castle would require its alteration and would need scheduled monument consent
and probably also listed building consent (although these consents will be combined under the new historic
environment legislation).
The practicality of restoration in the event of catastrophic damage (eg from fire , bomb damage or flood to
Holloway Lodge) would be established by an assessment of the surviving significance. Where the significance
72 Part 2 www.marionblockley.co.uk Tamworth Castle Conservation Management Plan