‘Stave off Decay through Daily Care’ – William Morris

With these wise and resonant words (part of the Manifesto for SPAB), I will, for the purposes of this project mark a distinction between the Conservation of Monsalvat, being its functional and rational re-usage; and its Repair, which will be my response to the Status Quo (as opposed to the Status Quo Ante of renovation) of the building - mending and refurbishing where required and replacing only when absolutely necessary those elements which have fallen into a dangerous state or are so extremely degraded as to be irreparable. Writing in Building and Prospects in 1948, John Piper referred to the quality which he described as ‘pleasing decay’

and made a plea for the preservation of the patina of ancient fabric : ‘Once we get finally beyond our conventional reaction against the nineteenth century’s enthusiasms and our distaste for the bad art that pleasing decay has nourished, we may be able to become ourselves again.’ While allowing that there were no universally sensible policies in dealing with old buildings he went on to describe ‘some warning echoes’ as follows –

i Perform the act with sensibility

ii Ignore fashion and rely on the eyes

iii Regards the present state of the building as possibly virtuous in itself

The first and most extensive repair to be undertaken will be that of the Sacristy (Vestry).

Current state of the Sacristy

Repair of the Gothic windows will involve the installation of hand-made diamond leaded-lights (see also People in the Project)