The Friends of Oakworth (Holden) Park

 Mosaics - main page
Mosaic restoration work in the park
New mosaics by the children from Oakworth Primary School
New mosaic panel

 

The Friends of Oakworth (Holden) Park Logo

 Work will commence on 31st October 2006 to restore the original mosaics on the floor of the grotto entrances.

The schoolchildren start the new mosaic design work on 3rd November 2006



An application was made in early 2006 for a Local Heritage Initiative grant to restore the mosaics in the grotto entrances. This was successful, and part of the grant will involve Oakworth Primary School, where the children will design and create a new mosaic panel with a local artist, Frances Taylor. This panel is planned to be installed on the wall under the raised walkway by the playground in the park

The Mosaic Restoration Company are to carry out the restoration of the floor panels and to give a talk in the school on completion of the work
The craftsmen who will be carrying out the work are Gary Bricknell, Sam Blackman and Steve Farndale.

The mosaic floor panels (Click to enlarge in a new window) (59553 bytes)

The mosaic floor panels (Click to enlarge in a new window) (49663 bytes)

The cleaned mosaic floor panels in the entrances to the grottoes (Day one)

The Park Ranger arrives to assist with getting access to an electrical supply (Click to enlarge in a new window) (43763 bytes)

The Mosaic Restoration Company van (Click to enlarge in a new window) (57977 bytes)

The Park Ranger arrives to assist with getting access to an electrical supply

The Mosaic Restoration Company van

The contractors inspecting the mosaics before starting work (Click to enlarge in a new window) (46228 bytes)

Setting up the cleaning equipment (Click to enlarge in a new window) (73571 bytes)

The contractors inspecting the mosaics before starting work

Setting up the cleaning equipment

Starting the cleaning of the mosaics (Click to enlarge in a new window) (100609 bytes)

Starting the cleaning of the mosaics (Click to enlarge in a new window) (44677 bytes)

Starting the cleaning of the mosaics Day 1)

A section of the cleaned mosaic floor, showing the range of beautiful colours (Click to enlarge in a new window) (70136 bytes)

Information boards to explain the project to visitors (Click to enlarge in a new window) (51747 bytes)

A section of the cleaned mosaic floor, showing the range of beautiful colours

Information boards to explain the project to visitors

Repair to the substrate, to stop water ingress under the mosaic (Click to enlarge in a new window) (59867 bytes)

Repair to the substrate, to stop water ingress under the mosaic (Click to enlarge in a new window) (58686 bytes)

Repair carried out to the substrate, to stop water ingress under the mosaic. This water action was causing frost heave, where water under the mosaic freezes and lifts the panel up, loosening it in the process, eventually the panels would have completely disintegrated at this point.
These repairs have now stabilised the end of the panels ready for insertion of the new tesserae panels. (Day 2)

Removing of damaged tesserae and old substrate mortar (Click to enlarge in a new window) (59215 bytes)

Removing of damaged tesserae and old substrate mortar (Click to enlarge in a new window) (49067 bytes)

Removing of damaged tesserae and old substrate mortar, ready for insertion of new tesserae to match the original pattern. The workmen carefully remove the old mortar with a hammer and chisel, down to a clean surface, then fix the new tesserae in place. This will be grouted, cleaned and polished so that the new mosiac matches the original perfectly. (Day 2)

New tesserae, ready for use in the new end panel (Click to enlarge in a new window) (53133 bytes)

Tesserae being assembled using the indirect method (Click to enlarge in a new window) (54284 bytes)

New tesserae, ready for use in the new end panel. These are called Rosso Verona, which is the colour of the side border. The workmen will be using a combination of reclaimed and new tesserae in this project

Tesserae being assembled using the indirect method, where they are stuck, upside down, to a sheet of paper before being grouted as a whole panel, then turned over and inserted alongside the existing panel. (Day 2)

A class from Oakworth Primary School visiting the mosaic restoration in the park (Click to enlarge in a new window) (60008 bytes)

A class from Oakworth Primary School visiting the mosaic restoration in the park (Day 3). Several classes have been for a look this week.

Gary trimming tessera for finishing touches to the new panels (Click to enlarge in a new window) (57472 bytes)

Gary wetting the new mosaic panel prior to grinding it level with the existing mosaic (Click to enlarge in a new window) (52834 bytes)

Gary trimming tesserae for finishing touches to the new panels (Day 3)

Gary wetting the new mosaic panel prior to grinding it level with the existing mosaic (Day 4)

The grouted mosaics - ready for the final polish and clean (Click to enlarge in a new window) (52163 bytes)

Sam polishing the grout from the surface ready for the final clean (Click to enlarge in a new window) (52794 bytes)

The grouted mosaics - ready for the final polish and clean

Sam polishing the grout from the surface ready for the final clean

Gary washing off the mosaic to reveal the finished surface (Click to enlarge in a new window) (50530 bytes)

Close up of the finished mosaic (Click to enlarge in a new window) (52701 bytes)

Gary washing off the mosaic to reveal the finished surface

Close up of the finished mosaic

 

If you have any questions or comments, please email the site webmaster Andy Wade