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Dirleton
Condition level:
Good
Fair
Poor
Very bad
Lost/Missing/Temporary
Survey reason:
Personal visit
School visit
Custodian annual maintenance visit
War Memorials Trust staff- site visit
War Memorials Trust staff- casework
War Memorials Trust staff- desk assessment
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Contributor - desk assessment
Comments:
Condition and Works Report 30 Oct 2020 A ground level survey of the monument was carried out by a competent stonemason. A considerable number of gaps and voids were visible in the base joints. Some re-pointing had been done in the past, possibly in the 50’s or 60’s, but inappropriate hard cement mortar had been used. This repair work was carried out mainly to the horizontal joints, and in some cases this has caused minor damage to the stone above it. Much of this cement mortar has also failed. A large amount of organic material has also built up behind this mortar. An analysis of what was left of the original lime mortar indicated that the original mortar was made up of a very fine aggregate which had been mixed with a high proportion of oil. While this was appropriate for the fine ashlar work of the trunk of the memorial, it was less so for the joints of the base, which have not weathered so well. All the loose and inappropriate material was carefully removed and replaced with well packed, gauged lime mortar. Masons Mortar ready mixed fine ashlar material was used for the tight joints on the trunk, mixed with a small proportion of boiled linseed oil. For the base stones, Kings HH60 fine sand was used, mixed with 5 parts to 2 of Hansen hydraulic lime NHL 3.5. A ¼ part of mature lime putty was added to the mix as a plasticiser. Future Work During the mortar joint repair works the stonemason also checked the stone cross on the top of the monument. He reports that some remedial work will be required to the cross fixing at some point in the future. It was tested by pushing from all sides. It is completely stable at present and is in a safe condition. However, there are cracks in the octagonal stone which forms the top of the column into which the cross is fixed, and gaps in the joint between the cross and the top stone were also present. The top stone is in poor condition. The likely cause of this is expansion from the corrosion of a steel or iron dowel holding the cross. The voids and cracks to the top of the top stone were repaired with mortar in order to stop water penetration and to slow down further deterioration. At some point in the future however, the cross will need to be lifted off and the ferrous dowel removed; a new stone collar will need to be made and fitted, and the cross will need to be re-fixed using a stainless steel dowel. The stonemason recommends that, until such time as this work to the cross is carried out, the top of the monument should be inspected at least every 3 years.
Survey date:
Is the memorial accessible to the public?
Yes - always
Yes - restricted times
Yes - by appointment
No
Unknown
Has the memorial been subject to any accidental or malicious damage in the last five years?
Yes
No
Unknown
Do you think the site is at significant risk of accidental or malicious damage in the next 2 years?
Yes
No
Unknown
Are there any known planning applications or issues related to this memorial?
None
Current planning application
Previous planning application
Unknown