8 C O N T E X T 1 0 1 : S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 7 The latest issue of TheVictorian (No 25, July 2007) explains the arguments put forward by the amenity societies and English Heritage at the public inquiry into the demolition. At the time of writing, the outcome has not been determined. Another past campaign relating to the retention of swimming pools and lidos is also brought up to date. In the May Periodically… column, readers’ attention was drawn to an initial article in Natural Stone Specialist by architectural conservator Chris Daniels about whether colour mattered for lime mortar repairs in stone conservation. This has now been followed by another thought-provoking item (June 2007) on stone cleaning. The article suggests that in many cases it might be better not to clean stones. As before, Daniels’ advice is clear and succinct. Needless to say, examples are cited of advice given by non-conservation specialists with potentially disastrous and destructive results. Daniels concludes that buildings will always get dirty, and where this is detrimental to the wellbeing of the building or detracts from the aesthetic statement it makes (or should make), it may be appropriate to clean the building. However, this should only be carried out when everything is known regarding the fabric, the material that needs to RESTORATION BUI LD ING · CONS ERVATION I NSTITUTE · OF · HI STORIC · Institute of Historic Building Conservation – South East Branch 10th Anniversary Event 20th October 2007 – Cobham Hall Park, Cobham, Kent – 9.30 to 4.30 Restoration of the Repton Park and Darnley Mausoleum (BBC’s Restoration programme 2004) £50 IHBC members – £55 Non members To book please email Ollie Chapman ollie.chapman@canterbury.gov.uk, or send cheque payable to IHBC South East to IHBC at the Conservation Section, Canterbury City Council, Military Road, Canterbury CT1 1YW. be cleaned (he illustrates one example of a misdiagnosed sandstone cross in a predominantly limestone area), the techniques to be used, and the effects all these variables will produce. Bob Kindred MBE
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