insensitive plastic 'repairs' over a period of years. Internally, the original Georgian decoration had been overpainted several times leading Pevsner to describe of it as being "rather poor in quality". In 1982, the Town Council became the freehold owner, having acquired the property from the District Council. However, like many other property owners, the Town Council was faced with ever-growing problems of maintaining the fabric of such a large building. Facilities were poor and services were inadequate. Funding was clearly going to be insufficient to keep pace with the mounting problems. When the opportunity arose in 1988 for a partnership between public and private enterprise, which would allow the full-scale refurbishment of the Town Hall, the Town Council in concert with the District Council seized the opportunity with enthusiasm. The deal involved the convers10n of the Burtermarket to form new retail units, and creation of new shops on two levels in the unlisted former Market Hall owned by the District Council. In return, the Town Council obtained the necessary finance for the complete reorganisation and updating of its office facilities together with the refurbishment of the Civic Suite including the magnificent Ballroom. Money was also made available for much needed external repairs. Work started in 1988 and was corn pieced in 1990. Quite understandably, the loss of the traditional covered market stalls was not welcomed by many in Newark, but on the other hand it was clear that without private capital the necessary repairs and refurbishment to the Town Hall would be impossible. CONTEXT 40 Facing page: The restoredceiling. The principal greens used have been reproduced as the background colours of the front cover. The mouldings are picked out in a still lighter green while the decoration in the cornersisgilded Top: The mainftontage. Above: Detail of painted and gilded moulding. GEORGIAN PAINT SCHEME Until the conservation works in 1990, the Ballroom had not been decorated since the early 1960s. As well as being an inappropriate and dowdy colour scheme, the paintwork had peeled, and the tattered old velvet curtains and pelmets hid most of the walls. There was damage co decorative plasterwork, the gold paint had tarnished and there was a general air of dilapidation. The Town Council appointed local conservation architects, Guy St John Taylor Associates, to oversee the conservation works and for the HIKST Conservation Materials Ltd. -:wTraditional paints including limewashes, distempers, milk paint; zinc and lead paint. Available in a wide colour range. Production of lime putty, as well as ready mixed mortars, plasters, daubs and grouts. Products supported by technical and practical guidance. Analysis and research services available. Delivery anywhere in Europe. This company is a subsidiary of Hirst Conservation who can provide a team of specialists to apply the materials giving a single source or responsibility. Laughton, Sleaford, Lines. NG34 0HE Telephone: 05297 517 Fax: 05297 518 II II HOWELL & BELLION Church Interior Decoration Conservation and recreation of historic decorative schemes. Interior and exterior polychromy, handpainted decoration, heraldry, stencilling and gilding. Initial consultation and estimates free. Send for our full colour leaflet. 20 SUMMERHILLROAD, SAFFRON WALDEN. ESSEX CBI I 4AJ. Telephone: 0799 522402 ■ ■ POTMOLEN PAINT, 27 Woodcock Industrial Estate, WARMINSTER, Wiltshire BAl2 9DX, England. Telephone: Warminster (0985) 213960 Telefax: 0985 213931 15
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