18 Terracotta tile turn of the century display a veritable kaleidoscope of colourful tiles but precisely where they are, why they are there and where the tiles came from is a mystery. The survey, which has just been launched, demonstrates magnificent co-operation between Nantwich Museum and its volunteers (providing a headquarters, and some manpower), Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council (providing technical assistance such as maps and access to deposited plans), Keele University, (running a research class in conjunction with the project) and TACS (providing expertise in tile identification). The project is generating local media interest and seems to be welcomed in the community revealing a sense of pride amongst many tiled porch owners. It is hoped that all parties and individuals involved will benefit. The rising cash value of tiles, particularly tile panels, is posing problems through the theft of tiles from buildings. Most at risk seem to be hospitals, pubs and former butchers' shops and fishmongers, especially if 'Daffy Down Dilly' - a hospital tile panel lost by theft. they are left unoccupied. A recent loss has been six nursery rhyme tile panels stolen from the Buchanan Hospital, StLeonards-on-Sea, near Hastings. The panels were handpainted by one of Doulton's best artists, Margaret Thompson, and a £3,000 reward is being offered by the local NHS Trust for their return (or information leading to this). TACS is pleased to use its quarterly' Newsletter as a medium for informing private collectors, tile dealers, architectural salvage companies and appropriate museums of tiles illegally removed from buildings and which might be offered to them. The removal of tiles from both walls and floors to ensure their reuse is both difficult and costly. The early 1980s saw the advent of diamond-tipped circular saws with blades sufficiently thin to cut between the joints of tiling. MSC-funded projects at the Ironbridge Gorge Museum helped to launch companies such as Heritage Tile Conservation which specialises in the removal and reinstatement of tiles. The technique is heavily dependent on skilled labour and is expensive, but has resulted in whole hospital wards of tiled picture panels being saved and reused, usually in new hospital buildings. Owners or managers of tiled buildings often start out on redevelopment hoping to realise the cash value of their ceramic assets. However, they rarely appreciate the costs involved, not only in careful HeritageTileConservationLtd Unit 1, Stretton Road Industrial Estate, Much Wenlock, Shropshire. TF13 6AS Phone & Fax: (O1952) 728157 Specialist cleaning, removal and restoration of ceramic tiling, faience and mosaic. LICHFIELD CATHEDRAL - Detail from restored Minton tiled interior of 13ishop Selwyn·;; tomb. Recent commissions include: • SHEFFIELD UNIVERSITY, TURNER MUSEUM: Restoration & mounting of glass mosaic (2m x 1.5m). • BIRMINGHAM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY: Lifting of Mosaic by Boris Anrep for relocation (3.88m x 3.3m) & renovation of underlying original decorative mosaic pavement. • LONDON TRANSPORT MUSEUM: Restoration of faience ticket kiosks by Maw & Co. • PADDINGTON GREEN CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL: Removal, restoration & mounting 15 pictorial tiled panels by Craven Dunnill (circa 1911) CONTEXT 52
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