Heritage Library Shares Update on Major Roof Replacement

WORKS ON A major project to replace the Grade II roofs of Kettering Library and Alfred East Gallery, collectively known as Cornerstone, have taken a step forward.

Built in the Early Renaissance style over 120 years ago with rich sandstone bricks, stone Ketton windows, and a roof made of Collyweston slate, the library is one of Kettering’s most historic buildings.

Local contractors, Messenger, are overseeing the landmark roof replacement which will use a mixture of new and reclaimed Collyweston slates.

However, before this can begin, there is one vital component that needs to be in place: scaffolding… and lots of it!

Major Roof Replacement

Apex Scaffolding Ltd from Northampton, a firm experienced in providing scaffolding for heritage sites, began work at Cornerstone towards the rear of the library in April, before later moving on to envelope the entire building.

By June, another element of scaffolding was needed. Sheep Street, home to the historic library and art gallery, had to be closed to traffic while a temporary roof structure – a tent covering – was built on the ground piece by piece. Numbering 18 individual sections, these were lifted into place by a crane from Kettering’s County Lifting Services and attached to the existing scaffolding by the team from Apex.

The temporary roof allowed work on the roof replacement to continue without being at the mercy of the Great British weather, whilst providing ‘optimum conditions’ for the installation of Collyweston slates, enabling work to proceed throughout winter while still allowing daylight through.

So far, the mammoth scaffolding installation has consisted of:

• 15.3 miles of scaffold tubes
• 15,150 feet of scaffold boards
• 14,300 fittings to hold it all together
• And 31 tonnes of kentledge (weights) to hold it all down

Now the tent and scaffolding has been installed on the library section of the building, the old slates are starting to be removed alongside the installation of scaffolding on the Alfred East Art Gallery side of the building.

Cllr Greg Wilcox, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive Member for Communities, said: “Anyone who has been in Kettering recently will see the tremendous progress that is being made on site and the large tent that has been installed over the building.

“Now the scaffolding and tent is up on site, work is starting under the tent on removing the old slates and the project continues to move forward at pace.

“Although work is taking place on site, the library continues to be open in the upper floor of the modern extension offering a full range of services and group activities.”

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