Historic Churches 2021

22 BCD SPECIAL REPORT ON HISTORIC CHURCHES 28 TH ANNUAL EDITION abrasive paste under the moving parts. Locks may also be damaged as the door drops. This occurs gradually as the repeated rotation of the heavy strap hinges on their iron pins wears away the metal until the door no longer aligns correctly. As well as wearing out the hinges, the drop can cause permanent damage to the floor as the door grinds dirt across it, and any misalignment can put pressure on both the lock and the bolts, making them stiff to lock and unlock. Repairing the hinges can be as simple as introducing a suitable bespoke washer between the pin and the hinge to lift the door up, but it may be necessary to make new parts if they are severely worn. The type of repair will also depend on the material of the hinges. For example, new sections may be welded onto wrought iron or steel hinges, but cast iron is far more difficult to repair. SECURITY IMPROVEMENTS If security is an issue and a secondary lock is required, then care and a sympathetic vision is necessary. If the church is listed, permission (or a faculty) may be granted for installing a discreet secondary lock if the original can remain on the door and in use, and provided any alteration of the door and its surrounding doorway can be justified. The new lock could be a modern insurance-rated mortise lock or even an electronic lock, but it must be finished sympathetically, and any alterations to historic fabric required should be kept to the minimum. If the external door opens out rather than into the room then hinge bolts may be a good option to improve security, especially if the existing hinge knuckles can be seen from the outside. Where a door is of particular significance due to its age or the integrity of its original design, any alteration may be difficult to justify, and the introduction of a secondary lock may not be possible. One alternative might be the installation of a safe inside, perhaps alongside other improvements to the security of an inside room or cupboard. THE BROOKWOOD CEMETERY LOCK Most conservation work involves simple regular maintenance and occasional repairs, but occasionally a much greater degree of intervention is required. In this example from Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey, the remains of an original lock were discovered in the undergrowth. It belonged to a Grade I listed Victorian gothic chapel dating from 1851 which was then being repaired, and MBL was asked to see if the lock could also be restored. As the illustration above shows, the original timber couldn’t be salvaged, but the original gothic straps and one corner plate had survived, together with the internal metalwork which was severely rusty and damaged. Sufficient fabric had survived for us to establish the original form of the lock exactly, enabling it to be fully repaired and accurately restored. The work included making an entirely new wooden block and metal corner backet using materials to match the originals. The original metal components were carefully cleaned to remove the rust and then painted with a modern paint system to protect them from further corrosion. The only item that was missing was the key, which had to be made based on the available information. While the form of the bit and gauge was dictated by the warding of the lock itself, the form of the bow and shaft was more speculative. The case illustrates what can be achieved by specialist locksmiths when necessary, but thankfully most historic locks we see at MBL are in far better shape than this. JESSICA BURR specialises in the survey and conservation of architectural ironmongery and has worked for Mid Beds Locksmiths (see www.mblai.co.uk) for over 10 years. Above: The original lock salvaged from Brookwood Cemetery Below: The restored lock with a new timber block and a new ornate corner plate, closely matching the original designs, and two new keys HEALTHY LOCKS CHECKLIST DO DON’T If you need to oil a lock, use a light oil such as 3 in 1 or WD40 If you experience difficulties locking call a specialist locksmith Keep the threshold clear of debris and stones Make sure the keys are not worn or damaged Regularly check the hinges for any wear or damage Use force to turn a key if you are having problems test it with the door open; if the key turns easily the door may not be properly aligned, perhaps due to debris or wear on the hinges Use heavy oils or graphite paste which may trap dirt Drop heavy iron keys they are more fragile than they look