Reinstating Damaged Pargeting (Plaster) on the Old Sun Inn

The historic Old Sun Inn in Saffron Walden, Essex displays some of the best pargeting (external decorative plasterwork) in England but one section has suffered damage and requires renewal.

Pargeting comprises designs either incised or modelled freehand into plasterwork. The damaged section on the Old Sun Inn adorns an overhanging (or jettied) first floor wall and displays a complex stamped pattern with, below, a frieze of incised blind arcading.

Although largely replaced by a past owner some years ago replicating the Victorian pattern, the new work failed, possibly due to being allowed to dry out too quickly. In its weakened state, when the building lay empty and on the market for many years, the plaster has subsequently been attacked by pigeons for grit, which, we are told, aids their digestion.

The unique pargeting is a defining feature of this 14th-century building and the main reason it is listed Grade I, as well as why it is much photographed by local people and tourists alike. We have already invested a considerable amount of our own funds repairing a separate area of the pargeting, for which we were awarded a prestigious Museums + Heritage Award.

The remaining damaged area detracts from the captivating appearance of this landmark property and while in this condition the pargeting is vulnerable to further bird attack.

The condition will also hamper efforts to bring the larger part of the building into use as an events centre, for which Listed Building Consent was granted recently by the district council. The building ceased use as an inn in Victorian times and has since been in commercial and residential use.

The damaged pargeting requires repair by a specialist using traditional lime plaster. Pargeting is included on the Red List of Endangered Crafts and there are only about six highly skilled pargeters now working in the whole of this country. The timing of pargeting work is also critical and it is best undertaken during the warmer months of the year to avoid the risk of frost damage to fresh lime plaster.

A pargeter has completed a detailed inspection of the damaged plasterwork on the Old Sun Inn and is able to carry out work on it this spring/summer. This area is beyond repair and needs renewal to return it to a condition befitting this treasured building and help maximise its potential as an important asset to the town and region.

External sources of funding to support such work are limited. Any donation that you can make to assist us with achieving our goal would be gratefully received and spent wisely.

www.oldsuninn.com