1984/5
Structural timber, no matter how well it is cared for, has a finite life. It eventually rots.
In 1984, as Pam was settling in to her new role, she began to discover major problems with the structure of Ford Green Hall. Weather and atmospheric pollution (something which Stoke-on-Trent suffered badly) had taken its toll and several structural timber parts of the building were in urgent need of renovation.
Much of the problems seem to have been caused through neglect. For example some of the external walls had huge gaps between the rotting timbers and the wattle and daub panelling. Weather was getting into the building. It was time for action.
Pam spent much time trying to persuade city council officers that action was immediately necessary. Although she wanted to have the repairs made with conservation grade techniques it was not possible to persuade them to do this.
Repairs did eventually proceed. Rotten wood was removed, woodworm was treated but the replacement timber was not with oak, but with resin. Essentially this is plastic - a polymer consisting of a resin and a hardener combination, mixed on site and trowelled into position and shaped to replace the missing wood. Unfortunately this looked really ugly and so, was scored and painted black to camouflage it and make it 'blend in'.
Other repairs were made to the Hall Chamber floor. Woodworm was treated and some floor boards replaced. Sadly, these were not installed in the original way but simply screwed into position and the 'posidrive' screw heads covered with wooden dowel plugs. You can still spot them (2024).
1986
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| Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection |
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| Photo: Terry Woolliscroft Collection |