Blood boiling corner

[Nemesis]

Here's another listed with uPVC, which maybe in time will have to be replaced with uPVC (sooner rather than later...) as part of the history of the house, but they don't look good:



[Open Image] [Hosted by PhotoGalaxy.com]

IoE Number: 475268
Location: MANOR FARM, 62 HIGH STREET
MEPPERSHALL, MID BEDFORDSHIRE, BEDFORDSHIRE
Photographer: Mr A. Gude
Date Photographed: 03 June 2007
Date listed: 25 June 1999
Date of last amendment: 25 June 1999
Grade II



TL13NW MEPPERSHALL HIGH STREET 346/3/10008 No.62, Manor Farm II House. Mid C17. One bay demolished probably C19. Single bay rear addition, C18. Restored mid C20 and late C20. Timber framing, mainly rebuilt in brick on the ground floor, with roughcast finish renewed C20. Gabled and hipped plain tile roofs. Brick ridge and external side watt stacks. Windows are all late C20 UPVC casements, mainly in original openings. 2 storeys; 3x1 bays. Front has two late C20 doors, that to right in line with the stack, that to left in line with the stairs. 2 windows, 2 and 3 lights. Above, a 4-light window flanked to left by a 3-light and to right by a single light window. Rear wing has a 2-light window on each floor on the street side, and single light windows on the garden side. Left gable has 2-light ground floor window and single light window to roofspace. INTERIOR: Central ground floor room has chamfered spine beam and rebuilt brick principal fireplace, with evidence of a former staircase towards the rear. An original fireplace, back to back with this, survives. Eastern ground floor room has chamfered spine beam, truncated at the west end where the existing C20 staircase is inserted, and exposed studs and joists. Rear ground floor room, C18, has chamfered span beam, exposed joists and lighter studding, some renewed late C20. Brick fireplace rebuilt late C20. First floor has several jowled bay posts with arch braces, some inverted. Two substantial framed cross watts, that adjoining the stairs lacking most lower infill panels. Central room has to west a brick fireplace, probably late C17. Principal rafter roof, exposed throughout, without ridge piece. Single clasp purlins, and long, slender diagonal braces. Rear wing has a similar roof of much lighter material, hipped and with a ridge piece and rudimentary king post. The survival of the majority of the framing and the roof is crucial to the historical importance of this building.

 

[Flyfisher]

I think they do it because they are told that's what they must have according to the regulations.

I think that's the main part of the problem. Unless the property is listed, and most aren't, then most people are guided by the regulations. Plus all the constant media hoo-hah about being green and saving energy, which makes people think it's better to replace their old, cold, single-glazed windows with nice warm energy-saving DG. Plus the fact that it's no longer legal to fit your own windows (without dealing with building control), so people go to a FENSA-registered company and they recommend nice new, clean and shiny, maintenance-free uPVC - which people buy because that's what the experts recommend. And so it goes on.

 

[Nemesis]

This is one which makes my blood boil whenever we pass under:

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/621427

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/163642

Thank you Network Rail, that was a lovely bridge on the Newcastle to Carlisle line until it was 'improved' with blockwork etc .

Really enhances the entrance to Ridley Hall.

We used to have railway architects and engineers who could build things (well ok not the Tay Bridge) which were functional and beautiful.

 

[Nemesis]

And here's another I hate:

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/162227

The placcy windows and doors are the finishing touch for Ridley Bastle (Listed natch).

The previous windows weren't lovely - it's not the best of conversions - but this isn't an enhancement.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

This one makes my blood boil every time I come home....

One day I'll re-lime render the whole lot and cover up the crazy paving extension - and take out the railway sleeper lintels and crap windows. The round window has already gone.

Meanwhile I'm just happy to be taking the 1970s pub-style interior out and uncovering original features.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

Familywiggs, That'll look fantastic when it's re-limed:View attachment 1
Pity about the sensitively locate no entry sign...

 

[biffvernon]

There can't be many houses whose front door leads ino the attic. I wonder if the wall below gets damp?

 

[Ian Bond]

But what a great location, FamilyWiggs!!!

Yep , typical ugly street signage. Just managed to stop them from putting a huge parking restriction sign right in front of my window, to complement the motorway style lighting no doubt.

I think we need to pay Conwy a visit with an angle grinder to sort that No Entry sign out, then reposition it somewhere more appropriate....

 

[Penners]

There can't be many houses whose front door leads ino the attic.

That's the tradesmen's entrance. It's where the local trades have to knock if they want their bills paid.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Thanks all.

Yes, it is a fantastic location, we are very lucky to have both the house and its location. SWMBO and I are 35 and both agree we'll be carried out of here in our boxes.

The wall is a bit damp (2 walls dug directly into hill), but we're working on it. The wall is nowhere near as damp as it was before we ripped out all the polythene tanking and dry-lining plasterboard (with beuautiful artex-effect embossed wallpaper covering!) that covered the entire ground floor, and left it to dry for 4 months... lime plastering starts in a couple of weeks once floors are finished.

I'll try and post some pics of the inside project a bit later, but I have 20sqm of Heather Browns to relay this weekend (fortunately left in situ under the chipboard floor from the 1970's "refit"), so I'd better go and make a start.

PS - Penners - you pay the local tradesmen? Surely you just let them forage the estate grounds for a few pine kernels in return for their goods/labour?? :wink:

 

[Penners]

Penners - you pay the local tradesmen?

Noblesse oblige, old boy. Nobless oblige.