The Restoration of the

Folly

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During the Chiltern Shakespeare Company’s near 20 year residency at Hall Barn the beautifully-sculpted tall yew hedge and the small Gothic Temple it embraces have come to symbolise our productions. The ‘Folly’ as we happily describe it, which is the focal point for our dramas, has a tale all of its own.

Originally built circa 1740 it is now a listed Grade II building. After standing serenely within its protective hedgerow for nearly 250 years it was badly damaged by a falling tree in the 1987 storms and complete refurbishment was called for. Richard Ross, an Oxford architect prepared a full report on the building and a detailed specification of works. Various materials from the building were sent away for analysis to determine their composition and ensure that true replacements were used. It was not until July 2003 that the work could finally start with the help of a grant from English Heritage. The yew hedge was pruned back to allow scaffolding to be erected around the building. After removal of the parapet the left hand arch (when viewed from the front) was discovered to be completely unstable – it moved when pushed! – and had to be taken down. The arch was measured, a ‘former’ was constructed to the shape of the original profile, and it was re-built using lime-mortar and old bricks, but this time tied in at the corners to ensure stability.The design of the roof internally was a matter for some speculation. There had never been any photographs taken of the inside of the building so the combined memories of the family were sought to piece together what might have been.

A result was determined and plans drawn up for some serious joinery work culminating in a substantial oak boss in the apex of the roof. This was constructed off site, transported to the estate and lifted into position. To everyone’s relief the complicated hexagonal shape fitted perfectly. Meanwhile, more research had been made into the clay floor tiles or paviers. These had settled badly following their exposure to the elements and of the original 200 only 140 were re-useable. The rest had to be made specially. Although a specialist firm was used for this task it proved far from simple. The original tiles were very thick and in the first batch only 49 of the 80 fired came out in one piece. Asecond firing was more successful. The covering of the roof is made from Westmoreland slate with the layers at the bottom being wider than those at the top, unlike that of a regular roof where the slates are all the same size. This required the slates to be individually cut and layered into place. The top was surmounted by an oak ball covered in lead-work, which also covered the spines of the hexagonal roof. Finally, the interior was completed with the addition of a replacement Carrara marble table-top on its Greek winged-effigy stone bearer. A small rectangle was intentionally left out of the rear wall render where the remnants of a wall plaque remain, and to finish it off, two new benches were made by Charlie Irvine on the estate to the same pattern as the pair destroyed in the storm. The last decision to be made was whether to lime-wash the building or not, and it was decided that the natural finish was better. The work was finally finished early in 2004 in good time for the arrival of the Merry Wives of Windsor!

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