The Big MEND project at Wightwick Manor

July 2025

Drawing to a close

Lots of projects are now drawing to a close; the work on the rood retiling is almost complete, scaffolding is removed from the barley twist chimneys and lime platsering work is nearing completion.

June 2025

The 'Big MEND' Open Day!

On Saturday 7 June 2025, an open day was held for our visitors. Chris from Messenger gave lime plastering demonstrations, and the rest of the talented team gave insights into the intricate skills behind MEND - from specialist joinery to leadwork. Our young visitors had a special area to practice working with (foam) bricks and our new MEND spotting trail was launched.

Tim our architect, and Rachael our project manager, gave talks alongside our wonderful volunteer project ambassadors to more than 60 people over the (rainy!) afternoon.

We were also able to raise over £1000 in donations which went towards further building conservation projects.

May 2025

Chimney repairs

In May, work began on removing plants and repointing our barley twist chimneys. Our Head Gardener was able to identify that one of the unwanted leafy growths was actaully a Laburnum growing at the base of one of the chimneys!

April 2025

Intricate wood carvings

Is it a wolf… or could it be a fox?

Among the many beautiful carvings that adorn Wightwick Manor’s exterior, one in particular has caught the eye of the Messenger team.

Some have wondered whether it might be a wolf, possibly a subtle nod to the local football team, Wolverhampton Wanderers, founded just ten years before Wightwick was built. Could there be a connection? Or is it simply a decorative feature in the Arts and Crafts style?

March 2025

Phase 3 Begins

In March 2025, the Messenger team oversaw the scaffolding installation on the East wing of the Manor. Geoff from Messenger starting work on the brickwork above the Billiard Room door. Render was removed from other areas and inspections started on the brickwork behind.

September 2024

Vision Blinds

As part of the ongoing conservation and preservation to the Great Parlour, the team want to keep the newly conserved stained glass visible, but whilst also maintaining the low UV light levels, which would otherwise damage the collection. We have had 'vision blinds' installed in front of the windows, so that their magnificence can be seen, but whilst also stopping harmful light rays coming through. “Once we can manage the light levels, we’ll really be able to see the windows in their full glory.” - Helen Bratt-Wyton, Senior Collections and House Manager

August 2024

Upper Hall Repairs

Work can now begin on the lower sections on the house that could not be reached before. Here you can really see how the wood and the brick has deteriorated on the exterior of the Upper Hall. If you look up a little higher, you will see that the new finial is looking splendid above the Great Parlour windows.

July 2024

Reinstallation

Glass conservator, Jim Budd has reinstalled the stained glass windows and with these rare few days of summer sun, they really are looking beautiful.

The Collections and House team have been cleaning the Great Parlour and also giving the floor a much needed wax.

May 2024

Stained glass windows

Jim Budd and his team are continuing to make repairs to the Great Parlour’s stained-glass windows (with two on display).

Scholars from SPAB (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) – an esteemed national conservation organisation founded by William Morris, were on site at the end of May to look around the project and rest of the site.

Tim Ratcliffe, project architect also led two public ground tours around the project site, with much interest around future visits.

April 2024

Beginning Phase 2

Jim Budd and his team have been on site over the last couple of weeks to begin exciting repair works the Great Parlour stained glass windows and window frames.

The Messenger team finished the protection in the Billiard Room and Great Parlour in mid-April.

Scaffolding has since been erected in the bay and all the associated protection installed (including protection of the wallpaper and protection for any movement of the plaster ceiling) and the partition with works access door. 

January 2024

Next Steps

We are now busy preparing for Phase 2, which we aim to start in April, working around the Easter Holidays. Phase 2 will see repairs to the stained glass windows in the Great Parlour, which will bring some interesting challenges. We plan to close some areas of the Manor whilst we remove collection items and install protection and scaffold, otherwise everything will remain as normal (and open) whilst the project continues. 

December 2023

A much needed facelift for the Manor

As part of The Big MEND project continuing here at Wightwick, we’re pleased to say that works on the first phase of the project are now complete.
The scaffolding has been taken down, and you can now see the building looking much happier. The painted infill panels along with new and decorated rainwater goods make the building much smarter. The chosen paint colour matches well with that existing and as such it is actually quite difficult to see the difference between old and new unless you look very closely. 
 

November 2023

Completing work

Towards the end of November, the scaffolding was removed from the chimneys, and work concentrated on a section of re-roofing.

Outside the Billiard Room, works to chimneys, carpentry repairs and render panel repair works are completed. Render panels on the Drawing room have also been completed.

Replacement of the guttering and rainwater goods were finished; these were decorated off-site and then brought to their new home at Wightwick for the new cast iron guttering to be fitted.

Also during November, the project team, including Architect Tim Ratcliffe, took building surveyor students from the University of Wolverhampton on a scaffolding tour.

October 2023

Working on render panels

This stage of the project involves working on render panels and the brickwork behind them around various parts of the Manor.

Focusing on the Drawing Room, Library and Billiard Room as part of Phase 1 of the project, failing render panels (due to previous repairs or damage from water penetration) have been identified and investigated. Specialist plasterers Chris, Jeff, and Paul have removed panels which have required replacement, assessed and repaired the brickwork behind where necessary, and finally, applying new lime plaster to the panels. Such panels will now be decorated to compliment the rest of the building.

September 2023

Drainage and tiles

In September a lead worker will be working on the gutters, gulleys and hoppers. These have suffered damage over the years and many can no longer cope with the increased rainfall we are receiving.

We will also be removing tiles to two roofs over the west wing and re-laying with new tiles, as the existing are no longer fit for purpose. We have been working closely with an Ecologist to ensure no bats are harmed during this work.

Mid August 2023

Re-pointing areas of brick work

Specialist Masons Paddy and Pete are re-pointing areas of brick work which has either failed due to inappropriate past repairs or water penetration on the chimneys. They will also be focusing on the brickwork behind the render panels between the timber frame and the chimneys. We have carefully selected a lime mortar mix for re-pointing which aims to match the original.

Mid August 2023

Carefully restoring the timber frame

Specialist Carpenters Dan, Dan and Jeff are carefully restoring the timber frame. Sections have either fallen away due to movement over time or are rotten due to water penetration. They are carefully piecing in new European seasoned oak to ensure as much as possible of the original historic timber frame and carved details and inscriptions can be seen for generations to come.

Early August 2023

Scaffolding complete and inspections begin

The scaffold is now complete and inspections are underway to assess the condition of the timber and plaster before repairs works start. Chris, our conservation lime plasterer, is assessing which render panels need work, due to failed previous repairs or damage from water penetration. He will be removing areas of plaster, assessing the brickwork behind which may require repair and will then apply new lime plaster. This will then be painted, probably with limewash, to complement the rest of the building

1987 - 1989

Restoration in the late 1980s

Extensive repair and restoration work was undertaken in the late 1980s to much of the Manor. Extensive scaffolding allowed for repairs to the timber, plaster, tiles, chimneys and roof – much of what is being looked at again in the 2023 Big MEND project.