The RMB Conservation team have been carefully fitting the newly crafted oak frame into the gable of the historic building, ensuring that each joint aligns perfectly with its medieval predecessor. Every mortice, tenon, and peg has been shaped by hand, guided by the geometry of the original timbers that once stood here. There’s something deeply satisfying when the timbers clunk into place.
What makes this phase especially satisfying is the use of reclaimed materials — the historic handmade bricks have been gently cleaned, sorted, and re-laid as infill between the new oak frame using traditional lime mortar. Known as ‘brick nogging’, this technique not only completes the structure visually but also allows the building to breathe as it did for centuries before.
It’s a moment that captures what conservation is truly about: not simply replacement, but renewal through respect — keeping the spirit of the place alive in the work of today’s hands.
