First issued: 11th September 2014
The month of August has been far from quiet for the Trust.
In fact, there is never truly a ‘quiet period’ for the Trust. This newsletter
will give you an update on two of a number of restoration projects that have
been going on over the summer period and also the latest state of play on
heritage issues on the Trust’s radar.
THE SPANISH
FOUNTAIN RESTORATION
The remains of what is commonly known as the ‘Spanish
Fountain’ on the boulevard by Zoca Flank has been the subject of a restoration project. This
fountain was originally located at Fountain Ramp, and was moved to Castle
Street in 1887 where it remained until 1967 when it was moved to its current
position. What has survived and can be seen today is just the fascia of the
fountain. With it having been moved so many times, a number of features on it
had been lost and past repairs had been carried out with inappropriate
materials. We are fortunate in that we have a historical document in Lieut.
James’ ‘History of the Herculean Straits’ (published 1771) there is a diagram
and cross section of the fountain as it stood and functioned when it was in
Fountain Ramp. Using this document, and following a donation from a locally
based company, we were able to work with Charles Anes, local stonemasons, we
have been able to repair the old repairs so that they are less intrusive and
reintroduce the marble cross and finials that were missing from the top of the
fountain. All that remains now is to provide an interpretation board on site to
tell the story of the fountain. Many
thanks to GML Ltd, whose donation to the Trust made the restoration possible,
and to Charles Anes for who carried out the works.
The fountain, before, after and during restoration
BOXCAR
RESTORATION
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| Before work began |
The Trust is currently actively
embarked on a restoration of the last known surviving
railway box car in Gibraltar.
Gibraltar had an extensive railway system within the
Gibraltar Dockyard and neighbouring works and storage facilities. It included
tunnels, one of which traversed through the rock. At the turn of the 19th and
20th centuries there was also a temporary industrial
railway in Gibraltar. At the period when both railways were operational, it was
possible to travel right round the entire coastline of Gibraltar by train. The
dockyard railway had a roster of 17 locomotives, distinguished by numbers, but four of which also carried
names: Gibraltar, Catalan, Rosia, and Calpe.
Work on the project commenced in early July when local carpentry and joinery firm, Rock
Joinery, who are carrying out the project on behalf of the Trust, carefully
dismantled the boxcar where is stood in its siding in Dutch Magazine Gorge.
Each piece was painstakingly labelled, every nut and bolt and bracket carefully
removed and taken off site for safe storage. GibDock
then provided the necessary support to remove the undercarriages into their
yard in the Dockyard where they have been sandblasted to remove the rust and
reconditioned ready for reconstruction of the carriage.
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| Disassembly in progress |
 |
| Pieces stacked and labelled for reassembly |
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| Reassembly in progress |
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| Boxcar taking shape |
 |
| Craftsman at work |
The pieces where then moved to the premises of the Gibraltar Electrical and Mechanical
Services yard where they are currently being
reconstructed by the Rock Joinery team. The process is a slow one because the team are reusing as much of the original timber as
possible. This entails stripping, filling and
reconditioning each and every piece, making a replacement using the original as
a template where this is not possible and putting it all back together
following the drawings and notes made on disassembly.
Once ready the boxcar and associated items will be displayed
in a prominent location in Gibraltar, recovering a piece of our industrial and
little known railway heritage for all to see and appreciate.
Thanks to all those involved in the progress of this project
so far – GibDock, RockJoinery, GMES, Government of Gibraltar and Gil Podesta. We
will keep you updated with the latest on this project as it progresses.
PARLIAMENT
LIFT UPDATE
Following the Trust’s press release on the proposed
Government project to install an exterior lift at the Parliament Building which
was tabled at the July meeting of the DPC and coverage on the item in the local
press, the Trust has written to the Chief Minister proposing a number of
solutions for providing disabled access to the building and addressing a number
of safety concerns such as emergency evacuation. We are continuing to work on a
solution that will retain the character and symmetry of the building whilst
providing the required level of access.
You can read further articles on press coverage on this
debate here:
GIBRALTAR CHRONICLE: http://www.chronicle.gi/headlines_details.php?id=34371
NORTH GORGE
The recently announced tender process for
development of the North Gorge into an ‘Eco Housing Development’ is of concern
to the Trust. We have today (3/9/14) issued the following release to the local
press:
“The Gibraltar Heritage Trust would like to add
its voice to concerns on this development of the North Gorge site. The concerns
of GONHS in relation to the preservation of the biodiversity and natural
environment of this site are supported by the Trust. In addition to the need to
preserve and protect the natural heritage of this area, which is geologically
unique, there are a number of heritage features within the site which are of
significance.
Judge’s Cave, a Neolithic shelter, is protected
under the Gibraltar Heritage Trust Act. We are also particularly concerned for
the fate of the Victorian Cold Stores that supplied the Garrison. These stores,
converted from a magazine, consist of large vaulted chambers which are stacked
four stories below the ground. More research is required to ascertain the history
of these stores and whether these are the first of their kind built for Britain
or even the last relatively well preserved facility (perhaps) in the world.
They were linked by tunnel to the Victualling Yard and are in a state of
dilapidation, although many of the fixtures and fittings (cooling racks,
machinery, doors, etc) are still intact.
There are also two brick ventilation shafts
from the stores and two Anderson Shelters dating from WWII which are relatively
well preserved.
This asset has been lying dormant for decades
and is worthy of further study and survey of our built and natural environment
to ensure that all factors have been considered and redlines drawn before the
site is put out for development.”
A copy of the Government tender notice can be
found here:
A copy of GONHS’ statement on the tender can be
read here: http://www.gonhs.org/press.htm#North
WELLINGTON
FRONT
The Trust is immensely pleased to see the commencement of
works on the restoration and beautification of Wellington Front.
This listed monument constitutes a major part of the City
Walls and has been in dire need of investment for decades. The Government took
the project to the DPC in 2012 and since this time major infrastructural works
have taken place to address the historical flooding problems associated with
this site. The fortification itself has been tunnelled through below road level
on the Queensway side to enable the area within the bastion to be mechanically
drained during periods of heavy rain. Now that these works have been completed,
work has started in earnest on the rest of the project – the removal of
accretions within the gorge area and atop the walls, restoration of the walls
themselves and reconditioning of the vaults for use by clubs and societies and
to provide eating and leisure facilities and community space.
The outline planning application which includes artists
impressions of the scheme can be viewed here https://www.gibraltar.gov.gi/government-development-projects/appins-archives/3044-wellington-front
.
The Trust has worked closely with the Ministry for Heritage and other Government Departments on identifying what needed to be retained and what could be removed. In the main, most of the WWII adaptations to the top part of the bastion will be retained as will all the traverses and the shell/powder magazine. A blast wall at the northern end of the bastion has been removed so as to repair and expose a 19th Century dressed stone building and a further blast wall in the northern end of the gorge has also been removed. Any removals have been catalogued and a photographic record taken for posterity. The existing toilet block will also be demolished as will other accretions within the gorge, however original powder magazines will remain. Accretions such as cabling, pipes and rusting metal will also be removed from the exterior of the wall. As part of the project, off street parking will no longer be allowed, with designated areas for drop off and pick up only. The whole bastion will be feature lit which will bring the site to life at night also. The introduction of the cycle path and promenade along the top of the wall will open up another section of our City Walls. The old Parish Centre nissen hut building, today a Mosque, will be deconstructed once the mosque has been suitably relocated, however the plans are to leave the skeleton of the hut which will add interest to the area and also provide a shaded spot once greenery has been allowed to become established. All this detail can be appreciated in the outline application.
The Trust has worked closely with the Ministry for Heritage and other Government Departments on identifying what needed to be retained and what could be removed. In the main, most of the WWII adaptations to the top part of the bastion will be retained as will all the traverses and the shell/powder magazine. A blast wall at the northern end of the bastion has been removed so as to repair and expose a 19th Century dressed stone building and a further blast wall in the northern end of the gorge has also been removed. Any removals have been catalogued and a photographic record taken for posterity. The existing toilet block will also be demolished as will other accretions within the gorge, however original powder magazines will remain. Accretions such as cabling, pipes and rusting metal will also be removed from the exterior of the wall. As part of the project, off street parking will no longer be allowed, with designated areas for drop off and pick up only. The whole bastion will be feature lit which will bring the site to life at night also. The introduction of the cycle path and promenade along the top of the wall will open up another section of our City Walls. The old Parish Centre nissen hut building, today a Mosque, will be deconstructed once the mosque has been suitably relocated, however the plans are to leave the skeleton of the hut which will add interest to the area and also provide a shaded spot once greenery has been allowed to become established. All this detail can be appreciated in the outline application.
The project is a major heritage restoration project and one
that will no doubt enhance our heritage assets whilst at the same time
providing a sustainable use in terms of community and leisure facilities.
