Douglas Kent is the Technical Secretary ofSPAB, but in his private capacity purchased The Old Sun Inn, Saffron Walden, afew years ago, having previously acquired the neighbouring properties. We talkabout how Douglas got involved in conservation and how he came to the point ofbuying these buildings. We discuss thechallenges he has so far faced and those he is yet to tackle. Amongst theissues discuss3ed we consider how to undertake appropriate repairs, dealingwith inappropriate past works, upgrading to modern requirements and dealingwith building regulations. Douglas tellsus about his plans for the future and mentions some of the events lined up.
The website of The Old Sun Inn can be foundhere:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldsuninn/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093592571779
Alec Clifton Taylor’s ‘Six More English Towns– Saffron Walden’ – the quality of the video is not great.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgUyzk8V7IY
Links to books on Amazon. Please note that we do earn a very smallamount of commission from Amazon if you purchase through these links.
Alec Clifton Taylor
Six More English Towns (book) https://amzn.to/3FDgTOI
The Pattern of English Building https://amzn.to/3DyIPmc
Ronald Brunskill
Illustrated Handbook of VernacularArchitecture https://amzn.to/3FydvnX
Chapters
00:00:00 Intro.
00:08:21 Welcome to The Old SunInn and introduction of Douglas.
00:40:03 Douglas’ background andbecoming a surveyor.
02:33:15 Introduction to SPAB andgetting a job there.
03:39:06 How Douglas came topurchase the properties.
05:45:11 History of thebuildings.
08:21:09 Condition at the time ofpurchase.
09:12:06 Original intentions forthe buildings.
11:21:00 Tackling externalproblems.
14:06:17 Dealing with the layersof limewash, plasterwork, and pargeting.
20:53:16 History of thepargeting.
24:57:23 Obtaining consent forworks.
27:06:22 Being a leaseholder.
29:08:11 Advice to those puttingin consent applications.
31:33:07 Surprises encountered.
35:03:05 Understanding thebuilding – why it is important.
35:49:14 Challenges of modernliving and requirements, particularly services.
38:18:03 Building regulationsincluding fire safety.
40:20:10 Windows and thermalperformance.
44:14:13 When to DIY and when notto.
46:04:04 The need forprofessionals to have practical knowledge.
47:42:16 Favourite books.
49:34:21 Favourite building.
50:23:12 Contact information andfuture events at The Old Sun Inn.
52:51:02 Outro.
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