Not top of the list to want to think about in warm weather but we are nearly there with getting our chimneys back in use. The Old Hall is a 2* listed building and before anything is done, we have to go through an extensive listed building consent process. The chimneys and fireplaces are truly fabulous in Old Hall and of historic significance so it is essential that nothing is done to damage or alter them. We started the process of planning consents for repair to the main chimneys in early spring so that we can hopefully have them in place this winter. We have now got consents for the repair and lining needed just one more hurdle before we can start. The pointing on the building has to be done with a lime mortar to have it in keeping with rest of the building. Our builders need to provide an example of the pointing and if it is approved stick to that ‘recipe’. Everything is ordered for this so fingers crossed the sample patch gets through in a couple of weeks’ time. In the meantime, mid-summer, the stone walls are keeping things at a lovely cool temperature.
