Yesterday was a beautiful day out on site at the Mount restoration project and it’s clear to see the huge amount of changes taking place.
Re-slating the lodge roof has been completed and the contractors are now working on the pointing. The electricity substation has now been moved and once the old one is demolished excavation will begin to reveal the basement level of the building. In this lower floor a base for volunteers will be opened, as well as a room for an artist and scientist in residence to run activities for local people to get involved in. Upstairs will eventually become a tearoom.
Inside the lodge, we are beginning to reveal the window openings that have been blocked up for many years. The existing original windows behind the shutters are being used as a mould for any new windows in the building. Plastering is also about to begin and a traditional lime plaster will be used.
The walls in the Mary Hope garden are being constructed and new edging to the nearby paths is being laid.
The old play area has been replaced with a beautiful buttonhook shaped space from which you can now clearly see the pavilion. Planting, a grassed area, a pathway and seating will be coming to this part of the gardens soon.
The new play area is almost finished, complete with a place to sit and relax. We are keeping this closed at the moment as the surrounding area is still very much a building site and we want to make sure everyone is safe and there are nearby parks to enjoy in the meantime.
The scaffolding at the pavilion is now almost complete. It’s freestanding so that no weight is being put onto the building. The weather vane and the clock will be refurbished next and a new copper dome is going to be installed. The roof tiling will be redone using existing tiles where possible and the wooden balustrades and pillars will be replaced and painted green as they were when they were installed originally. Work inside and outside the pavilion will start in the new year.
Councillor Simon Bridge, Portfolio Holder at Wyre Council for Street Scene, Parks and Open Spaces comments, “You can certainly see things starting to take shape now. There’s still lots to be done to bring this development back to its former glory but it will definitely be worth the wait.”
The restoration project is taking place thanks to a £2 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund and a £1 million personal donation from Mrs Doreen Lofthouse.