St Mary's Church, Iffley
St Mary's Church, Iffley is one of the best surviving examples of Romanesque architecture. The exuberantly adorned west front comprises of a chevroned, recessed portal, carved panels including signs of the zodiac and exquisitely carved beak heads.
In 2011 a survey was carried out by SSHC to assess both the condition of the original fabric and the extensive lime mortar repair programme carried out by Professor Robert Baker in the early 1980's. SSHC then undertook some emergency repairs during the period of time between 2011 and 2017 before returning to undertake a programme of work on the west front and the south porch door. During the cleaning process on decorative areqas only cold water and toothbrushes were used. However where the stone was robust cleaning with a ThermTech was allowed. Delicate mortar repairs were carried out with the lime putty repair mix acting as a scarificial layer to protect the surviving decorative features. After samples of lime wash were discovered on the west front the architect & PCC decided to have an additional protective layer with the application of a light lime wash.
St Mary's Church - The West Front prior to the recent programme of conservation repairs
SSHC undertake an education session with local school children
The scaffold is struck showing the west front after the programme of careful cleaning, lime mortar repairs and lime washing