Theatre Steel Window Repair Started!
As many will know, the Theatre’s steel windows have seen better days! They date back to the 1930s when the Theatre was created from the ashes of the Shanklin Institute.
The windows have served the Theatre very well, having started their life before the days of galvanising (i.e. rust proofing) but are well past their predicted lifespan having suffered serious corrosion, resulting in draughts, holes and gaps that let wind and rain into the Theatre to the detriment of the fabric of the building we all so much wish to retain for the enjoyment of present and future audiences.
All is not lost though, thanks to the generosity of those who have attended the Theatre and been involved in fundraising, it has been possible to start the initial stages of the expensive repairs to the Theatre’s windows.
As in any conservation planning of a listed building such as the Theatre, there is a choice between repair and replacement of the constituent parts of the building. In the case of the Theatre, following consultation with the Isle of Wight Council Conservation Officer, the planned approach is to repair the windows, with the intention of retaining the appearance of the Theatre that so many have come to appreciate and recognise.
Consequently, the first steel window has now been removed by an Island company, Graham Filer Engineering, with the object of understanding the work involved in removing and sympathetically renovating the window before replacement. The intention being to serve the Theatre for many years to come, having been refurbished with modern cleaning, repair and painting baking techniques.
This is just the start of the extensive window repairs to come, and has been made possible following the hard work in fundraising by so many.
We hope to report soon on the fitting of the refurbished window.
Watch this space!
Robert Robertson, Director – Shanklin Theatre Ltd
