Colchester Civic Society April 2017 Invitation to Tender for the restoration of a series of murals in Colchester s Southway Subways.

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1 Colchester Civic Society April 2017 Invitation to Tender for the restoration of a series of murals in Colchester s Southway Subways. Brief for Conservation Work: Henry Collins and Joyce Pallot: Colchester Southway Murals 1. BACKGROUND Colchester Civic Society have recently been successful in receiving a grant from the Heritage Lottery to support the restoration and interpretation of a series of concrete and mosaic murals across Colchester s Southway Subways. Artists and Husband and Wife team Henry William Collins and Joyce Millicent Pallot met at Colchester Art School in They began working together on public art commissions in 1948, and completed more than 60 projects throughout the UK, in a pioneering partnership lasting over 62 years. They are best known for their work on a number of large-scale public concrete murals during the 1960s and 1970s, many of which remain around the UK today. Initially commissioned by Sainsbury s in 1969 for the façade of their new store in Priory Walk, Colchester this was the first of many commissions for the artists across the UK. 2. PROCESS Pallot and Collins pioneered the use of plastic moulds for the concrete murals. The relief was made in reverse and then poured concrete was put into the moulds. The moulds themselves would then be broken in order to remove the concrete mural. Later wooden moulds were used with a releasing agent, which meant that moulds could be re-used. Pallot and Collins drew on the history and industry of an area to inform the subject matter of the murals. For the new ring road development - Southway - in Colchester in the early 1970s, they made and sited a series of murals across five subway areas giving pedestrian access under the new road. The work comprises 27 separate pieces in total including four mosaics and a series of coins that are repeated across the five areas. Initial restoration has been carried out on 4 of the pieces i.e. 1 mosaic and 3 roundels, supported by Essex Heritage Trust. 3. SUMMARY OF CONDITION The murals are now over 40 years old and are in need of repair and their sites refurbished. The main work is for cleaning and restoration, including removal of moss and application of sealant to the concrete if/where appropriate. Two of the four mosaics need some minor repairs replacing a few missing tiles and each work s fixing should be checked and replaced where necessary. The work should also consider replacement or removal of the plaster surrounds and their frames (mahogany hardwood), which are all in very poor condition. The original drawings and designs for the murals are not currently available but there is evidence of some colouration on the designs, particularly in light gold leaf (or equivalent), which will also be restored where possible. Interpretation Panels are also planned as part of the restoration project to detail and capture the history and significance of the murals. 4. BRIEF FOR WORK The work is to clean, restore and provide a maintenance plan for the Southway Murals.

2 Areas of required work include: A. Assessing Structural Stability of the Reliefs Assess remedial work to be undertaken. Currently only one of the concrete roundels is showing signs of instability. B. Specialist Cleaning Mosaic areas - Cleaning tests to be performed initially to select the least toxic yet suitably effective solvent to remove the surface dirt. Concrete Areas - A process of mechanical cleaning should be carried out initially removing surface dirt and mosses with a brush. This should be followed by cleaning tests to select the least toxic, yet still effective solvent to remove the areas of over paint. Steam cleaning or similar should be used to remove ingrained surface dirt. C. Remove Mouldings and Render The mouldings to be removed and replaced with suitable equivalent. The bitumous render needs to be completely removed by hand around the roundels. D. Re-gilding and Repainting Selected areas of text and supporting concrete panels to be re-gilded and repainted of as agreed with client. E. New Mosaic Panels New mosaic panel sections to be fitted on previously rendered areas. Suitable colour samples of tesserae should be sourced and matched to existing areas. The tesserae should be made offsite and laid in a manner to match that of the originals. It is unsuitable to lay the tesserae in situ due to the passing footfall, associated risk and time required. F. Project Management and Reporting The project is lead by Colchester Civic Society with Colchester in Bloom. The contractors will report on a day-to-day basis to the nominated project manager who will manage the timetable and project liaison. In addition, the project will require liaison with relevant stakeholders i.e. Essex County Council Highways Department for permissions and risk assessments and Colchester Borough Council Street Services. G. Maintenance Plan A maintenance plan should be produced at the end of the project to ensure the longevity and care of the restored murals. 5. APPLICATION PROCEDURE Tenders should be submitted in writing outlining contractors approach and methods; full quotation for the works and contact details for 2 referees for work on similar projects. Deadline for submission: Friday May Send to: Katherine Wood, Project Manager kathwood@me.com

3 6. BACKGROUND INFORMATION A. MAP OF SITES Area 1: Crouch Street/Subway Coins have been painted over and are sited over the walkway so are in relatively good condition. Area 2: Maldon Road Roundabout Northside - Coins need cleaning and there is evidence of some minor deterioration e.g. on mast of Oyster boat which does not need restoration. However the plaster surrounds and frames need attention. Southside The Crouched Friars Mosaic has some missing tiles and needs moss removal, particularly at the base. The coins need cleaning and the plaster surrounds and frame need attention. Area 3: Butt Road/Southway The William Gilberd mosaic is not in need of substantial repair though its fixing should be checked as there is evidence of cracking around its supports. The coins need cleaning and the plaster surrounds and frame need attention. Area 4: Abbeygate Street/Southway Thanks to support from Essex Heritage Trust the Colonia mosaic and coins have undergone the first phase of restoration and are not included in this brief. Area 5: St. Botolph s Roundabout West Entrance/Southway - Coins need cleaning and the plaster surrounds/ frame need attention. South Mersea Road - Eudo Mosaic is in good condition. Coins need paint removal. North East/Colchester Town Station - Coins need cleaning and the plaster surrounds/ frame need attention.

4 B. PHOTOGRAPHIC RECORD OF EACH WORK BY AREA Area 1: Crouch Street/Southway Crouch Street 1: Caesar Crouch Street 2: Twinning Shield (Camulodunum, Wetzlar, Avignon) Area 2: Maldon Road Roundabout Northside A (3 coins)

5 Detail of Top of Oyster Boat Coin (1) Detail of Top of Oyster Boat Coin (2) Detail of deterioration to mast of boat (example)

6 Northside B (1 oyster boat coin 1 Shield) Detail of Keys on Shield

7 Southside A (Crouched Friars mosaic) Mosaic Damage (Detail 1)

8 Mosaic Damage (Detail 2) Mosaic Damage (Detail 3)

9 Southside A (2 coins)

10 Detail Area 3: Butt Road/Southway

11 William Gilberd Mosaic Detail of Crack to Supporting Structure 1

12 Detail of Crack to Supporting Structure 2 Butt Road/Southway Coins

13 Coin Details

14 Area 5: St. Botolph s Roundabout West Entrance/Southway (2 Coins and 1 Shield) Detail Oyster Boat Coin

15 Detail Shields Detail Caesar Coin St. Botolph s South/Mersea Road

16 EUDO Mosaic Detail Detail

17 2 Coins (Oyster Boat and Shields) Detail (Shields)

18 St. Botolph s Roundabout North East/Colchester Town Station Entrance 3 Coins (Shields, Caesar, Cumobelin)

19 Details /CCS 2017