A new roof for Glenthorne House – September 2025
The original House at Glenthorne was constructed in parts from the 1880’s onwards. Glenthorne Quaker Centre became responsible for it in the mid 1960’s after the bequest of Linton Taylor. There have been additional extensions and changes in the years since. It has always been the policy of the Trustees to carry out planned maintenance rather than wait until a repair is done as a result of a breakdown or as an emergency.
In 2023 the trustees realised that one of the consequences of the Covid lockdowns was the planned maintenance has suffered as a result and that due to several years when it was just reactive mending we needed to take a fresh look at the needs of the buildings with some outside help. We commissioned a building condition survey to look at maintenance needs over the next five years. Happily a lot of this was fairly simple solutions to items that had slipped during the pandemic and have already been successfully completed. . However two areas were of more concern. One of these is the state of the drainage system, particularly from Bankside to the carpark. This is still being pursued at a design stage in the hope that we can eliminate the surface drainage visible to the north of bankside and improve its reliability.
The other main area of work was generally on all the roofs. All of the roofs were serviceable and there were no visible major flaws from ground level although we were aware of some areas that had caused concern repeatedly. When we began to engage with roofing firms we obtained quotes and advice that began to add to the work identified in the survey. Eventually we were told that while we could do a piecemeal repair and replacement overtime it would be more economic to consider a full re-roofing of Glenthorne house and the flat roofs on the ground floor above the entrance hallway and corridor to the Sybil Taylor Room.
Fortunately our finances have been well managed and we were able to accept a quote in late 2024. In order to give our team and guests the longest possible notice we have agreed to begin the works in September 2025. It will take about ten to twelve weeks and at the end of it the roof will be good for another 100 years.
As it is predominately a slate roof most of the noise will be had tools and relatively quiet. The firm that we have chosen has extensive experience of works at hotels and guest houses.
We would like to apologise in advance for the scaffolding, and any temporary inconvenience during this time we hope that you can understand the need for these works to be done n our open season.
If you think that your stay may be affected please contact the office to talk over the options that are available.
William Taylor
Clerk to the trustees.
