Day 123 - Protective Canopy Removed

Week 26 - Day 123
With the roofing and gutter works now completed the protective canopy can now be removed from over George Street Chapel. The chimney pots can now be put in place as the final piece of work to the roof, after which the upper scaffolding levels will be removed as well.

The protective canopy is removed from over George Street Chapel, Oldham.

Day 21 - Completion of Enclosure around Chapel

Week 5 - Day 21
The envelope that will protect George Street Chapel was completed today. This will allow work to continue even during bad weather whilst the slates and lath and plaster ceiling are removed and then rebuilt.
This photo was taken from the top floor of Spindles car park.

George Street Chapel completely enclosed
to protect the chapel from the weather once the roof is dismantled.

Day 19 - Temporary Floor

Week 4 - Day 19
Scaffold boards started to be lifted up to deck out the temporary floor above the Gallery Floor.
More stone slabs were marked up, cleaned and moved out of the cellar.

Boarding to deck out the temporary floor above the Gallery.

Stone slabs stacked within the cellar of George Street Chapel.

Day 18 - Scaffolding and Stone Slabs

Week 4 - Day 18
The scaffolders began linking the scaffold towers at the front and back of the chapel.
these brace the structure and allow a temporary floor to be laid that will stop debris falling from the ceiling and roof while they are being taken apart. It also makes it safer by limiting the distance anything, or anyone can fall.
the scaffolding work is being carried out by HT Scaffolding Systems who have worked at Manchester's Victoria Baths and at Ordsall Hall.
Whilst the scaffolding work was being carried out above the gallery, in the cellar the floor slabs were being taken out for safe storage. In the cellar the floor is being lifted to enable a damp-proof membrane to be put in and so that under-floor heating can be fitted.

Scaffolders Steve Baxendale, Sam Frater and Ant Jones
of HT Scaffold Systems Ltd.

The scaffold extends through George Street Chapel from front to back
George Street to Jackson Pit.

Scaffolding through the window openings.

The scaffold extending across the chapel floor
above the gallery floor.

Stone slabs from the floor of the cellar dwellings ready for removal
for safe storage.

Day 12 - Removal of Gypsum Plaster from Internal Walls

Week 3 - Day 12
While scaffolders continued with the framework around the chapel, internal works consisted of the removal of the gypsum plaster.

External scaffolding at rear of George Street Chapel.

Scaffold framework above the roof of George Street Chapel.

Removal of internal plaster from the George Street Chapel walls.

Day 11 - Scaffolding and Internal Coverings

Week 3 - Day 11
While the scaffolders continued to work on the external cladding and the framework scaffolding over the roof attention was also given to protecting the pulpit and pews.

George Street Chapel viewed from the NE in the afternoon
as the sun drops behind the chapel.

The scaffolding extending beyond the gutters to meet the external scaffold frame,
which snow surrounds the building.

Plastic sheeting now protects the pulpit and pews to prevent damage
as a temporary floor is constructed above the Gallery
and the wall plaster is removed. 

Day 10 - Work on Roof and Cellar

Week 2 - Day 10
Major progress today on the roof and in the cellar.
The horizontal scaffold sections were locked together above the roof, supported from the scaffolding at the front and rear scaffold towers. Once the window frames have been removed translucent roof panels will protect the chapel from the elements while the slates are removed and then replaced with new ones.

Roofing scaffold frames being locked in place to protect
George Street Chapel while the roof is renovated.

In the cellar the stone floor slabs have started to be lifted. There is no damp-proof membrane under the slabs, so damp is rising up from the ground below. While the floor is lifted a under-floor heating system will be installed before the slabs are put back.

The stone floor slabs being removed from the cellar dwellings
underneath George Street Chapel.