St Andrew's Church, Epworth - Brian Foxley Architect
Treske of Thirsk were selected to provide new oak seating to replace the old pine pews, using a mixture of rush seated oak chairs, folding chairs and benches.
A bespoke oak kitchen and servery was fitted by Treske and as well as a custom-made chair store incorporating a flower arrangers’ cupboard and sink. Treske made oak doors and architraves for the north and south nave doors to the tower stairs and toilet which required skill to accommodate the irregular stonework and sensitive fitting into such historic fabric. A welcome desk, book storage and an oak and rope barrier were also manufactured by Treske. A display cupboard with carved detail was also made and fitted to a sloping wall by Treske for heritage tiles that had been made by children from the local primary schools to celebrate the millennium. Covers for the heating manifold units were also made by Treske to appear as nave furniture.
Brian Foxley says: “New fittings and materials must be consistent with the expectations of a Grade 1 Listed building and able to withstand the challenging environments of such buildings.” Nowhere was this more important than in the formation of a new glazed west tower screen and bell ringers gallery in English oak with a curved balustrade in wood and stainless steel (from a design developed by Treske from a concept design by the architect) through which the ringers and the west window can be seen by the congregation.
The free-standing ringers gallery structure in oak is set independently to the walls thereby minimising fixings and contact between the two. The frame and floor was made by Ben Chester consisting entirely of English Green Oak with traditional pegged joints. An oak trapdoor was incorporated into the floor of the ringers gallery to allow future access to the bells. The glazed screen below and oak door with Isle of Axholme motif are also by Treske.” Below the gallery a small Heritage Room has been formed.
Related case-studies...
All Saints, Winterton
For All Saints Church in North Lincolnshire Treske designed, made and installed nearly 220 side, arm and folding chairs, hymn book and Parish room cabinets including choir vestry cupboards and a historical wind instrument display, a specifically designed altar and one memorial book stand.
St Andrew's Church, Donhead St Andrew
Treske made and installed a co-ordinated set of furniture, including the tower screen, vestry table and vestment wardrobe, seating, porch notice boards, bookcases, library table, serving table, pulpit and Southwell chairs, as well as supplying 40 Howe 40/4 chairs.
St Giles, Pontefract
Treske designed and made 163 St Wilfrid chairs and armchairs, two Deacons’ chairs, one president’s chair, together with a lectern, six servers’ stools, six benches for the choir, four choir frontals and four choir readers.
