17th Century Dovecote gets face lift

Four months of skilled and patient work means that the grade II listed dovecote within Hodnet park can now come off the heritage at risk register. The rejuvenation of this unusual piece of our local heritage was carried out under the auspices of English Heritage and Natural England. The work was undertaken mainly by Hereford based company I.J. Preece and Sons, working out of their Shrewsbury depot and using local craftsmen. Michael Edwards acted as site manager throughout the renovations and was also the team’s carpenter and joiner.

The works carried out included a new glover with two new collars to support it, new pearling to support the roof with the roof being completely re-tiled. The string course which was originally in Hawkstone sandstone was replaced with Grinshill white sandstone as there is no longer a quarry at Hawkstone. All the brickwork was re-pointed with hot lime using local sand, 400 cracked or broken bricks were also replaced. A viewing hatch has also been incorporated so that the loft space can be easily observed.

The dovecote can be viewed on garden open days, the next of which is the Easter bank holiday weekend in 2011.