Work starts on rare paintings
Long-awaited conservation work has begun on medieval wall paintings in St Mary's Church, Troston.
The images of St George, St Christopher and martyred King Edmund are beginning to spring out from the north wall of the the nave as the work creates clearer impressions of the nationally important paintings.
The 15th century paintings are being preserved thanks to a 50,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant and fund-raising efforts by local people through the Troston Heritage Appeal Group.
Andrea Kirkham, projects conservator, began work last week with a team of three colleagues – Ann Ballantyre, Cristina Beretta and OJ Murrell. The work is expected to be finished by the end of July.
Ms Kirkham said: "The paintings are of fantastic quality and are really well painted. We are working to restore them by removing distemper from around the paintings and filling in lost plaster.
"It's important that this work is completed as they are part of our history and tell a story about pre-reformation England."
Susan Sollohub, secretary of the Troston Heritage Appeal Group, said: "It's absolutely wonderful that work has begun on the paintings as we've been waiting so long for it to happen."
Conservation work on the paintings, which were uncovered in the 19th century after being obscured some time previously, will preserve what is already there as well as making the images look fresher and clearer.
The Rev Doug Neupert, parish priest, said: "I'm thrilled by the work that is going on, especially as Andrea and her team are discovering bits of the paintings we didn't even know existed."
People can watch the team working on Wednesday afternoons. Talks will be given on the project on July 15 and July 22.
The Right Rev Nigel Stock, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich, will rededicate the paintings on September 20.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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