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Photos by Harris Digital Productions

Click to see images - 28th October 200828th October 2008
The new viewing platform cage is now in place and can be seen from the ground. Scaffolders are now on site and are starting to dismantle the scaffold.

Click to see images - 25th October 200825th October 2008
Stainless steel mesh known as Webnet is stretched over the outside of the cage, then woven onto 8mm thick stainless rods.

Click to see images - 15th October 200815th October 2008
The four stainless steel balustrades are welded (filled) together and assembled to the cage. The filled areas are carefully ground flush and polished.

Click to see the diary images for 11th October 200811th October 2008
A massive 100 tonne crane winches the new balustrade and platform cage, which consists of eight separate sections on to the viewing platform.

Click to see the diary images for 9th October 20089th October 2008
The newly carved dragons wings are near completion and stonemasons continue work on the viewing platform in readiness for the new cage.

Click to see the diary images for 2nd October 20082nd October 2008
The flaming orb and the newly repaired stone drum section of the Monument can now be seen clearly from the viewing platform level of scaffold.

Click to see the diary images for 22nd September 200822nd September 2008
The architect and site foreman discuss stone repair details around the viewing platform door and the latest views of the City from the top of the Monument.

Click to see the diary images for 18th September 200818th September 2008
Specialist metalworkers fix a temporary jig into position to ensure that all the holes that need to be drilled at the top of the new cage.

Click to see the diary images for 11th September 200811th September 2008
The carving of the dragons wings is now well under way and the new carved stone Paterae is now fixed under the n/w corner of the viewing platform.

Click to see the diary images for 3rd September3rd September 2008
The electricians curving the stainless steel conduit by hand and repairs to the historic oak handrail are now underway by specialist carpenters.

Click to see the diary images for 26th August 200826th August 2008
Stonemasons use straps and a tackle block to move large, heavy stones from one level to another and a carver working a piece of stone on the scaffold.

Click to see the diary images for 20th August 200820th August 2008
Stonemasons cut the diamond drilled holes square to accept the new balustrade and Mark Thompson, starts work on carving one of the dragon's wings.

Click to see the diary images for 12th August 200812th August 2008
A diamond tipped core drill is used to form perfectly
circular holes ready for the new viewing gallery cage and carver mason starts work on the dragon's tongue.

Click to see the diary images for 6th August 20086th August 2008
The gilding is almost complete. Stonemason roughing out the dragons wings and the electricians working on the bespoke stainless steel conduit.

Click to see the diary images for 29th July 200829th July 2008
Stonemasons Ian and Trevor, install a large new stone on the fluted shaft and work continues on the re-gilding of the flaming orb.

Click to see the diary images for 24th July 200824th July 2008
City of London architect James Clare is interviewed by BBC news reporter and presenter Katharine Carpenter at the top of the Monument.

Click to see the diary images for 22nd July 200822nd July 2008
A new carved leaf and tongue stone is fitted. The black limestone viewing platform is being re-honed by hand and work continues on the re-gilding of the flaming orb.

Work continues on the re-gilding of the flaming orb15th July 2008
Work continues on the re-gilding of the flaming orb and images showing some new Portland stone repairs at the base of the drum.

Images taken on the 8th July 20088th July 2008
Specialist cleaner Jos cleaning the Cibber relief and new Portland stone repairs at the base of the drum and adjoining the viewing platform.

Images taken on the 30th June 200830th June 2008
Plastacine models are made as part of the repairs to the dragons and specialist electrical contractors working on the individually curved stainless steel conduits.

Images taken on the 23rd June 200823rd June 2008
A carver modeling the top of a dragons head, which is missing and the specialist cleaners washing off dirty residue from the Cibber relief.

Images taken on the 17th June 200817th June 2008
At the top of the Monument a copper band is in place but must be removed to allow repairs behind and a banker mason working a piece of stone in the site workshop.

Images taken on the 16th June 200816th June 2008
We visit Cathedral Works Organisation at Chichester, to see the paterae carving. A video movie showing the carving will be available on the video section later this year.

Images taken on the 9th June 20089th June 2008
Gold Size is applied to the flaming orb, which has to be left for a minimum of 12 hours before the gold leaf is applied and stonemasons making new indents.

Work continues on the re-gilding of the orb4th June 2008
Work continues on the re-gilding of the orb and modeling compound (plastarcine) is applied to the wire armatures of the dragon wings.

Work starts on the re-gilding of the orb29th May 2008
Work starts on the re-gilding of the orb, stonemasons removing damaged areas of Portland stone at the viewing platform level and the front entrance floor is exposed.

Preparation works to the flaming orb prior to new gilding19th May 2008
Preparation work to the flaming orb nears completion in readiness for the new guilding and the latest images of the City from the Monument.

Preparation works to the flaming orb prior to new gilding12th May 2008
Repairs under way to the black limestone viewing platform and preparation works to the flaming orb prior to new gilding being applied.

Latest images showing the repairs to the guilded flaming orb6th May 2008
Carver mason Mark Thompson making templates for repairs to the dragon wings and images showing some of the repairs to the golden orb.

Latest images showing the repairs to the guilded flaming orb28th April 2008
Latest images showing the repairs to the guilded flaming orb and architect Julian Harrap discuss details on repairs to the griffin wings.

Metal conservators attach new copper details21st April 2008
Metal conservators attach new copper details to the guilded flaming orb and work begins on a new man safe ring.


The gilded flaming orb requires specialist cleaning14th April 2008
The gilded flaming orb requires specialist cleaning to the ovelo moulding and images showing the original iron fixing rod from the patera, which was fixed underneath the capitol (removed last week).



diamond drilling rig is set-up on the underside of the capitol7th April 2008
A diamond drilling rig is set-up on the underside of the capitol to remove the old iron fixing bolts where the original carved stone paterae were fixed and images showing exposed clay tiles and cramps on one of the dragons.


Adam Stone, Judy Allen and Guy Levitt2nd April 2008
We visit Cathedral Works Organisation in Chichester to see the different patera models. When completed, each patera will be carved out of stone and will sit in each corner under the viewing platform.



Using a purpose made template to mark out position of armatures26th March 2008
The second installation of the hoarding artwork and images showing repairs to steps - using a purpose made template to mark out position of armatures, drilling holes for the armatures and applying resin to the steps.


Masons very carefully drill the fractured dragons19th March 2008
On the north east corner - masons very carefully drill the fractured dragons wing with a manual drill to allow thin stainless steel dowels to be placed across the fracture to stabilise it and we show a further stage in the repair of the steps.



Careful removal of old inserts using hand tools12th March 2008
Mason removing old stone insert from steps using hand tools, images showing some of the low level steps with the old stone inserts removed and specialist stone cleaner using the Jos system to clean below the carving to the pedestal.


Abseilers fix wraps on the north, south and west elevations4th March 2008
Abseilers fix wraps on the north, south and west elevations and specialist cleaners continue Jos cleaning the lower section of the Cibber relief panel. New movie clip featuring the abseilers will be online during the Easter weekend.


Doff cleaning to base of the Monument, specialist cleaner applying biocide to one of the four dragons27th February 2008
Doff cleaning to base of the Monument, specialist cleaner applying biocide to one of the four dragons and close-up images showing the repairs to the steps and the stainless steel fixings resined into place ready for structural repairs.


Specialist metalworkers setting out the armatures inside the drum19th February 2008
Specialist metalworkers setting out the armatures inside the drum and stonemason Cliff, removing by hand the old cement mortar that covered the lightning tape within the plinth on the north elevation.



Making the templates for the new repairs to the steps12th February 2008
Whilst the restoration work continues on the outside of the Monument, stonemason Ian, is busy on the inside - making the templates for the new repairs to the steps.




First close up look at the dragons, before cleaning and inspection6th Februray 2008
First close up look at the dragons, before cleaning and inspection. Images show carbon build up, algae and lichen growth. Stonemasons have now started to remove the old cement pointing from the base of the column.


29th January 2008 - Specialist cleaners start cleaning part of the Clibber relief using the JOS cleaning system29th January 2008
Stonemasons continue to work on the new stone indents and specialist cleaners start cleaning part of the Cibber relief using the JOS cleaning system. Several new video clips showing the cleaning will be online next month.


23rd January 200823rd January 2008
Stonemasons cutting out by hand for new stone indents and stone conservator carefully removing cementitious mortar from above the egg and dart. An image showing the newly pointed joint below the egg and dart.


16th January 200816th January 2008
Stonemasons continue to carefully remove cementitious mortar from the column and above the egg & dart. Specialist cleaners have partially cleaned the pedestal using the Doff system and have now started on the egg and dart using the Jos system.


Specialist cleaners start Doff cleaning the north elevation of the pedestal.9th January 2008
Specialist cleaners start Doff cleaning the north elevation of the pedestal and images showing ungilded copper areas where swags have been removed for repair by specialist conservators.



Stonemasons continue to repair and repoint the column joints and detail the spandrel in preparation for the new paterea.4th January 2008
Stonemasons repointing the column joints after the removal of the cementitious mortar. A video clip is now online showing a stonemason preparing for a new stone indent. Watch video clip



Stonemasons continue to repair and repoint the column joints and detail the spandrel in preparation for the new paterea.19th December 2007
Images of the new scaffolding wrap, which covers part of the south, west and north sides of the Monument. Stonemasons continue to repair and repoint the column joints and detail the spandrel in preparation for the new paterea.


Children from Sir John Cass Foundation Primary School see their artwork unveiled at the Monument.12th December 2007
Children from Sir John Cass Foundation Primary School see their artwork unveiled at the Monument. Their mural will form the first section of a much larger hoarding art work, which is due for completion by the end of summer 2008.


A broken section of black limestone on the viewing platform has been removed to enable inspection of stone below7th December 2007
A broken section of black limestone on the viewing platform has been removed to enable inspection of stone below, and work continues on the removal of cementitious mortar and repointing.


Stonemasons start repointing the column joints after the removal of the cementitious mortar27th November 2007
Careful Jos cleaning to carving below the egg & dart gets underway and stonemasons start repointing the column joints after the removal of the cementitious mortar.


Specialist contractors cleaning the egg and dart under the viewing platform21st November 2007
Specialist contractors cleaning the egg and dart under the viewing platform using the Jos system and stonemason Ian Foss carefully remove the cementitious mortar from joints on the column.


The cleaning continues13th November 2007
The cleaning of the Monument using the Doff and Jos systems continues and stonemasons Gary Phillips and Ian Foss start carefully removing the cementitious mortar from joints on the drum.


Cleaning the Monument gets underway7th November 2007
Following approval from the Architects, Julian Harrap - the cleaning specialists have cleaned the viewing platform using the Jos system and made a start on the moulding directly below.


Architects, Julian Harrap and Judy Allen inspect an open joint on the dome below the guilding31st October 2007
Architects, Julian Harrap and Judy Allen inspect an open joint on the dome below the guilding, the results of the trial sample cleaning and an area of black limestone to be cleaned on the viewing platform.



Sample cleaning results26th October 2007
The asphalt is removed from the viewing platform and we can now see the results of the sample cleaning. Stone mason Ian Foss has produced a sample indent repair and some sample mortar repairs.


Sample cleaning gets underway15th October 2007
Specialist contractors start sample cleaning using the Doff system and the asphalt on top of the viewing platform is carefully removed using a small mechanical breaker.


The remaining section of the cage is removed10th October 2007
Specialist contractors remove the remaining section of the cage, which involves cutting the cast iron railings into sections using a small electrical saw.


         
Ian Foss in the basement
Scaffolding reaches level 28
The top section of the cage is removed
5th October 2007
  
26th September 2007
  
19th September 2007
         
Scaffolding reaches level 21
Ian, carrying out sample spinning/polishing of pooilvaaish stone
Gary removing temporary timber infill
13th September 2007
6th September 2007
28th August 2007
         
Scaffolding reaches level 10
Scaffolding reaches level 6
Steel joists arrive for the scaffolding base
23rd August 2007
16th August 2007
8th August 2007
         
Monument Diary page for 3rd August 2007
Monument Diary page for 2nd August 2007
An image showing the Monument taken on 26th June 2007
3rd August 2007
2nd August 2007
26th June 2007
         

 

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Last updated: 11 December, 2008