Chapel doors restored

The heart-stopping featured photo will surely have grabbed your attention, but worry not! The black plywood door was merely a temporary measure while the doors familiar to OBs of every generation were taken away for specialist attention.  

It says a lot about the expertise we have on site that Richard, our carpenter, made sure the temporary door was secured in place with time-honoured wedges in order to avoid temporary fixings in the ancient stonework. We are very grateful to him for the care he showed in undertaking what was always going to be a short-term measure. 

While the plywood door was doing its job, our historic Chapel doors were sent for restorative treatment to Venables Oak under the supervision of Chuck Venables. Chuck and his team worked with the Development team, the Estates team and CADW to make sure we did all the right things in the right order for these much-loved Grade I Listed doors.

The aim was to manage the restoration of the filleted oak planking that had rotted at the threshold as a result of rain pooling, remove rust from the ironwork, secure the whole structure, and appropriately treat the surfaces.

With all aims successfully and swiftly achieved thanks to Chuck and his expert team, the doors now open more easily on the original hinges and the old wood that had taken a battering from Welsh rain is now breathing again. At last, our old friends can confidently face the future and the extremes of Brecon weather.  

We are as sure as we can be that the doors were originally installed during the 1864 restoration of the Chapel. Completed in time for the usual end of term celebrations, the familiar welcoming doors are now ready to be enjoyed for another century.  

The restoration of the Chapel doors was made possible entirely by donors to the Chapel and Heritage Fund, the fund that exists solely for the purpose of looking after the school's heritage. We are very grateful for the support of our generous donors. 

Find out about other projects undertaken by the Chapel and Heritage Fund on the Chapel and Heritage Fund page.