Worcester councilors approve plans to investigate cracks in the Commandery wall to determine cause and repairs.
Councilors stressed the building’s importance. Ed Kimberley asked about potential damage and wondered if it might be found during the work, wanting to know the risks.
Laura Wall said they want to find out what is causing the cracks and how to fix them. New plaster could be the issue, and more investigation is needed to help them decide what to do next.
The plan is for investigative work on a staff room wall on the second floor. This is to prepare further building consent. Plaster will be removed.
They’ll check the timbers’ condition and see if timbers tie to the truss. The truss is partly visible inside.
Kimberley thinks the work is needed and commendable. He thinks not knowing the cause would be odd. He stated the change is small and exploratory and will help find why the cracking exists.
Karen Lewing said the work must be proper, as the Commandery is a listed building. She hopes it fixes the issue and, in the end, builds a better building.
The Commandery started as a hospital, the Hospital of St. Wulfstan. Wulfstan, Bishop of Worcester, ordered it circa 1085.
It became a museum in 1977. For a time, it only focused on the Civil Wars. It stood alone in England for this focus.