Work begins on new roof for Ludlow Castle's chapel

For the first time since it fell into ruin, the much photographed Norman Chapel inside the inner bailey, is being repaired and re-roofed.

Jack Tavernor, representative of the owner, the Earl of Powis, said: "This is a very exciting project and we have worked closely with experts from Historic England for the past three years to get the project off the ground.

"The roof is constructed in oak using traditional methods. There are no existing drawings or photos for reference but our architect Mike Garner from Garner Southall, in Llandrindod Wells, has researched roof structures of the time and he and Historic England are confident that it will be in keeping."

Phillips & Curry, who specialise in building conservation, conversion and intervention, have been selected to carry out the intricate work.

The roof has been built off-site and will be transported to the castle in kit form for fabrication once the crenellations have been rebuilt.

The stone and mortar to be used has been agreed by Heritage England and was chosen to match a panel of post-16th century blocking on the chapel so as to distinguish later work from original.

Custodian Sonja Belchere added: "The castle will continue to be open to the public. We have put information boards outside the chapel listing the works the contractors are carrying out with the architect’s drawings.

"Staff and workmen will be happy to talk about the project and our resident archaeologist Leon Bracelin is there on a watching brief. Jack Poyner built a model to scale using the architect's drawings and photographs which is on display in the gift shop showing the completed roof."

The work is to protect the fabric of the chapel - which one one of the oldest of its kind in Europe - will protect it for future generations and will also provide an all-weather wedding venue.

Work started on October 1 is expected to take between 22 and 24 weeks to complete.