r.b. bennett grave site monitoring report 2011

GRAVE SITES OF CANADIAN PRIME MINISTERS MONITORING REPORT

[Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report: The Right Hon. Richard Bedford Bennett]

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SUBJECT: The Right Hon. Richard Bedford Bennett Grave Site

Grave Sites of Canadian Prime Ministers Monitoring Report St.Michael and All Angels Church Mickleham, Surrey, United Kingdom

TO: Madame Julie Dompierre, Director

Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) Secretariat Les Terrasses de la Chaudière 25, Eddy Street, Gatineau, 5th floor Quebec K1A 0M5

FOR: National Program for the Grave Sites of Canadian Prime

Ministers

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE RICHARD BEDFORD BENNET



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PREPARED BY: Shelley Bruce

Conservation Advisor Heritage Programs Branch Parks Canada Vancouver, BC

DATE: February 9, 2012 1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

DATE OF INSPECTION: October 26, 2011 PC FIELD UNIT CONTACT: N/A CLIMATIC CONDITIONS: Overcast with rain (at times very heavy) and wind 11

miles from the south, 11oC GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE GRAVE ENVIRONMENT:



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Located an hour by train southwest of London, England, the quiet and picturesque village of Mickleham, Surrey is located between Leatherhead and Dorking. Consisting of fewer than 200 households, several schools, and just a few public businesses and amenities, the village is divided by the very narrow and winding Old London Road with St. Michael and All Angels Church prominently sited on the east side of the road. Local history suggests that there has been a church on this site for approximately 1000 years with some traces of the earliest building still visible in the church's current design. Over its long life, the church has been modified many times (notably in 1872 and 1892), but its Norman roots are still evident in its massing, and its flint stone cladding has been replicated with every addition in a remarkably consistent fashion. Its L-shaped churchyard is just as ancient, and is still active. It extends well back of the church where it is heavily planted with shrubs and trees, and the concentration of grave markers is quite dense. The churchyard is bounded by a stone fence with an elaborate and striking lych gate at the south entrance. The grave of The Right Honourable Richard Bedford Viscount Bennett, consisting of an awareness panel and a limestone sarcophagus, is located within the churchyard directly in front of the church doors. It is easily accessible as it is at the intersection of the two gravel footpaths that lead from the north and south churchyard entrances. The front portion of the churchyard is characterised by its visually open relationship to the village's historic high street. In the immediate area around the grave, the landscaping is quite simple consisting of a lush and level expanse of grass, a vine covered war memorial, some hedges and young trees, and a number of much older and more modest head stones. 2.0 COMPONENTS – OBSERVATION AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS

1. Awareness Panel



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Description: The awareness panel is a relatively new element at this grave site found centred on the west end of the sarcophagus. It consists of a concrete base covered with a Portland limestone slab and topped with the cast aluminum panel. Its design differs from those that are installed in Canada in that it follows a different format and it does not feature a portrait of the former Prime Minister.

Observation: The finish of the awareness panel is in very good condition. The only concern is the amount of dust that covers the surface. When it rains, it turns into wet grime. The top face of the limestone base is now covered over in various lichen that were not evident in 2005. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: As grounds staff are making their usual rounds, the dust and grime could be easily removed with a light wash of water with gentle scrubbing.

Observation: A chip from the northeast chamfered corner of the limestone base is missing as it was in 2005. Recommended Action: Low Priority: No action required at this time.



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Observation: The previous report noted lash marks along the vertical face of the limestone base from a lawn trimmer. These are still evident but are not as noticeable when originally identified. Recommended Action: Medium Priority: The 2005 report suggested that 150 mm wide Portland limestone paving could be installed as a boarder to frame the awareness panel and provide a buffer from lawn trimmers.

This recommendation was not carried out. Other options would be to trim the grass by hand or to be exceptionally careful with any mechanical equipment.

2. Flagpole Observation: There is no flag pole and Canadian flag at this site.

3. 125th Confederation Anniversary Plaque Observation: The 125th plaque was removed from the site in the latter half of 2001.

4. Former Prime Minister’s Grave Marker

View looking west.

View looking east.



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Description: Bennett's memorial consists of a rectangular limestone sarcophagus-like box that is heavily covered in lichen. It is surrounded by one course of cut-limestone flags set flush with the ground surface that create an apron around the memorial's perimeter. The box is raised on a shallow sloping plinth where each joint in the stonework has a carved feature roll. There are four feature rolls on each of the plinth's long sides. The box of the memorial is relatively plain, its only features being a beveled reglet immediately under the capstones. The cover of the box is made up of three capstones carved to produce a gently arched surface that slightly overhangs the short side walls. Two sets of double raised feature rolls run across the top at the joints between the capstones. The west-facing gable end of the capstone is unadorned, while the east-facing gable end contains a relief carving of the Bennett coat of arms at its centre and the dates of the Prime Minister’s birth (1870) and death (1947) either side. Below in the end wall is a simple inscription:

Richard Bedford Bennett PCKC Viscount Bennett of Mickleham and of Calgary and Hopewell in Canada A Former Prime Minister of Canada

Observation: On all four sides of the memorial, there is an eclectic mix of debris that collects in along the edges and joints of the limestone units. It contains a mix of general lawn debris, grass, moss, etc. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: As the maintenance staff complete their rounds, the debris could be easily removed from joints and edges with a soft broom or by hand.



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Observation: At the east end of the grave marker's plinth, a previous spalling repair is visible. There is no noticeable change since 2005. Recommended Action: Low Priority: No action at this time.

Observation: At the east end of the grave marker's plinth and moving towards the northeast corner, a previous spalling repair is visible. There is no noticeable change since 2005. Recommended Action: Low Priority: No action at this time.

Observation: Along the north face of the plinth, older spalls repairs are still visible. There is no noticeable change since 2005. Recommended Action: Low Priority: No action at this time.



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Observation: On the north side, further along the upper surface of the plinth, there are two broken saddle joints (closer to the east end). There is no noticeable change since 2005. Recommended Action: Low Priority: No action at this time.

Observation: On the south side of the apron, one of limestone flags has a single long hair line fracture. This was not noted in previous reports. Recommended Action: Low Priority: No action at this time.



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Observation: At the joint between the western and middle coverstones on the top of the grave marker, is an area of damage caused by vandals some time ago. There is no noticeable change since 2005. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: Since the depression in the coverstone is prone to collecting water, it should be monitored for any further deterioration.

5. Vegetation (trees, shrubs, plant material, lawn)

View of memorial looking north.

View of memorial looking south.

Description: The overall quality of the churchyard's vegetation is very good. The grass is exceptionally lush, well maintained, and weed free. Along the churchyard wall are a variety of young trees of various species. The most recent was planted in early 2011.



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Observation: While the grass around the apron of the memorial is free of weeds, the grass is starting to creep and grow over the stone apron on all sides of the grave marker. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: If it is not already part of the maintenance regime, maintenance staff should ensure that the grass is pulled back or clipped away from the grave marker's apron in a manner that does not damage the stone.

6. Landscape features (pavement, benches and others)

Description: The landscape surrounding the grave marker is quite simple containing lush grass, a war memorial, several neighbouring graves, and some trees located along the churchyard wall. At the eastern end of the grave site is a pebble path that provides a pedestrian route through the front church yard. There are no built elements such as seating, exterior lighting, etc.



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Observation: It was noted that the gravel path contained a catchment basin. It was concealed and perhaps partially clogged by the adjacent pebbles. Given the nature of the path and the materials, it would be very easy for the surface grate to be concealed on a regular basis. It did not look as if there were any long standing drainage issues as a result of this. Recommended Action: Ongoing Priority: If it is not already part of the maintenance regime for the grounds, maintenance staff should ensure that the grate is always visible thereby allowing proper drainage of the path. Low Priority: At the time of the site visit, the catchment basin was not noted on the grave's site plan. This element should be noted on the site plan when the drawings are updated.

3.0 PREVIOUS CONSERVATION INTERVENTIONS

1948 The limestone memorial was constructed at the grave site in the

churchyard at Mickleham, Surrey, probably to designs furnished by a Professor Richardson.

1997 The ‘Canada 125 plaque was installed in May by the grounds keeper for St. Michael’s Church at Mickleham. The metal post attached to the plaque was set in the ground without a concrete footing.



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2001 During July 2001 the grave memorial at the Bennett grave site was subjected to several conservation treatments: • the cartouche end of the tomb was cleaned using JOS low abrasive

cleaning equipment to bring back its definition; • the full tomb was not cleaned in order to leave much of the existing

lichen growth in place, as requested by church authorities; • joints were treated with a general herbicide, raked out and repointed

using a soft lime mortar colour matched to the existing mortar; • damaged elements of the paved surround and plinth were subjected to

plastic repair using steel armatures where necessary; • cracked and broken slabs of the paved surround and plinth were

repaired using resin bonded stainless steel dowels; • the dislodged capstone was returned to its original position and its joint

repointed; • fabric lost during the attempt to dislodge the capstone was replaced

using plastic repair as with the paved surround and plinth; • in addition to the JOS cleaning the cartouche may have received some

delicate re-carving in order to restore the crispness of the original work.

2001 Canada 125 plaque was removed and the current awareness panel was installed.

4.0 SUMMARY OF RECOMMENDATIONS

Awareness Panel

• Ongoing Priority: As grounds staff are making their usual rounds, the dust and grime could be easily removed with a light wash of water with gentle scrubbing.

• Medium Priority: The 2005 report suggested that 150 mm wide Portland

limestone paving could be installed as a boarder to frame the awareness panel and provide a buffer from lawn trimmers. This recommendation was not carried out. Other options would be to trim the grass by hand or to be exceptionally careful with any mechanical equipment.

Former Prime Minister's Grave Marker

• Ongoing Priority: As the maintenance staff complete their rounds, the debris could be easily removed from joints and edges with a soft broom or by hand.



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• Ongoing Priority: Since the depression in the coverstone is prone to collecting water, it should be monitored for any further deterioration.

Vegetation (trees, shrubs, plant material, lawn)

• Ongoing Priority: If it is not already part of the maintenance regime, maintenance staff should ensure that the grass is pulled back or clipped away from the grave marker's apron in a manner that does not damage the stone.

Landscape features (pavement, benches and others)

• Ongoing Priority: If it is not already part of the maintenance regime for the grounds, maintenance staff should ensure that the grate is always visible thereby allowing proper drainage of the path.

• Low Priority: At the time of the site visit, the catchment basin was not noted on

the grave's site plan. This element should be noted on the site plan when the drawings are updated.

Here is a summary of the recommended actions over the next five coming years: Recommendations 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 Awareness Panel As grounds staff are making their usual rounds, the dust and

grime could be easily removed with a light wash of water with gentle scrubbing. The 2005 report suggested that 150 mm wide Portland limestone paving could be installed as a boarder to frame the awareness panel and provide a buffer from lawn trimmers. This recommendation was not carried out. Other options would



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be to trim the grass by hand or to be exceptionally careful with any mechanical equipment.

Former Prime Minister’s Grave Marker

As the maintenance staff complete their rounds, the debris could be easily removed from joints and edges with a soft broom or by hand. Since the depression in the coverstone is prone to collecting water, it should be monitored for any further deterioration.

Vegetation (tress, lawn, flower bed)

If it is not already part of the maintenance regime, maintenance staff should ensure that the grass is pulled back or clipped away from the grave marker's apron in a manner that does not damage the stone.

Landscape features (pavement, benches and others)

If it is not already part of the maintenance regime for the grounds, maintenance staff should ensure that the grate is always visible thereby allowing proper drainage of the path. At the

time of the site visit, the catchment basin was not noted on the grave's site plan. This element should be noted on the site plan when the drawings are updated.

r.b. bennett grave site monitoring report 2011

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