EDO8292 - The Ilchester Arms, Symondsbury; historic building survey, thatch assessment and condition survey 2013

OASIS: Bournemouth Archaeology was commissioned by Peter Gunning + Partners LLP (PGP) to undertake a measured survey and thatch assessment of Grade 2* listed Ilchester Arms prior to applying for Listed Building Consent for proposed alterations to the building. The proposed alterations, in summary, include the removal of the existing thatch to expose the roof timbers within the main section of the building, re-instatement of decayed battens, repairs to purlins, trusses and braces where necessary, installation of fire proofing and re-thatching. This study comprises a preliminary measured survey, the results determine the amount of deflection that the building is suffering from, an archaeological assessment of the thatch and a condition survey of the surface coat of the thatch. Evidence of smoke blackening on the main timbers indicates that the building had an open fire in its early life. The quality of the timbers and the buildings construction suggests a high status building. This study concludes that the three of the 5 trusses showed evidence of damage through lateral spreading and proposes a series of recommendations for further work including archaeological investigation of the thatch in advance of invasive repair works.