Skip to content
You are here: Home | All | Visit | Eleanor Cross study day

Eleanor Cross study day

A programme of sensitive repair by Jane Jennings

A watercolour painting showing the Northampton Eleanor Cross in the centre of a grass covered mound with trees around and vista in distance

Presentation summary

The Cross is a Grade I listed monument and Jane talked about the sensitivities of conserving such a special structure. This included the complications of getting Scheduled Monument Consent from Historic England and the need to commission a conservation survey to ensure the works were sensitive and appropriate. She highlighted how the practise of conservation has moved on extensively since the last works in 1984. The physical methods of conservation used are much more sympathetic to the original structure maintaining as much of the structure as possible rather than replacement. The ethics of conservation have also progressed which has meant dilemna and debate of how much of the historical repairs should be maintained, particularly if they are not damaging the original monument. It also took time to raise the funding for the project. Jane explained this long and careful process including preparation to submit an application. The process to plan the conservation was methodical to ensure that any conservation work did not damage the cross and would help it survive for future generations. It took 5 months from submission, including an an additional grant application to Historic England to support the work, and a competitive tender process.

Speaker biography

Jane is both a Chartered Town Planner and Conservation Officer and has many years of experience in the planning and heritage field having worked for a number of organisations. Jane is currently the Team Leader for the Council’s heritage team and has been involved in the restoration and repair of numerous key buildings in need of help including the former Engine Shed at the new university campus and Delapre Abbey to name just a few. Jane is the Council’s lead officer for the current project at the Queen Eleanor Cross.

A programme of sensitive repair powerpoint presentation