June 20, 2011 5.13 pm This story is over 159 months old

Work underway to restore city’s Stonebow

Work needed: Lincoln’s iconic Stonebow is currently undergoing refurbishment to alter some stonework.

The Stonebow in Lincoln’s city centre is currently undergoing repairs to its structure, after several loose stones were found during recent work.

The Stonebow stands at the top of the High Street, where the Roman gateway to the south of the city once stood. The work is scheduled to take two weeks.

Corporate Property and Standards Manager for the City of Lincoln Council Phil North said: “During recent work to install a safety wire system on the roof of the Guildhall, the walls on the south elevation were inspected and some of the decorative stones that make up the parapet were found to be ‘rocking’ slightly.

“These stones are relatively new – they were installed in the early eighties to replace original pieces which had decayed.

“All of these stones were fixed with metal dowels so could not have fallen from the building, but they need to be refixed and bedded on new mortar, which is now being done.

“The City of Lincoln Council has employed specialist mason Mick O’Connor to undertake the work which must be completed using materials and techniques approved by English Heritage.”

In its present form, the Stonebow was built in the early 1500s and is a display of Tudor craftsmanship.

The bell in the roof of the building has been dated to the 1371, and is rung only for the traditional occasion of calling Lincoln’s Councillors to their meetings that take place in the chambers above the archway.