SalvagingHampshire Cordon Pearson Gordon Pearson is a quantity surveyor in the Architects Department of Hampshire county council. He describes here the operation of the County C~uncil's salvage scheme for building materials and features, Hampshire is one of Britain's largest counties, and its range of buildings . reflects the diversity of its geographical extent. Much of the central part of the county is chalk upland, where flint and timber-framed buildings tend to dominate the vernacular. At its eastern boundaries, a belt of malmstone gives rise to a wide variety of buildings constructed in this soft creamy-coloured upper greensand. The clays, sand and gravel of the New Forest in the south-west, and the heathlands of the north-east, favour the production of bricks in a wide variety of colours, reflecting the different types of clays and processes. Along the coastal belt, a number of old buildings are of Quarr or Binstead stone, imported from the Isle of Wight in medieval times, although many of these are later buildings where the stone has been re-cycled. The County Council owns a variety of listed buildings and scheduled ancient monuments, including bridges, schools, farm buildings and coastal fortifications in addition to a wide range of domestic buildings. To obtain suitable materials for repair and restoration work can be -a problem; and with this in mind, the Council decided to set up its own salvage scheme in 1978, to provide a compound of specialist ma~erials. The District Councils were invited to join the scheme, but there was little enthusiastic response; so the County set up the scheme on its own and consequently use of the material is ;estricted to the repair of buildings in County ownership. The general policy is to salvage materials only from buildings owned by the County, and much of the stock derives from the demolition of 19th century properties in Southampton and Portsmouth acquired for new road schemes. However, if stocks of particular items are low and a demolition contractor is able to offer items which the Council1requires, it will buy on the open market~- All the materials are stored at Fort Nelson, near Portsmouth. This Palmerston fort provides secure premises close to the motorway, allowing easy access. Shelter is provided for the less durable items such as stained glass leaded light panels, church pews and panelling. Fareham Reds and Beaulieu Whites are the bricks most commonly required, although a certain number of blue brick bats are kept for restoring 18th century diaper pattern brickwork. Blue brick paviors of various patterns are kept in stock. There is a large turnover in slates; these come in every size from 16" x 8" up to giants 4'0" long in a variety of shades of blue-black. Clay roofing tiles are in regular demand and the Council has built up a big stock of decorative ridge tiles to suit most roof pitches, as well as decorative finials and cimney pots including the locally well-known Fareham pots .. It is rare that the Council cannot find the timbers it needs from its vast stock. Large bulk timbers of greenheart and oak are used regularly, with softwood members ranging from boarding to scantlings. Portland and Purbeck stone pavings are kept, together with other items of local stone; these include copings, window dressings, door arches, gravestones and staddle stones, as well as stone in rubble form. Knapped flints are always in demand. Annual turnover is approximately £18,000. The Council funded the scheme initially, but as the stock has built up it is becoming independent and it is hoped to operate on a revolving fund basis. Materials are charged at economic rates to each contract, by means of a debiting transaction carried out in the office. A simple booking in and out system is maintained at Fort Nelson; a simple card index, centrally held, allows any Council architect to check what is in the compound. The stock is checked - amd books balancedtwice a year. Each time the Council purchases a property with a view to demolition, it is surveyed for its potential as materials salvage and the appropriate Page 15 ----------
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