THE CHALLENGE OF MAINTAINING OUR HALL
12 NOVEMBER 2025
This month, Nick Long, Hall Manager took the Trustees of the Stationers’ Hall Charity on a tour to see at first hand where the latest capital grant for summer works had been spent. We started by entering the roof above the card room through the door at the end of the third floor meeting rooms. The repaired windows, roof covering, resealing and repointing of the brickwork was clearly visible. It was a view we had not seen across into Amen Corner and the little garden and the Roman Wall to the side of the Old Bailey. We also looked at where parts of the cornices had been repaired from the courtyard and at the partial re-rendering of the Tokefield Centre. Abseilers had accessed some of the harder to reach parts of the buildings but the immediate decision was what was most urgent for repair. Shocking to us all was the state of the main side wall that holds the Caxton Window. You can see that it is the original brickwork and it is crumbling. There have been numerous bits of repointing over the centuries, often with unsuitable materials. Scientific analysis has allowed the team to ensure that in future the appropriate plaster and materials will be used to avoid the present a sticking plaster solution. One area that the Clerk is describing in the photos is an experiment with layers of a sealant that allows brick to breathe applied so we can monitor it over the next year and assess whether it is a solution for the entire wall once we have the funds to repair it.
The 1820s guttering with crests and gloved hands as supports is beautiful but even part of that had to be remade this summer at great expense. Interestingly, the original arch of the 17th century window that the Caxton Window replaced in the late 19th century can be seen on the flank wall. There is much to do and it is never ending. On the wish list is cleaning and making sound the external Caxton window to brighten and maintain it but the priority has to be the walls and roof that are crumbling.
The Trustees were fascinated to see in practice where the funds are spent and how important their decisions are to the fabric of our Hall . Nick’s knowledge and expertise of the work was impressive and there is a 10 year plan of urgent building repairs to achieve. I suspect that many of us thought that once Vision 350 was complete, the worst was over! Your contributions and support make this possible so thank you and please consider donating to the Hall.
To donate please contact communications@stationers.org