Bader College has received approval from The Bader College Board and Queen’s University (Canada) Board of Trustees to begin urgent and necessary repairs to Herstmonceux Castle.
These include repairs to some masonry (brickwork and stonework), as well as repairs to the castle roof and windows to ensure safe access to the building and to prevent additional damage to the structure from water penetration. Bader College closed in November 2023 and access to the building was limited after the University was informed of serious structural concerns with the central gatehouse.
Of foremost concern is the structural stability of the stone corbels which support the parapets of the gatehouse. The corbels are integral to the structural stability of the gatehouse parapets.
The castle is already shrouded in scaffolding, which was erected to facilitate structural investigations. That scaffolding has also been wrapped with barrier material to allow needed repairs to continue in poor weather. The work will take place before the full onset of winter to prevent further water penetration and to be able to use the historically accurate mortar required in reconstruction.
While other needed repairs were identified in the inspection report received this past April, they are not immediately required for structural safety or to avoid further interior damage. No decision has yet been made regarding those additional repairs.
Over the past two years, Queen’s has undertaken significant repairs to Bader College infrastructure including new fire alarms and washrooms in Bader Hall (the student residence), upgrading the fire alarm system in the castle, and upgrades to the water treatment plant and heating oil tanks.
Herstmonceux Castle is a Grade 1 Listed Scheduled Monument, and all repairs and renewals require Schedule Monument consent, in addition to ecology and archeology consultants. Receiving the relevant consents can be a timely and costly process.
Work on Bader College’s future use and alignment with Queen’s University strategy is in progress.