It’s been a busy few weeks at Cornerstone, with the project to replace the roofs of Kettering Library and Alfred East Gallery well underway.

Sheep Street in Kettering is home to two of the town’s most beloved heritage buildings, Kettering Library and Alfred East Gallery. Dating back to 1904 and 1913 respectively, they have been the centre of Kettering’s community for generations. Now, after more than a century of serving local residents and visitors, these much-loved buildings are the subject of a landmark regeneration project, overseen by local contractors Messenger.

Before the complex task of replacing the roofs of two Grade II Listed buildings can begin, one vital component needs to be in place: scaffolding… and lots of it! The scaffolding alone is a huge project, requiring detailed planning and design. This will provide safe and secure access to the Library’s vast roof, ready for the implementation of Collyweston slates.

Apex Scaffolding Ltd from Northampton are experienced in providing scaffolding for heritage sites, and their work at Cornerstone began in April; first towards the rear of the Library, before quickly growing in size to envelope the entire building.

A dramatic sight soon began to appear on Sheep Street. Scaffolding on this scale needs a staggering amount of component parts. Here are some statistics:

• 15.3 miles of scaffold tubes
• 15,150 feet of scaffold boards
• 14,300 fittings to hold it all together
• And 31 tonnes of kentledge (weights) to hold it all down

By June, another element of scaffolding was needed. Sheep Street was closed to traffic while a temporary roof structure was built on the ground piece by piece. Numbering 18 individual sections, these were carefully lifted into place by a crane from Kettering’s County Lifting Services and attached to the existing scaffolding by the team from Apex.

This roof structure is for a tent covering, allowing work to replace the roof to continue without being at the mercy of the Great British weather. The tent will provide optimum conditions for the installation of Collyweston slates, enabling work to proceed throughout winter while still allowing daylight through.

The end of June will see scaffolding begin to be constructed around Alfred East Gallery. This is just another phase of this huge and exciting project from North Northamptonshire Council, ensuring Kettering’s heritage buildings are preserved for future generations.

Remember that during these works, Kettering Library remains open to the public in their temporary home. Head to the rear of the Library and Gallery, where you’ll find the Library team inside the new extension, happy to help as always.