Our involvement with the building started early in 2016 when we were commissioned to undertake an appraisal to inform potential alterations. Our detailed Statement of Significance at the start of the process has informed the current scheme and we have gone on to prepare a detailed Heritage Impact Assessment and work closely with the new owners (Sanguine), the architects (Edge), Historic England and the local authority to secure the most sensitive scheme - a great new use for this Grade II* gem, which has been vacant for some time.
See article below:
http://www.chesterchronicle.co.uk/news/chester-cheshire-news/chesters-old-palace-gets-green-13572086
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| "The dog seeing its reflection" - one of Aesop's fables in the exquisite 1754 Drawing Room plasterwork |
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| The initials of Bishop Peploe's daughter (Mary Peploe) and the family crest on a lead rainwater hopper of c.1741 - note the 'human eye shedding drops of tears' on the stag's head |
This Rainwater hopper almost certainly came from the Archdeacon's House which once stood next door to the Bishop's Palace and which Mary Peploe re-built after her father the Bishop's death in 1752. It was described as a 'pretty, showy house by a contemporary and was demolished in the mid 19th century. The crest which appears on the hopper was designed by Mary's brother Chancellor Peploe in 1753 which helps date it.
ReplyDeleteThat's a strong possibility Rupert, although it is very unusual to relocate a hopper from another building. Perhaps the church was being sensitive to its history in the 1860s? I have just found reference to your 2016 article about the Peploes. Perhaps you can email me privately and we can share our knowledge, as I wrote a report in 2016 on the building which you may find interesting or you may be able to enlighten me on certain facts.
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