Stephen Norman, 2025
It had always been assumed that the elegant pair of columns either side of the porch of Smiths Hall were actually holding up the porch roof. But in 2022 it became apparent that this was no longer the case; the columns collapsed, crumpling at the bottom like elephants' feet, and the whole lead-lined roof tilted downwards a few degrees. The builder's inspection revealed that the pillars were hollow and the outer shell was 100% timber. There was no stone or steel inside them.
Emergency props were put in place to avert a complete collapse, and the owners went in search of remedies. Once the pillars were removed, it became clear that they had rotted away over the years and could not be restored.
The local firm of Benchmark Joinery was engaged to create new pillars of the same design as the original. The heritage officer from Maidstone Borough COuncil specified that the new pillars must be stronger than the old ones and approved a design in which both pillars would have steel joints inside, but also there would be steel supporting the roof and running back to further steel joints hidden inside the faux pillars at the back of the porch.
Each pillar was created following the original design by gluing and fastening eight long hardwood planks to form a hexagonal tube. Then this tube was taken to a giant lathe near Ashford and turned to make two elegant tapered columns. Finally the bases and the capitals were added. The capital needed to be carved by hand.
Finally all was ready and the new columns were carried and lifted into place, one by one.
The carpenters reproduced the elaborate decoration above the capitals and the painter added several coats of white paints. And finally, the roofer added new lead on the roof.
The original columns were built around 1780 and must have been replaced several times since then. Let's hope these ones are good for 100 years, at least.
Now the steps look in need of refreshment.
