Elaborate gateway reopens after restoration

An ornate set of wrought iron gates, which were under threat from the elements, will be reinstalled next week thanks to a generous bequest.

The once weather-beaten gates of the University’s Deans Court will be reinstalled, and become fully operational again, on Monday 19 July 2004.

Their reinstatement represents the culmination of a restoration programme which has seen the repair of several sections of wrought ironwork around the University including St Salvator’s College and Chapel and Younger Hall.

The ironwork was facing an uncertain future due to the unrelenting assault of salt, spray, frost and rain which takes a heavy toll on the town’s renowned architectural features.

The works, which began in October 2002, included repairing and replacing vertical wrought iron and cast iron boxes, railings, ornamental heads, ornamental scrollwork, and top and bottom rails. Existing coatings were removed by gentle sand blasting by specialists, and by manual cleaning.

The major programme of repairs to the ironwork around these buildings, and many other sites throughout the town, was made possible by a generous bequest from the estate of the late Dr J. W. Buchanan (1913-2000). Dr Buchanan, an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University from 1966 until his retirement in 1978, lived and worked in St Andrews for some fifty years and was deeply committed to the conservation of the town’s extraordinary built heritage.

Fiona Bell, the University’s Director of Estates said, “The setting of the University’s buildings represent the public face of the University and, in this case, creates an impressive visual presence which helps define the character of the town for residents and visitors alike. It is therefore of paramount importance that the University properly maintains not only the historic buildings but also the associated townscape features in good order. It’s encouraging and greatly appreciated that donors are willing to contribute to projects like this which will ultimately protect and maintain the historic fabric of the University estate”.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS

You are invited to a photocall at the Deans Court gates at 11am on Monday 19 July 2004. Jonathan Livingstone, Development Officer will attend, together with John Hart, Project Manager, Estates department. For directions to Deans Court, please contact the press office – details below.

Issued by Beattie Media On behalf of the University of St Andrews For more information, please contact Claire Grainger, Press Officer – 01334 462530, 07730 415 015 or [email protected]; Ref: press releases/gates View the latest University news at http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk