Historic 19th-century wall restored at RM Norton Manor

Homeland August 14, 2023

VIVO Defence Services has carried out the restoration of a 19th-century wall located at RM Norton Manor.

The 164-feet long Serpentine Wall was granted English Heritage status nearly four decades ago but these are the first renovation works to be carried out on the wall.

The wall was originally constructed around 1810 to border the sweeping approach to Norton Manor house at Norton Fitzwarren, near Taunton in Somerset.

The main faces of the intricate yellow gault brick wall are mass brickwork with large decorative brick coping and dog-tooth cornicing, similar to that used in the adjacent stables. The way it sweeps the land and follows the woodland led to its name of the ‘Serpentine Wall’, and it was given a grade II listing by English Heritage in 1985.

The busy military base and the vehicles that use the road next to the wall – which is up to two metres high in parts – led to it becoming discoloured and covered in grime, moss, and other biological matter. It also required repointing.

DIO’s industry partner VIVO Defence Services completed the work with its partners Robert Rice Contractors in 15 weeks, cleaning the wall sensitively using a low pressure, chemical-free heated water system before carrying out the repointing work and returning the wall to its original beauty.

Stuart Clerkson, DIO Estate Facilities Manager said: “Norton Manor Camp is nestled into hillside woodland on the outskirts of Norton Fitzwarren and contains three Grade II-listed structures. Being able to carry out cleaning and repairs to The Serpentine Wall allows you to fully appreciate the beauty and craftmanship of the original construction. Following cleaning, the yellow gault bricks glow in the dappled sunlight that falls through the trees that sit above this retaining wall.”

The Conservation Stewardship Fund award of £25,000 was matched from the site maintenance budget to enable this restoration to be carried out.

Jerry Moloney, Managing Director at VIVO Defence Services said: “As a facilities management and maintenance provider working solely for the UK military and its partners, we carry out a lot of varied work, whether it’s repairing runways, making military buildings more energy efficient, repairing Service Family Accommodation or providing restoration work to heritage structures.

“The MOD is the UK’s second largest landlord and that means there is a lot to do. Renovating the Serpentine Wall at Norton Manor marine camp is certainly an interesting job and helps highlight the huge array of heritage buildings there are across the UK’s military bases and keeping them in good condition is historically important. Well done to our team.”

Image: VIVO Defence Services

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