SCARE IN ABBEY

Gisborne Times, 13 October 1932, Page 7

SCARE IN ABBEY

HUGE STONE CRASHES

SIGH TSEERS ESCA PE 1N JUR Y

While a party of .-iglir-eci - ivii; being conducted round V e> tun lister Abbey a scare was caused by the sudden fall of a huge piece ul masonry, says a London paper. Luckily no one "as mar the spot at the time, and mi personal injury resulted, but as a precaution that particular part uJ the abbey was ior a while closed to the public. The fallen stone "oiglmd more than a hundredweight, and crashed down from the mugnilieoiii groined root to the Henry AM L Clmpel. J.t tell at the spot on which the best jnan Was due to sUtinl at the wedding three days later ot Dr. X. Y. Store, son of Canon Sim'r. Archdeacon of Westminster. and .Miss Joyce Taynum. of Gloucester. The stone narrowly missed the marble slab that covers Urn remains of Queen Charlotte, tlm wife of George HI. ijr. I’ercy Dearmer. Canon in residence. was sent lor. and he aud the clerk of works examined the arch through field-glasses. It was later stated at the oliiee ol the clerk of works. ''l here is no need for alarm, though the cause of die stone becoming displaced is not yet definitely known.” Dr. Dearmer said Hie stone was known as a cusp, and formed part of the foliation scheme of the ruoi., which was admitted to be the finest in Europe. ‘•There is no doubt, ' lie remarked, “that, bad the stone hit anyone he would have been instantly killed, tot though it- appears quite small in the roof, in reality it would take two men W move it. The damage which caused the cusp to tall may have originated many centuries ago, but there is no injury easily discernible to the eye caused by it's absence.’’ The Henry A r li Chapel, or Lady Chapel, of the Abbey is regarded as ono of the finest architectural masterpieces in the country. Sir Thomas Jackson, said oi the Chapel, of which the vault is the outstanding achievement, that “art can do Jio more.” The master mason, believed to be Robert Vertuc, who was responsible for the intricate and beautiful vault, took extraordinary risks. Yet so perfect is the workmanship, each stone being shaped and keyed to take its place in and adjacent to the great arclics which span the structure, that it has stood intact for over four centuries without needing attention. A few weeks ago the work ot cleaning the extovior, which had been in progress for several years, was completed. Tu film old days when stone fell from the Abbey roof it was not replaced, but in the present case repairs will be mado. ■ Tim fallen piece of stone, which was not broken, will be secured by rivets.