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Making the Sunbury Ha-Ha smile again
Published 23.07.2007 10:44
Spelthorne Council has just agreed funding of £55,000 to do essential repairs to the 17th century Ha-Ha* in Sunbury Park.

The Ha-Ha is a historical feature of Sunbury Manor which has fallen into disrepair.  Many residents are familiar with Spelthorne Council’s restoration of the Walled Garden in Sunbury Park in the past 20 years, but the Ha-Ha was missed during this earlier restoration process.  By the winter of 2006, vegetation had so overgrown the Ha-Ha that when it was removed, the wall was revealed to be structurally unsound and in danger of collapse.  Ivy had grown into fist-sized vines in places, causing the Ha-Ha to crack and bulge, and trees growing from the base of the Ha-Ha had pushed the wall off of its foundation.  Because visitors to the park could walk over the top of and directly beside the Ha-Ha, it was deemed to be dangerous.

Emergency work has started to bring the Ha-Ha back to its original state and to ensure that it is safe for public visits.   Advice has been taken from a conservation expert as to who is suitable to carry out the specialist work, and on the basis of this advice, T.J. Shepherd Historic Brickwork Consultants have been appointed to make certain that the repairs are safe, lasting and sympathetically completed.  

It is very important that the Ha-Ha is repaired using historic techniques.  The work will involve taking apart the unsafe sections brick by brick, and replacing them in exactly the same position using a special lime mortar.  Lime mortar is a historical material that has been in use since ancient times, and it must be used in the Ha-Ha to prevent the disintegration of the bricks.  If a regular mortar is used, the bricks can start to crumble after a few years, and eventually will disappear.  

The whole repair process is very time consuming, and is unlikely to be finished until late next year, but by sympathetically repairing the Ha-Ha now using specialist techniques, it will be enjoyed for generations to come.   

Cllr Gerry Forsbrey, Portfolio Holder for the Environment said: “This is an extremely valuable feature in one of Spelthorne’s most impressive parks. It has been extensively restored by the Council and local residents over the last 20 or so years, and is very popular with local residents and visitors to the park. It is very important that we restores this historical feature, not just because it is an important part of local heritage, but also because of public safety.”

For more information contact the communications team on 01784 446297