The first stone is laid - 14th December 2005

The most complex part of the restoration of St. George's reaches its final stage as the first stone carving is fixed into position on the north-east corner of the Spire.

The first stone is laid - 14th December 2005

The stone - numbered 'NEA1' weighs 1.3 tons and is a Lions foreleg.

Over the next three months the remaining 72 stone sections will be assembled around the spire and once again the Lions and Unicorns of St. George's will dominate the city skyline.

The Process
Sections of the old carving is removed or cut back so that the new carvings can be bedded into the Spire.

Paul, cuts into the joints using an angle grinder
Paul, cuts into the joints using an angle grinder

Metal wedges are hammered into the joints to break the mixture of mortar and Victorian grout which was used to bed the stone
Metal wedges are hammered into the joints
to break the mixture of mortar and
Victorian grout which was used to bed the stone

Slings are then wrapped around the stone, which is then carefully lifted using a hoist
Slings are then wrapped around the stone, which is
then carefully lifted using a hoist.

The old carving removed
The old carving removed

Tim, drilling a hole for the lewis pins
Tim, drilling a hole for the lewis pins

The new carving is lifted using a hoist and carefully positioned onto the Spire
The new carving is lifted using a hoist and
carefully positioned onto the Spire

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Last updated: 26 January, 2008