About this event
Register now for our online October talk where we will be joined by guest speaker James Kenton, Senior Architect (London and South East region) for the National Trust. James will share first-hand details about the project to conserve Vita’s writing room at Sissinghurst Castle Garden.
A partial collapse of ceiling plaster directly above Vita’s Writing desk in August 2021 initiated a programme of repairs to stabilise and repair the plasterwork within the Writing Room and the discovery of previous decorative schemes.
This talk will offer an insight and behind the scenes view of this 12-month project which featured in the BBC series ‘Hidden Treasures of the National Trust’
About the speaker
James Kenton is a senior architect within the London and South East region for the National Trust. He is responsible for the ongoing care and conservation of three portfolios in Kent including Sissinghurst Castle Garden, Ightham Mote and Chartwell.
Previously, James has looked after the Bodiam and Batemans portfolio in East Sussex. Recent projects include plaster repairs and redecoration of the Writing Room at Sissinghurst which featured in the first TV series of ‘Hidden Treasures of the National Trust’ and the stabilisation of Chartwell’s kitchen garden walls built by Sir Winston Churchill.
James’ current work includes the ongoing assessment and management of surface water at Chartwell. Previously James has worked in various private practices and is an approved inspecting architect for the Church of England in the Diocese of Canterbury, Rochester, and Chichester where he was responsible for the management of approximately 30 churches.
