The condition of Ledbury’s iconic Market House is being monitored after an investigation found evidence of deterioration in its oak posts.

The timber assessment took place in October 2021 as part of the town council’s ongoing efforts to conserve the 17th century building.

A report put before councillors says further investigations are needed in order to measure the “extent and rate of degradation” and warns against “destructive intervention”.

“It will then be necessary to develop a methodology of repair and conservation that retains the maximum of surviving historic fabric, but which also slows down if not completely stops the degradation,” says the report, by Demaus Building Diagnostics of Leominster.

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“The degradation visible in the bases of the posts is concerning. There has been some deformation and loss of historic fabric, although it is difficult to assess just how much.”

The report says mortar used to fix the posts during major repair work that took place in 2006 could now be slowly splitting the timber.

It also notes the reappearance of wood wasps, insects that colonise and consume degraded timber, adding: “Their presence is a useful indicator that a problem exists.”

Council wants English Heritage involved in Market House work

Ledbury Town Council will be keen to learn lessons from the failed restoration of the war memorial, which sits opposite the Market House in the High Street.

The monument was repaired in 2020 following a £30,000 donation from former Lancaster bomber Stuart Heaton, but cracks and mould started appearing just months later.

Following protests from angry residents, the council said fresh repairs will take place and these are set to get underway this month.

Ledbury Reporter: A restoration of Ledbury's war memorial in 2020 has not gone wellA restoration of Ledbury's war memorial in 2020 has not gone well

Expert advice will be sought before any work takes place on the Market House and the council has already approached English Heritage, which manages more than 400 historic sites, to request the charity gets involved.

Ledbury mayor Phillip Howells said: “The Market House is an icon and we monitor its condition regularly. Part of this is doing that monitoring but it does need an assessment and some treatment.”

Councillor Tony Bradford said: “The report confirms my concerns that the stilts are showing signs of deterioration. It’s important people know we’re looking after the Market House.”