For August’s profile, we spoke to Matt, who works to keep the fabric of Bell House ship-shape. He tells us about the repairs he’s undertaken at the House so far, his other work on historic buildings and the projects he’s hoping to be involved with in the future.
What is your role at Bell House and how long have you been involved?
I am a bricklayer by trade and Georgian properties tend to have a lot of bricks, with Bell House being no exception! There have been numerous poor quality repairs over the years using cementitious mortars and I am slowly trying to rectify those using traditional lime mortar. This allows the building to breathe and move in a way it needs to, although some parts move far more than I would like! My first job was the front wall as you come in by the gates, which must be nearly four years ago.
What do you do away from Bell House?
I also work as an actor and so enjoy going to the theatre (or did), as well as visiting galleries and exhibitions with my wife and daughter. Last year I was awarded the William Morris Craft Fellowship by the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, which has only enhanced my love of and appreciation for traditional craft. I love seeing people work with their hands. I also follow Blackburn Rovers, but I’m not sure I really enjoy that anymore!
What is your favourite thing to do in and around Dulwich?
If I am working on a Saturday I go for a run around the park first, which is an enjoyable way to start the day. I also enjoy the fact that Edward Alleyn used to live there and smile at the thought of him and his contemporaries most days I pass his house.
What are you working on now?
I am working on Kensington Palace Orangery at the moment, which is a beautiful Queen Anne building dating from 1702. The work is amazing and I feel very lucky to be putting my name to a building that is recognised as one of the finest brick built structures in Europe. Back at Bell House, Andy, Ric and Joe have been busy demolishing the old plant room, so I will be back at some stage to do a bit there. The last big project I was on was during lockdown where we carried out substantial garden wall repairs and the tuck pointing on the rear elevation along with Paul Kelly from Heritage Pointing.
Can you tell us about the best or most important project you’ve undertaken?
There isn’t one job I haven’t enjoyed at Bell House, even re-building manhole walls! I have grown really attached to the property and it is a good feeling knowing that the work I am doing is helping it stand for the next however many hundred years. The swift bricks I installed recently was a cool project. Let’s hope they do their job in time.
Are there any forthcoming projects that you are particularly excited about?
The plant room build begins the start of the ambitious classroom/pottery project, which I hope to be involved with. I also love repairing the garden walls… there is a real sense of following in someone’s footsteps when I am working on them.