Award-winning craftsman joins the team restoring Hastings’ historic greenhouse in Alexandra Park

An award-winning craftsman will be restoring an historic greenhouse to its former glory.
Jason Wright SUS-200825-100948001Jason Wright SUS-200825-100948001
Jason Wright SUS-200825-100948001

Jason Wright, a self-employed joiner for 26 years, will renovate the teak frame of the 1930s structure in Alexandra Park and install toughened glass once final funds for the work have been secured.

A generous supporter has already pledged the lion’s share of funding to the Alexandra Park Greenhouse Group to put a permanent roof on the structure.

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Last week the group launched a month-long crowdfunding campaign, called Let’s Raise the Roof, with the aim of raising £10,000 to finish the project.

The group has commissioned Mr Wright to repair and renew the greenhouse’s frame. In 2007, he won an English Heritage commendation for his work on dismantling an oak barn in Normandy and bringing it to England where he converted it into a house.

The joiner, who trades as J F Wright Carpentry, said the park greenhouse was a very good example of its type. He added: “There was a lot of money spent on it when it was built, it was the top of the range. We were at the height of the Empire then and it was easier to get the teak wood.

“We haven’t decided what type of teak substitute wood to use yet, but it will be a tropical hardwood which is very stable and oily, which means it is rot resistant. It is well-designed and it’s nice to be involved in restoring it to its former glory. It will take about the 12 weeks to do the work. It’s quite precise work; it has to be broken down into its component parts and then the work must be done in the right order. It’s about organising the work properly.”

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He has renovated many greenhouses, including one at Hawkhurst. He has just finished a new greenhouse at Bodiam and will soon start a new project at Benenden.

Retired blacksmith Clive Standen is being consulted about restoring the greenhouse guttering and downpipes, while staff from JenCo Electrical are seeking sustainable ways to install power at the site.

The campaign has so far raised more than £1,500 towards the £10,000 target to provide lighting and power, re-appoint ageing brickwork, improve the interior, and to build a perimeter fence and emergency gate.

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