The College of Arms is an important Grade 1 listed building dating from the 1670s, with significant later alterations. The final phase of a major programme of restoration of brickwork and pointing, and of repairs to the windows, has now been completed. This three-year programme, somewhat delayed by the pandemic, has seen the removal of all cementitious mortars, cleaning of the brickwork, and removal of decayed architraves and windows. It has included the repair and restoration of the decorative stonework including the examination and removal of over twenty layers of paint. Historic repairs from the mid-twentieth century had made wide use of cement, dyed and decorated to appear as bricks. These all needed to be removed and replaced.
The final phase, the elevation on Godliman Street, which originally contained the arched coaching entrance to the College before the remodelling in the 1860s, was particularly challenging due to the alignment of bricks in the southwest corner on Queen Victoria Street.
Restoration work revealed elements of the original stone arch on this façade, that had not been fully removed as originally assumed, but decoratively covered. Fastenings for the Royal Arms were still clearly visible, as was evidence of early tuck pointing behind a layer of brickwork. Paint analysis of some of the older windows that had been sealed for many years revealed the window decorations from the mid-1800s in brown and cream, in keeping with the fashion of that time.
The works were completed by lead contractor Fullers Builders under the guidance of Richard Griffiths Architects.
A grant of Honorary Arms, Crest and Badge was made to John Stephen RANDO of the City of Gloucester, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA, by Letters Parent of Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms dated 2 June 2021. College reference: Grants 183/225. The Arms (illustrated left) are blazoned as follows:
Mark Scott, Bluemantle Pursuivant and Patron, Bluemantle’s Cricket Club, attended their matches against the Old Amplefordians, Emeriti, and Stragglers of Asia at the Nevill Ground, Royal Tunbridge Wells, from 3-5 August 2021. After the close of play on 5 August a plaque on the ground’s Bluemantle Stand was unveiled in memory of Robert Bairamian (1935-2018) and Rupert Bairamian (1962-2020), a father and son who had been stalwarts of the club since 1952. Of Armenian descent, they were son and grandson respectively of Sir Vahe Bairamian, Chief Justice of Sierra Leone, who was granted the following Arms on 1 May 1967. College reference: Grants 130/93. The Arms (illustrated left) are blazoned: