A new coat of paint

[Gob]

It basks in the glory of being Sir Francis Drake’s local, parts of it proudly hewn from the spoils of the Spanish Armada he helped to defeat.

But even though the Minerva Inn in Plymouth went on to survive centuries of redevelopment around it – and later escape Hitler’s bombs – the ancient hostelry may finally have encountered an enemy it cannot defeat.



Safety officials have decided the 16th century building’s timber beams and woodwork pose a fire risk, and must be covered in flame retardant paint.

An enforcement order means centuries of history could, quite literally, be glossed over.

The pub’s owners have also been told to paint a ceiling that bears years of hand-written messages from modern day visitors, celebrities, and servicemen who signed their name before going off to war – some never to return.



Yesterday landlady Shelley Jones said of the paint plan: ‘I don’t think Drake would have thought very much of the idea.

‘The place has been here for nearly 500 years and it hasn’t burned down yet.

‘But it’s a 16th century timber-framed building. If it catches fire, I’m not sure a coat of paint is going to do much good.’

Estimates of the pub’s age vary but English Heritage lists it as late 16th century, while local historians declare it to be the oldest in Plymouth.

Parts of it are said to incorporate timbers from the galleons of the Spanish Armada of 1588.

Drake was among the commanders whose own ships harried and repelled the Spaniards – reputedly after finishing his game of bowls on nearby Plymouth Hoe.

A central pillar that forms part of a spiral staircase is apparently a mast from one of the stricken enemy vessels.
Drake later lived a few doors away at the top of the cobbled street in which it still stands.

Centuries afterwards, the pub somehow survived the Second World War Blitz that flattened vast areas of the city.

It also survived decades of redevelopment around it.

The tradition of signing the Minerva ceiling began in 1970, and resumed in 1999 after redecoration.

Mrs Jones, 43, who runs the Grade II-listed pub with husband Martin, 45, told the Mail: ‘The fire safety people came round and told us we needed to paint the woodwork, including the old ships’ timber and the wood-panelled ceiling.

‘We live upstairs and the paint is meant to retard the flames to give us time to escape – although to do that, we’d have to jump from one of the upstairs windows anyway.’

Mr and Mrs Jones are now negotiating to find a way of fire-proofing the wood without damaging or masking it, possibly by using varnish instead of paint.

Devon and Somerset fire and rescue service said: ‘Safeguarding heritage from the ravages of fire is a vital part of the protection work of the fire service.’

[Lord Jim]

Safety officials have decided the 16th century building’s timber beams and woodwork pose a fire risk, and must be covered in flame retardant paint.

I would suggest something in a "bright safety yellow" to warn patrons that there's a ceiling, so they don't bang their heads on it....

[rubato]

They've never heard of sprinkler systems? A lot less intrusive and more effective.


Very low ceiling. Heat and fumes would be trapped down in the area where humans are rather than rising above and giving more chance of escape in a conflagatory situation. Could be deadly. I think requiring sprinklers would be pretty reasonable.



yrs,
rubato

[Scooter]

So let's see if I have this right...they are concerned about painting over 16th century woodwork because that would deface the graffiti that has been scrawled all over it?

[Lord Jim]

because that would deface the graffiti that has been scrawled all over it?

At some point, graffiti becomes "history"...

No, not the "for a blow job, call 555-1212" one finds on a bathroom stall...

But there's graffiti and there's graffiti....

Back in the 70's, I went to an acting camp that was held at an old "Consolidation" era High School in Central Virginia...

We found writing beneath desks and on walls dating to the 1920s and earlier 1900s, that from our perspective, we considered to be archeological finds....

In The Valley Of The Kings you can find "graffiti" on the walls that go back just a few decades...

Or several hundred decades....

[Scooter]

The tradition of signing the Minerva ceiling began in 1970

If that's history, then so is every spray paint scrawl on every wall and underpass and subway car in the world.

[Gob]

No much of it is 40 years old though, nor done by people of fame.

[Lord Jim]

Okay, well that's what I get for skimming...

I had assumed, (which of course makes an ass out of you and somebody else, but not me... ) that in a 500 year old building that a lot of this "graffiti" would date back to the 1600s....and the 1700s, and 1800s, and early 1900s...

Which would make that "graffiti" a sort of priceless history...

I did not realize that the "graffiti" in question goes back only to the 1970s...

If we're talking about trying to preserve the writings of folks from the Disco Era...

I say forget about painting the beams...

Burn the whole place to the ground....

[Crackpot]

Uhh doesn't the article state that there is nomes on the ceiling from WWII?

[Lord Jim]

Uhh doesn't the article state that there is nomes on the ceiling from WWII?

Oh bugger...

[Scooter]

It says

servicemen who signed their name before going off to war

There have been more recent wars that this must obviously be referring to if the graffiti only dates back to the 70s.

[Crackpot]

Yeah I got that upon re-reading it mea culpa

[Jarlaxle]

No, I do not think that is correct...it's been a while, but I recall in a bio of a Battle of Britain pilot, he & his squadron were in Plymouth. One night, he and some others hit a pub that looked to have been there forever. Before leaving, they were invited by the owners to sign their names (many adding their squadron number) on the ceiling.

I would be stunned were it not the same place.

[Sean]

I can make out the words, "wanker fuck u" as well as "weekender slappas" in that pic. It would be a travesty to let this part of our heritage be painted over!

[Gob]

especially as the former was adressed to you?

[oldr_n_wsr]

rubato is right, install a sprinkler system. No paint is going to give ample time for the upstairs tenants to get out in time. A few, "signatures" may get obscured, but overall a better plan than some fire retardent paint.
I'm surprised it's not the law for a public building, even one "grandfathered".

[MajGenl.Meade]

The tradition of signing the Minerva ceiling began in 1970, and resumed in 1999 after redecoration.

I take that to mean the signatures and sentiments from before 1999 were obliterated when the owners painted the ceiling that cream sort of colour during their redecorating. Evidently that surface is already familiar with retards and covering it with fire resistant paint would be a public service. Slap it on, I say.

I think the objection is aimed more at putting paint on the wonderful woodwork, presumably lovingly varnished and not despoiled, uncovered by inane ramblings of diseased (and alleged) minds.

Meade