Tuesday was my penultimate trip to the Gibberd Garden finishing the Celtic cross I previously started and setting to work on two large baptismal fonts reclaimed from St John's deconsecrated church in Old Harlow.
First of all I completed the Celtic cross I started previously, the one which appeared to have unholy markings on. I initially thought the markings may be masonic, I have since been informed they are 'The Four Evangelists', namely Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. The cross cleaned up very well, upon further cleaning I noticed the cross has at some point in the past been broken and mended, a hairline crack with some visible Akemi (mason's stone glue) across the width of the stone.
I then started work on the first font, a regular bowl shaped concrete font, very rough to the touch and enough moss to gather a rolling stone tenfold. Set to work with a large plastic scraper for the bulk then a curved detail scraper to access the smaller remnants. Weathering on the exterior was comprehensive and I soon realised this was no easy task. I alternated between this font and the other, a decorative gothic font which cleaned up more easily than anticipated.
On last inspection both fonts are over half way there, and ready for completion on my final visit next week.
