256 Notes on the History of Mere. 
strapping and bolting it up to the joists where loose with Hin. or Sin. iron 
‘coach screws,’ having ‘2 x 2’ thin plates of iron (or copper would be better) 
under the heads, let in flush with the surface. (This is a treatment I have 
recently adopted with a similar ceiling, and with great success.) The cracks 
and defective parts might then be cut out and stopped with plaster. 
“The tiling of the roof should be stripped and re-laid on cleft oak laths, as 
specified, and opportunity should at the same time be taken to strengthen the 
framing of the principals by straps or bolts at the joints. 
“Mr. Hooper pointed out an interesting oak Jacobean window in the furnace- 
house, which he has instructions to take out and supersede by one of deal. I 
think an examination of the old one will show that it is in a sufficiently sound 
state to last longer than the new, and it would be a pity to remove it. 
“T earnestly hope that some such repair as I have above indicated may be 
carried out, and that this interesting structure may be spared the well-meant 
but injurious handling with which it was threatened. 
“C, E. Pontine.” 
In explanation of the above it should be stated that in 1888 it 
came to the knowledge of the Rev. E. G. Wyld, then Vicar of 
Mere, that a contract had been signed by a local builder to carry 
out certain repairs and alterations in the chapel, which would 
have completely destroyed all the leading architectural features of 
the building ; consequently he immediately communicated with 
Mrs. Banks (the owner) and with the Secretary of the Wilts 
Archeological Society, begging that the work might not be begun 
till a report had been made on the state of the chapel and as to the 
possibility of its being restored without being vandalised. Mr. 
Ponting was instructed to examine the building, and the report 
given above was the outcome of his inspection. It is a satisfaction: 
to be able to say that Mr. Ponting’s suggestions were to a great 
extent carried out, and the structure has been judiciously restored, 
and its original architectural features retained. 
Barrow STREET 
is another hamlet of Mere, lying between Mere Park and Chaden- 
wyche. It consists of three farms, two of which are part of the 
Duchy of Cornwall, the other belongs to Sr H. H. Hoare, Bart. 
Of the former, Breacues Farm—originally La Bréche—is about 
322 acres in extent, and is annexed to Conwich, which till the 
early part of this century was a separate holding. 
