Boasting a surprisingly rich and sumptuous interior, the Royal Marines Museum is housed in the lavishly decorated former Officer’s Mess of Eastney Barracks, which was built in the 1860s for the Royal Marine Artillery.

However, the finally detailed plaster on the ceiling of the Minstrel’s Gallery has over the years deteriorated and conservation company Cliveden Conservation has had to remove both ceilings and floors to remodel and repair the intricate decoration.

Considerable interest was generated amongst Museum staff by the number of items found left by past builders and tradesmen between the floorboards. These included newspaper cuttings from 1876, notes and equipment from when the building was first wired in 1923 and cigarette packets, which would be eminently collectable today.

		A series of raised platforms were used throughout the restoration work at the Royal Marines Museum. © Royal Marines Museum

“There is an enormous sense of pride in seeing such sensitive restoration taking place” said Marketing Manager Sandy Wilson, “and real enjoyment in discovering aspects of the building’s life through our little discoveries. It really brings home the many people who have been involved with this wonderful building.”

Work is due to finish on the Minstrel’s Gallery ceiling in the next few weeks, but until then, the highly-skilled work can be seen in progress by visitors.