Project Overview

Towards the end of December, Jamie Briggs Heritage teamed with National Conservation Service (NCS) team to deliver the packing, handling, and relocation of archive materials, books, and volumes from Westminster Abbey. This activity formed the first phase of a wider conservation programme led by NCS, who would subsequently clean, treat, and re‑pack the collection as part of their ongoing conservation work.

Operational Approach

The project was delivered over three consecutive operational days, deploying three specialist packing technicians working under the guidance of an on‑site NCS accredited conservator. Packing materials were supplied by Conservation Resources, ensuring all materials used were suitable for long‑term archive protection. Using specialist handling equipment and controlled workflows, the team successfully removed and transported approximately 30 cubic metres of mixed archival content, including boxed archives, loose volumes, and rolled materials.

Packing & Handling Methodology

• A range of specialist techniques ensured the safe movement of diverse material types:
• Roller‑racked boxed archives were transferred using large book trolleys, then palletised securely within the vehicle for stable transport.

Fragile or oversized books and volumes were packed into robust lidded plastic crates, with internal surfaces buffered using acid‑free tissue to protect bindings and surfaces. Further books were placed into our Book Trolleys for the long trip between the entrance to the archive, through the garden, over the bridge in the garden and to our parked and manned vehicle in the designated parking area.

Rolled items, such as drawings or maps, were packed into one‑metre-long lidded crates to prevent crush damage and structural distortion. This tailored approach ensured each object received the right level of protection based on sensitivity, size, and condition.

Site Logistics & Constraints

Westminster Abbey presents a range of heritage, security, and access constraints, requiring precise planning.
An advance site survey ensured all vehicle access, equipment manoeuvrability, parking suspensions, and internal handling routes were fully assessed ahead of the move, avoiding operational disruptions and ensuring compliance with Abbey protocols.

Managing Condition-Risk Items

• A small number of materials exhibited light mould, requiring enhanced safety measures:
• Technicians followed strict PPE procedures, including masks and gloves.
• On return to our site, affected items were transferred to a designated quarantine space, preventing cross‑contamination.
• The remaining collection was held in secure temporary storage until NCS completed treatment of the quarantined items.
• Once approved, all materials were reunited and placed into environmentally controlled storage, preserving long‑term stability. 

Outcome

Throughout the project, Jamie Briggs Heritage maintained full compliance with Westminster Abbey’s security, environmental, and heritage‑protection standards.
The collaborative partnership between Westminster Abbey, NCS, and Jamie Briggs Heritage delivered a seamless end‑to‑end relocation, resulting in:

• Safe transfer of 30m³ of culturally significant materials.
• Protection of fragile, oversized, and condition‑risk items.
• Streamlined integration with NCS conservation workflows.
• Final placement of the complete collection within heritage‑grade controlled storage

This coordinated approach ensured the Abbey’s archival collection were handled with the highest standards of care, facilitating their long‑term preservation and accessibility.