THE portrait of the late poet Charles Causley has been placed back on the wall in a new purpose made cabinet following conservation and restoration work.

Accredited paintings conservator Sarah Cove, who carried out the work with a team of three others, said the project went ‘really, really well’.

“Everything that we planned to do we managed to do. It was actually very timely we did the treatment as in fact we found areas of paint that were lifting and going to flake off that we hadn’t seen when it was on the wall.”

Ms Cove said a ‘layer of dirt’ has also been removed from the painting, making it look ‘brighter and more crisp’.

She added: “It isn’t just about cleaning and conservation, it’s about preservation in the long term.”

The painting now hangs behind a purpose made cabinet, with conservation grade acrylic.

Ms Cove added: “We have done what we can do at state of the art level and putting it in this frame is going to preserve it more than anything else.”

Ms Cove carried out a condition survey of Launceston Town Council’s paintings collection last November.

It was considered work should take place on the portrait of the Launceston poet as a priority, before the other paintings.

Town mayor, Cllr Brian Hogan, said: “The town council agreed that they would embark on a restoration project to preserve the historic paintings in the Town Hall for future generations to enjoy.

“The Charles Causley painting may not be the most historic date wise as it was painted in recent times but it was felt after professional advice that is was the most at risk and as Charles was a true son of Launceston it was felt that the painting was important to save.

“The restoration work was carried out by Sarah Cove, a well known art restorer. The painting is hung in the foyer of the Town Hall for all to see and enjoy.”

For the full report, and a round-up of the area news and sport, see this week’s edition of the Post.