(2) From the outset there were problems of dampness in the field of the mural, caused by ingress of water through the masonry joints, of three blocked-up windows within the apse. High on the stone cornice beneath the half dome of the apse the artist has painted the words, "This wall from dome to floor has been designed and painted by me. I fear the wall is damp. Phoebe A Traquair July 1922". 

(3) More recent deterioration of the mural lead to a detailed structual survey of the apse wall, followed by remedial measures to arrest water penetration and further damage to the mural. These measures included replacing a jamb stone in the blind window, thought to be the cause of the trouble, repairing the lead tray above the stone window head cornice and treating the stonework and rendered panel with a shelter limecoat 

After a fairly long monitoring period to allow the drying out process of the apse wall to continue, a detailed survey of the damage to the mural inside was carried out by English Heritage. All the figures on the mural were numbered and the areas of damage to the paintwork plotted.

(4) The mural restoration was carried out by the artist by Ms Simone Pelizzoli, and part of the strategy was to treat part of the restoration as "sacrificial" through which the wall would be allowed to continue to dry out while maintaining an acceptable artistic image.