Our HSHAZ West Midlands Project


16.02.24 Temporary roof scaffolding

...over our project on the edge of the Peak District is allowing works to progress over the winter.  After the roof coverings were stripped, we have been carrying out numerous repairs to the timber structure.

" You are amazingly organised, we are very pleased." 

09.02.24 Snowfall in Sheffield

...on our 2nd Heart of the City project.  Masonry repairs and rainscreen parapet cladding are complete. Work is now underway installing a timber cornice to match the original.

29.12.23 As scaffolding is gradually removed

...at our HSHAZ project in the West Midlands, render repairs, new metal windows and redecoration is revealed.

22.12.23 We have commenced phase 2

...of conservation repairs to a series of derelict buildings in Staffs.  Our scaffolding has been designed to bridge over the road so that access can be maintained for turning vehicles.

22.12.23 Pinstone St, Sheffield

...following the new stone parapet cladding and welted lead capping, our project in Sheffield continues.  We are cladding the shop fronts with stone, undertaking masonry repairs and forming two large timber cornices clad with lead.

28.11.23 Thematech masonry cleaning

...at our Brewery project.  Superheated water successfully cleans years of dirt and moss from the coping stones without causing damage to the historic fabric.

16.11.23 Conservation of a historic brewery

...in Burton upon Trent.

Our works involve repairs to the timber frame windows, brickwork and lime mortar re-pointing, roof repairs and refurbishment of the cast iron rainwater goods.

16.11.23 Our HSHAZ project in the West Midlands

...is now well underway.  We are undertaking lime render works, replacement metal windows, faience repairs and associated works.  Careful poultice paint removal has revealed historic signage to be conserved.

06.05.23 Our project continues

...at the impressive  St Thomas and Edmund of Canterbury in Erdington, Birmingham.  This hand carved tracery stone is being installed to the St Josephs Chapel.  Our project includes a wide variety of external work throughout the Abbey.

25.01.23 Our HSHAZ project in Leicester

...is now complete.

We replaced the modern shop front with a traditional hardwood timber frontage.  The works also required structural support in the basement, a chimney re-build and cleaning of the masonry facade.

16.11.22 St Thomas and Edmund of Canterbury

...is a grade II* listed RC church designed by Charles Hansom in 1848-50, located in the West Midlands.  The church became a Benedictine priory from 1876 and raised to the status of Abbey in 1896.  We are delighted to be commencing emergency repairs to the St Alphonse Chapel.

02.11.22  We have discovered

...the original encaustic tiled entrance floor at our HSHAZ Leicester project, dating back to circa 1900.  

17.10.22 We have commenced another HSHAZ

...(High Street Heritage Action Zone) project in Leicester. £95m of government funding, delivered by Historic England, is being used to bring a new lease of life to high streets throughout the UK.  This project requires a chimney re-build, masonry clean and a new historic timber shop front. 

We join the nation

...in offering our condolences to the Royal family and reflect on the 70 years of unwavering service by Queen Elizabeth II.

06.09.22 Tower turret repairs

...are underway at ISKCON in Leicester.  We have pieced in a new section of decorative timber, conserved and repaired the lead ridge capping and re-slated the turret.

02.06.22 At St George the Martyr near Milton Keynes

...water ingress damaged the plaster wall coverings.  We hacked off the damaged areas and carried out 3 coat lime plaster repairs, decorating the area to match the existing walls.

01.06.22 The original Georgian wired glass rooflight

...at our ISKCON Leicester project has now been replaced with a Heritage Patent Glazing system comprising No. 7 type mild steel glazing bars with seamless extruded lead covers, cast brass furniture and 8.8mm laminated glass.  The rooflight measures approximately 14m x 7m.

16.03.22 ISKCON Leicester

...is well underway.  We have commenced repairs to the lantern, chimneys, masonry, gutters and roof slopes.

18.02.22 We have been appointed

...to undertake the masonry package at the vast Heart of the City II "Block H" project in Sheffield.  Our works include approximately 1200m2 of ThermaTech cleaning and lime mortar re-pointing and associated masonry works.  Conservation of these historic buildings will revitalise this part of the city centre and create new offices, entertainment, comedy and music venues.

 

05.02.22 Masonry works are now underway

...at YMCA Worcester, one of the city's largest listed buildings.

The project involves repairs to 64 sash windows and repairs to the stone and brickwork on many elevations.

02.02.22  The ceiling replacement at Holy Trinity Church

...in the West Midlands is nearing completion.  We have now manufactured and installed the new softwood ventilated ceiling roses and mouldings.  

28.01.22 We have commenced works at ISKCON

...(International Society for Krishna Consciousness), Leicester.  Supported by Historic England's High Street Heritage Action Zone we will be repairing and re-roofing this iconic Victorian former banking hall.

28.10.21  Our ThermaTech cleaning project in Derbyshire

...is sensitively removing layers of paint built up over many years.  The ThermaTech uses pressure adjustable super heated water at temperatures up to 150 degrees.  This is the quickest and safest method of paint removal without causing damage to the brickwork.  We are removing 675m2 of paint, prior to redecoration.

 

20.10.21  The grade II listed gothic YMCA building in Worcester

...is being re-purposed for student accommodation.  We have commenced the conservation of 64 sash windows, with masonry and roofing works to follow.

 

01.10.21 Following a collapse of part of the ceiling

...we are delighted to have commenced on site at Holy Trinity church in the West Midlands.  A full birdcage scaffold will be erected in order to replace the 215m2 ceiling, with decorative ribs and ceiling roses.

29.09.21 The external works are now complete

...at the brick kilns in Great Linford, nr Milton Keynes.  We replaced approximately 900 bricks and raked out and re-pointed all elevations with lime mortar.  Plinths have been flaunched and metal straps and gates have been re-decorated.

10.09.21 We undertake drone surveys

...please contact us if you would like a quotation.  This survey was undertaken in the centre of Leicester and required internal and external access.  Drone surveys can prove more economical than scaffold or powered access.  Our drone surveys are undertaken by an MRICS building surveyor and includes a mandatory pre-flight risk assessment and flight plan as required by the Civil Aviation Authority.

19.07.21  With a road closure now in place

....we have commenced our wall building and pavement widening project in Warwickshire.  We have removed trees and bushes and are excavating ready to install pre-augered 150 diameter steel case driven piles.  A reinforced concrete foundation will be formed, upon which we will build a blue lias wall along the school boundary.

19.07.21 St Marys House in Lichfield

...is grade II* listed, dating back to medieval times.  We have commenced with the removal of timber casement windows, to be replaced with new timber sash windows.  Other timber frame windows will be repaired and metal windows will be refurbished.  Secondary glazing will then be installed throughout the building.

16.07.21

Putting the finishing touches

...to our masonry project at Drapers Hall in Coventry.  Vacant for 30 years, we are helping to conserve the building and transform it into a musical education and performance hub.

30.06.21  We are proud of the work we carry out

...and are delighted to receive feedback from our clients.  "Thanks very much for the beam repair. You have done a great job and I am very pleased with the result – as is the tenant!  I was really impressed with your professional approach to this – I know it was a small job for you but it was important for me, so thank you."

11.06.21 We are laying traditional sand cast lead 

...linings to the timber box gutters at Blenheim Palace.  With a strict no hot works policy, the gutter bays have been formed away from the building on the ground, then hoisted up to roof level and carefully dressed into position.

 

20.05.21 St Giles Church, Bedfordshire

...we have commenced scaffold access to the church tower to undertake masonry repairs.

14.05.21 Blenheim Palace

...our giant Haki stair access tower comes with some wonderful views!  

06.05.21 On the up again

...at Blenheim Palace!  Scaffolding has commenced to provide hidden access to the Workroom Heights roof.  Funded by the government's culture recovery fund, we will be carrying out emergency repairs to the lead gutters.  The works require carpentry, slating and possibly structural repairs.  The scaffold is being erected in an internal courtyard, therefore all materials are being carefully brought through an internal corridor.

06.05.21 Works are progressing

...in Great Linford at the brick kilns.  The photos show the Eastern kiln, which is one of two remaining brick kilns dating back to the mid 1800s.  We are cutting out the cementitious mortar and damaged bricks, in order to reinstate with new matching bricks, pointed with lime mortar.

29.04.21 External repairs are now complete

...and the scaffolding has been removed at St Marys Church in Oxfordshire.  The lower photo shows the replacement coping stones to the North Nave along with window hood moulds and string course to the clerestory.  We capped the string course with lead, re-dressed the hopper heads and fabricated and installed a new lead downpipe and shoe.  The metal ties and straps were repaired and redecorated.  Similar works have also been completed to the South clerestory.  Our team of carpenters are busy finishing off repairs to the seven Nave trusses

31.03.21 Scaffolding is now in place

...at our latest project in Northamptonshire.  We will be conserving the facades, roof and internal spaces.

26.03.21 Incredible to have Blenheim Palace to ourselves

...during a site visit to review our next project there.  

12.03.21 We are nearing completion

...of the quinquennial inspection repairs at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour in Wolverhampton.  We have finished the pitched roof slate repairs and renewed two flat roofs with mastic asphalt.  We are now putting the finishing touches to the new Confessional entrance and new steps into the Sacristry.  

 
  • Bespoke oak doors installed
    Bespoke oak doors installed
  • Confessional opening created
    Confessional opening created
  • Existing Confessional wall
    Existing Confessional wall
  • New steps to the Sacristry
    New steps to the Sacristry
  • Sacristry works in progress
    Sacristry works in progress
  • Existing Sacristry steps
    Existing Sacristry steps

25.02.21 Our carpenters and stone masons

...have been carefully conserving the structure of St Marys Church in Oxfordshire.  The carpenters have been busy working on the Nave roof, carrying out truss, purlin and rafter repairs.  The stone masons have been cutting out damaged stones to the parapet and clerestory and re-decorating the iron tie bars and straps.

15.02.21 A scheduled ancient monument

...the brick kilns at Great Linford date back to the early 19th Century.  We have been awarded the contract to conserve the kilns over a 16 week period.

12.02.21 We are delighted to be playing our part

...in undertaking essential conservation work at Blenheim Palace, thanks to the Government's Culture Recovery Fund https://www.blenheim.org/news/emergency-roof-repairs-culture-recovery-fund/

11.02.21 Work in progress at Our Lady of Perpetual Succour

...in Wolverhampton.  We are repairing and replacing roof coverings and improving access into the church.

 

30.01.21 Masonry and carpentry work

...is underway at our project at St Marys Church in Oxfordshire.  Truss repairs are have commenced, along with cutting out joints and damaged stone.

 

St Agatha, Birmingham

...we are delighted to be conserving "Birmingham's Finest Church", as described by John Betjeman.  The church has withstood war time bombing, arson and even a 135mph tornado in 2005.  Our works will include roof repairs, brickwork re-pointing and repair of rainwater goods.

The Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford upon Avon

We are now applying the finishing touches

...to our project at the RSC Props Workshop and Hub.  We have installed hardwood weatherboards with threshold water bars to the two doors.

21.01.21  With much of the internal work complete

...we are now focused on conserving and repairing the external facade of Drapers Hall in Coventry.

 

18.01.21 Our new ThermaTech machine has arrived

...using digitally controlled superheated water at temperatures up to 150 deg C, we are able to sensitively clean masonry; removing dirt, paint and coatings, often without the use of chemicals or abrasives.

21.12.20  The rooflights and flat roof coverings

...have now been replaced at our project in Wolverton.  We have also installed new cast iron internal rainwater goods.  The lath and plaster ceilings have commenced, with decoration and replacement floor coverings to follow.

10.12.20  Our latest project is now underway

...at grade I listed St Marys Church in Oxfordshire.  We will be repairing the timber roof structure of the Nave, along with plaster repairs and re-decoration.  Externally, we will be piecing in stone replacements to the parapets, string course and windows.

 

27.11.20  Our project at

...All Saints Church, Hoby in Leicestershire is now complete.  The last item on the list was the manufacture of a new memorial cross.  We used re-purposed timber from what were thought to be coffin stands, carved lettering, decorated and fixed into position above an alcove in the South Aisle.

20.11.20 We were handed a shopping list

...of carpentry and joinery repairs to undertake at All Saints Church, Hoby in Leicestershire.  It included pew end repairs and new feet, wood worm treatment, collection box and cupboard repairs, re-fixing of the linenfold screen, parquet floor repairs and manufacture of a sturdy oak stand for the tea urn.  All we have left to do is carve the lettering and decorate the new memorial cross we have manufactured. 

"We are delighted with all the work that has been done,  the repair of so many odds and ends as well has been great. Not putting up with so many things not being quite right have now been sorted.  We will have you back on another occasion to carry out further repairs to the floor" 

09.11.20  We have returned 

...to commence our second project at Wolverton, repairing the listed Nursery building.  Our works include re-roofing, rooflights & rainwater goods, new lath and plaster ceilings, decoration and replacement floor coverings.

09.11.20 The scaffold has been dismantled

at our Royal Shakespeare Company project.  We are delighted with the difference that the Doff and poultice cleaning has made to the facade.  Just repairs and redecoration of the doors to complete.

26.10.20  We are in the process of completing
...carpentry and joinery repairs to All Saints Church in Hoby, Leicestershire.

The carved linenfold

...panels at the East end of the Chancel had warped and become detached from the timber frame

This graffitti was

...found behind the screen, revealing it was re-purposed and came from a nearby village

We carefully dismantled the 

...screen framework and re-fixed the linenfold panels

The Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford upon Avon

09.10.20 Since completing structural roofing repairs to the

...props workshop and hub, we have been busy working on the facade.  We commenced on site in January and are now looking forward to the grand reveal once scaffolding has been removed.  Our recent works have included stone and joinery repairs, Doff and poultice cleaning of the brick and masonry. 

15.09.20 We have commenced repairs

...to the drainage system at St Peters Church in Northamptonshire, following delays caused by the Covid19 pandemic.  We will be replacing existing gullies and introducing new gullies and connections to the main run.  The blue brick channel will also be locally re-pointed.  All below ground works will proceed under an archaeological watching brief.

14.09.20  The Ride & Stride

...raises funds towards the upkeep of historic churches, chapels and meeting houses.  We took part on Saturday 12th September, visiting 24 churches in Leicestershire, covering 80 miles on the bike.  It was a pleasure to receive a warm welcome at each church and to play our small part in helping to preserve our heritage.

07.09.20 Drapers Hall has been vacant for 30 years

...but is now being regenerated and brought back to life to coincide with the 2021 City of Culture launch.  We are undertaking significant alteration work to conserve Coventry's finest Regency building 

 

19.08.20

We have completed this leaded light repair to All Saints Church nr Leighton Buzzard, Bucks.  We removed the storm damaged window and boarded up.  The window was then carefully bench repaired, re-fitted with new copper ties and the ferramenta redecorated

04.08.20  Work continues

...at the grade II* Drapers Hall in Coventry.  Brick works and stone masonry are progressing well. 07.08.20 updated with more photos

 

21.07.20 We are bringing this

... mid 19c farm house back to life for a private client in the West Midlands. Initially, we are undertaking extensive clearance work to strip back decayed fixtures and fittings and making access safe for further investigation. 

03.07.20 Before and after photographs

...of our recently completed project to a Staffordshire church.  This is the brick drainage channel reformed and laid with York stone paving to the North side of the Tower.  Scroll down below for photographs of the carved stone finials installed to the Tower and Vestry.

26.06.20 We have now...

commenced on site at the grade II* Drapers Hall in Coventry. Our project includes extensive masonry and brick works and both internal and external steam cleaning. A stone's throw from the old Cathedral, the hall survived war time bombing and has remained unaltered since Victorian times.

19.06.20 Drainage works

...are progressing well at our Staffordshire project, despite the challenging weather conditions.  

Finished lantern

04.06.20  We are almost complete

...at our project in Wolverton.  The lantern has been decorated and windows are operable.  We are now applying the finishing touches, prior to removal of scaffolding. 

01.06.20  We are pleased 

...to be back on site at Freemens Cottages in Leicester following updated Covid 19 procedures.   In 1107, Robert, Count of Meulen, granted to the Merchants of Leicester a Charter, allowing them to reform the Guild of Merchants and to carry out their business with the same rights and privileges that they had enjoyed before the Norman Conquest. Over the years the gildsmen became known as the Freemen and until 1835 they were the local government of the borough. Just prior to 1835, the Freemen were granted land to the south of Leicester under the Enclosure Acts and with the granting of the land, further legislation empowered the Freemen to elect a Board of deputies to manage their estates. Freeman's Cottages were built in two main phases in 1856 and 1893 to provide accommodation for the aged Freemen and Freemen's widows.

28.05.20 - Work continues

...at our school project in Wolverton.  We have installed new casement windows and are repairing the existing windows.  The metal operating gear has been dismantled and undergoing refurbishment.  We have repaired the slate roof and installed new lead hips and cill apron.  Next steps are to glaze, decorate and re-fit the winding gear.

Winding gear refurbished
Blenheim Palace

Sand cast lead laid

...the existing lead has been re-cast and is now being laid with wood cored roll joints and drips.  The roof has been ventilated with compact point ventilators and abutment ventilators.

We have been busy

...in the last few months.  Structural roof repairs at the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford upon Avon, gate pillar repair and rebuild at the Leicester School of Business, fountain repair in Birmingham, masonry repairs to a Shropshire church and re-roofing at Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire.

20.04.20 - We have commenced

...our latest project at Wolverton, near Milton Keynes

As principal contractor, the project involves a little bit of everything; internal and external scaffold access, asbestos sampling, joinery, carpentry, glazing, roofing, metalwork refurbishment, internal works and decoration. The lantern will either be repaired or replaced.

Covid19

We have locally sourced joinery grade timber boards for our Blenheim Palace project after our usual supplier closed. They were untreated, so the preservative was applied by hand. We are "virtually" signing in and out and meeting via "teams" and "zoom". Working at home is second nature to us, but now we must do it whilst balancing childcare. We are fortunate that the nature of our projects mean we can implement Covid19 RAMs and social distancing. We are starting new projects and continue to tender for future work. It is a challenge, but we believe with some ingenuity and hard work we can continue to operate safely, conserve our heritage and support the economy

We are delighted


...to have commenced work at "Britain's Greatest Palace"; Blenheim.  We are extremely proud to be conserving part of this World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill.  Our project involves scaffold access, re-casting the existing lead, repairs and alterations to the timber sub structure and associated masonry works to the Stable Tower.