Wells Cathedral Stonemasons Projects Entered for Natural Stone Awards

Three repair projects carried out by Wells Cathedral Stonemasons have been entered into a prestigious national awards scheme.

Cheddar-based Wells Cathedral Stonemasons - one of the few remaining UK companies which preserves the traditional stonemason‘s craft and provides apprenticeships – is in contention in the Natural Stone Awards 2006, organised by the Natural Stone Federation of Great Britain.

The three projects involved are:

• Leeds Castle in Kent – stonework repairs to the Mediaeval Maiden‘s Tower – Wells Cathedral Stonemasons supplied replacement stone from France in the form of Richemont bleu limestone, while the elevations were repointed, and windows and parapet coping stones replaced;
• Marlborough Town Hall, Wiltshire – remedial works to external elevations – all four elevations at the Grade II listed building were steam cleaned and stonework was either repaired using a lime-based mortar, or replaced with newly worked Ham stone;
• Gloucester Gate Bridge, Camden, London – Wells Cathedral Stonemasons supplied, delivered and installed a new parapet which was badly damaged in a road accident, comprised of Locharbriggs Red sandstone.

The first two projects are in contention in the repair and restoration category, while the work at Gloucester Gate Bridge has been entered in the craftsmanship category, the other awards categories being new building (traditional and modern), interiors and landscaping.

The awards winners will be judged by a panel of leading architects and announced at the Millennium Hotel in London on 24 November. All category winners will receive a natural stone plaque and certificate at the ceremony except the winners of the craftsmanship award, who will be presented with a special Perpetual Trophy.