| This photograph is of a brand new baluster standing proudly
beside its creator, in this case a fine craftsman called Richard Littlar. |
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And here is the completed restored balustrade.
Much of the original stonework was reused, though most of the balusters
were renewed. The dubious looking character sitting on top is one Oliver
Webb on his last day on site. |
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This shot shows a selection of tools from my tool
box. Across the front are an array of tungsten tipped chisels, the ones
on the right having "mallet heads". Behind are a couple of mason's
mallets, the lighter beech headed one is actually not much good (too fluffy)
but the heavier polyester one is my old faithful. The blocks on the right
are carborundum rubbing blocks. |
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A typical bankershop scene. In this instance Chris
James (left) and Hugo Schofield (right) are dressing a hard English polishing
limestone for a fountain surround. |
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A cornice stone worked by Oliver Webb. The stone
is lying on its back, its base (bottom bed) being on the left. As this particular
piece will be very front heavy and topple forward, it will require bronze
dog cramps and joggled joints to secure it in the building. The stone here
is Wattscliff Lilac, a sandstone from Derbyshire (an area renown for its
limestone!). |
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This atmospheric picture was taken very late one
night as we worked lickety split round the clock to complete the restoration
of Hereford War Memorial in time for a ceremony. The banker shop is in front,
the saw shop to the left. I seem to recall that some kind soul brought us
a takeaway meal around 11.30pm which sustained us through to the morning.
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The view of a church spire most people don't get
to see. Like many stone spires this one is hollow to the very top. In the
bottom right of the picture is part of one of the bell frames upon which
I am standing. The wind boomed in the hollow structure like a thunderous
musical instrument. |
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