Wood and stone carving, letter cutting, joinery, repair of Ecclesiastical woodwork and stone masonry.

Home
PROFILE
Latest Work
Wood Carving
Restoration
Joinery & Carving
Stone Carving / Castings
SERVICES
Contact Me

 

RESTORATIVE WORK

  Laurence has a wealth of knowledge with regard to the practice of wood restoration and conservation.  This knowledge has led him to be employed in the repair of carved joinery items that would have ordinarily been discarded. These include the restoration of the Jacobean staircase at Staircase House, Stockport, the restoration of the Jacobean Staircase at the Custom House, Exeter, and the replacement of the wooden Automata at St Mary’s Steps Church, Exeter.  

 Picture Courtesy of Paddy Boyle www.paddyboyle.co.uk

STAIRCASE HOUSE
Rescuing an historically important group of buildings for Stockport Metropolitan Borough Council

Staircase House ranks as one of the best preserved examples of medieval and post-medieval urban vernacular buildings in an urban context within North West England. The conserved buildings stand as an outstanding demonstration of what can be achieved through the determination and collaboration of a wide range of organisations.

The house lies within the historic market core of Stockport. At various periods a merchant's town house and warehouse, it comprises a two storey range facing the street frontage with timber-framed and stone wings to the rear surrounding an internal courtyard. Six main phases of construction span periods dating from 1460 to the present day.

Stockport MBC had acquired the property derelict, inaccessible and in a state of partial collapse. Our proposals for repair and subsequent reuse provided the basis for successful grant applications to a range of funding agencies, including the Heritage Lottery.

In view of its significance, it was proposed that the house should become a museum interpreting its social history and its various forms of vernacular construction. Work began on site in November 2001 and included the stabilisation of the structure, reconstruction of the 19th century front façade, restoration of the 17th and 18th century interiors and conservation of the timber framing and wattle and daub. The carved newel staircase, from which the building takes its name, had been badly fire damaged. Its careful reconstruction involved conserving as much of the remaining fabric as possible. A new building to house visitor facilities, shop and education room was constructed alongside the historic building and work was completed in March 2004 at a cost of £3.1m. Linford-Bridgeman Ltd of Lichfield was the principal contractor.

Simon Malam, Rob Fraser – Chester
Donald Insall Associates

After a devesating fire this Jacobean staricase was dismantled and all retreivable carved elements were consolidated and repaired. All missing sections were recarved prior to its reinstatement in 2004

Redecorated Automata Figures with lead capping to shoulders, feet and base.  St Thomas Salisbury.

 

Redecorated Cross

 

Img_0083.jpg (136973 bytes)Click on picture for higher resolution image

Replacement oak tracery panels and backboards to mediaeval screen, South Devon.

 

Reapir to cap Exeter Cathedral 2.jpg (433262 bytes)Click on picture for higher resolution image  

Copy of post cap to Altar table                      

 

Cresting House of Lords.jpg (85808 bytes)Click on picture for higher resolution image

Cleaning and repair in progress to Oak cresting

 

 

Automata in poor condition               Automata renewed and decorated

Rest Add1.jpg (286074 bytes) Click on picture for higher resolution image  

New Limewood pieces fixed and carved

 

Rest Add2before.jpg (81538 bytes)        Add2after.jpg (79616 bytes)

Before                        After

Click on pictures for higher resolution images 

 

Laurence Beckford is a Specialist Member of the Master Carvers Association

     

Website design and management by Serious Software www.serioussoftware.co.uk