Police Leadership College gets Ellis & Co treatment

In August 2008, Ellis & Co. of Shepton Mallet, Somerset commenced masonry & roofing works to Bramshill Mansion, a Grade I listed building and Grade II* listed landscape, which is currently The National College of Police Leadership.  Works continue with Ellis supplying a team of Masons/Conservators working both on site and in their banker shop to conserve and where necessary replace masonry and brickwork and Carpenters, Tilers and Leadworkers working on the building’s roofs.

The works initially comprised of re-building numerous chimney stacks which were liable to collapse. Further works have been instructed including conservation/ replacements of stone windows for the National Police Library housed in the Long Gallery, adjacent brickwork and re-stabilisation of ‘The Pepper Pot’ one of two stone ‘follies’. A mixture of stone has been used including Hartham Park, Clipsham and Portland. All masonry replacements have been closely monitored by English Heritage, who have designated this house and estate of special historic interest.

Bramshill in the 14th century was the home of Thomas Foxley, who rebuilt Windsor Castle. Foxley appears to have used masons from Windsor to erect a fortified manor house at Bramshill in 1327. In 1605, Edward Zouche, 11th Baron Zouche of Harringworth, bought the property from Sir Stephen Thornhurst of Agnes Court, Kent. Zouche demolished a large part of the building and began to build the Bramshill house of today. This was completed in 1612. The building included both a chapel and priest’s hole.

The estate today is owned and used by the National Policing Improvement Agency .The NPIA supports the police service by providing expertise in areas such as serious crime analysis, leadership training, operational support and in the development of new policing technologies and skills.

For further information, please contact Matthew Ellis on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 01749 342706. Works are scheduled to be complete in June 2010.