NE restorers crowned with Royal recognition

Darlington-based Stone Technical Services has again received a top honour for its part in a major historic restoration project

Following its recent success at the Waterways Renaissance Awards where the company was recognised for its involvement in the renovation project on the Lune Aqueduct near Lancaster, Stone has again been named in a prestigious award.

The company was involved in intricate renovations at the Chapel Royal in Brighton and was responsible for the overall design and installation of a complex lightning protection system, sympathetic to the aesthetics of the Grade II listed building.

The project, led by Julian Vallis of HMDW Architects in Chichester, has received the prestigious King of Prussia Gold Medal which recognises exceptionally high-quality conservation repairs.

The medal dates back to 1857 and was a gift from King Freidrich Wilhem IV of Prussia who was a major supporter of British Victorian architecture.

The gold medal was only re-discovered during an office move in the 1980s when the prestigious King of Prussia Gold Medal award was established.

The works at the Chapel Royal were honoured for being an exemplary scheme which overcame great technical and aesthetic challenges in a harsh, coastal environment. Stone installed a full lightning protection system in compliance with strict architectural guidelines governing the Chapel Royal, which dates back to 1793 and is located close to Brighton’s Royal Pavilion.

In addition, the project has also received a Sussex Heritage Trust award and has been recognised for improving “all or part of an existing or former ecclesiastical building whilst maintaining, where appropriate, its ecclesiastical or consecrated status.”

MD of Stone Technical Services, Dave Stone, said: “To have been recognised by the King of Prussia Gold Medal is a real honour- it’s such a prestigious award. And we’re also really pleased to have been recognised by the Sussex Heritage Trust. Many of the projects we work on require us to overcome a range of challenges whether they’re environmental or due to the nature of the structure and this was no different. “

As well as historic and ancient renovation and restoration projects, Stone Technical Services specialises in all aspects of high level and general maintenance, facilities management, steeplejack services, lightning protection and masonry refurbishment projects on churches, museums, clock towers, castles, spires and historic buildings with offices in Edinburgh, central London, Middlesex and Cheshire and its HQ in Darlington

The company now employs a team of 37 with plans to create around five more jobs in 2013.

www.stonetechnicalgroup.co.uk