Ceiling restoration scoops a major award
AN ambitious restoration of the ceiling in Lancaster’s Ashton Hall has scooped a major award.
Last year Lancaster City Council embarked on essential repair and conservation work of the hall’s ceiling.
The council employed specialist contractors Melville Plasterers Ltd to complete the work.
Using traditional techniques the company has brought the ceiling and its series of painted heraldic crests back to its former glory.
The work has now won nationwide recognition with the British Gypsum Trophy, which is awarded to projects which have excelled in the plastering world.
Further glory could await as the award means that the project has been automatically entered into the International Saint-Gobain Gyproc Trophy.
The bi-annual competition is a worldwide initiative designed to recognise excellence in dry-walling and plastering. The results will be announced in June.
Graham Cox, Head of Property Services for Lancaster City Council said: “The Ashton Hall is part of the Lancaster Town Hall building having been funded by Lord Ashton and the city council is proud to be its custodian.
“As with any building it needs a certain degree of tender loving care to ensure its survival and this restoration work will ensure it can continue to be enjoyed by the community for years to come.”
Stuart Melville, from Melville Plasterers Ltd, added: “We were delighted to work with the city council on this project and are obviously very pleased that the work has been recognised in this way.
“We now take this award to Amsterdam, representing Britain in the largest international award possible in this field, against seventeen different countries.
“This can only be good news for Lancaster City Council in its efforts, with our own, in bringing this public building back to its former glory for all to share.”
Date Published: 30/03/10