Cold Arbor Farm, Macclesfield

Cold Arbor Farm, Macclesfield

COLD Arbor farm, macclesfield one of our largest projects to date, involving masonry works to three dwellings as well as extensive external work.    ONE OF OUR LARGEST PROJECTS TO DATE, INVOLVING MASONRY WORKS TO THREE DWELLINGS AS WELL AS EXTENSIVE EXTERNAL WORK. WHILE WORKING ON A NEARBY SCHEME FOR THE SAME DEVELOPER, LYONS WAS COMMISSIONED TO CARRY OUT REPAIRS TO THIS GRADE II LISTED FARM AND BARN.  Further tasks were added to our work package as the project went on, so that we also provided stoneworks to the adjacent new build house and garages and extra external work to the farm. In the end, we were on site from start to finish and used each of our in-house skillsets on the project, including: groundworkers (underpinning) dry stone wallers (external walling, reandom stone outer walls and isolated rebuilding) fixer masons (stone repairs, new internal stone cills, crack stitching) pointers/restorers (surface repairs and lime pointing) stone cleaners (DOFF cleaning and sealing) banker masons (carving replacement masonry and cutting signage) bricklayers and masons building new outbuilding and garages. A gratifying venture for us, and a happy client. “We have been completely satisfied with the quality, management and conduct of Lyons Stonework, particularly on the listed building where its expertise and knowledge proved invaluable.” “Given the long lead times the industry is currently experiencing, their contacts in sourcing materials cost effectively and promptly helped mitigate cost variations on the listed building.” “We would have no hesitations in using Lyons again or in recommending them for similar work to others.” Nigel Galleymore, Commercial Director, Jones Homes (North West) Ltd.   Details of...
Heversham – Masonry Restoration

Heversham – Masonry Restoration

Heversham Hotel masonry repairs, restoration and alterations to the 17th century heversham hotel  dating back to 1690, the building was originally a vicarage. over the years it became a private house, then the heversham hotel. later it was renamed ‘the blue bell’, after the bell in the bar which came from heversham railway station. finally, after this latest restoration programme it was reinstated as the heversham hotel in 2016. the hotel is owned by samuel smith’s, a brewery with a real passion for the conservation of historic buildings.   Lyons was chosen by the brewery’s architect to carry out the masonry works on this major project which ran from Summer 2015 until September 2016. The project grew in scale significantly, thanks to the many additional issues discovered during the progress of the works. Initially, the incongruous 1960s additions to the building were removed, so that Lyons could set about the structural repairs. A meticulous and lengthy schedule of stonework replacement and restoration followed. New stone was locally sourced and masoned to match the existing features on the building. Each was then skilfully installed, using traditional lime mortars. The results speak for themselves.                           Details of Work Included: Completion of new-build extensions to the property Scheduling and templating for masonry to complete the build Production of new masonry External walling Lime pointing Sympathetic repairs to original building Structural repairs and temporary works Return to...
Shepley Bridge Repair & Re-build, Tameside

Shepley Bridge Repair & Re-build, Tameside

Shepley Bridge Repair & Re-build, Audenshaw, Tameside Lyons Stonework, were appointed to repair and rebuild the parapets and pilasters of Shepley Bridge, Tameside.  Lyons were appointed as masonry contractor for the repair and improvement works at Shepley Bridge on a supply and fix basis. The unique strength at Lyons is to offer a full in house solution for scheduling the stone, matching existing, fast turnaround cutting of the stone in house and a substantial site fixing team, making Lyons ideally placed for such works when road closures/restrictions are in place and time is of the essence.  After undertaking careful assessments of the stones to be moved calculating individual block weights, a lifting plan and methodology for the works was established. The bridge parapet was stripped down and cleaned allowing the removal of self-seeding trees from the bridge. Whilst stripping the masonry was templated and scheduled and immediately sent into production. The first load of stone was on site ready to fix, thus raising the height of the parapet as specified upon completion of the takedown works. The parapet was refixed using resin fixed stainless dowels with the original stones sitting on top of the new. The works were completed within the agreed timeframes mitigating the affect on road users. Details of Work Included: Dismantling and rebuilding the parapet. Lifting and resetting of pilaster blocks weighing 4 tonnes each. Scheduling and templating for masonry to complete the bridge. Production of new masonry. Removal of trees.     Increase the height of the bridge parapet. Fixing of new masonry with substantial stainless steel dowels. Repointing of stonework with lime mortar....
Rochdale Cemetery Entrance arch and walls

Rochdale Cemetery Entrance arch and walls

Rochdale Cemetery Sandstone entrance arch & walls Lyons was chosen by contractor NAB of Oldham to work on the Grade II-listed principal entrance and West lodge.  In the 1850s, new legislation allowed local councils to create municipal cemeteries. Rochdale, whose existing 14 burial grounds were ‘loathsome’ or nearly filled (according to the Pilot & Rochdale Report) was quick to act. With a site already secured, a competition was held for the design of a cemetery — with a princely first prize of £20 for the winner. Interestingly, 15 of the original Rochdale Pioneers (who started the now global co-operative movement) are buried here. Rochdale Cemetery opened to a fanfare in 1855, and today the land is registered under Historic Buildings and Ancient Monuments Act 1953 within the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens by English Heritage. A series of pillars, each of different stone and engraved as such, mark the boundary between consecrated and unconsecrated ground. As part of a 10-month architectural restoration project by Rochdale Council, Lyons was chosen by contractor NAB of Oldham to work on the Grade II-listed principal entrance and West lodge. The central carriage entrance, with large stone arch below a stepped parapet, sits between octagonal buttresses flanked by arched pedestrian gateways. East and west of the entrance and its original cast iron gates are stone lodges. Details of Work Included: Over a four-week period, we cleaned and repointed the stone, repaired the cracked finials of the sandstone entrance, and repointed the West Lodge. The structure was cleaned using DOFF, a low pressure, super heated, non-chemical water method, before being repointed with lime...
Mottram Road Retaining Wall, Hyde

Mottram Road Retaining Wall, Hyde

Mottram Road Retaining Wall, Hyde Lyons Stonework were appointed as masonry contractor for the repair and repointing of Mottram Road retaining wall, Hyde on the busy A57 Road.  The works comprised raising the height of the parapet wall, isolated take down and repair of the wall, removal and refixing of all coping stones and repointing in full of both faces of the 155 metre long wall. Given the busy nature of the road and the impact on road users with a contraflow in place speed was of the essence on this job. Tameside Council had allowed an 8 week programme for the works initially. Through thorough planning and adequate resourcing of the works we managed to successfully deliver the works in only 4 weeks. That was despite a significant increase in the amount of wall that was required to be rebuilt. This is now the fifth similar roadside contract that Lyons have completed for Centum CS/Tameside Council on their highway retaining wall programme. Details of Work Included: Prior to commencement a detailed critical path was prepared and formed the basis of the work on a daily basis with easily measurable targets. Through setting out a detailed daily plan, labour resources were used most efficiently and management both on and off site was accountable. The safe systems of work were developed with our health and safety consultant prior to commencement on site and were amended as required, with regular audit during the contract through site inspections. Return to...