New chapter for Sewerby Hall

A team of craftsmen from Leeds-based specialist plastering firm Ornate Interiors have played their part in giving a new lease of life to a historic and popular East Yorkshire landmark.

Sewerby Hall is a Grade I listed Georgian country house that dates back to 1714. Set in 50 acres of landscaped gardens in the village of Sewerby near Bridlington, the venue attracts over 150,000 visitors annually and has recently undergone a comprehensive refurbishment with a range of plastering requirements forming part of the scope of works.

In 1936 the hall and park was opened to the public with aviator Amy Johnson conducting the opening ceremony.

Working on behalf of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and under the auspices of contractor William Birch of York, a three strong team of plasterers worked on site for a period of nine months on and off as part of a second phase of refurbishment. Phase one involved the conversion of outbuildings into holiday lets.

Ornate Interiors MD Ronnie Clifford took up the story: "There was a lot of internal and external plastering involved in this project with over 25 rooms requiring attention, including the Amy Johnson Room, and many fascia features that required reinstatement.

"Internally we were charged with haired lime plastering of the walls and ceilings, a method dating back millennia that allows a building to breath more effectively, the securing of a number of ceiling areas using the tried and tested penny washer and screw method and the in-situ reinstatement to original of a variety of mouldings including ceiling panels and cornices.

"The hair, generally horse hair, is used within a lime mix to ensure the plaster binds together more effectively during the curing process. The penny washer and screw method is used to repair ceilings that incorporate damaged lathes.

"The range of external mouldings applied using Roman Stucco to the courtyard and Clock Tower covered cornices, architraves, keystones and raised bands to window heads.

"Additional staff within our workshop in Pudsey were on hand to manufacture the mouldings to match and then transport them to the venue for fixing," added Ronnie.

Janice Smith, curator of the Museum of East Yorkshire which is based at Sewerby Hall, paid tribute to Ornate Interiors' crafsmanship, saying: "Ornate Interiors were a pleasure to work with. Their professionalism and quality craftsmanship combined with a can-do attitude and sense of humour made our restoration campaign an absolute joy."

Ronnie summed up: "This is a landmark Yorkshire building that I remember visiting as a child. It has required a lot of careful attention in order to restore it to its former glory. All of our craftsmen have enjoyed the process immensely and the finished job will give pleasure to Sewerby Hall's many visitors."

Ornate Interiors is currently employed at another proud Yorkshire venue, the York Art Gallery.

For more information visit www.ornateinteriors.co.uk