The team responsible for restoring the stonework at St Mary’s church in Rye are celebrating after winning a top award. eB Sculpture Ltd from Broad Oak won the Ecclesiastical Building category at the Sussex Heritage Trust Awards on July 2.
Nearly four hundred attendees gathered at the Amex Stadium in Brighton for the prestigious awards, which celebrated a blend of restoration, sustainability, craftsmanship and innovative design.
Elliott from eB Sculpture explains: “Since 2014, we have carried out restoration works on St Mary’s, Rye, including the repair of stonework, dismantling and rebuilding of the north west and south west pinnacles, restoring the main window, carving and installing a new apex stone, copings and a replacement cross.
“We met with the judges to show them the work we have carried out and their feedback included the comments ‘first class craftsmanship throughout’ and ‘a beautifully executed restoration…’
“St Mary’s Church is particularly important to us as my wife and I were married there twenty years ago. We would like to thank Richard Andrews of Carden & Godfrey Architects and dedicate this award to John Gurney, the church surveyor and tower keeper. We feel privileged to help preserve the beauty of our local sacred space, honouring both heritage and faith.”
The firm was founded by Elliott Brotherton in 2001 after he graduated from art college and exhibited his hand-carved sculptures at the Chelsea Flower Show. Over the last twenty-five years he has trained and worked alongside great mentors to learn all areas of stonemasonry, and is supported by a fantastic team. He sources stone mainly from Europe, preferring to use British stones where possible and always matching the existing stone as closely as possible. In the case of St Mary’s, he used a French limestone where replacement stones were required, to match the existing ones.
The company has recently carved and installed war memorials at Fairlight Church and Newhaven British Legion. The firm undertakes restoration projects of all sizes as well as conservation, ecclesiastical, architectural and memorial masonry. eB Sculpture also designs and creates beautiful bespoke works of art.
eB Sculpture Ltd, Unit 7 Old Broad Oak Farm Business Centre, Udimore Road, Rye TN31 6BX. 01424 883059, info@ebsculpture.com, www.ebsculpture.com
Image Credits: Clear Air Flying , eB Sculpture Ltd , Clear air flying .