Member Article

Prison Ends Four Year Stretch for Martin-Brooks

Sheffield-based Martin-Brooks is concluding a four year chapter of work at Lincoln Castle by helping to construct a building that will add another page to the city’s history books.

The heritage roofing specialists are combining old and new techniques to transform the castle’s prison block into a state of the art visitor centre, dedicated to Magna Carta.

Martin-Brooks’ craftsmen are installing a sand cast lead roof on a brand new subterranean building that is being opened to mark the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta. Situated in the prison exercise yard, the climate controlled structure will be used to house Lincoln’s original copy of the ancient charter, alongside the Chapter of the Forest and will be the only place both historic documents can be seen together.

Working with main contractor, Woodhead Heritage, Martin-Brooks is also repairing roof lights and replacing lead guttering on Lincoln Castle’s grade II listed Victorian and Georgian prison blocks and re-roofing the north and south entrance lodges using salvaged Welsh slate. The work is due to be completed by the end of August.

Dale Wright, Martin-Brooks’ contracts director, said: “Retaining the quality of Lincoln Castle’s historic buildings has demanded the highest standards of craftsmanship from our heritage experts. Through all stages of work, we have restored and replaced roofing materials sympathetically to enhance the visitor experience. It is an honour to be involved in this latest project – it will add another dimension to the castle’s rich architectural tapestry and we look forward to seeing the innovative Magna Carta building open to the public.”

As part of the £22 million Lincoln Castle Revealed project, funded by Heritage Lottery Fund and Lincolnshire County Council, Martin-Brooks has also worked on the grade I listed Cobb Hall, the old bath house and the new Heritage Skills Centre.

The firm is listed on the National Federation of Roofing Contractors’ (NFRC) heritage register. For more information about its work on historic buildings, telephone (0114) 244 7720 or visit www.martin-brooks.co.uk

Issued: 22.07.2014

For further information please contact Nina Sorby at CORNER PR

Tel: 01246 433 451 Email: nina@corner-pr.co.uk Web: www.corner-pr.co.uk

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Nina Sorby .