Our Charity, Community & Commercial Work
Not all of our projects are heritage based, although many are. We also like working with charities and community groups to help advise on the alteration, repair and (if needed) replacement of their community assets. We continue to work closely with several Scout Groups, Charities, Parish Councils and community interest groups to support their projects and advise on matters such as planning and funding (inc. grants), etc.
We also work with commercial bodies, on projects such as new and the refurbishment of shop/retail units, industrial warehouses and mills.
Here are some of the projects on which we have had the pleasure of working:
The one rising from the ashes
Tideswell Community Building
After the previous "Scout Hut" burned down, the village band and Scouts were left without a meeting place and insufficient insurance to afford a new building. Through tireless efforts to fundraise in the community to Trustees of the new Tideswell Community Group, set up to deliver the building, have raised sufficient funds to procure the new building, which was completed in 2022.
The one that was wetter outside the pool
Hathersage Open Air Pool
We were appointed to coordinate the design and procurement of a new plant room and water management system, to service the pool and bring the facility up to 21st Century standards through new plant and filtration equipment, new pipework and water management, in a purpose-built plant building to improve water processing, hygiene and turnover. The works also included making accessibility and inclusion improvements (where possible), re-surfacing around the pool, with a new slip-resistant rubber crumb finish, re-lining the pool tank and making general improvements throughout.
The one that wasn't a bus depot (it turns out)
Salcare
We were commissioned to undertake a feasibility study on the possible alterations and upgrading of the existing charity's building and facilties to enable to expand the support services and charitable activities they could undertake. These are the conceptual imapges which were prepared to support subsequent grant applications.
The one Scouting for a new roof
Hathersage Scout Hut
We are presently working on the environmental upgrading and fabric repairs to Hathersage Scout Hut to replace the roof, provide improved drainage, level access and accessible w/c and shower facilities as well as improving the thermal performance of the building to reduce the carbon footprint.
The one listed building in the village
Grenoside Reading Room
A Lottery funded project to refurbish a Grade II listed former Reading Room in Grenoside. The project involved adding an extension to the side to accommodate a kitchen and w/c's and a full schedule of conservation repairs to the fabric of the existing building, as well as the introduction of an acoustic floor for the sword dancers!
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The one on the edge of a quarry
The Gin Race, York
A project to "delist" an historic horse "gin race" building, to enable the expansion of a nearby quarry, and relocation, piece by piece for reconstruction at the Yorkshire Museum of Farming, to create a education room for visiting school groups.
The one with the Crucks
Dronfield Cruck Barns
The residential conversion of some former timber cruck barns in Dronfield. The building, dating back to the 17th Century, contained 5 pairs of traditional timber crucks, still on their stylobate stone piers, but the fabric around them had deteriorated considerably and the theft of the roof coverings was resulting in significant decay to the fabric inside. The programme of works sought to repair and restore the fabric of the buildings and convert them into housing.
The one with the village shop
St. Helen's Church, Grindleford
A feasibility study into the possibility of extending the existing village shop, currently in the Vestry, to create shop floor additional space, a better kitchen and a cafe. The project also looked at how the worship space might be brought into more regular and beneficial use throughout the week, in collaboration with the cafe.
The one with the crucibles
Darnall Works, Sheffield
A project to conserve and restore the exterior fabric of this Scheduled Ancient Monument and Grade II listed crucible steel workshop. Cited as one of the best of its kind remaining, we restored the external envelope, re-roofed the project and reinstated the crucible stacks on one side, in the traditional construction method.
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