Category Archives: Condition reports

Recording the Nation’s Sculpture – ICON Article

07/04/2014Michael Sheppard Leave a comment

We thought that this would be of interest to our viewers who do not necessarily have access to the ICON magazine. This is an article in the current issue 51. These pages have often sung the praises of the Public Catalogue Foundation (PCF) and its mammoth undertaking of recording all the oil paintings in public ownership (see www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/). Now the PCF is turning its attention to sculpture and has just signed a partnership agreement .

Hertfordshire DOFF Cleaning and Monument Conservation

22/11/2013Michael Sheppard Leave a comment

Abbots Langley war memorial has been cleaned by Inspire Conservation with the DOFF super heated water system and repointed with lime mortar ready for the winter months and the second phase of work, which will take place in the new year. The monument was heavily colonised by algal growths and the lettering was barely legible, but since the cleaning it is clear that the names can now be read. The second phase of .

DOFF Cleaning Stone Monuments

21/11/2013Michael Sheppard Leave a comment

Hertford Heath is a village in Hertfordshire who at the beginning of 2013 called upon Michael Sheppard to assess their war memorial and compile a specification of work to restore it. The programme included cleaning with the DOFF super heated water system, lime mortar grouting, pointing and consolidation and general repairs to the surrounding base. The PCC managed to raise the funds necessary to complete the works and so at the latter stages of .

War Memorial Cleaning and Repair in Hertfordshire

21/11/2013Michael Sheppard Leave a comment

Essendon PCC contacted Inspire Conservation seeking our war memorial and stone cleaning services and we were instructed to DOFF clean their war memorial in time for the 2013 armistice day commemorations. The small memorial was cleaned with our super heated water system to gently remove the algal and lichen growths from the surface. The whole monument was then sprayed with an ammonia based biocide to actively remove any further growths for the next .

DOFF Cleaning Stone Monuments

21/11/2013Michael Sheppard Leave a comment

Inspire Conservation use various cleaning methods for their projects depending on the individual factors and parameters set out to each environment. In this war memorial cleaning project we used the DOFF steam cleaner which was used at approximately 100 degrees Celsius and a low pressure setting to gently remove the algal and lichen growths. There was repointing of the stone in lime mortar also with our own brand of lime mortar, Ionic lime. .

DOFF Cleaning a War Memorial in Oxfordshire

21/11/2013Michael Sheppard Leave a comment

We have completed another war memorial conservation project, this time in Oxfordshire. Standlake village PCC commissioned Inspire Conservation to clean their war memorial with the DOFF steam cleaning system and further restore the lead lettering by ensuring that they were all adhered satisfactorily and repainted with enamel paints. The monument responded well and the effect speaks for itself. The local residents were all very happy with the result and we are glad to have .

Conservation services in the UK

15/11/2013Michael Sheppard Leave a comment

We thought we would have a bit of fun and plot some of the projects that Michael Sheppard and Inspire Conservation have completed projects over the last eight years and it turns out that it covers quite a distance…

English Heritage Conservation Bulletin on WW1

12/11/2013Michael Sheppard Leave a comment

Have a look at the English Heritage conservation bulletin which focuses on the centennial of the first world war and all things war memorial related. A good read and one that it obviously very current. Enjoy! http://www.english-heritage.org.uk/publications/conservation-bulletin-71

Statue conservation and cleaning in Harrogate, Yorkshire

28/10/2013Michael Sheppard Leave a comment

Inspire Conservation have completed a project for another local authority, this time in Yorkshire. We were instructed to clean and consolidate the marble statues that were donated to the town and have been recently situated in the town centre. The statue has been a topic of debate with the locals as some love it and others have their reservations, but I’m sure you agree that there is a massive improvement following the repairs .

Free report with War memorial restoration before November 2013

05/06/2013Michael Sheppard Leave a comment

Inspire Conservation are proud to be involved in so many war memorial restoration projects in the UK and we take great pride in these unique and community based monuments as they are normally the centre of local populations who strive to conserve and restore these little gems. As we are getting close to the centennial celebrations for the first world war we thought we would help out caretakers of these fabulous monuments with .