For those who work with lead on some of the UK’s most well-known historic buildings, the Murdoch Awards, widely recognised as the ultimate accolade for a contractor, are now in their 30^th year. Sponsored by Associated Lead Mills, the latest awards saw another year on year increase in entries.

Overall winner was John Fulton (Plumbers) who followed similar successes in 2006 and 2009 with their project, 6-9 Water Row in Greater Govan and Glasgow Harbour. The impressive B-listed, red sandstone tenement was built for the YMCA in 1897, its restoration involving roofing, stonework, joinery, chimney and structural repairs, refurbishment of sash and case windows, overhauling of the tower and repointing. Because of its prominent location, the project was considered to be ‘high impact’ in relation to enhancement of the Conservation Area character, improvement of the streetscape and creation of confidence in Govan’s regeneration. The judges decided that the lead work was complex and technically demanding. ALM’s Andy Denham commented, “This project is a perfect example of how time-honoured skills and methods used for lead work are key to the restoration and conservation of historic buildings. Alongside Jamestown Metals in Glasgow, ALM is proud to be associated with such craftsmanship and high contracting standards.”

Of the three finalists for the Murdoch Sponsor’s Award (projects using less than five tonnes of lead) the winner was D Blake and Co for their work at Dumfries House in Cumnock, Ayrshire. This has enjoyed a high media profile ever since Prince Charles invested £20million of his charitable foundation’s money and brokered a £45million deal to secure the house and its collection of Chippendale furniture. The leadwork package involved covering the tower roof of a newly built belvedere within the Queen Elizabeth walled garden. An extremely tight time frame was involved, to meet the scheduled opening by Her Majesty the Queen. Just a 2 week window was available, entailing 12 hour shifts for the 4 installers involved. 3.5 tonnes of code 6 lead was supplied by Jamestown Metals and installed with a gutter at base level discharging through ornamental lead-cast dragons and a welted step section. 56 panels were fitted to the tower on a 22mm thick timber substrate with open gap boarding. Lead sections of up to 2.0 metres x 800mm in diminishing courses were head-fixed with three rows of copper clout nails. Standard wood core rolls to the panels and a king roll at the hips were fitted with a separate welted cap.

ALM also supplied the two other finalists for the Sponsor’s Award, Conservation Leadwork and S J Baker & Sons, as well as short-listed contractors Norfolk Sheet Lead and M W Leadworks. Graham Hudson, Managing Director of ALM noted that this was the first time both awards had gone north of the border and looked forward to the English, Welsh and Irish LCA members taking up the challenge in 2015.

ALM is one of the UK’s leading distributors of rolled lead in codes 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 and also supplies ancillary products endorsed by the Lead Sheet Association. As a consequence of its longevity, sales of lead for use in construction continue to be buoyant, not least because of the demand for decorative elements for heritage projects. Rolled lead sheet is fully recyclable and has BRE Green Guide ratings of A and A+.  s t

Press release and images supplied by ALM