Linford craftsmen restore Elizabethan marvel

Specialist contractor Linford-Bridgeman has completed important restoration work on Canons
Ashby House in Northamptonshire.

The Elizabethan manor house near Daventry, which has survived virtually unaltered since
it was built for the Dryden family in 1710, is owned by the National Trust.

The repair and restoration project has involved craftsmen from Linford’s masonry and traditional
plastering teams working together on both the main house and garden walls.

Linford-Bridgeman managing director Stuart Carter explained: “The main area of concern was
where the lime render on the major south-west elevation had separated from the wall, or gone
‘hollow’, over time.

“The render needs to be removed and replaced, and an additional coating of lime wash was
then added to help prolong the life expectance of the render.

“We also undertook the repair and replacement of stone copings, and the entire green court
side garden wall had to receive a complete rake out and repoint.

“A key part of the whole project is our specialist plasterers’ understanding and knowledge of
traditional and historic lime plasters. This means that after removing the hollow render we were
able to analyse the original materials on site and prepare a match using hydraulic lime, hair and
various local sands.”