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We restore historical ironwork for both heritage groups and private clients. Projects completed include the restoration of drive gates at Point Neptune, Fowey, the drive gates at Belton House, Lincolnshire and the Duchy of Cornwall Estate Ironwork. Using the traditional skills of hot forging as well as modern methods, we are able to sympathetically restore aged metalwork to its former grandeur.
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THE RESTORATION OF KEYHILL CEMETERY GATES - Birmingham
Tramway Forge Ltd was contracted to carry out the restoration to the cemetery gates fronting Icknield Street in Birmingham. The original set of gates were designed by Charles Edge and manufactured by Marshall and Sons at the Britannia Iron Foundry in 1835. They are cast iron with vertical rails capped with spear headed finials to both the top and bottom of the gate.
The principal aim of the repairs was to reinstate the grandeur and importance of the entrance and reverse the years of decay.The forge arrived to find one gate leaf missing and one badly decayed. Tramway Forge took dimensions for an exacting cast pattern for the new leaf to be made and organised the casting to restore the damaged gate leaf. The new gate leaf was made and fixed into position next to the restored piece. The restoration of the gates was completed in June 2009 and were officially opened in July 2009.
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Tramway Forge was commissioned to make replica stables for the Duchy of Cornwall for Harewood End Estate, Herefordshire. The original stables were split from the estate; therefore, replicas were to be made for the new stable block.
Tramway Forge researched the project & after they had located some original parts they then took all details and produced replica castings, which were all cast & fitted.
The stables consisted of 5 loose boxes and were reinstated on the Estate in March 2009.
WARDINGTON MANOR, Banbury- Restoration of iron window casements and door furniture
Wardington Manor, Banbury was severely damaged by a fire on Friday 16th April 2004. Work has since been underway to repair and restore the Manor House to its former glory.
In 2008, Tramway Forge was commissioned to restore two of the leaded light windows to the cellar of the house as part of the grand-scale restoration work. Although the fire did not directly damage the cellar windows, the original leaded light windows casements were badly misshapen and weathered and in need of some attention. Work started back at the forge, where the windows were repaired and reshaped. The restored casements were then fitted with new glass and reinstalled on site.Tramway Forge also commissioned the work of a weather vane, the original was destroyed in the blaze, but an exact replica was made from piecing together remnants of the original weather vane salvaged from the fire. The new weather vane was decorated in gold leaf by our team and now stands proud on top of the west wing of the Manor House.
This project took our team to the South West of England, where we restored a large pair of wrought iron gates. The coastal position of the property meant that in places the gates were badly corroded. We restored the gates at the workshop and reinstalled them as an automated pair.
QUEEN MARGARETS HOSPITAL, Walsall- Restoration of Gothic Bridge
This restoration project took us to Walsall, where we restored a gothic bridge. We produced castings to fit the original structure and installed them on site. We worked along side stone masons to restore the bridge taking us just over one year to complete.
BELTON HOUSE- Gates, Rails and Wilderness screen
In 2005 the Lion gates at Belton House in Lincolnshire, were damaged. The overthrow was thrown to the floor and badly misshapen. The gates were also pulled from their hinges and twisted. Both the overthrow and gates were brought to our workshop in Herefordshire. They were straightened, repaired and restored to their original splendor. The copper repousee emblems were also re-worked and reinstated exactly as they were. We then went on to restore the Wilderness screen and rails. Some restoration work was completed in situ so not to disturb the fabric of the stonework. The badly decayed rail panels were restored in our workshop alongside the gates, rails and overthrow. The rails and Wilderness screen were then reinstated ready for visitors at Easter 2007.
DUCHY OF CORNWALL- Estate Ironwork
During the past few years we have made windows, handrails, door furniture and railings for the Harewood End Estate. Along with many other craftsmen we were involved in the restoration of houses and farm buildings for the Prince.
CALKE ABBEY- Cast Iron Railings
The cast iron railings at Calke Abbey were beginning to corrode at the base of each foot and top rail connection, making them unsteady. We were asked to remove the rails, repair them and then reinstate them as before. The rail connectors and the rail legs, were tipped with stainless steel to delay any further corrosion. The rails were then painted and reinstated.
CROOME PARK - Bridges
The two wrought iron bridges at Croome Park, Worcestershire, were found to be in need of urgent repair. They were badly eroded by the elements. The wooden floors were removed and templates of the side plates were taken to forge replacements. The new wrought iron side plates were hot riveted back into place. The work was completed in 2002.
LLANACHAERON VILLA- Estate Ironwork
Over the last four years we have renewed, replaced and restored gates, rails, door furniture and much more ironwork during the restoration of the house and buildings at Llanachaeron Villa, West Wales.
GOLD LEAF -Weather Vane
The weathervane at one of our local churches was showing many years of damage from the elements and target practice! The holes were filled and the cockerel re-guided and provided with a new stainless steel fixing. He now glows with pride above the church!
ABERGLASNEY- Estate aviaries
The ornamental bird aviaries at Aberglasney Gardens, in Tywi valley, Wales had not been used for many years and had fallen into disrepair. We renovated the frames using re-savageable wrought iron, the mesh was replaced with stainless steel grilles and then the structures were reconstructed as before. They may now be used to house fruit trees, the cages now keep the birds out rather than in!
