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Built in Box Stoneyards
Photos courtesy Margaret Wakefield and Anna Grayson November 2016 In an earlier issue we touched upon some of the amazing stonework, created in the Lambert Yard, which was incorporated into major building projects throughout Britain and beyond in the late Victorian and Edwardian period. This article shows the variety and diversity of that work over a period of about 50 years. |
Downside Abbey Church in the course of completion, 1938
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Prestigious Work
Major architectural projects kept the workforce fully occupied but were a financial risk with the potential for work schedules to overrun and fierce competition from other yards to supply stone at cheaper prices. Another problem in quoting for work was the methods used in the calculations. Traditionally the industry worked on a set multiplier of the price of stone to cover labour work. For example stone bought for xx per cubic foot might be quoted to customers at xx per cubic foot, the difference being to cover wages, overheads and profit.
Major architectural projects kept the workforce fully occupied but were a financial risk with the potential for work schedules to overrun and fierce competition from other yards to supply stone at cheaper prices. Another problem in quoting for work was the methods used in the calculations. Traditionally the industry worked on a set multiplier of the price of stone to cover labour work. For example stone bought for xx per cubic foot might be quoted to customers at xx per cubic foot, the difference being to cover wages, overheads and profit.
Royal United Hospital, Bath
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Wesleyan Chapel, Bournemouth
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The variety of work and the complexity of architectural and aesthetic requirements meant that the masons were highly-skilled, highly- paid and well respected workers. The photos below show some of the range of work involved.
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Above Left: Co-operative Building, Bath. Above Right: Raphael House, Moorfieds, London.
Below Left: Downside Abbey. Below Right: Municipal Bank, Birmingham.
Below Left: Downside Abbey. Below Right: Municipal Bank, Birmingham.
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Promotional Material
The major works were used as advertising by the firm, produced as postcards and distributed amongst customers, architects and lawyers and the building industry in general. Examples of these postcards, showing front (left) and rear (right), are given below.
The major works were used as advertising by the firm, produced as postcards and distributed amongst customers, architects and lawyers and the building industry in general. Examples of these postcards, showing front (left) and rear (right), are given below.
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Work in the Depression
In the inter-war years the economy slumped and building projects dried up. Lambert's Yard had to release most of its skilled masons and turned its hand to producing domestic fire surrounds, made for stock to pre-designed plans and sold when a customer could be found. It was a sad reflection on the magnificent work of previous years.
In the inter-war years the economy slumped and building projects dried up. Lambert's Yard had to release most of its skilled masons and turned its hand to producing domestic fire surrounds, made for stock to pre-designed plans and sold when a customer could be found. It was a sad reflection on the magnificent work of previous years.
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Final Word
After the splendour of the stoneyards in their heyday, it doesn't seem right to end with the years of decline. So we end with the intricacies of the job at Bristol University
After the splendour of the stoneyards in their heyday, it doesn't seem right to end with the years of decline. So we end with the intricacies of the job at Bristol University
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Left: The Entrance Hall in Bristol University built in Monks Park stone
Below: The Vestibule at Bristol University buildin Monks Park stone 
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Buildings locally and nationally were created using materials out of the Box Stoneyards. The fame of the village was secured by the tangible evidence that they left behind.
