A team of craftsmen from Leeds-based specialist plastering firm Ornate Interiors have played their part in giving a new lease of life to a historic and popular East Yorkshire landmark.

Sewerby Hall, near Bridlington is a Grade I listed Georgian country house that dates back to 1714. Working on behalf of the East Riding of Yorkshire Council and under the auspices of contractor William Birch of York, a three strong team of plasterers worked on-site for a period of nine months on and off, as part of a second phase of refurbishment. Phase one involved the conversion of outbuildings into holiday lets.

Ronnie Clifford, managing director of Ornate Interiors, said: “There was a lot of internal and external plastering involved in this project, with over 25 rooms requiring attention and many fascia features that required reinstatement.

“Internally we were charged with haired lime plastering of the walls and ceilings, a method dating back millennia that allows a building to breath more effectively; the securing of a number of ceiling areas using the tried and tested penny washer and screw method; and the in-situ reinstatement to original of a variety of mouldings including ceiling panels and cornices.”

Mr Clifford continued: “The hair, generally horse hair, is used within a lime mix to ensure the plaster binds together more effectively during the curing process. The penny washer and screw method is used to repair ceilings that incorporate damaged lathes.

“The range of external mouldings for the courtyard and clock tower covered cornices, architraves, keystones and raised bands to window heads and was created using a Roman Stucco approach.”