DBR Limited

This week, Foundation Certificate students are at Lincoln Cathedral for the Banking Masonry Skills module! Led by Craig Mace, they’re in the drawing room setting out their assessment pieces in this inspiring learning space, thanks to the Cathedrals' Workshop Fellowship. Proud to see DBR's Marvin Benjamin, the first commercial student on the course, honing new skills and showing real dedication! 📸by Cathedrals' Workshop Fellowship #dbr #pasthasafuture #MasonrySkills #CathedralsWorkshopFellowship #heritageskills #LincolnCathedral

Last week our team of Specialist Crafts apprentices attended a 2 day CPD session at National Trust Clandon as well as Weald and Downland Living Museum.  We were joined by apprentices from Historic England and external contractor, DBR, and it gave the whole team a chance to network and talk to their peers about a wide variety of projects that they are involved in.  Day 1 saw everyone meet up at Clandon to scale the scaffolding to observe the ongoing repairs to the building following the devastating fire in 2015. So, it was on with the PPE and everyone set off for the tour where they were talked through the philosophy of the approach to the conservation and interpretation of Clandon, and taken to see some of the wonderful repairs and restoration in action. Following the tour (and after a delicious lunch) they were treated to a talk about structural joinery/carpentry by National Trust Building Surveyor, Giles Griffiths.  Giles' engaging presentation sparked lots of questions and discussions from the group. It was up early the next morning for the hour drive to Weald and Downland Living Museum for our day of practical CPD. After a brief introduction the teams split into 2 groups, joiners and masons.  The joiners were tasked with making braces for a timber-framed structure using heritage skills, while the masons were given a hand on lesson in letter carving.  Visitors to the museum stopped by to watch the teams at work, both groups completed their designated tasks and thoroughly impressed their tutors.  The pride and enjoyment on the students faces was clear to see, they did such a great job that they were treated to a tour of the museum to see even more heritage building crafts – no doubt they slept well that night after a day of hard work and learning!    Thank you to everyone involved in creating such an insightful and worthwhile couple of days, special thanks to the team at Weald & Downland Living Museum and DBR for taking the time to share your knowledge and experience with the apprentices. #apprentice #apprenticeship #training #heritage #skills #crafts #masonry #joinery #wealdanddownland #nationaltrust

We’re thrilled to announce that DBR has been appointed as Principal Contractor for the £10.4 million restoration of the roof at Blenheim Palace!   In partnership with the incredible Blenheim Palace team, Donald Insall Associates, Ridge & Partners, and Frank W. Haywood Associates, we’re undertaking a monumental effort to protect and conserve this extraordinary site. This project will not only secure the roof’s structural integrity but also safeguard the incredible artwork and historic architecture housed within.   Executive Director and Chairman, Adrian Attwood ACR, says, “This project is of immense significance, taking place on a UNESCO World Heritage site, and will engage our teams of expert craftspeople to restore a major national monument and tourist attraction. We are proud of our exemplary craftsmanship and look forward to collaborating closely with the Blenheim Estate team to preserve this treasured historical landmark for future generations.”   Stay tuned as we embark on this journey to protect and conserve one of Britain’s most iconic heritage assets 🏰✨   #DBR #HeritageConservation #RoofRestoration #BlenheimPalace #UNESCOWorldHeritage #Conservation

When a project is completed after a lot of hard work and dedication by your staff and to the satisfaction of your client. That is success and a job well done!!

We cannot believe it has been 2 years since we completed the multi-million pound conservation of the iconic Liberty London! This extensive project included a complete façade and roof refurbishment, restoration of over 1,300 leaded light windows, and the conservation of unique features like the Mayflower weathervane and decorative plaster panels. DBR’s team also carried out complex repairs on the building’s teak timber panels, intricate carvings, and stonework - all during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic! These historic details evoked Liberty's Tudor charm, paying homage to an era of artisan guilds and global trade, while DBR’s meticulous conservation secured their legacy for future generations. Client: Liberty London PM: STOREY PROJECT LIMITED QS: Quantem Architects: Heritage Architecture Ltd #pasthasafuture #heritagebuildings #heritage #restoration #conservation #architecture #LibertyLondon #London

This week, we are honouring #RecycleWeek2024 by showcasing some of the outstanding initiatives led by DBR Net Zero. These efforts include: 🌱 The introduction of a PPE recycling system across major projects, ensuring 100% of used PPE is kept out of landfills and repurposed into new PPE. 🌿 Partnering with waste specialists to ensure the majority of our site waste avoids landfills, including the proper handling and recycling of electrical waste and COSHH waste. 🍃 Implementing a plastic bag ban across all sites and yards, making them 100% plastic bag-free for refuse. Instead, we now utilise hessian sacks and woven rubble bags for all waste on sites and in our consolidation yards. These initiatives mark significant progress in our journey towards net zero, but as an industry, we recognise that there's still a long way to go on the path to becoming truly sustainable. #dbr #pasthasafuture #NetZero #SustainabilityInAction #GreenBuilding #WasteReduction #CircularEconomy #sustainableconstruction #responsiblewaste

Trafalgar Day. Back in 2006, D&R were extremely proud to have erected scaffolding, for the second time, to Nelson's Column for DBR in order to carry out restoration works to the iconic monument. An HSE visit was arranged through the NASC to commence their "Height Aware" Campaign and pleased to say the whole job was delivered without incident.

Trafalgar Day. Back in 2006, D&R were extremely proud to have erected scaffolding, for the second time, to Nelson's Column for DBR in order to carry out restoration works to the iconic monument. An HSE visit was arranged through the NASC to commence their "Height Aware" Campaign and pleased to say the whole job was delivered without incident.

Proud to honour Trafalgar Day with a reflection on our continued work in the heart of London’s history. DBR London was entrusted with the Measured Term Contract for the cleaning and maintenance of Trafalgar Square, including Nelson’s Column, the Landseer Lions, the statues, bronze work, paving, and public furniture. Our team tackles everything from graffiti removal to York stone paving repairs, and even inspecting the 185ft column using an 85m cherry picker, ensuring the entire monument continues to stand tall. A privilege to play a part in preserving this iconic site for future generations. #dbr #pasthasafuture #TrafalgarDay #Conservation #DBRLondon #NelsonsColumn #LandseerLions #Heritage

This year’s Foundation Certificate in Stonemasonry with Cathedrals' Workshop Fellowship is officially underway, and we’re proud to have Marvin Benjamin from DBR Southern enrolled. In his own words: "Seven years ago, I moved from St Helena to the UK with my family, not knowing what to expect. I was lucky to start as a labourer with DBR, and a month later, I joined full-time, diving into heritage conservation. Since then, I've worked on some incredible Grade-listed buildings, but one highlight has been relocating the Brighton chapel arch for my NVQ in Stone Fixing. With DBR’s training and support, I’ve developed a passion for stone masonry and am excited to keep learning, especially in cathedral restoration." Watch this space for more on Marvin and his journey through the CWF Foundation Certificate in Stonemasonry! #HeritageConservation #Stonemasonry #BrightonChapel #HistoricBuildings #DBRProjects #CathedralRestoration #ConservationJourney #StHelenaToUK Michael Sheppard ACR MCIOB