A plaque designed by the homeowners to give a lovely heritage look to the front gate pillars. The slate one was stolen in previous months.
We made the mould from ply wood in our workshop. Then impressed into an oil bonded sand and poured molten lead. After some cleaning sanding and oiling it was ready for its new home. We frequently make house plaques and it never gets tiring.
I’m Russell Blackaller, a heritage roofing specialist and writer with a passion for preserving traditional craft skills and sharing knowledge about the trade. As the director of Heritage Roofing Southwest Ltd, I’ve spent years working on some of the UK’s most significant historic buildings, combining hands-on expertise with a deep respect for architectural heritage.
Alongside my work on the tools and overseeing complex conservation projects, I’m a regular contributor to industry-leading publications, including Roofing Today and the SPAB Members’ Magazine and I am the co-curator of , Traditional Roofing Magazine supplement. I also write blogs for Master Roofers UK and craft detailed case studies that celebrate the craftsmanship and stories behind each project.
Combining studying for my masters in conservation in building and my passion for writing, I aim to inspire, educate, and advocate for the highest standards in heritage roofing and building conservation.
