Master craftsmanship is alive and well in West Yorkshire if the recent phenomenal success of one local company is anything to go by.

Pudsey-based traditional and fibrous plasterers Ornate Interiors has won the prestigious 2006 Plaisterers Trophy for its stunning decorative work to a brand new private chapel in the north of Britain built predominantly from traditional materials.

The 18-year-old firm is one of only a handful of specialist fibrous plasterers in the UK able to skillfully apply the traditional 3-coat lime plastering and rendering more commonly seen in the restoration of period properties.

Managing Director Ronnie Clifford and several members of his team attended the awards ceremony at the Plaisterers’ Livery Hall in London and were stunned to learn of their success.

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“This is the equivalent of the Oscars for our industry and we are so delighted to have won it. The standard of workmanship and the kind of buildings we were up against made it a very tough challenge but Ornate Interiors is making rapid strides forward and this award is proof,” exclaimed Ronnie.

The company, which entered the award for the first time this year, also collected the Humber Salver for fibrous plastering.

The annual Plaisterers Awards recognises traditional and fibrous plastering projects across the UK that display the very best skills of the master craftsmen.

Ronnie described the winning project: “It was like a giant jigsaw puzzle that fitted together perfectly. A number of large pieces for the interior architecture were cast in our Leeds workshop and carefully transported 250 miles north before being assembled within the stunning chapel.

“In addition all internal walls were plastered using traditional lime materials and lime harling applied to the external walls which will guarantee the chapel will be up to scratch for many decades to come.” added Ronnie.

Ornate Interiors Ltd manufactures and installs highly decorative fibrous plaster mouldings principally for stately homes, listed buildings, hotels, churches, homes and theatres across the UK, Ireland and mainland Europe.

The firm employs fourteen and has carried out recent high profile restoration projects at Newcastle, Huddersfield & Leeds railway stations, Temple Newsam House and The Queens Hotel in Leeds and St Georges Hall in Bradford.

(CD)