Facing page top left: Old peg riles. Facing page top right: Modern riles. Facing page bottom: Srorm damaged roof Below: Roof parched and srrippcd by srorm damage. questioned the attitudes of local planning authorities on the use of hand-made tiles in relation to different types of development, from extensions of listed buildings to new housing estates. The results of the survey showed that during the 1980s the fortunes of clay tiles were beginning to revive. Tighter planning controls, the higher price of building land (which meant that house-builders have to build more expensive looking houses), improvement in kiln firing technology and clay handling systemshave all been factors. In Kent and Sussexthe hurricane damage had increased the demand and so the cost of tiles. The production of new tiles became more economic; as a result, the number of companies producing peg tiles is gradually rising. The major manufacturers have now introduced 'hand made' Kent peg tiles to their ranges (eg Sreetley, Keymer and Tudor Tiles, Ashford). As a means of publicising the handmade rile industry, Kent County Council has produced a leaflet which lists the names of the manufacturers and this is available free of charge from the County Council. The process of encouraging the production of genuinely hand-made tiles usrng suitable clay and sympathetic manufacturing techniques is now well CONTEXT 29 established. Of its nature, however, it is small in scale and growing gradually as the market demands. The future of the industry depends partly on its ability to identify and satisfy a marker, bur also on the influence of local authorities, particularly conservation officers, for establishing a realistic approach to the use of new peg tiles on listed buildings, buildings in conservation areas and where relevant on new buildings. To this end a draft guidance note on the use of old Kent riles for repairs and new construction was produced in 1988. This was never formally agreed by the district councils, and the time has come now for a guidance note on the use of old and new peg riles throughout the County. Such a guidance note is essential since the supply of second-hand Kent peg tiles is limited and the prices are likely ro remain high when district councils continue to insist on their re-use in any repair work. Th.isincreasesthe danger of unprotected buildings, such as unlisted barns or other lesser farm buildings, being stripped of roofing riles and abandoned. It is hoped that this will be the next project for a group of Kent County Council and District Council officers. Peter Cobley is with Kent County Council. BUILDINGS AND CRAFI'SMANSHIP NORTHERL~ CRAFTSMEN Keith Murray contributes some profiles of valuable local craftsmen. Jack Smiles, stone mason and decorative plasterer Jack Smiles has continued the family firm in succession to his father who originally founded it in 1924. The firm employs a highly skilled labour force capable of carrying out the full range of masonry repair and renovation work including supply and installation of new stonework. The firm has also built up expertise in the cleaning of masonry and brickwork over a period of years, particularly in the difficult field of removal of old paint from brickwork. In addition to these skills the firm has a long tradition in the repair and production of all types of decorative plasterwork from its own specialist workshops. Recent projects include: St Cuthbert's Church, Durham; Jesmond Cemetery Chapels; Waterside, Lincoln; Half Moon Chambers, Newcastle upon Tyne; Post Office, Alnwick; Mountain Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne. The firm operates from Newcastle upon Tyne and covers the whole of the Northern Region. Graeme Hopper, Blacksmith ·Graeme operates from the Croft Forge at Hunwick in Co Durham. He is a member of the British Association of Blacksmith Artists, the only member working in Co Durham, and he is capable of carrying our the complete range of architectural ironwork and metalwork. Graeme will also carry out repairs and refurbishment to historic cast ironwork including such items as cast iron railings, gates, fireplaces, brackets and general items of architectural ironwork. (He is also an expert in welding together the crumbling parts of conservation officers' cars, thus enabling ACO members to carry on with their work even in times of great financial hardship). 21
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