Maysand's expertise and painstaking skills are frequently in demand for very special and unique projects – like the restoration of Sheffield's historic Cholera Monument.

Erected in 1834 in memory of 402 victims of an epidemic that had swept through the city, the 22-metre stone obelisk featured three female figures, each set in a niche. Sadly by the 1990s, the monument was in ruins and significant pieces of it lost – including the figures.

Maysand was called in to mastermind the project. Mick Fowles, masonry surveyor, says: “The existing base had to be stabilised using 16-metre vertical stainless steel anchors sunk 9 metres into the ground. Then, although some of the original stone was eventually recovered, we still had to source compatible material because the Rivelin Glen Gritstone that had been used was no longer quarried. After a full analysis, we were able to find an alternative in Catcastle Buff from Dunhouse Quarries, Cumbria.”

A Dorset sculptor, Mike Chapman, was commissioned to come up with designs for new figures. Since there were no records of the originals, after much research to ensure a comfortable 'fit' with the period, Mike conceived 'Faith', 'Hope' and 'Charity' to replace the lost originals which now sit proudly on the monument.

“Obviously we are used to dealing with more conventional structures but we simply applied our usual principles of detailed research, in-depth analysis and craftsmanship to this task,” concludes Mick, adding: “It was a fascinating experience and a real challenge – right up our street!”