About Saxum Stonemasons
Saxum Stonemasons
Saxum Stonemasons is an Uckfield based firm which undertakes work on historic buildings and gardens throughout Sussex and parts of Kent. Our specialist stonemasons undertake workshop and site work with granite and marble, Sussex Sandstone, York Stone, limestone and historic brickwork. We are a small independent business run and directed by craftsman Jamie Wallace.
With years of experience and specialist training in geology (Aberystwyth University BSc) and lime mortar (Weald and Downland Living Museum and The SPAB) you can rely on us for professional advice, high quality craftsmanship and an ardent and friendly approach. In 2021 the team at Saxum were awarded the Best Lime Mortar Firm – Sussex by BUILD Construction and Engineering Awards.
The team specialises in working with lime mortar. All of our stone work is fitted with lime in order to protect the stone by providing a flexible and breathable joint. We also undertake re-pointing work removing old lime mortar and cement and replace this with a suitable hydraulic or non-hydraulic lime. All of our mortar mixes are site specific to ensure our work is long lasting, aesthetically pleasing and suitable for the location. We offer free advice for anyone considering stone repairs or lime mortar re-pointing.
As a small independent stonemasonry company in we are able to offer very reasonable prices and a methodical approach to all of our projects.
Meet the team
Jamie Wallace - Director
Jamie graduated from Aberystwyth in 2008 with a first class honours degree in Environmental Earth Science. He gained further experience with a civil engineering company. Jamie’s studies and engineering experience kindled his enthusiasm for traditional and eco-friendly building materials. His chosen line of study at university developed in him a genuine in-depth interest in the natural world, and in particular the properties of rocks and minerals, and has informed his choice of career.
Saxum was founded in 2009 and Jamie completed seven years of training with Master Mason Chris Pellet. He now completes regular CPD sessions with the SPAB (Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings) and the Building Limes Forum, along with training courses at Singleton Open Air Museum.
Jamie undertakes extensive research with lime mortars, and is working towards publishing materials on stone conservation and lime mortar re-pointing. The research comprises practical applications, study of specialist works on the subject and conversations with established experts in the field.
In more recent years Jamie has been privileged to train other members of the team in conservation of brick and stone work, and in use of traditional hot mixed lime mortars. For 2022 he is excited to launch monthly training courses on Lime mortar pointing and repair along with lime plastering and rendering. These will be held at Chalk Down Lime.
Philip Green - Stonemason
Philip Green is a Cathedral Trained Stonemason and Graduate in Historic Stone Carving at City and Guilds of London Art School. He trained at Canterbury Cathedral completing a 5 year traditional apprenticeship at Canterbury Cathedral working only with hand tools. He went on to study a foundation degree in Cathedral Stonemasonry before leaving to study a Degree in Historic Stone Carving. His degree gave in a good practical knowledge of clay modelling, life drawing, casting, letter cutting, art history and stone carving.
Philip has since worked on buildings such as The Houses of Parliament, Exeter Cathedral, Trafalgar Square, St Peters Brighton and Knole House.
Philip brings these skills to Saxum Stonemasons and can offer; intricate carvings either to replace historic ornament or as stand alone sculpture; Letter Carving; modelling that can be cast in Bronze, plaster, Cement etc; lime work and Banker Masonry.
View Philips Website
Beth Jackson - Lime Mortar
Beth is a Creative hands on individual who holds a large working knowledge of lime mortar and historic buildings.
Having been with us since 2021 shes training to be a site manager and recently managed a team re-pointing a large retaining wall in Hastings, her favorite project yet.
Dedicated to caring for historic buildings, she also is passionate about the environment. Her care for the natural world has led to he efforts to bring Saxum’s carbon footprint to a minimum by championing recycling and environmentally friendly working practices.
Chris Pellet - Stonemason
Albourne Stone & Marble fireplaces have been displayed and sold from over eighty UK shops, our furniture tops are in Four Seasons hotels from Mexico to Singapore, and we have worked in the House of Commons and for the National Trust.
We are experts in the manufacture of reproduction Regency and Victorian style marble fire surrounds and the refurbishment of period marble mantelpieces.
We also provide natural granite kitchen worktops and traditional churchyard memorials.
Nikki Fee - Lime Mortar
Nikki’s background is in the arts, having completed a BA in Wood, Metal, Plastics and Ceramic’s at Brighton University in 2008. She has a passion for old buildings
and the Environment having completed a Perma-culture Design Course in 2014.
The opportunity to help restore and conserve historic buildings and work on new Eco designs is certainly something Nikki is passionate about. She loves the intricacy, design and beauty that has been put into heritage structures.
Nikki enjoys all areas of heritage work, Pointing, Rendering, & especially the precise work of banker masonry. Her favorite jobs were conserving a fireplace at Cranbrook Museum and working bull-nosed York Stone steps for a residential home.
She is a dedicated team member, has a good attention to detail & eye for design and symetry.
“We need more care and Consideration in Design, within our lives, our places and our lands”
Henry Carey - Lime Mortar
Henry is a talented individual with good motivation and a keen eye for detail. He has been learning methods and conservation practices of properties of lime in conjunction with heritage structures. Henry excels at pointing and lime rendering always finishing work to a high standard.
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Laura Davis- Lime Mortar
Laura is a professional and dedicated team member motivated by her fascination with heritage structures. Laura can always be relied upon to finish work to a high standard as she has an excellent working knowledge of lime mortars.
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Sarah Mills - Lime mortar
Sarah has been with Saxum since 2013 when she helped to renovate an Edwardian house. “I loved peeling back the layers of history” she recounts.
With an MA in Set Design from Bristol Old Vic Theatre School her work in theatre, film and television gives her an in-depth understanding of different architectural styles. With a real passion for conservation she loves the skill and attention to detail required in working with lime mortar and recreating a piece of history.
Her favourite project with Saxum has been restoring a Victorian sandstone frieze.
“I re-pointed it to compliment the curves and sculptural elements of the original design. Helping this artwork endure for future generations to appreciate was a real joy”.
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Ethan Lee - Lime Mortar
Currently studying a Fine Art BA at UAL Camberwell, Ethan has taken a years leave to work on projects with Saxum Stonemasons. He believes that sustainable practice is paramount in construction and finds that here at Saxum we embody that ethic. Learning Restorative Techniques to a high standard is something Ethan is passionate about and the stonemasonry experience, he says, has help him in his studies. Ethan is a dedicated team worker who is capable and always works efficiently and to the best of standards. He has a large respect for historic buildings and their restoration/conservation.