ABOUT US


Charles Smith, Partner

Charles has gained 40 years’ experience, working on all types of buildings, since serving a traditional Masonry apprenticeship in Cornwall. For 30 of those years, he has been conserving Historic Buildings. Initially, as Site Agent with English Heritage and Contracts Manager in the South West for HPR Ltd.; then Conservation Mason with the National Trust and, latterly, delivering projects for the Landmark Trust on Lundy Island.

Charles is an SPAB William Morris Craft Fellow, with a keen interest in all aspects of historic building conservation. He has a singular eye for detail and quality and holds a CSCS Gold card in Heritage Skills.

Rachel Thompson, Partner

Rachel has a degree in Archaeology and a background in conservation, which includes furniture restoration and 8 years with the National Trust, caring for house and collection as a Conservation Assistant.

She is currently studying for a Level 3 Advanced Heritage Skills Apprenticeship in Masonry at the Heritage Craft Alliance in Yorkshire. She has worked on many specialist conservation projects, on Lundy Island with the Landmark Trust and in Cornwall with the National Trust. Rachel has a flare for projects that require a particular attention to detail.

Latest News & Projects

Lundy Island’s Scheduled Monuments

OLBC’s latest project, to help slow the deterioration of Lundy Island’s Scheduled monuments…. This time, funded by Historic England, two weeks’ work in the company of some very capable volunteers on the ruins of the Quarry Infirmary. Our mission was to identify fallen stones, using drawings and photographs from the National Trust Archive, to reinstate,…

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140 years since the last cannon was fired on Lundy

Today, 1st August 2018, is exactly 140 years to the day since the last cannon was fired on Lundy as a fog warning signal! After several weeks’ hard work, plenty of TLC, sweat and some tears, we have restored the cannon and today returned one to its original firing position! We are still awaiting some replacement parts,…

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Old Light Building Conservation Van Livery

New Van Livery!

A huge thanks to the team at More Creative Solutions, based in Launceston, for our new van graphics. We love how the new livery displays our brand, transforming our Ford van into a great advertising platform for our new business. If you see us out and about, give us a wave!

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