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14 October 2003 Mercury Readers Asked to Restore Firm's Memories Old lead casting A local firm is appealing to Leicester Mercury readers to fill in a missing gap in its history. Leicester-based restoration specialist Norman & Underwood has unearthed an old photograph of its Freeschool Lane works, believed to have been taken in the 1950s, which shows craftsmen producing traditional sand-cast lead in a process largely unchanged since Roman times. Norman & Underwood is appealing for local people who recognise any of the four craftsmen to come forward with information. The company is also interested in hearing from former craftsmen who believe they may have been working for the company at the time the photograph was taken. Jonathan Castleman, Roofing & Stained Glass Director, Norman & Underwood, said: “Whilst Norman & Underwood has adopted new technology and modern processes, the company still maintains its old, valued traditions, which are reflected in the quality of our work. “The faces around the lead casting table may have changed over the years, but the skills required and the processes involved have remained essentially the same up to the present day. “It’s this sense of history which leads us to be so interested in piecing together the company’s past.” Norman & Underwood’s head office is based on the same site where, in 1825, cousins Thomas Norman and John Underwood began their general plumbing and glazing business. Today the company consists of around 230 people in three locations, specialising in areas such as bathrooms, glass products, glass restoration, structural glazing systems, metal roof contracting, architectural leadwork, stained glass and plumbing supplies, resulting in an extensive repertoire of experience and design. The company is renowned throughout the UK for using traditional sand-cast lead in the major restoration of many historic buildings, including Salisbury Cathedral, Chatsworth House and Westminster Abbey. The company is offering a Norman & Underwood 2004 calendar to anyone who can give them information or photographs regarding the history of the company. back to top back to previous page   11-27 Freeschool Lane, Leicester LE1 4FX, England tel: 0116 251 5000 fax: 0116 253 2669 e-mail: [email protected]