Haddonstone ‘Mermaids’ adorn Duchy project

One of Haddonstone’s long-term clients has supplied a set of three cast stone mermaid panels, created by artist Charles Gurrey, for a housing development on Duchy of Cornwall land in Newquay. The 540-acre site will eventually provide some 4,000 new homes together with a diverse mix of businesses.  

South-West Brick and Stone, based in Devon, was contacted by Morrish Homes regarding the commission and director Gary Norton subsequently set up a meeting with Haddonstone at its Northampton manufactory. Joined by Charles Gurrey, Gary met with members of Haddonstone’s experienced team to discuss how Charles’ 1,210mm x 963mm original mermaid, carved in Jesmonite, could be faithfully replicated for the housing project.  

The three plaques are being produced in Haddonstone’s TecLite glass-fibre reinforced material. The material’s high strength-to-weight ratio makes it suitable for retrofit projects because it can be used to create designs no more than 45mm thick, while still achieving the crisp detailing found in the original. A profile was taken of the mermaid to ensure the artist’s detailed work was reproduced for the mould and when the panels were cast. The final panels were produced in a Portland colour finish, and a large headed fixing was cast into the reverse side of each one, allowing them to be resin anchored into place on site.  

Gary said: “We set up the company 20 years ago to be the region’s foremost supplier of brick and stone, chimneys and associated GRP components, and we have dealt with Haddonstone since the beginning. Charles was very keen that his design would be replicated in all its detail; while also respecting all the practical requirements such as weight, how it would be installed into the brickwork recesses, the slenderness or optimum depth for the castings, and even how they would be backlit. It is on this sort of detail where Haddonstone is very strong.” 

As a founding member of the UK Cast Stone Association, Haddonstone offers an extensive range of bespoke architectural and landscaping products in a selection of natural colours. Many of the designs reflect popular period styles such as Georgian, Greek Revival and Classical. 

www.haddonstone.com