The Natural Stoneshow 2011 / 15th - 17th March 2011
Stone Federation Village
The Stone Federation Great Britain Village reflects the renaissance in British stone that has taken place over the last decade and is firmly established at the heart of the show with all the UK's premier stone producers, consultancies and masonry companies supporting it.
As well as being able to see the goods and services of the Federation's members who exhibit, there will also be a dedicated help desk where architects, designers and developers, as well as builders and the stone industry itself can find the answers to their questions on all aspects of stone selection, fixing and maintenance. A series of live demonstrations are also planned to showcase the stonemasonry skills which the Federation does so much to champion.
The Village will return in its premier position in the middle of the exhibition in 2011. A full programme of events will also be taking place on the Stone Federation stand and will be publicised nearer the time. In the meantime, please read the 2008 review below.
2008 Village Review
UK stone producers that exhibited in the 'village' this year included Albion Stone Quarries and Bath Stone Group who presented their classic Portland and Bath ranges, respectively.
Albion Stone
Albion Stone launched their new innovation, a tile for fixing to floors or walls that has a 5mm veneer of natural Portland limestone on a 8mm porcelain backing. The stone is being sent to China for the tiles to be manufactured. The advantage is not only that the tile is thinner - in solid stone it would normally be at least 20mm thick - and lighter, making it easier to transport and fix, but it is also less expensive at around £70 per m2 in 60 x 60cm tiles. Stephen Camburn (pictured right) was confident that it would open up the residential market for Albion Stone.
Johnston Quarry Group
Clipsham, Ancaster Hard White and the fashionable Clear Blue limestones were exhibited on the Johnston Quarry Group stand following their acquisition of Creeton Quarry after the 2006 Stone Show. They also showed their deep brown ironstone block that has enjoyed a renaissance since its extraction was revived with planning permission to extend the quarry. Nicholas Johnston pictured to the right of Show Director Richard Bradbury below, was delighted with the business generated during the show and became one of the first to rebook for 2011.
Johnsons Wellfield
Johnsons Wellfield promoted one of the finest hard Yorkstones available to the modern construction industry from their Crosland Hill quarry together with some exciting new hard gritstones.
Stancliffe Stone Company
More British sandstones were available from Stancliffe Stone Company, including the buff-to-grey coloured Fletcher Bank, Howley Park and Stoke Hall, the famous red sandstones Locharbriggs, Plumpton Red Lazonby and Red St Bees, the greenish Scoutmoor Top Rock and the popular Stanton Moor range.
Stancliffe also showed for the first time some of the sandstones of Darney, High Nick, Talkin Fell, Bank End (St Bees) and Doddington, having just bought the operation of the quarries from Ennstone.
Downs Stone Company
The Downs Stone Company in collaboration with Professor Geoffrey Walton & Associates launched their new roofing tiles at the show.
Realstone
Completing the choice of British stone within the village was Realstone. Their sister company, Blockstone, operate 10 quarries throughout the UK - six sandstone and four limestone - and Realstone also process a wide range of other indigenous and imported stones.
The stone 'village' also played host to overseas Stone Federation members the Solnhofen Group, who showcased their Jura limestone and Solnhofen Stone at the show.
Others
Hardscape exhibited for the first time and offered a point of contact to landscape architects and local authorities for the procurement of materials. They have already supplied some of the most ambitious and prestigious hard landscaping schemes throughout the UK.
Developers and architects were able to realise their big projects with a visit to the stand of leading specialist UK stone contractors Stonewest, who exhibited alongside their conservation specialists St Blaise and 2006 acquisition Rattee & Kett.
As well as the Federation's own help desk, their village also included the exhibits of member consultants Sandberg, Harrison Goldman and Geoffrey Walton & Associates.
To complete the round up, Halfen Deha offered their comprehensive range of stone supports and restraints including grout-in anchors and sub-frame supports.
