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04 October 2022

The three domes at Hull Maritime Museum are being given a new lease of life.

Andy Marshall, Heritage Leadworker working on behalf of Simpson York Limited is undertaking specialist work to reclad the domes with lead that has been re-smelted and re-used.

The domes are being restored for the first time in decades.

The domes are behind the plastic sheeting

This is the dome before being restored.

The lead is removed and stripped to reveal the wood timber

The lead on dome is removed and sent away to be melted and reused. The timber is revealed for the first time in years, it is inspected and treated as necessary, whether that’s repaired or replaced.

The timbers are revealed and if rotten it's repaired

The lead is cut to the size and the shape is made using a hammer and mallet.

A template is used to measure the piece and outline the shape

Building paper is used the keep the moisture out and allow the lead to move.

A lot of building paper is needed

The gutters are also being replaced.

Andy uses tools to create the angles for the space

The lead will last at least 150 years.

The lead will now protect the dome from all weathers

Updating the finishing details on the domes using traditional techniques, ensuring it retains its grandeur as it did when it was originally built in 1871.

The level of detail retained
It takes approximately eight weeks to complete the restoration of each dome