Conservation of Historic Metal Objects:

All metals undergo a chemical reaction on exposure to oxygen, water or chemicals. This reaction can be intended and attractive, in the case of patination on a bronze statue, but in the case of corrosion it can also be disfiguring, or can structurally weaken and endanger an object if left unchecked. Eura is highly experienced in a range of conservation techniques for treating historic or archaeological metals. Our key philosophy is to minimise harmful or intrusive intervention, ensuring that all treatment is reversible, and to retain as much of the historic material, including historic surface finishes, as is possible. All of our work is preceded by careful analysis, research, and consultation with the owners of the object, and all our techniques and materials are fully documented through the process. We are happy to deal with objects as small as a portrait bust to objects as large as the Gulbenkinan award-winning 322 foot long wrought iron hull of Brunel's steamship ss Great Britain.

Conservation Consultancy (e.g. inspection, treatment specification):

Conservation Management Planning:

Preserving the historical and culturak value of heritage assets such as buildings, parks, cemeteries, ships, or road vehicles presents a range of challenges to owners and managers. The assets are often under threat from development, or must be adapted to meet modern safety and disabled access legislation. If the heritage significance of these assets is fully understood, it is possible to adapt and develop the assets to achieve their continuing viable use, in such a way that their heritage significance is also enhanced.

Eura draws on its expertise in conservation, historical research, archaeology, and project management to prepare Conservation Management Plans which investigate the history, fabric, research potential and importance to the community of a heritage item. Constraints and opportunities for re-use or development are examined, as well as how proposals can be achieved in line with identified conservation policies. Eura can also prepare Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) applications on behalf of clients.

Fine Art, Heritage and Museum Removal:

Every time an historic object such as a painting, statue or vase is moved, it is put at risk from mechanical, biological or chemical damage. Eura has over 20 years developed a range of movement techniques which identify the dangers to an object and minimize these risks.

Using our specialist curatorial skills we treat every object as if it were irreplaceable, and custom pack and transport each item. We have recently moved items as small as a tea-cup, to large, extremely fragile items such as the remaining funnel from Brunel's Great Eastern Steamship, a 104 foot long, 7 tonne iron main yard from 1857 and a 15 feet high bronze statue of an Argyll and Sutherland Regiment soldier. Where needed we make scale models of the object and its destination building, ensuring that objects can be moved with least possible delay and risk.

Packing, Transportation and Lifting of Large and Delicate Objects:

Historic objects such as statues or iron gates are often extremely heavy, but can also be surprisingly fragile, particularly if they are corroded or damaged. Over 25 years, Eura has evolved a range of techniques for safely lifting, packing and transporting such objects, One lift we undertook last year was that of the 104 foot long, seven tonne wrought iron main yard from the Brunel's ss Great Britain - the largest main yard in the world. We designed and constructed a series of bespoke trailer bogies to move the yard over one kilometre, and lifted it into place inside a museum building for display. Recently we also carefully dismantled the oldest dated roof in Europe, that of the Saint Peter Port Church in Guernsey. 11 tonnes of lead roof tile was delicately lowered from a height of over 150 feet and placed into custom made crates for transportation back to our conservation workshop in Ironbridge.

Training and Workshops in Conservation Practice:

Advice on Conservation Grants and Funding:

Research and Development in Conservation:

It is only in recent years that society has begun to appreciate that massive Industrial objects such as blast furnaces, trains, steel ships and industrial plant represent a large part of our cultural heritage and should in some cases be preserved. Eura is an active partner in the CONSIST project - 'A comparison of conservation materials and strategies for sustainable exploitation of immovable industrial cultural heritage made of iron and steel'. The project is supported by the European Community under the 6^th Framework Programme, Priority 8.1, and is chiefly aimed at developing a new hybrid organic polymer coating that can be applied easily to large scale outdoor objects at risk of corrosion. The coating must be applied at minimal cost, be reversible, transparent, and comply with the latest environmental regulation.

The research is being co-ordinated by the Fraunhofer Institut Silicatforschung. Further details on the project will be released as the project develops.

Documentation Systems:

Project Management:

Eura has a strong background in conservation Project Management and has gained a reputation for the ability to adapt to specific client and project requirements. Our project managers work on a diverse range of projects in the conservation, maritime and construction sectors. Projects can range from European funded research projects through to the conservation of bridges, buildings and ships.

We consider ourselves to be one of the leading companies driving forward project management systems and techniques for conservation projects and have developed a number of bespoke systems, including:

Eura's management approach throughout the whole of the project will be aimed at minimising risk to the heritage object and the project team, providing demonstrable value for money and most importantly, delivering the project on time, within budget and to the required quality standard.