Boden and Ward was originally started some 23 years ago by Brian Boden and Ian Ward. The first saw was purchased some 13 years ago and this made a big difference in terms of producing work. In January 1999, Ian Ward moved away and Brian wanted to take less responsibility for the running of the business. Sean Collins, who was at the time their workshop foreman and had joined the company some 5 years previous to this, then took over and ran the company with Alex Ward.
The company has achieved award winning results on many projects, and has an excellent reputation and track record in the stone restoration business.
We have just expanded into a neighbouring unit and have new offices and a showroom. We have also installed a second CNC Pedrini saw which has significantly increased our production level. There are a number of avenues the company wants to explore to increase their production of top class masonry and enter new markets.
Sean is a highly accomplished mason and carries out some of the company's most intricate carving work. He not only deals with the estimating and tendering, but also the setting out, programming of the CNC machine, recruiting, overseeing of training, personnel, architects meetings etc. He is always of the firm opinion that any funds the company generates are used to reinvest in mechanisation, health and safety and training in order to build on the company's performance and to establish Boden and Ward Stonemasons Ltd as one of the country's leading restoration specialists.
Director / Company Secretary
Alex started doing all the accounts for the original company. Now she is responsible for marketing, payroll, accounts, IT, ordering, vehicles, training courses, enquiries and the general smooth running of the company. She has many years' experience of the financial side and is currently producing a new brochure on CD. She is the first point of contact when ringing the company.
Brian started his apprenticeship to become a stonemason in 1958 with a firm called White and Company. The apprenticeship was for 7 years and the firm was responsible for building the Police and Fire stations in Northampton as well as most of the buildings in St Giles Square. He was running the banker shop by the time he left to work in London. When he returned to Northampton he was site foreman for Higgins of Wellingborough and then became a partner in E F Joyce and Co. He set up Boden and Ward with Ian Ward some 23 years ago and is now our Contracts Manager. His duties involve pricing, advising customers and dealing with any technical problems that arise during the course of a contract, overseeing our sites and making sure all our fixing work is carried out to high standards. Having been in the restoration trade so long, he has a wealth of experience to offer our trainees.
Production Manager
Willy is workshop foreman, in charge of all stone production. He is in charge of some 6-8 people in the yard who cut and work the stone ready for site. He also carries out carving and banker work. He is responsible for estimating and setting out work. Since leaving France to join us Willy has become very good at darts which is played every lunchtime.
"I am proud of what we have achieved in the last 5 years. We're taking on more challenging projects, which means we are able to use the skills we have acquired. Through our training we are now passing these skills on to the next generation."
Boden and Ward Stonemasons Ltd. is a family business originally started in Northamptonshire in 1982. It is now owned and run by Sean Collins and Alex Ward. The company produces workmanship to the highest standards.
Boden and Ward are masons and stone carvers, highly experienced in all aspects of stone repair and restoration. We undertake large and small projects with the same attention to detail, and we are experienced main contractors as well as specialist sub-contractors. Work ranges from minor stonework repairs and pointing to major projects that take many months to complete.
The company's far-ranging work involves churches, historic buildings, ancient monuments, fountains and statuary. We also work on modern pieces in private houses for example fireplaces and staircases. A supply-only service is offered in addition to a stone consultancy service.
The current success of the company is due in no small measure to its highly trained and dedicated team, whose experience amounts to over 40 years working with stone. We believe past experience must be continuously built upon, so at Boden and Ward we have seven apprentices, three who have completed their third years NVQ level 3 training, three in their second year and one in his first year. We continue to train as an investment in the future of our craft.
The company was pleased to receive the Restoration Award from the Stone Federation Great Britain at the Natural Stone Awards for their work on the Rose Window at St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall. They also received a 'Commended' for the restoration of the Perseus and Andromeda Fountain, Witley Court.
Boden and Ward Stonemasons Ltd is registered in England and Wales.
We are the first building on the right.
From leaving the M1 junction 16, we are approximately 5 minutes journey.
