A local business has lovingly restored an important part of Derby’s history returning the 130-year-old foundation stone from the city’s oldest school to its former splendour.
Art Stone Memorials, a Derby and Burton based business specialising in bespoke memorial stones, generously donated their time and expertise to restore the historic stone at the Royal School for the Deaf (RSDD).
The foundation stone was first laid at the Royal School for the Deaf’s Friar Gate site in 1894 to mark the school’s official opening. After a fire at the original location, it was carefully moved to the current campus in 1972, where it now stands prominently in a busy walkway.
Helen Wathall, Director of Art Stone Memorials, said: “I received a LinkedIn message from Paul at the school asking for guidance on restoring the foundation stone. I immediately replied that we would love to be part of this heritage project.
“I’ve driven past the school for more than 40 years and have always admired the work they do. They’re highly regarded in the city. Lynne, who works in our office, has a daughter who attended the school and is always singing its praises. When the request came through, I knew we definitely wanted to help.
“Our employee Reece did a brilliant job. Restoring a stone like this takes specialist equipment and a lot of care. We’ve cleaned it thoroughly and carefully repointed the lettering, giving it a fresh lease of life.”
The foundation stone was originally laid in 1894 by the Duchess of Devonshire, with the Duke and Duchess serving as patrons of the school. To mark its restoration, flowers—including a Duke of Devonshire rose in honour of the Duchess—were laid around the stone, which the Duke himself saw during the school’s recent Remembrance Day ceremony.
Headteacher Paul Burrows said: “The students have become much more inquisitive about the stone since its restoration, which has led us to teach them more about the school’s history. You can see they are proud to be part of it.
“The foundation stone is a small but important piece of our history, connecting current students with those who walked these halls more than a century ago. Seeing it restored so beautifully is incredibly moving for all of us. It’s a legacy of the original school, and as we look to the future, we must never forget our past.
“It’s a wonderful way to celebrate the school and its connection to Derby. We are immensely proud to have been part of this city for 130 years, and this restoration reminds us of the importance of preserving our shared heritage.”
ENDS
This press release was distributed by Penguin PR. To find out more contact Sarah-Louise Elton on 01332 416228 or by email at [email protected]
