The people behind Big Ben: DBR

Join us as we meet some of the specialist contractors and organisations working across the UK to carry out the mammoth task of repairing and restoring the historic Elizabeth Tower, home of Big Ben. This week we are joined by DBR, a specialist conservation company responsible for the restoration and preservation of some of the nation's most famous and beloved landmarks.

In this free 45-minute talk you'll hear from Rory Smith, Stonemasonry Foreman at DBR, as he discusses the journey their crafted stones take from quarry to construction to installation on the Tower itself.

Rory will also explore the history of stonework on the Elizabeth Tower and the impact of events such as bombing during World War II on its construction, as well as DBR's own history of conservation work on the Tower.

The session will end on a discussion of DBR's upcoming "Year of the Master Craftsperson" campaign, which calls for 2022 to be a year that celebrates the talent, skill and expertise of the nation's craftspeople and encourages a new generation of home-grown talent to consider a career in heritage construction.

The last 15 minutes of this talk will be available for you to ask questions.