At the end of their first year\'s trading since being bought by Croydon-based specialists Stone-west, Cambridge\'s Rattee & Kett report they are comfortably on target to achieve their five-year plan of steady growth.

Current major projects include a second phase of traditional new build work at Norwich Cathedral, where a new Hostry (reception area) is being built in Lincolnshire limestone in solid, rubble-fill wall construction to match the original.

Four years ago Rattee & Kett also built the first phase of the work there - the new refectory.

They have a £200,000 cladding project in central Cambridge and are engaged in work on a £160,000, two-storey Portland limestone facade replacement in Birmingham\'s Corporation Street.

They have also just completed the restoration of garden ornaments for a private client, including the poultice cleaning and microporous waxing of a

The statue was carved in 1908 by a previous owner of the manor house in whose grounds it stands. The final part of the restoration work included the installation of security measures to ensure the works of art are not stolen.

R&K have carried out several restoration projects for a range of Cambridge Colleges, The National Trust and private clients under the guidance of Associate Director Steve Ralph.

The work has included everything from stone and brick work to lime plaster, installation / alteration to services, roofing and decoration and even hanging wallpaper.

They have also produced repair and maintenance schedules as consultants for five further Cambridge colleges and, as well as the major projects, Andy Brown, Associate Director at Rattee & Kett, says they have a lot of smaller, £10-20,000 projects in hand.

"We\'ve had a very favourable response from our traditional Cambridge market to the take-over by Stonewest, re-establishing many good relationships," says Andy, adding: "All our employees are enjoying being part of the Stonewest Group with the added advantages that that gives."

MD Nick Wilson told NSS: "It has been important for us to re-establish Rattee & Kett in and around Cambridge, enjoying repeat business from valued clients which Andy and his team have worked hard to achieve.

"In addition, if you take in the other companies in the group - St Blaise and Stonewest itself - we are literally currently working from Norwich to Dartmoor and Birmingham to Brighton.""