Repairs to vicarage and kitchen extension

Two new projects recently started include external repairs and redecoration to a five bedroom Georgian Vicarage, following years of neglect.

The other project is a large kitchen extension, new garage and garden stores for a detached country house, working in liaison with Witcher Crawford Architects.

(September 2006)

New apprentices recruited

As the new academic year fast approaches Armstrong's has continued their policy of investing in training with six new carpentry apprentices recruited. As well as two existing employees taking-up carpentry and bricklaying apprenticeships.

Congratulations to our exsiting apprentices with 13 achieving their NVQ Level 2 or 3 this year in either carpentry, bench joinery, bricklaying, or painting and decorating.

(July 2006)

Football team off to a flying start

The new company football team, Armstrong's FC, had a great first season. Having only got together in the spring they came second in Division 2 of the five-a-side Basingstoke Power League. Resulting in promotion to Division 1.

(July 2006)

New build of a Georgian style house

The new build of a five bedroom classic Georgian style house within a beautiful walled garden began in April. Working in liaison with architectural designer, Barry Bohill, the contract is set to take one year with works on the foundations and cellar well underway.

(22nd May 2006)

Conversion of Stables

A relatively small contract started recently for an old client, converting some stables into staff accommodation, and refurbishing a bedroom and bathroom in the main house. Landscaping including York stone paving also forms part of the contract.

(19th May 2006)

Arts & Crafts house refurbishment

A new contract to refurbish a c.1910 Arts & Crafts house is underway. A mixture of styles can be found in the property such as Tudor style oak panelling and staircase, Victorian bathrooms and Edwardian parquet flooring.

The refurbishment primarily involves building a new conservatory and orangery, and fitting a bespoke Robinson & Cornish kitchen. Landscaping includes a full re-work of the rear raised terraces.

(18th May 2006)

External refurbishment to manor house

A lightweight external refurbishment of a 17th Century manor house has recently started. Works include brick and roof repairs, and the refurbishment of traditional sliding sash windows.

(12th May 2006)

Year 2 of Cheam School takes first steps to Wimbledon glory

Members of Year 2 at Cheam School in Headley took their first steps to Wimbledon glory when winning the inaugural 2005/06 Mini Tennis League sponsored by R.W. Armstrong & Sons and run by Manydown Tennis. The team also picked up Player of the Year with Tom Loup (6 years) scoring the most points.

Other schools participating in the League were second placed North Waltham, also St Gabriels, Daneshill, Thorngrove, Priory and Oakley. Team players were selected from the school coaching programme, also sponsored by Armstrongs, during which Manydown Tennis coaches taught over 500 children.

The R.W. Armstrong & Sons tennis programme starts again from May 2006. Infant schools across Hampshire and Berkshire already signed up include Cheam, Priory, Elstree, Horris Hill, Thorngrove, Farliegh and St Gabriels.

(11th May 2006)

gartenART natural swimming pond is one element of new project

The installation of a gartenART natural swimming pond to a large country house is just one element of this recently started project. R.W. Armstrong & Sons will also be replacing the conservatory with a Marston & Langinger orangery, and building a five bay garage and oak framed gym, office and wine cellar.

In addition, various rooms in the house will be refurbished, as well as the stables to provide more accommodation.

(11th April 2006)

Restoration of period home that has been radically extended

Work is well underway to restore a c.1890 period home in liaison with Ann Boyd Design. The house had undergone various unsympathetic modern extensions and as a result R.W. Armstrong & Sons is stripping the building back to its 'bare bones'. The house will then be completely refurbished and a new single storey extension built in keeping with the period of the property.

The project has proved to be quite techinically demanding due to the discovery of internal chalk walls which need to be preserved, ensuring they do not get too dry or wet.

(6th April 2006)

New senior appointments

Two new staff members have recently been recruited to join the senior management team at R.W. Armstrong & Sons as a result of the continued growth of the company.

Neil Baker has taken on the new role of Estimator, having previously spent 15 years in a similar role for a London building contractor also specialising in the refurbishment and new build of exclusive residential properties in London. One of his most notable projects during that time was the new build of a 16 bedroom house in Highgate.

A second quantity surveyor was also recruited to the team with AdamWestbury joining on 1st March. He welcomed the new challenge having previously been a quantity surveyor for Bovis Lend Lease Pharmaceuticals. One of his current major projects is the new build of a large Georgian style house.

(31st March 2006)

Coutts 2005 Family Prize for Business nomination

R.W. Armstrong & Sons was nominated for the Coutts 2005 Prize for Family Business, and was one of only 17 companies to reach the South Regional Final.

Nominated by a professional advisor, the company was required to demonstrate best practice in areas such as family and corporate governance, business succession, business strategy and innovation, and charitable giving. This included at least three year's consecutive financial growth in pre-tax profits and successful integration of non-family executives.

Nigel Armstrong, managing director and grandson of the founder Roy Armstrong, said: "We were very proud to be nominated for such a prestigious Prize. Our aim is to capitalise on our excellent reputation and take our family business strengths such as quality and integrity as far as they will go."
(17th March 2006)

Joiner Apprentice chosen to enter competition

R.W. Armstrong & Sons' joiner apprentice, Ian Winder, has been chosen by his college, Thames Valley University, to represent them in a skill build competition at Oxford & Cherwell College on 15th March.

A second year student, Ian will have to compete with third year students to produce a piece of joinery from a drawing in five and half hours. Ian (18 years) has been with the company for nearly a year and hopes to do well in this regional section of a national competition.
(9th March 2006)

Internal refurbishment to Georgian country house

Internal refurbishment works to a late Georgian country house has recently begun. The works include alterations and refurbishment to the second floor to form a new guest suite and staff accommodation.

Lighting and decorative improvements are also being undertaken working alongside Private Lives Interiors.
(7th March 2006)

Armstrong's becomes a Chartered Building Company

R.W. Armstrong & Sons celebrated the New Year with a successful application to join the Chartered Institute of Building's Chartered Building Company Scheme (www.ciob.org.uk).

The Scheme was created to uphold professional standards of operation and conduct among member companies in the building industry.

The company had to meet the most stringent of criteria to become a Chartered Building Company. Not only did senior executives have to be highly qualified and experienced professionals but the company as a whole had to be dedicated to fostering a climate in which professionalism can flourish.
(17th January 2006)

Christmas party raises £1,000 for local hospice

St Michael's Hospice received over £1,000 as a result of money raised at the first Christmas party to be held for all staff employed at R.W. Armstrong & Sons.

Staff paid £5 each for tickets to the party, but the company backed the party so all proceeds could go to the Hospice. The total money raised was boosted by the purchase of raffle tickes and money put in charity tins.
(10th January 2006)