C.E.L Group 1989 Limited

28/08/2026

Update on our latest heritage restoration project.

The next stage of the roofing works is now underway. The Mansard roof has been stripped, felted, and battened in preparation for the new Penrhyn Welsh slates on the West elevation.
We have carefully sorted through the retained slates and re-holed enough of them to be reinstated onto the North and East elevations. The brand-new slates have also arrived in the wings, ready for installation.
After all the preparation and restoration work, it is great to see the roof taking shape. This traditional roofing system is coming together perfectly, helping to preserve the character and heritage of this Grade II listed building.

Further progress on the roof to follow—but of course, the story doesn’t stop there! The next instalment will be here soon, and in the meantime, stay tuned for the ever-unfolding stonework story still to come…

20/08/2026

📢 WE’RE HIRING – ESTIMATOR 📢

We’re currently looking for an experienced Estimator to join our team.

We specialise in heritage restoration and conservation, working on some fantastic historic and listed buildings, and we’re looking for someone who can become an important part of the team as we continue to grow.

We’d love to hear from someone with estimating experience within construction, ideally with knowledge of restoration, conservation or traditional building works, although the right attitude and transferable experience are just as important.

Based in/around Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire
- Full-time position
- Heritage restoration & conservation
- Competitive salary, dependent on experience

If you’re interested, or know somebody who may be a great fit, please send us a message or get in touch by emailing [email protected]

19/08/2026

The structural steel has arrived and is already in situ!

What a difference a week makes. Inside, the wall is officially down, creating a fantastic open space ready for the next phase. Externally, the new blockwork has been securely tied into the existing property to guarantee long-term stability, and the face brickwork is progressing beautifully.

With the structural framework in place, the extension is really beginning to take shape now. We love seeing this transformation come together with Bromford Flagship LiveWest.

Follow our journey for the next update.

12/08/2026

The Transformation is Officially in Full Swing!

We are now progressing at pace with the transformation on our extension and refurbishment project with Bromford Flagship Live West

It has been an incredibly busy week on-site. Externally, building works are progressing at pace with the substructure blockwork now underway. Inside, the team has been stripping things back to prepare for the new layout—removing the entire heating system, taking down the ceiling laths (and managing to keep the dust down!), removing skirting and window boards, cutting out new doorways, and closing up redundant windows.

The site is buzzing, and in just a few days, the structural steel will arrive to take things to the next level!

Stay tuned for the next instalment of this journey.

07/08/2026

We are delighted to announce that we have once again achieved Excellent status for our metal roofing work from the FTMRC (Federation of Traditional Metal Roofing Contractors). https://ftmrc.co.uk

Maintaining the highest standards in traditional metal craftsmanship takes precision, dedication, and an incredible team effort. This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to delivering top tier quality on every single project.
A massive thank you to all our talented individuals involved at C.E.L Group (1989) Ltd, for their exceptional skills, and to our clients for continuing to trust us with their projects.

06/08/2026

Preserving Heritage: Blending 14th-Century Architecture with 21st-Century Innovation

We recently had the privilege of working on the beautiful, Grade II-listed St James’ Church in Great Horwood. Dating back to around 1340, this stunning building has survived the Great Fire of 1781 and centuries of history. Today, it’s not just a church—it’s a vibrant community hub hosting events like acoustic music sessions!

In an era where heritage lead theft is a constant threat, historical properties require solutions that upgrade security without compromising strict conservation aesthetics. Our team successfully achieved this balance on the church's North Porch Roof.

Key Phases of the Project:

• Structural Assessment: Stripped the existing roof to inspect and verify the integrity of the structural timber.
• Material Upgrade: Substituted traditional lead with high-grade zinc strip sheets to deter theft while maintaining historical visual compliance.
• Moisture Control: Installed Vapozink, a structured membrane to manage underside condensation and eliminate the risk of timber rot.
• Masonry & Weatherproofing: Replaced old flashing and deployed our in-house specialist stonemason to completely repoint the surrounding parapet walls.

By combining traditional craftsmanship with modern materials, we have ensured this 700-year-old community asset remains secure, watertight, and protected for generations to come.

31/07/2026

Protecting 900 Years of History: St Peter’s Church Restoration
We were proud to be appointed for the complete roof replacement at the Grade I Listed St Peter’s Church in Maxey, near Peterborough. Dating back to 1113, the historic building was suffering from significant water leaks due to a deteriorated roof covering.
This complex project required a careful balance of heritage restoration, structural problem-solving, and ecological care. Partnering with Natural England and a specialist consultant, we phased our work section-by-section to ensure the church's resident bat population remained entirely safe and undisturbed. Upon stripping the roof, our in-house team discovered and repaired extensive rot hidden deep within the historic timber frame. The team replaced the decayed decking, installed premium roof coverings, and carried out full structural inspections of the nave and tower.
With the replacement of the south aisle roof covering successfully complete, this historic landmark is now completely watertight, secure, and protected from further damage for generations to come.

Great work by our dedicated team!

28/07/2026

Behind the scaffolding, protecting a beautiful Grade II listed building, is our newest restoration project. It is great to see the work is now well underway!

So far, the original roof covering has been entirely removed — stripping away an old, thick rubber membrane that had been laid on a substrate with incorrect falls.

Our team has re-engineered the substructure across both roof areas to introduce the correct falls for proper water drainage. The deck is now completely prepared and waiting for the final, traditional roofing system to be rolled out!

We are looking forward to seeing what is next on this historic restoration project.

22/07/2026

We were honoured to serve as main contractor for the delicate restoration of St Cuthbert’s Church in Darlington.

Affectionately known as the "Lady of the North," this stunning 12th-century medieval masterpiece required advanced technical planning. Working closely with our trusted scaffolding subcontractor, we successfully navigated complex engineering challenges on this Grade I listed landmark—safely managing access across steep roof pitches and historic cellars to restore the shaped lead roofs and masonry parapets.
By blending traditional craftsmanship with strict project management, we secured the future of this breath taking structure and handed back a watertight landmark to the community.

Explore the full project breakdown and view our technical details here: celgroup.co.uk

18/07/2026

It was a pleasure to welcome the Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to C.E.L Group this week and to have the opportunity to discuss our work across heritage conservation, restoration and specialist construction.

We’re proud of our roots in Whittlesey and of the work our team delivers on historic buildings across the region and beyond.

Thank you for taking the time to visit us.

⭐️ BUSINESS VISIT - CEL GROUP ⭐️

Enjoyed my visit to C.E.L Group 1989 Limited in this week. 🤝

They are specialist contractors for heritage restoration projects - roofing, masonry, slating & tiling 🏠 ⛪️

Local people doing great things 😊

I love visiting businesses all over &