Burslem designs, makes, installs and restores memorials across East and West Sussex.
Our showroom and workshop are in Frant, East Sussex. The company has worked in stone since 1880, beginning with sandstone houses and churches in Kent and East Sussex before memorial masonry became central to the business.
Today, our work includes new memorials, additional inscriptions, restoration, war memorials and public monuments.
Natural stone can look different on a screen from how it appears in person. Colour, grain, surface finish and markings vary between materials and individual blocks.
A showroom visit allows you to compare:
It is not necessary to make every decision during one visit. We can develop the design and estimate after the main requirements are understood.
The burial ground affects which materials, finishes, dimensions and designs can be approved.
Churchyard requirements may restrict:
Cemeteries often provide more choice, but each has its own regulations.
We can check what applies, prepare the permit paperwork, and liaise with the relevant authority. Approval remains with the church, cemetery or other responsible body.
Burslem also works on memorials already in place.
This may involve:
For most additional inscriptions, the memorial is removed and brought to our workshop. The new wording is laid out with reference to the original letter height, width, spacing, depth and finish.
Older lettering may have weathered, so an exact match cannot always be promised. We will explain what can reasonably be achieved before the work proceeds.
Burslem uses traditional hand cutting, sandblasting and CNC cutting. The method is selected according to the stone and the required result.
Hand cutting may be appropriate for:
Sandblasting is commonly used for lettering on granite. CNC machinery can cut lettering, curved profiles, shapes and carved detail from an approved layout.
The use of modern machinery does not make every design the same. It gives the workshop another method to use where it is suitable.
Our Sussex work also includes public memorials and restoration for councils, churches and organisations.
Burslem completed a new war memorial in Rotherfield. Public commissions can involve a longer design and approval process than private memorial work, particularly where planning permission, council approval or consultation is required.
The work may include:
The appropriate treatment depends on the material, condition, setting and previous work.
The showroom and workshop are at Stubby Grove Works, Bells Yew Green Road, Frant, East Sussex, TN3 9BT. Opening hours are 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. An appointment is preferable.
Yes. Burslem regularly works in West Sussex as well as East Sussex, Kent, Surrey and other parts of the South East. The location and nature of the work should be provided so that we can advise properly.
No. An initial discussion can take place by telephone or email. A visit can be useful when comparing actual stone, finishes, lettering or carved details.
We normally help prepare the permit form, liaise with the relevant authority and deal with the applicable fee. The memorial remains subject to approval by the body responsible for the burial ground.
We can assess older memorials, but the available work depends on the stone, condition, stability and previous repairs. Photographs are a useful starting point, although an inspection may be needed.
Call: 01892 750120
E-mail: enquiries@burslem.co.uk
You can also arrange a visit to the showroom to see samples in person.
