Heritage Lime Rendering
Coal Yard Cottages,
Yoxford
A historic Suffolk home, a family legacy, and a restoration close to the heart.
- Location
- Yoxford, Suffolk
- Heritage designation
- Grade II Listed
- Our work
- Traditional external lime rendering
Standing in the historic Suffolk village of Yoxford, the Coal Yard Cottages have been part of the village landscape for more than three centuries.
Dating from the mid-to-late 17th century, the Grade II listed building is a wonderful example of traditional Suffolk architecture, with its timber-framed construction, rendered walls and distinctive red-brick Dutch gable.
Today divided into two cottages, the building has a long and fascinating history, but perhaps its most personal chapter is one that belongs to the Morphey family.
The family story
Life at the Coal Yard
For many years, the Coal Yard was home to the Morphey family and the coal business run by Luke's father, known to almost everyone simply as ‘Morph’.
A familiar and much-loved character around Yoxford, Morph spent much of his working life supplying coal to homes throughout the surrounding villages.
The family's connection with the property stretched across generations. There had even once been a small shop associated with the house, remembered by the family as having been run by Luke's grandmother, Gladys.
For Luke, his sister and brothers, however, the Coal Yard was simply home.
What are now two separate cottages formed one large family house during their childhood, with the busy coal yard providing a rather extraordinary playground for a growing family.
It was a childhood full of adventures, surrounded by the daily comings and goings of a working family business, and a place that would remain close to Luke's heart throughout his life.
In time, Luke's brother George took over the property and yard, establishing his scaffolding business, CAT Scaffolding, there. Morph continued working in the coal trade for several years afterwards, and the coal business remains in the family to this day, still operating alongside the scaffolding business.
Although Morph is sadly no longer with us, there are surely many longstanding residents of Yoxford who remember him with great fondness.
Returning home
A Very Personal Restoration
When the time came to renovate the historic cottages, the project presented Luke with an opportunity that was particularly special.
Having spent years working with traditional plastering and lime materials, he had developed a great appreciation for the craftsmanship and methods required to care for older buildings.
But this was far more than another heritage restoration.
This was the house in which he had grown up. A building filled with childhood memories, family history and reminders of the people who had made it home.
To return years later, this time with the skills and experience to help preserve it, was an opportunity he was delighted to take on.
Luke undertook the external lime rendering, using traditional materials appropriate for the age and construction of the building.
For historic timber-framed properties such as these, lime render plays an important role. Its breathable, moisture-permeable properties allow the building fabric to release moisture, helping to protect the traditional materials beneath while retaining the appearance and character of the original structure.
The restoration was carried out with an appreciation of both the building's architectural significance and the responsibility of preserving something that had already stood for hundreds of years.
For Luke, though, there was an additional sense of pride in knowing that his work would help safeguard the home in which his own childhood had unfolded.
The next chapter
A Story That Continues
Today, the Coal Yard Cottages remain occupied homes, their historic character preserved as they continue into another chapter of village life.
The yard remains in family hands, with the coal and scaffolding businesses continuing a connection to the property that has lasted for generations.
For Suffolk Lime, the project was a wonderful example of the importance of traditional materials and craftsmanship in conserving Suffolk's historic buildings.
For Luke, it was also the chance to give something back to the place where his own story began.