The origins of the Jersey based company date back more than 45 years to a general welding and metal fabrication workshop. Successive changes of ownership, name and focus have led to the current enterprise that specialises in high quality hand forged and bespoke items.
The company, now owned by Stephen Rylance, has an abiding (but not exclusive) interest in celebrating, preserving and adding to Jersey's rich heritage of architectural ironwork. It rescues sections of old railing, balustrade and gate so that new copies can be cast, and has, at any one time, upwards of one hundred cast iron fireplaces in stock, saved from Georgian and Victorian properties.
Rylance Limited employs two blacksmiths, two trainee blacksmiths, three metal fabricators and a painter. A large project will involve a team of people, each bringing an expertise in one or more phases of the design, build and install process. Every item produced is grounded in accurate measurement, skilful manipulation of using a mix of traditional techniques and modern tooling, and an absolute commitment to making things properly. We don't cut corners and we don't use sub-standard materials.
We do, though, continually look for ways to improve and extend the range of techniques employed. Inevitably the workshop can be a noisy and frenetic place, especially when several large machines are in use at once. There are a couple of water-cooled forges, a large pneumatic hammer, a TIG welder, a laser cutter band saws and pillar drills. We are not wedded to the nineteenth century, and if we can invest in tools that will produce better outcomes at a cheaper cost then we will.
And this is backed up by a vast store of templates, finials, balustrade panels, newel posts, hooks, hinges, brackets, bolts and washers: a few of them dating back to the early days of the industrial revolution.
If you want to see how things are done, just make an appointment: we would be happy to show you around (and provide a cup of tea).
How you can find us
Take the turning between St Martin’s Church and the Royal public house sign-posted ‘Rozel’. After passing through the village and down a dip, the road rises towards a t junction, where you should turn right. The road skirts the Rozel Manor Estate, past a right hand turning, the entrance to Rozel Camp Site on the right and a left hand turning. On the next bend a track to the left takes you down to La Fosse. That’s where we are.
We are also on the number 3 bus route from town.
- Ironworks
- Metal Gates
- Wooden Gates
- Railings
- Balustrades
- Lanterns
- Fireplaces
- Furniture
