Jim Bracken: Tales from the Roofline and Beyond

It’s always a pleasure when Jim Bracken takes the floor – a true legend within the group, and someone we all admire for his wealth of experience, wit, and straight-talking stories from the job.

Jim’s recent talk was, as ever, a brilliant snapshot into the life of a team that never sits still. He walked us through a typical – or rather, not so typical – week on the tools, sharing the ins and outs of current and recent projects.

From a major re-roofing job at Preston Patrick, where they’re working on a massive 28-metre roof with 10 tonnes of slate, to historic renovations on a hall dating back to the 1300s – Jim and the lads have truly seen it all. There’s the ongoing conservation work, window fittings, lead flashing repairs, retaining walls in gardens, chimney removals, bespoke joinery, and even unblocking 20 years’ worth of nests from flues – all in a week’s work.

The team’s skillset is incredibly broad: roofing, plastering, joinery, conservation, and just about everything else in between. Whether it’s fixing up an old barn, working for barristers and Lords, or helping homeowners with long-overdue repairs, they get stuck in and get the job done – no fuss.

Jim’s storytelling reminds us just how varied and skilled this line of work is. His knowledge, sharp eye for detail, and no-nonsense delivery make his talks a real highlight for the group.