MW Benney Ltd

25/08/2026

Another step forward for this incredible site. 👏

Plans for a new distillery at Bodmin Jail have now been approved by Cornwall Council, marking an exciting next stage for this historic Cornish landmark.

MW Benney is proud to be involved in the ongoing works at Bodmin Jail and to play our part in the continued development and preservation of the site.

Working with historic buildings brings its own unique challenges, with careful consideration needed at every stage to protect the existing fabric while preparing these buildings for their future.

It’s great to see the plans moving forward and we look forward to seeing the next stages take shape.

18/08/2026

People often assume a Project Manager spends their day checking progress on site.

The reality is very different.

They're coordinating subcontractors.

Managing programmes.

Solving problems before they become delays.

Communicating with clients.

Keeping projects safe.

Managing budgets.

Supporting site teams.

It's a role that combines technical knowledge with leadership and organisation.

17/08/2026

20 lifts. 12 metres up. Around 250kg per stone. 🏗️

Not your average day on site!

Our team at Bodmin Jail recently completed the careful removal of the chimney capping stones, allowing essential repair work to the chimney structures to begin.

With each stone weighing around 250kg and sitting approximately 12 metres above ground, the operation took plenty of planning and coordination to make sure everything was carried out safely and with the care this historic building deserves.

A great team effort alongside DPS Stonework and Devon Lifting Services, with 20 lifts successfully completed.

Next up, the chimney repairs before every capping stone makes the journey back up again!

Great work from Iain and everyone involved. 👏

11/08/2026

Working on heritage buildings requires a different approach.

Every decision needs careful consideration.

Every alteration is planned.

Every original feature matters.

These buildings have stood for generations and deserve to be treated with the respect they were built with.

It's rewarding to play a part in preserving local landmarks while preparing them for many more years of use.

05/08/2026

👏 Our apprentice carpenters have been doing a fantastic job recently.

It's great to see them growing in confidence, developing their skills and taking real pride in their work.

At MW Benney, we believe investing in apprentices is investing in the future of our industry.

Giving young people the opportunity to learn from experienced tradespeople helps build the skills, confidence and knowledge they'll carry throughout their careers.

A big well done to the lads, and thank you to everyone on site who takes the time to share their experience and support the next generation.

Keep up the great work! 💪

04/08/2026

When people see a crane arrive on site, they see a few hours of work.

What they don't see are the weeks of planning behind it.

Working within live healthcare environments means every detail has to be considered.

Access routes.

Deliveries.

Safety.

Patients.

Staff.

Neighbours.

The smoother a project appears on the day, the more planning has usually gone into making it happen.

Good construction isn't about reacting to problems.

It's about preventing them before they happen.

28/07/2026

One of the biggest misconceptions about construction is that work starts when the tools come out.

In reality, some of the most important work happens before any construction begins.

On projects like Oldway Mansion, our first responsibility is protecting the building itself.

That means carefully recording and cataloguing original features, installing protection throughout the building and making sure historic materials are preserved while wider restoration works take place.

It's work most people will never notice.

But it's what allows important buildings like this to be restored safely for future generations.

Sometimes the best construction work is the work you can't see.

27/07/2026

Progress is gathering pace at Bodmin Jail.

Our team has now commenced the external stone repair works, marking another important milestone in the restoration of this remarkable historic building.

Working on a project of this nature takes careful planning and close collaboration. Alongside our own teams, LTC Scaffolding continue to adapt the scaffold as each phase progresses, while Rightway Environmental are carrying out the safe removal of lead-based paint, ensuring the building is ready for the next stage of restoration.

Every repair is approached with the care and attention that a building of this significance deserves, helping to preserve its character while preparing it for the future.

It's fantastic to see another heritage project taking shape, and we look forward to sharing more updates as works continue.

24/07/2026

24/07/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Sue, our World Cup Sweepstake winner! 🇪🇸⚽

After drawing Spain, Sue takes home the £200 prize following an exciting tournament.

A bit of friendly competition always brings the team together, and this year's sweepstake was no exception.

Enjoy your winnings, Sue! 👏