News

We’re always pleased to recognise great work from the people delivering projects on site, and this latest fencing project from Keith, one of our multi-skilled operatives, is another job worthy of a mention.

The project involved the installation of new timber fencing around a raised garden boundary, with the site presenting an interesting working environment due to the changing levels and existing stone walls.

The new fencing has been carefully installed around the perimeter, following the shape and levels of the existing boundary to create a consistent finished result.

For Keith, who has delivered a number of fencing projects as part of his work with WMS, it was another project he was particularly proud to complete.

A great finished result and another example of the care and attention our operatives bring to their work.

WMS has completed a programme of improvement works at Flushing Church of England Primary School, with the project carefully scheduled for the summer holidays to minimise disruption to pupils and staff.

The programme included various mechanical and electrical works alongside significant improvements to the school's outdoor environment, including preparation and resurfacing of the playground.

The playground works were delivered by our specialist sub-contractor partner DCM Surfaces, with Dani Tomas acting as our key point of contact.

A new wet pour surface was installed, providing the school with an affordable, slip-resistant and low-maintenance solution designed to offer excellent durability in a busy playground environment.

Wet pour is a two-part system in which surface granules are blended with polyurethane resin to produce a strong surface with excellent tensile strength. The base course is made predominantly from recycled truck tyre rubber, helping incorporate recycled materials into the finished installation.

The system can also provide important safety benefits around playground equipment. The depth of the base course can be specified according to the requirements of the area, providing shock absorption and critical fall-height compliance where necessary.

By delivering the programme during the summer holidays, WMS and our project partners were able to progress the works while the school was unoccupied, reducing disruption and ensuring the improved facilities were ready for pupils returning for the new term.

The completed project provides Flushing Church of England Primary School with a refreshed, practical and durable playground alongside the wider mechanical and electrical improvements delivered across the school.

A fantastic collaborative effort from WMS, DCM Surfaces and everyone involved in delivering the project. 

WMS continues to deliver an ongoing programme of planned refurbishment and void works for Westward Housing across homes in the Torbay and Plymouth areas.

Worth approximately £500,000 per year, the programme includes planned kitchen, bathroom and wetroom refurbishments alongside void works, with a dedicated WMS team helping to provide a timely and efficient service across the region.

Improving Homes for Residents

The programme sees WMS teams working across Westward Housing properties to deliver improvements to kitchens, bathrooms and wetrooms, as well as completing works to empty properties in preparation for future residents.

With works taking place across multiple locations, effective planning, communication and coordination are central to keeping the programme moving efficiently and ensuring homes are handed back promptly.

A Dedicated Local Team

The programme is supported by a WMS team comprising five multi-trade operatives, two decorators and a labourer, providing the range of skills required to deliver works efficiently from start to finish.

Delivering Ahead of Schedule

A key success of the programme has been the team's ability to provide a well-received, timely and efficient service, with projects being handed back ahead of their deadlines.
Early handovers are particularly valuable within planned and void works, helping properties move through the programme efficiently while maintaining the quality of the finished work.

Strong Relationships

The ongoing programme has also continued to strengthen the relationship between WMS and Westward Housing.
An established working relationship with Westward Housing Surveyor Lianne Seward Copp continues, while the programme has also seen a strong relationship develop with Surveyor Mark Readman and the introduction of WMS Site Supervisor Connor to support delivery on site.

Through consistent delivery, effective communication and a dedicated local team, WMS continues to provide Westward Housing with a responsive and reliable service across Torbay and Plymouth.

Following last year’s winning performance, the WMS team returned to the competition for 2026 looking to put in another strong showing - this time competing under their new team name, the WMS Chip Chasers.

 With more than 30 teams taking part, there was plenty of competition for the returning champions and, with the squad carrying a few injuries, retaining the title was never going to be easy.

Despite the challenges, the Chip Chasers put in a fantastic effort throughout the competition to secure an impressive 7th-place finish.

While the trophy might not be returning to WMS for a second consecutive year, finishing comfortably inside the top 10 in a field of more than 30 teams is another result for the team to be proud of.

Events like this are also a great opportunity for colleagues to get together away from their usual working environment, strengthening relationships and putting the WMS One Team spirit into action.

A huge well done to everyone who represented WMS and helped make this year’s competition another memorable one.

We’ll be back!

WMS has completed an extensive 10-month refurbishment of Bridgwater Library for Somerset County Council, bringing together specialist heritage skills, traditional materials and modern roofing solutions to protect and improve this important public building.

 A Complex Programme of Works

The project began with the installation of a complete scaffold enclosure to weatherproof the building ahead of the removal of the existing roof coverings.

The roofing works included new insulation, felt and battens before the existing tiles were reinstated, alongside extensive new leadwork. A large Alumasc flat roofing system was installed together with two new skylights and replacement roof glazing.

Specialist works were also undertaken to the high-level rotunda, including a new lead gutter and flashings, new glazing and copper flashing repairs and replacement.

Further improvements included external decoration and rainwater goods replacement, timber repairs and scarfing, lime render and masonry repairs across the external areas, as well as internal lime plaster repairs and full decoration.

Specialist Skills & Traditional Materials

The nature of the building required a wide range of specialist trades and materials.

Detailed lead and copper works were undertaken alongside certified Alumasc flat roof installation, carpentry, lime plastering, specialist glazing and complex scaffold and access planning. Traditional materials including lime plaster and lime paints were used alongside the new roofing systems.

Overcoming the Challenges

Working on a heritage building of this nature presented significant challenges throughout the project.
The extensive scaffold installation required road and pavement closures, with careful consideration given to public safety, security and access. The project initially began while the library remained occupied, before the building was later closed to ensure the safety of staff and members of the public.

As areas were opened up and accessed, a number of previously unknown works were identified. This required the programme to adapt, with schedules and completion dates revised as the full extent of the works became apparent.

A Project to Be Proud Of

Following 10 months on site, the result is a successfully completed refurbishment that combines modern building solutions with the specialist skills required to work sensitively with a heritage property.
For the WMS team, it is a project to be proud of - one that called upon a unique combination of skills and expertise to help ensure Bridgwater Library can continue to serve the public for many years to come.

As part of our ongoing commitment to delivering social value alongside our client partnerships, WMS has made a £250 donation to Bristol Dog Action Welfare Group (DAWG).

 The donation forms part of a collaborative initiative linked to refurbishment works delivered across sites in Devon and Somerset. Following the completion of works, our client identifies a local worthy cause that could benefit from additional support, with WMS providing a donation.

On this occasion, Bristol DAWG was selected.

Established as a registered charity in 2010, Bristol DAWG has become a well-established organisation dedicated to caring for and rehoming greyhounds and other sighthounds.

The charity takes in dogs from across the country and Ireland, working with trainers, other rescue centres, council pounds and local dog wardens. Its dedicated trustees and volunteers care for the dogs while they wait to find their new forever homes.

Fundraising plays an important role in allowing Bristol DAWG to continue helping as many dogs as possible, with volunteers regularly giving up their time to support the charity's work.

We're delighted that our latest social value contribution can help support the team and dogs at Bristol DAWG.

The initiative is another example of how WMS works collaboratively with our clients to ensure the positive impact of our projects extends beyond the work itself and into the wider communities we serve.