Lafarge donate lime to freshen up landmark

Lafarge Cement’s hydrated lime has been put to use on a rather unconventional job – restoring one of Wiltshire’s famous White Horses.

The Broad Hinton White Horse on Hackpen Hill has drawn visitors to the area for 170 years – but poor weather conditions and pollution turned it a rather unappealing shade of grey.

Now, Lafarge Cement have donated 40 bags of Hydralime to local farmer James Hussey, who will work with local volunteers to give the 90sq ft figure a clean up.

“Our White Horse is near The Ridgeway on the edge of the Marlborough Downs – an area of outstanding natural beauty,” says Hussey. “I’m privileged to have the horse on my land – but I don’t relish the job of cleaning it up! For several years we used chalk to brighten it up, but that never lasted for long. Then three years ago, Lafarge Cement offered to donate lime to us, for an annual clean up – and it makes a world of difference. After just a couple of hours’ work she’s looking good as new!”

Hydralime is a high-calcium, hydrenated lime usually used to improve the cohesiveness and water retention of cement mortars and plaster. In the case of the White Horse, it is mixed with water to produce a paste ideal for recoating the uneven chalk surface of the horse.

Andy Dillon, area sales manager for Lafarge Cement, says: “Hydrated lime has unique properties which make it ideal for a job like this. We know that Wiltshire has around 25 white horses – but sadly they are not all in a good state of repair. Using Hydralime makes it a quick and simple job, and the results speak for themselves.”