Business Details
Handcrafted Memorials & Headstones in Dover and Ashford
Cleverley & Spencer is a family-run monumental stone masonry business with decades of experience in crafting bespoke memorials. Founded on traditional techniques, we specialise in hand-carved inscriptions and machine-carved lettering, ensuring each memorial meets the highest standards of artistry and durability. Our team, led by Ivor Spencer, combines formal training from institutions like Canterbury Cathedral and City & Guilds of London Art School with practical expertise in stonemasonry and memorial design. We operate across Kent and the Southeast, offering free consultations and flexible appointments to discuss designs in clients' homes or at our Dover and Ashford showrooms. Our craftsmen hold qualifications from the National Association of Memorial Masons and BRAMM, alongside CITB certifications, ensuring compliance with modern health and safety standards.We provide a full range of services, including headstones, grave memorials, commemorative plaques, and restoration work, using materials such as marble, granite, and slate. Our commitment to quality extends to offering both traditional hand-carved and cost-effective machine-carved options, tailored to individual preferences. We maintain transparency in all projects, with no hidden fees, and prioritise client satisfaction through meticulous attention to detail. Our team includes BRAMM-qualified fixers and safety inspectors, ensuring installations meet rigorous industry requirements. With a legacy of creating enduring symbols of remembrance, we blend craftsmanship with compassionate service to support families during challenging times.
Services
Headstones
Grave Memorials
Commemorative Plaques
Cleaning & Restoration
Custom Designs
Highlights and features
- We offer over 50 years of combined experience in traditional stonemasonry.
- Our team includes CITB-certified assessors and BRAMM-qualified fixers.
- We provide free, personalised consultations with no obligation.
- We operate across Kent and the Southeast with flexible appointment times.
- Our memorials combine hand-carved artistry with modern machine-carved precision.
Associations and certifications
- National Association of Memorial Masons
- National Association of Master Letter Carvers
- BRAMM
Services
Headstones
We craft bespoke headstones using premium materials like granite, marble, and slate. Our designs combine traditional hand-carved inscriptions with machine-carved precision, ensuring durability and aesthetic appeal. Each memorial is tailored to reflect the individuality of the deceased while adhering to cemetery regulations.
Cleaning & Restoration
Our restoration services revive weathered or damaged memorials through careful cleaning, repointing, and structural repairs. We use techniques that preserve historical integrity while enhancing legibility and appearance. This service ensures memorials remain dignified tributes for future generations.
Commemorative Plaques
We design and install commemorative plaques for graves, war memorials, and public spaces. Available in materials like bronze and slate, these plaques feature hand-carved or machine-cut inscriptions. Custom designs accommodate specific artistic or informational requirements.
Custom Designs
Our team collaborates with families to create unique memorials reflecting personal stories. From intricate relief carvings to bespoke shapes and inscriptions, we ensure each design meets individual preferences while maintaining structural integrity and longevity.
Font Selection
We offer a wide range of fonts, including traditional and modern styles like Trajan, Optima, and Script. Clients can trial their chosen message in different typefaces to ensure clarity and aesthetic alignment with the memorial's design.
People
Ivor Spencer
Director & Master Lettercarver
Ivor Spencer, a master lettercarver with over 40 years' experience, trained at Canterbury Cathedral and City & Guilds of London Art School. He is a CITB-certified assessor and BRAMM-qualified fixer, ensuring rigorous standards in stonemasonry and installation.
James Spencer
Director
James Spencer, a BRAMM-qualified fixer mason, oversees operational standards and client consultations. His expertise ensures memorials meet both artistic and structural requirements while adhering to health and safety regulations.
Paul Spencer
Director & Safety Inspector
Paul Spencer, a BRAMM-qualified fixer mason and safety inspector, ensures compliance with modern stonemasonry practices. He plays a key role in maintaining workplace safety and installation quality across all projects.
Alan
Workshop Foreman
Alan, a skilled letter carver and stonemason, manages workshop operations. With NAMM and BRAMM qualifications, he ensures precision in crafting memorials and oversees the training of apprentices in traditional techniques.
Ben
Trainee Stonemason
Ben, a trainee stonemason, represents the next generation of craftsmanship at Cleverley & Spencer. Under Ivor Spencer's mentorship, he is developing skills in hand-carving and memorial design to uphold the company's legacy.
Questions
What materials do you use for memorials?
We use premium materials including granite, marble, slate, and limestone, ensuring durability and aesthetic appeal tailored to individual preferences.
Can I customise my memorial design?
Yes, we collaborate with families to create bespoke designs, incorporating unique shapes, inscriptions, and artistic elements to reflect personal stories.
Do you offer restoration services?
Yes, we provide cleaning and restoration for weathered or damaged memorials, preserving their dignity and legibility for future generations.
Are your stonemasons qualified?
Our team holds certifications from NAMM, BRAMM, and CITB, ensuring expertise in traditional techniques and modern safety standards.
Can I visit your showroom?
Yes, our Dover and Ashford showrooms are open Monday to Friday, with no appointments required for walk-in visits.
Do you provide free consultations?
Yes, we offer free, no-obligation consultations at clients' homes or our showrooms to discuss memorial options and designs.
