We're delighted to have received an award of £20,000 from the Associated Worshipful Companies of The Mercers’, Masons’, Cooks’ and Broderers’ for two restoration projects – one to the county war memorial and one to the Old Bishop’s Palace boundary wall – supporting the career progression of our newly qualified stonemasons.
Earlier this year Debbie Branford and Alfie Rollett passed their Level 2 stonemasonry apprenticeships with distinctions. They now need to continue their learning in order to progress their careers. This grant will enable them to take ownership of two specific pieces of restoration work, as part of their Level 3 training.
The County War Memorial’s steps, which have become worn and unsafe due to frost damage, will be given some much-needed TLC, ensuring all is in good order in time for this year’s Remembrance commemorations. The repairs will be made with Portland limestone to match the original stonework.
The second emergency repair is to the north precinct wall between the Old Palace and the Heart of Worcestershire College. A section of the wall, which forms part of a now lost Tudor building, has succumbed to a tree growing out of it and become dangerous. The Old Palace was the original Worcester Bishop’s Palace dating in part back to the 11th century. It became the deanery in the 19th Century.
The masons will fully draw, record, dismantle and rebuild using as many of the original sandstone blocks as possible, replace new stonework where necessary and repoint using conservation techniques.
Clerk of Works, Kate Andrew, said: “My team are excited and very grateful for the award of funds by the Members of the Masons' Company and Associated Companies to support the repair of the First World War memorial and assist with work on the Old Palace boundary wall.
“We offer a special and unique environment to work and the training we provide produces stonemasons of high-quality calibre and great ability, that go on to work on cathedrals and historic buildings, benefitting the built environment nationally. Our project is focused on enabling the Cathedral to continue to provide training and opportunities in stonemasonry to this high standard, at a time of significant financial pressures.
“Each element of restoration will be part of Alfie and Debbie’s CWF Level 3 core training and they will gain evidence for their core skills needed, including liaising with professional bodies, making templates, and cutting out stone, ordering stone, fixing stone and using various conservation techniques. They will work under the supervision of the Master Mason and Senior Mason, who will be training them on site.
“There is a gap presently in provision in formal training which makes it difficult for stonemasons to progress onto Level 4 – degree level qualification. We are working to fill this gap – and to provide training and enrichment opportunities for our Level 3 masons that will enable them to progress to Level 4 and participation in the Cathedral Workshop Fellowship Foundation degree in Applied Historic Building Conservation and Repair. This project will enhance their training and help them to develop the skills which will support them throughout their careers, expanding sector capacity and benefitting stone related crafts more widely.”
Kate Andrew was presented with the award at a lunch ceremony by The Master of the Worshipful Company of Masons at Mercers’ Hall, London.
Members of the Associated Companies will visit the Cathedral to view the completed works in September, when a special stone commemorating their support will be unveiled.
The Worshipful Company of Masons is number 30 in the order of precedence of the Ancient Livery Companies of the City of London, as set by the Aldermen of the City in 1515. Today there are over 110 and the number continues to grow. The focus of the Livery Company is to preserve and encourage the use of natural stone in the built environment. This includes supporting the training of craftsmen as well as the preservation and appreciation of iconic historic stone buildings.
Kate Pryke, Deputy Chair, Masons Company Charitable Trust, said: “I am delighted that your application has been successful. It was a unanimous decision to award the grant to Worcester Cathedral for the two restoration projects which will form part of your stone mason apprentices’ CWF Level 3 core training, under the supervision of your Master Mason and Senior Mason.
“We are pleased that the grant will cover the cost of the first project - the restoration of the Grade II listed Worcestershire War memorial in the Cathedral North Gardens – in its entirety.
"As some of the second project - an emergency repair of the Old Palace Boundary Wall - is brickwork, we are delighted that the remaining amount of the grant will cover that part of the restoration cost attributable to stonework.”
Tap the link to find out more about stonemasonry here at Worcester Cathedral.