Product category:
Bricks, Blocks and Lintels
News Release from: Stone Federation Great Britain
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 04 July 2008
College top in UK Masonry Skills
Challenge
Weymouth College came out on top in this year's UK Masonry Skills Challenge, organised by Stone Federation Great Britain and hosted by York College.
The first three individual places were all filled by Weymouth students so, not surprisingly, Weymouth won the team prize The overall winner was Nathan Smith, from Stone Firms Limited in Portland, with Steven Woodward from Albion Stone, also of Portland, second and Oliver Clack from Cathedral Works Organisation in Chichester third
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 17 Apr 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Twenty-one apprentice masons from seven colleges in England and Scotland took part, with teams of three learners from each stonemasonry college.
Entrants were from York College, Glasgow Metropolitan College, Moulton College, Weymouth College, Bath College, Telford College and the Building Crafts College, London.
Competitors were asked to complete set projects, working with Portland stone.
This had to be worked with a traditional mallet and chisel and no mechanical tools were allowed.
Chairman of the judges John Bysouth reported that this year's test piece, using Portland stone, was very difficult for the students.
He praised their enthusiasm and commented: "It was a delight to see heads down and the chips flying".
Jane Buxey, the Stone Federation's chief executive added: "The competition demonstrates the wealth of talent that exists among stonemasonry apprentices and it is reassuring to see this traditional craft still being taught to such a high standard in UK colleges.".
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