Wells Cathedral

Masonry

On completing my fine art course at Kingston Polytechnic in 1973 I decided that I wanted to learn one craft skill thoroughly I chose masonry because it seemed to me to be virtually unchanged through history, a continuous body of knowledge handed down through the centuries. I had the idea that I might  learn this craft at a cathedral and trying to find an opening I contacted and visited as many as possible. My chance came not at a cathedral but with an apprenticeship at the Bath and Portland Stone Firms at Neston  near Corshm Wilts. I served my time there under the supervision of Stan Hancock and Arthur Hulbert both highly experienced Stone Masons nearing retirement. I also attended Bath College under George Clayton and it was there that I received the City and Guilds Masonry Advance Craft certificate which is one of my most valued achievements. Out of my time and working in Bath for G.V.Williams stone masons I met Richard Marsh who introduced me to Caroe and Martin Architects who accepted my application to join the team under Professor Baker. I worked on the west front statues in the summer and in the masons yard in the winter. At last I was a fully trained stone mason joining the cathedral as many journeymen masons have done throughout history.