Heritage Skills in the Spotlight

Worcester Cathedral is celebrating after distinctions for two of its apprentice stonemasons and York Minster announces the launch of a new stonemasonry apprentice role.

Heritage skill in the spotlight at York Minster and Worcester Cathedral

Worcester Cathedral has just announced that two of its apprentice stonemasons scooped the highest accolade in their recent assessments.

Debbie Branford and Alfie Rollett both received distinctions in their Standard 2 Stonemasonry qualifications, meaning they now progress from apprentices to qualified stonemasons.

Master Mason at the 900-year-old Worcester Cathedral, Darren Steele, said:

“This is great news, not only for Debbie and Alfie, but for the Cathedral and the heritage sector as a whole. 

“We are delighted to be one of only nine Cathedrals in the country that has its own dedicated team of stonemasons. We offer a sought-after training programme to bring the next generation of masons through and ensure the long-term conservation of our historic architecture.

“I am immensely proud that both Debbie and Alfie have received distinctions, the highest accolades.

Debbie, who studied at Bath College whilst working and training at the Cathedral, said:

“It’s nice to be qualified with a distinction, which just shows the quality of training we’ve received both at college and at the Cathedral. 

“I worked in finance previously, but always had a passion for history and crafts, so I’m happy that I made the right decision to pursue the apprenticeship.”

Meanwhile Alfie studied at York College. He added:

“It’s great to finally be a qualified stonemason. The Cathedral and college were both amazing, especially going to York, I feel really lucky to have been sent up there to study. It’s probably an unusual career choice for a 21-year-old, but I was inspired by a friend’s dad, who was a thatcher, to go down the craft / trade route and it’s worked out perfectly for me.”

Darren, who has worked preserving Worcester Cathedral for twenty years, has devoted much of his efforts into the training of Apprentice Stonemasons.

This was recognised in 2015 when he was one of only five master craftsman in the country to be awarded the Master Craftsman’s Certificate by the Worshipful Company of Masons, one of the ancient Livery Companies of the City of London.

Darren added:

“It is our hope that this ancient craft, and the skills to conserve and preserve the Cathedral are passed on from one generation to the next.”

The search for York Minster’s next apprentice stonemason is now underway thanks to funding from the Worshipful Company of Constructors Charitable Trust.

The Trust, which exists to advance education and research in construction, is giving its largest donation to date to support the role.

The apprentice will join the Minster at an exciting time as the new Centre of Excellence for Heritage Skills and Estate Management opens this autumn. The Centre will combine traditional craft skills with cutting-edge technology, as well as reviving a medieval tradition of providing accommodation for apprentices to live and work on site, helping to combat a very modern cost of living crisis.

Alongside learning the ancient craft of stonemasonry, the apprentice will gain hands-on experience with the latest digital technologies, providing them with a wide range of tools to help combat some of the emerging challenges facing historic buildings such as York Minster. Climate change, which is causing increased and far heavier rainfall, is impacting these surprisingly fragile buildings, requiring stonemasons to replace stones more frequently.

Alex McCallion, Director of Works and Precinct, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome the support of the Worshipful Company of Constructors Charitable Trust at such a significant level towards a new apprentice stonemason at York Minster. This generous grant very much represents our strong shared aims in engaging the next generation of heritage construction professionals, through this exciting opportunity to join the workforce at one of the most iconic buildings in the country. 

“The new stonemason will join us at a unique moment in York Minster’s history, as we open the doors of our new Centre for Excellence to the world and develop our growing international network of cathedrals and heritage institutions. We are deeply grateful to the Trust for such generous investment in our work and very much look forward to welcoming the new apprentice into our workforce this autumn.” 

Paul Shepherd, Company member and Chairman of The Worshipful Company of Constructors Charitable Trust said:

“This is the largest grant that the Constructors Charitable Trust has ever made and perfectly follows our prime remit to support Education and Research in the Construction Industry. We are particularly pleased to support an Apprentice throughout their training and to partner with York Minster by contributing to the conservation and preservation of one of the most respected cathedrals in the world.”