Bernard Johnson from Oxford, who gave up a 27 year career in publishing to become a stonecarver, has won a £2,700 Queen Elizabeth Scholarship that will enable him to receive one-to-one tuition from one of the UK's leading lettercutters, Ieuan Rees, at his lettering and calligraphy studio in Wales. Bernard will be presented with his award by the Lord Mayor of London, Alderman David Brewer, at the Royal Warrant Holders Association's annual lunch in London in June.

Bernard is 52 and was in sales and marketing with Oxford University Press for 25 years and Lion Hudson before that, when he decided to change his career and become a stonecarver. He had always been interested in stone and five years ago attended a holiday course in stonecarving. Having discovered his aptitude for the craft he embarked on a stonemasonry course at City of Bath College two years ago. Last October he made the break from the publishing world and set up his own business undertaking private commissions for house names, inscriptions and garden pieces.

If you could benefit from such a scholarship to further your education, you should apply for an application form by sending a self-addressed envelope with 50p worth of stamps to: The Secretary, The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, No. 1 Buckingham Place, London SW1E 6HR. Or visit the website, from where application forms can be downloaded. Applications for the summer awards must be in by 9 June 2006.