British stonemasons and carvers Alex Wenham and Mark McDonnell have once again taken top honours at the European Stone Festival, held this year at the Parc of Rohan Palace in Saverne, France, 25-27 May.

The City of Severne itself gave a star prize for the carving it liked best, which went to Alex Wenham, who runs his own business in Oxford. Some of his carving is included at the 'on form' sculpture exhibition at Asthall Manor, Oxfordshire (you can see some of it here). The organisers also presented a star prize, which went to last year's winner, Mark McDonnell, who assists Emma Dexter on the stonemasonry courses at Moulton College in Northamptonshire. He also went on to participate in the stone festival at Winchester Cathedral in June (read more about that here).

The theme this year was 'Mythical creatures: from the unicorn to fantastic creatures of modern times'. The masons were given blocks of regional sandstone to work. Alex carved a sea monster attacking a boat, seen both above and below the water line (pictured here), and Mark a unicorn.

Congratulations to both of them on their continued success.