While there is plenty of warranted concern surrounding the decline in take-up of traditional craft skills here in the UK, the recent On The Tools Awards offer a moment of celebration for the industry. 

This year, Lincoln Cathedral stonemason Rachael Wragg has been named Traditional Craftsperson of the Year.

The event, attended by more than 450 industry professionals, recognised outstanding achievement across the UK’s trades. The awards celebrate excellence, craftsmanship, and the people whose skill and dedication keep the nation’s construction and restoration projects moving forward.

Rachael, part of the Cathedral’s in-house works department, was praised by the judges for demonstrating “all-round excellence, combining craftsmanship, communication, professionalism, and industry representation.” Known as @TheGingerMason on Instagram, Rachael has built a strong following by sharing insights into the life and work of a cathedral stonemason and offering behind-the-scenes insights of one of England’s most significant heritage sites.

Rachael described the award as “a huge honour and totally unexpected,” adding, “I’m so grateful to On The Tools for recognising traditional craft skills as part of the wider construction industry and giving craftspeople the space to share our work.”

Indeed, the judges also highlighted her ability to inspire pride and confidence in traditional skills, and while building may be the only cathedral on Historic England’s ‘At Risk’ register, the work that Rachael and her team are doing in conserving it - along with the content she produces for social media - is helping to draw attention to the importance of new people joining the industry, and bridging the steadily increasing skills gap. As Mike Graves, Associate Clerk of Works at Lincoln Cathedral underlines, his team is “committed to supporting heritage skills and training new generations of craftspeople to ensure that vital conservation work can continue.”

Here’s to its ongoing success, and congratulations to Rachael for her determined and engaging work.

You can find out more about the conservation work at Lincoln Cathedral by visiting www.lincolncathedral.com, and you can follow Rachael on Instagram at @TheGingerMason