Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media & Sport, officially laid the Cornish DeLank granite foundation stone of a memorial to Diana, Princess of Wales, in Hyde Park on 20 August. Her Department is paying £3million for the construction of the memorial while the Royal Parks are the Department\'s executive agents. Contractors on the 12-month project are Geoffrey Osborne Ltd, whose stone specialist firm, CWO in Chichester, will carry out the construction of the 210m long granite fountain that includes water jets at various points to add to the effect of the flowing water.

The watercourse will incorporate curves just as designers Kathryn Gustafson and Neil Porter drew them, thanks to several firsts for the stone industry in the use of computer software (see the August issue of NSS) and the skills of Northern Ireland masons S McConnell & Sons in the use of the latest technology to cut and shape the stones.

Nick Yandle, chief executive of Osborne, says: "This project requires high levels of skill in civil engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering and stonemasonry. All three disciplines will need to work closely with each other and with the design team to bring this wonderful design to life."

CWO director Bernard Burns adds: "The design calls for very high quality finishing to create different water effects. We can bring extensive experience not just to carry out the work, but also to support the design team with advice regarding optimum stone sizes, surface finishing, production methods and programme."