Natural Stone Specialist magazine joined Liverymen from the Masons Livery Company and practising stonemasons at one of The Orton Trust's weekend courses 25-27 October. The Liverymen were all novices but worked steadily to bone and shape the stone under the guidance of course tutor Brendan Teasdale of Team Force stonemasons and conservation specialists of Blyth, Northumberland. You can see some of the results of their efforts in the video below.

The courses are highly valued by working stonemasons because they only eat into the working week on a Friday. But it is not only skilled masons who benefit from the courses – they are also much appreciated by amateurs and enthusiasts. The courses cover all stonemasonry skills, including lettering, carving and conservation / restoration. They involve practical, hands-on experience and all the courses are taken by people like Brendan – Master Craftsmen at the top of their skills ladders.

For those not already stonemasons, the concentration, patience and physical work involved in fashioning stone proves cathartic, which is probably why stonemasons are generally such pleasant people to meet and work with. 

Anyone wanting to book a place on The Orton Trust courses should call Richard Tyler, the Courses Manager, on 01536 711600. To see a programme of the courses coming up visit the website www.ortontrust.org.uk