At 23-years-old, Simon Morphet from High Bentham in Yorkshire has become one of the youngest people to achieve the Dry Stone Walling Association’s Master Craftsman qualification.
Working towards the qualification saw him build a series of complex features including a square pillar, step stile and square corner – work that requires a good understanding of the materials being used and the knowledge of how the structures are designed to stand the test of time.
Simon, who has been walling from a young age, has been working his way through the different levels of qualification to his final goal of becoming a Master Craftsman and was delighted with his achievement. “It’s quite a challenge but worth it and it’s great to make sure these skills continue in the future,” he said.
Simon has been a regular competitor at walling competitions, winning several times at Penrith Show and scooping first prize in the Young Farmer category at the Dry Stone Walling Association's 50th Anniversary Walling Competition back in 2018.
The DSWA says: “It is encouraging to see young people carrying on these traditional skills and taking a pride in the quality of work that they produce, whether in agricultural settings or private gardens and commissions.
“The craft of dry stone walling continues to stand the test of time and there will always be a need for people to be able to build and repair these iconic landscape features.”