This winners of the 2023 Duke of Gloucester Awards, sponsored by the Masons’ Company Craft Fund were announced during a ceremony at Mercers' Hall in the City of London on 6 December.
The biennial awards were introduced to encourage high standards in all aspects of the craft of stonemasonry with awards presented by His Royal Highness Duke of Gloucester. Awards are divided into two categories reflective of experience levels – Category 1 is awarded to individual masons with between two and 10 years' experience post qualification (Level 3 or equivalent) while Category 2 can be awarded to individual masons or small teams of masons with no time limit on experience post qualification. A further Gold Medal (a joint award between the Worshipful Company of Masons and the Stone Federation of Great Britain), honours the lifetime achievements of an individual whose contribution to the industry has been acknowledged by their peers.
Category 1
Rachael Wragg was Highly Commended for her portfolio of work that included the Lincoln Cathedral Chapter House quatrefoil panels project. Rachael undertook template making, casting and sketching of the ball flower carvings for a piece of significant replacement carving at the cathedral. William Hague of Matthias Garn workshop was Commended for his work – notably a challenging project at St Mary's church in Beverley. Coming later to the craft, William showed a determination to retrain as a stone mason with particular interest in the heritage sector.
Category 2
London Stone Carving Ltd comprising Tom Brown, Sam Lee, Josh Locksmith and Tom Nichols received Excellent for their two life sized statues of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Royal Albert Hall. William Davies was awarded Highly Commended and his application included a range of projects including the installation of bronze busts of Lord Dowding and Sir Keith Parks and plinths for the Battle of Britain Memorial Trust and the relocation of the Temple Bar. Samantha Peacock was Commended for her portfolio submission including Wells Cathedral medieval clock pedestals, the conservation of Wells Cathedral West Front figures along with examples of tracery and glazing repairs.
The Duke of Gloucester Gold Medal
Architectural sculptor and stone carver, Tim Crawley was awarded the Gold Medal. As a sculptor, he designs original work for new and period buildings, both by drawing and modelling, for production in stone, marble, and bronze. As a carver, his work is in restoration, that is the renewal of ornamental carvings of all periods. He is accustomed to running a large workshop and has taught and lectured on the subject at venues including: The Georgian Group, The Pugin Society, Friends of War Memorials Conference, Birkbeck College and The Donavan Purcell Memorial Lecture.