With production of Beer stone from quarries under the coastal hills of South Devon coming to an end, Wells Cathedral Stonemasons have bought and stored the last blocks to be extracted in order to protect the heritage of two of England\'s historic cathedrals - Winchester and Exeter - that were built using Beer stone.

According to Graham Sibley, managing director of Wells Cathedral Stonemasons: "Safety and economics make it almost certain that the quarry-mine at Beer, between Sidmouth and Seaton, is unlikely to re-open. So, having worked with this unique stone, we wanted to ensure that there would be a supply for future restoration requirements."

He says the alternative to Beer stone could well be French, as it has been in other cathedrals, which he describes as "a second-choice substitute".

Ryan Brunt, the company\'s principal stone-mason and supervisor of their training programmes, said: "While some people will lay down a fine vintage claret, we have chosen to lay down the last crop of Beer Stone."

The Somerset company, which was created to restore the historic stonework of Wells Cathedral - including its faÁade of statues, wrecked by Oliver Cromwell\'s Roundheads - has used Beer Stone in restoration projects for cathedrals and churches throughout the South West and for major overseas projects in the Far East, Scandinavia, and the USA.

"We are conscious of the needs of Winchester and Exeter Cathedrals, so we shall now ring-fence this last stock of Beer stone for their requirements," says Graham Sibley. "It doesn\'t seem right that they should have to resort to a French substitute."

Meanwhile, Wells Cathedral Stonemasons have been working on a project to restore, clean and conserve the stonework of Marlborough\'s historic Town Hall ready for the town\'s 800th anniversary visit by the Prince of Wales.

For this project, the company are using Ham limestone. Peter Arkell, operations director at Wells, says: "Our masons are highly skilled craftsmen who combine traditional methods with the latest technology. We are determined to transform Marlborough Town Hall in time for the celebrations and the visit by the Prince of Wales."

The use of Ham stone is particularly appropriate for the Prince\'s visit because he, as the Duke of Cornwall, owns the quarry.

Wells Cathedral Stonemasons are also working on other Westcountry projects, including the restoration of Taunton\'s Shire Hall (now home to the Crown Court) and St Mary\'s church in Bridgwater.

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