Workshop News
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Interview in Oxfordshire Preview Winter 08/09
I was delighted to be interviewed by Ceri James for the Oxfordshire Preview last month, and extract from the article which appeared in the Winter 08/09 edition is included here.
“Stone cutter Fergus Wessel fashions slate and stone into messages of tribute and celebration that reach far into the fututre. Ceri James went along to his garden workshop in Milton-under-Wychwood to meet him and find out more about his monumental craft…”
Posted on 19/01/09 in Media and press • Read full article
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Buscot Park Commemorative Plaque
The Faringdon plaque is a commemorative piece of work which was placed in the handsome grounds of Buscot Park in Oxfordshire in December 2008. Below I have illustrated the various stages of work, from the initial carving of the sunken middle through to the finished peice
Posted on 12/01/09 in Heraldic carving • Read full article
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Hand Carved Memorials and Headstones - helping with bereavement
Commissioning a memorial can be a very difficult and emotional process for most people. However a memorial should be a celebration of the life of a loved one, and provided the whole process is treated with sensitivity and compassion, the experience can be really helpful and comforting. My clients often write to me of the joy the finished memorial or headstone has given them, and how much the memorial reflects the character of their loved one. Achieving this is for me one of the most satisfying aspects of my work; getting it right. Translating what the client remembers of their loved one into stone when they do not always know at all what they want at first is always a challenge. I achieve this by listening to client and taking our time; it is a matter of team work. Quite often the client will have an idea of the design in their mind and it is up to me to make it work. Nothing is rushed, and indeed I usually encourage clients to wait at least a year or two after their loss before coming to me. Time enables the clients’ emotions to settle a little, and they gain more clarity about the sort of headstone or memorial they want
Posted on 12/01/09 in Headstones • Read full article
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Fixing Headstones
Like most independent letter cutters, I normally install headstones using the traditional technique; that of placing between 25% and 30% of the total length underground. This method is opposed to the pin and plinth method, in which the headstone is set on a slab, usually made from the same material as the headstone; it is then held in position with a stainless steel rod penetrating the ground. It is my view that this does not look as elegant as the ‘in the ground’ method, it also make the maintenance of the levels difficult.
Posted on 11/01/09 in Headstones • Read full article
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Headstone Engraving
The difference between headstone carving and headstone engraving is perhaps a grey area! I think however engraving tends to be linked to very fine carving such as this image of a baby in Hopton Wood stone. One relies on the weathering process to make its mark, and in time the moss, lichen and general bacteria will rest in the darker areas and enhance the contrast. A headstone should always improve with age.
Posted on 18/11/08 in Headstones • Read full article
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Another Opening Plaque for Caterham School
My latest opening plaque was unveiled last week by Stephen Smith MA, at Caterham School, to mark the opening of the Stephen Smith Sports Centre. Mr Smith, a former headmaster of the school, captained the rugby football teams of Cambridge University, Richmond, Hampshire, Barbarians and India, and also played scrum half for England. Caterham School is a co-educational HMC day and boarding school for pupils aged 3 – 18 years, situated on 80 acres in the beautiful, wooded Harestone Valley. This is my second opening plaque for the school.
Posted on 11/11/08 in Opening plaques • Read full article
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Art in Action
Art in Action was created out of a simple observation: people are fascinated when artists and craftsmen openly demonstrate their skills and discuss their work.
Bernard Saunders, then guardian of Waterperry Gardens, decided to organise an event at Waterperry based on this principle. Artists and craftspeople would work as if in their own studios, with the public as audience.
Click on www.craftscouncil.org.uk/whats-on/view/art-in-action to see a recent image of me letter cutting at Art in Action.
Posted on 29/10/08 in Media and press • Read full article
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Star and Garter Opening
On Monday 20th October, Her Royal Highness Princess Alexandra, The Honorable Lady Ogilvy unveiled my opening plaque to mark the opening of some new homes in Solihull. Since its foundation in 1916, The Royal Star & Garter Charity has provided an outstanding quality of nursing and therapeutic care to ex-Service men and women. Promoting independence and enjoyment of an active lifestyle has always been a priority for the Charity, ensuring individuals are supported in living life to the full.
Posted on 23/10/08 in Opening plaques • Read full article
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New Workshop
I have just moved to a new workshop in Milton-Under-Wychwood and the workshop cat, Chaucer has settled in well! There are several headstones shown at different stages of completion; I always invite clients to view the stones once they have been pencilled out before I begin cutting. The process of creating a headstone is never hurried.
Posted on 22/10/08 in General news • Read full article
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A Feel for Stone in Beautiful Britain
I was featured in an article in Beautiful Britain Spring 2008.
“Fergus Wessel is a talented letter cutter and stone carver, whose impressive work ranges from personal memorial stones to coats of arms for grand institutions.Lorraine Harrison and photographer Laurie Evans went to visit him at his workshop near Oxford. “
Posted on 03/03/08 in Media and press • Read full article