Workshop News : General news

  • Restoration Stonemasonry

    Restored cross on church

    Restoration stone masonry is a challenge which I find very rewarding. Last year I was commisioned by Christchurch in Esher to restore two stone crosses. The original crosses had crumbled and they were in such poor state of repair that there was no template to copy. I had to do some extensive research in order to design a suitable replacement to be in keeping with the architecture and heritage of the church. These crosses were carved from Bathstone and installing them in perfect alignment was perhaps the most challenging part!

    Posted on 10/05/11 • Read full article

  • Oxford Preservation Trust Award for Holywell Music Room Renovation

    Holywell Carving in Progress

    I was recently invited to attend the annual awards ceremony of the Oxford Preservation Trust, and was delighted to be awarded a certificate for my involvement in the recent restoration of the Holywell Music Room. I was commissioned by architect John Melvin to design and carve the College Crest above the new front door as part of an extensive restoration and improvement of what is one of Europe’s oldest custom built concert halls. The Oxford Preservation Trust Awards “recognise projects which make a significant contribution to the conservation or improvemnt of the built and natural environment of Oxford and its setting”.

    Posted on 31/10/10 • Read full article

  • Headmasters’ and Headmistresses’ Conference (HMC)

    Slate opening plaque

    I shall be exhibiting my work for the first time this month at the annual HMC Conference. Many of my clients are independent schools and Oxford colleges and I look forward to meeting old clients and welcoming new ones.
    The HMC will be held at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge, London from 27th September – 30th September 2010.

    Posted on 10/09/10 • Read full article

  • Art in Action 15-18th July 2010

    I shall be demonstrating for the third time at Art in Action next week. Art in Action is a festival of fine art and master craftsmanship where artists demonstrate what they do. The venue is Waterperry Gardens, Nr Wheatley, Oxford. I look forward to meeting clients, both old and new, and sharing my work with members of the public. I am also looking to take on an apprentice for three years, and should you be interested, this will be a good chance to meet me, and see me at work.

    Posted on 09/07/10 • Read full article

  • Sundial Carving

    Sundial relief carving

    These photographs show details from a carving into a plinth for a sundial designed by Joanna Migdal. The plinth is York Stone, which lends itself well to carvings in sunken relief such as this one which is Shakespeare’s crest. The lettering close up shows the v-cut detail and is upright italics.

    Posted on 05/03/10 • Read full article

  • New Workshop

    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 • Read full article