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  Hello… My name is Simon Brittain, and I’ve been a stonemason and carver all my working life. I would really like to introduce you to the historic craft of stone masonry. Whether you want to make a new stone windowsill, or dream of sculpting in stone, please come to my workshop for a day’s taster session, and let me guide you through some of the practical skills involved.

Every student will leave with a piece of Cotswold stone they have worked for themselves with mallet and chisel. And they’ll have had a great day too.

This practical, hands-on course has been designed specifically for those with little or no experience of stone masonry. So whether you wish to sample the stonemason’s calling or would simply like to give it a try, our day-course provides an ideal taster experience of this most traditional Cotswold skill.

The day will begin with a very short introduction to the fascinating Cotswold Woollen Weavers and Filkins Stone Company complex in Filkins, with tea/coffee, and a very short overview of what limestone is, where it comes from, and why it is so important to the heritage of the Cotswolds. It’s then over to the specially-equipped masonry workshop where students will spend the morning learning how to use essential stone masonry tools and techniques to square up a block, work an edge to a scribed line, and more.

A sandwich lunch will be provided in the coffee-shop at Cotswold Woollen Weavers and, in the afternoon, students will be encouraged to use their new-learned skills to work a series of chamfers and patterns along the edges of a limestone block. The aim by the end of the day is that each student will take home their own worked block of stone, worthwhile skills, and happy memories of a day well-spent. (And, of course, might want to come again.)

Course Details for Stonemasonry Taster Days

* Taster Day courses are suitable for anyone who has anything from very little stonemasonry experience to none at all. (Yep, NONE at all!)

* Each course starts with coffee at 10.00am and finishes at 4.30pm, although students can continue in the studio by themselves throughout the evening if they wish to.

* Everything is provided for students: coffee, lunch, stone, tools, and all other equipment.

* Students should dress sensibly: jeans, and stout footwear. (And a pullover in winter.)

* No more than four students will take part in a Taster Day, and each will have their own banker (workbench and tools) provided.

* Please contact Richard Martin (07713 636415 or  stone@naturalbest.co.uk) to book your place.  

* The price per student is £195. Payment can be made by credit card or PayPal.

Stonemasonry Taster Days are available, by arrangement, on most Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays in 2024.

Please email: stone@naturalbest.co.uk

For more information, and to book your special day.

Some of the beautiful stonework made in the studio in Filkins

by Filkins Stone Company >>

For further information, or to book a course, please contact

Richard Martin on 07713 636415 or stone@naturalbest.co.uk

£195 for a really great day learning something new and worthwhile