Wells Cathedral Stonemasons

WELLS CATHEDRAL STONEMASONS TO TRAIN ARCHITECTS

UK‘s lead preservers of stone tradition win RIBA CPD accreditation

Wells Cathedral Stonemasons, one of the UK‘s foremost champions of traditional stone skills, has been accredited by the RIBA to provide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for architects.

The Somerset-based company, which works on restoration and new-build projects throughout the world, will now host training seminars on stone work for UK architects.

Having pioneered a revival of apprenticeship training for new stonemasons, Wells Cathedral Stonemasons has now joined forces with the RIBA to boost architects‘ understanding of stone as a structural material for new buildings and the management or restoration of historic stone buildings.

Simon Armstrong, the Wells Cathedral Stonemasons director heading the new RIBA initiative, said: “As one of the UK‘s leading specialists in delivering stonework for new-build and restoration, we recognised the need to provide ongoing training and a technical support for architects.

“We can now stage a programme of seminars, assessed by RIBA‘s CPD Providers Network. This rigorous assessment process means that our lectures will give architects a valid educational experience, helping them to do their jobs correctly, creatively, cost effectively, and efficiently.

“Stone is a crucial element of the UK‘s built environment, but it demands specialist understanding. Our agreement with the RIBA is to share that understanding with UK architects”, said Mr Armstrong.

END 10th October 2006

For further information please contact David Sturgess, Sturgess Van Damme, on 01275 349011 or email david@sturgessvandamme.co.uk

Photo caption:

Simon Armstrong, Director, Wells Cathedral Stonemasons