FOCUS ON…Stonemasonry
03 February 2010, Master stonemasons Brad Steele and Jason Petricca, are highly skilled freelance craftsmen and since September 2009, they have been providing essential stonemasonry restoration works at Chatsworth House. They both see the importance of the Heritage CSCS card as an important step towards raising standards within the heritage sector and wished to apply for the card via the Managed Industry Accreditation route that is available until the end of August 2010.
From their workstations, and despite the chilly conditions, both men were filled with enthusiasm for what they were doing and demonstrated how they identify pieces of stonemasonry that are damaged and need replacing. Frequently a piece of sculpture is so badly weathered that it is impossible to ascertain what the original structure looked like. Sometimes, searches of old archive material of the property will reveal photographs or even original drawings which can be used for reference. However, often no record is available, so it is up to the knowledge, skill and understanding of the stonemason to research similar sculptures from that period, or used by the original designer/architect, to come to a decision on what it should look like. Sometimes the stonemason will create his own design on what he or she feels should be there.
A number of craftsmen from lime plasterers to heritage painters and decorators were all involved in the project. It was noted that there were so few women on site, and there were no heritage craftswomen at all. Clearly there is great opportunity for women to enter this industry and make a real impact. To work on a self-employed basis, you must also have an understanding of personal and financial management, but also other critical work-based skills such as being able to work effectively as part of a team. It may not be the highest paid career open for consideration, but it does bring with it immense job satisfaction, diversity and interest.