I’ve tried my best to fit dates in, but I can’t squeeze any more days into the month, and now confirm that there won’t be any Stone Carving Courses here in 2020. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, and I’ve given it a lot thought, but I’m going to be busy with commissioned sculpture for the best part of the year, and I didn’t want to be half-hearted or rushed on course days looking after my workshop members.  My apologies if you were looking forward to joining me next Spring or Autumn. Please do contact if you would like me to get in touch with any future stone carving course dates when the ..read more

At the weekend I ran my Spring Stone Carving Course – held here at Lastingham Village Hall and this year the pear blossom was exceptional.  We started on Saturday in the rain, but I don’t think anyone really noticed, all far too busy with their carvings. What a variety of carvings too – I find it so inspiring seeing everyone progress and gain confidence over the two days, not just with the tools and what might be possible, but also in the way of working.  It really struck me this time how exploratory, bold and free the approaches were.  There was a lot of calm concentration, creativity, hard ..read more

I’ve just confirmed dates for my two day Spring Stone Carving Course here in Lastingham. Spring Stone Carving Course Saturday April 27th and Sunday 28th, 2019 10.0 am to 4.30 pm each day There’s lots of information about the course, what will happen over the two days and plenty inspiration from carvers on previous courses over on the Stone Carving Course – Dates and Details. Booking details are here. I’ve tried to make everything clear, but in case I’ve missed something, or you have any queries at all, please do contact me ..read more

Over the weekend Lastingham  rang with the sound of stone carvers – all busy on my Spring Stone Carving Course held in village. I know I’m repeating myself by saying how delighted and astonished I am about the ability of first time carvers, but just look at what was achieved in the allocated two days and at the simply beautiful sculptures created. Stone Carving Course – April 2018 ..read more

I’ve had a flurry of enquiries lately about my stone carving courses, so thought I’d better do an update. Both my Spring and Autumn Courses are now fully booked, so if you would like to spend a weekend learning stone carving, please contact me and I can pop you on a reserve list, or let you know of any new additional dates, and when I have courses confirmed for April and September 2019 ..read more

Lastingham was filled with the sound of chiselling over the weekend from carvers on my Autumn Stone Carving Course. Some of those attending had a little experience of working with tools and had carved before, but for others it was a totally new experience.  Initially there was a little nervous hesitation, and then great excitement as the sculptures began to emerge, and confidence grew.  I loved everyone’s eagerness, endeavour, concentration and creativity – it was two days full of lovely humour, energy and determination – thankyou to you all. A few achy arms, but lots of pride! Here are the ..read more

Over the weekend I was busy running my Spring Stone Carving Course here in Lastingham, North Yorkshire. I could talk lots about my excitement in watching the sculptures emerge, and everyone becoming easy and confident with the chisels, about how creative, disciplined and hard-working they were – but instead I’m going to let the images from the two days speak for me. Stone sculptures from the Spring Stone Carving Course 2017 Thankyou each and every one of you for your input over the weekend ..read more

On Sunday I was at the Dales Countryside Museum in Hawes running a stone carving workshop and was joined by very enthusiastic first time carvers. Throughout the day they worked non-stop, apart from a break for lunch, supplied by the Museum’s lovely Firebox Cafe (to whom big thanks – we were all hungry and it was very scrummy!) Stone shapes emerged and were perfected – I was very proud of everyone for putting such a lot of effort, enthusiasm, passion and soul into their sculptures – thankyou! The Museum always look after me so well – helpers to set up, and clear away, and a volunteer joined me ..read more

Dates for my Stone Carving Courses held here in Lastingham, North Yorkshire for 2017 are now confirmed. Stone Carving Course – Spring 29th and 30th April, 2017 Stone Carving Course – Autumn 23rd and 24th September, 2017 Further details and how to book can be found at Stone Carving Course – dates and details ..read more

The stone carved during the lettering workshop at The Dry Stone Wall Maze is random walling stone.  In a way ‘unknown stone’ – some has been used in buildings previously, some pieces were part of fallen field boundary walls, some reclaimed and some new quarried.  All with a history.  Most of the pieces we’re working are sandstone, selected from the vast pile because they have a relatively flat surface suitable for lettercutting. Those attending the letter cutting workshop at the maze have the opportunity to choose  a stone from this pile that they would like to work – a bit depends on size ..read more