Andrew Bradley invited me along to his workshop
and yard behind Culzean's walled garden. As we talked, Andrew
continued to work on a project he has undertaken for South
Lanarkshire Council. He had just finished drawing out some lettering
on a fine piece of stone and was just starting to chisel out the
first letter.
 Andrew
has been working at Culzean since 1991 and is the only qualified
stonemason on the site. He manages a training scheme for apprentice
stonemasons. The apprenticeship takes four years to become qualified
and includes attendance at college as well as extensive practical
experience. The requirement of the apprenticeship is that as soon as
they are qualified, they must leave the National Trust for Scotland
and obtain employment elsewhere. The purpose is to conserve the
skill of stonemasonry and not to increase the number of National
Trust for Scotland employees. To date, six fully qualified
stonemasons are at work thanks to his efforts. One of these masons
is working in Engl and
and is currently in charge of restoration work being undertaken on
the House of Westminster. Two others are working for Historic
Scotland and the remaining three are privately employed.
A recent change has been made to the
apprenticeship scheme. To help meet the modern conservation
requirements for professionals with specialist knowledge combined
with a feel and understanding of the work required, Culzean is now
recruiting graduates onto the apprenticeship scheme. These
graduate-qualified apprentices undertake the same basic training but
with additional
 experience
including placements with researchers and architects as well as
craftsmen. At the end of their course, apprentices have an MSc in
Architectural Conservation in addition to the trade qualification as
a stonemason. Andrew was anxious to thank the 'John Mather Trust'
for its very generous support of the scheme by funding the salaries
of the apprentices. As one might expect, the costs incurred are
quite significant and include travel expenses, college fees, tools
and quality materials to work with. Help is always needed to meet
these costs.
There are 230 working stonemasons in Scotland
covering a wide range of experience and
expertise. There are relatively few stonemasons who have the breadth
of experience and very high standard of skills necessary for complex
restoration work. Quite a few of these stonemasons are employed by
Historic Scotland and undertake work only from them. The
stonemasonry department at Culzean undertakes projects for any part
of the National Trust for Scotland and any other organisation
including private clients. All their projects are costed at
commercial rates.
Andrew’s current project, for South Lanarkshire
Council, is called “Cairns Planting” and is funded by Green Space.
Sets of words, involving association, rhyme and visual impact, all
linked to the outdoor environment, have been carefully selected by
local primary school children. The words are carved by Andrew onto
slabs of Caithness flagstone (a type of hard, dark sandstone) which
will
 be
laid along a country path in the South Lanarkshire region. By this
stage in our conversation, a beautiful capital S was taking shape.
Andrew told me that one of the finest examples of letter cutting in
stone was an inscription on the Trojan column in Rome. The art of
stone letter cutting can be a lifetime skill on its own. Calligraphy
with a pen is a very different art from letter cutting with a chisel
where the work is in three dimensions and the colour and texture and
workability of the stone must all be taken into consideration.
Andrew will be offering some sampler courses in
stonemasonry this summer. They will take several days, with each day
covering a different skill. Keep a look out for the adverts – there
is one place already taken. See you there!
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| The Events diary at Culzean is packed for 2006 and
we hope this year will be a record breaker. There is a
host of activities for all our visitors of all ages and
interests. Grateful thanks in advance to all the staff
who will work so hard to make all these events a
success. |
|
Special Events:
"From the Flintstones to the Final Frontier - a festival of transport through the ages" - Sat 17 June, Sun 18 June
"Burns’ Evenings in Culzean Castle" - Sun 28 May, Tue 30 May, Thu 1 June - £37.50 per person per evening
Programme:
7.00pm Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine as a Welcome Drink in the Armoury
7.15pm Burns Related Costumed Tour of Culzean Castle
8.00pm Traditional Burns Supper Menu ~ served in the Ailsa Room, Culzean
Castle, including a nip of whisky and half a bottle of house wine:
Cock-a-leekie soup with bread roll
Haggis, neeps and tatties
Cheese and biscuits
Coffee/Tea
Entertainment including – Pipe Music, Songs, Recitations and meet
Douglas Graham of Shanter Farm “Tam O’Shanter”
11.00pm Carriages
There will also be a pay bar available during dinner
Entertainment kindly provided by Black Raven Living History
History:
"Black Raven Living History" - Sun 7 May, Sun 4 June, Sun 23 July
"Carrick 800 Historical Enactment - King Robert Bruce and the Knights of Scotland” – Sun 9 July
"Archaeology Event" - Tue 1 Aug
"Hidden History"; Sun 6 Aug
Archery:
"British Longbow Society" - Sat 13 May, Sat 5 Aug
"Come-and-Try Archery" - Sun 2 July
Wildlife:
"Early Birds" - Sun 14 May
"Bats Galore" - Sun 25 June, Sat 1 July
"Evening Excursion" - Wed 24 May
"Culzean's Mammals" - Sun 4 June
"Ayr and District Beekeepers Association" - Sun 25 June
"Gardener's Surgery with Nicola Singleton and Susan Russell" - Sun 25 June
"Bugs and Beasties" - Sun 25 June, Wed 16 Aug
"Exploring Rock Pools" - Thu 6 July
"Nature Detective" - Sun 9 July, Sun 30 July, Sat 12 Aug
"Pond Dipping" - Tue 11 July, Tue 15 Aug
"The Night Hunters - Nocturnal Sights and Sounds" - Thu 13 July, Wed 2 Aug
"Pebbles On the Beach" - Sun 23 July, Thu 3 Aug
"Food from the Forest" - Tue 25 July
Family Event:
"Circus Workshop" - Sun 14 May
"Poetic Picnic" - Sun 28 May
"Midsummer Madness" - Sat 24 June
Gardening:
"Culzean Gardens" - Sun 14 May, Wed 14 June, Tue 18 July, Tue 8 Aug
"Wildlife Garden" - Sun 25 June
"Wildflowers and Plant lore" - Tue 4 July
"Talking Trees” - Thu 20 July, Thu 10 Aug
Music & Arts:
"Culzean Arts Guild Concert" - Sun 28 May, Wed 28 June, Wed 26 July
"Girvan & District Pipe Band" - Sun 28 May
"Scottish Country Dancing" - Sun 11 June, Sun 30 July
"Auchinleck Academy Band" - Sun 11 June
"Silver Band" - Sun 2 July
"Hamlet by William Shakespeare" - Wed 26 July
Walks:
"Shoreline walk" - Sun 21 May
"Seven O’clock Walk" - Wed 5 July, Wed 19 July, Wed 26 July, Wed 9 Aug
"Half Day Hike" - Wed 12 July, Thu 27 July, Thu 3 Aug
Children’s Events:
“July Children’s Week” – Mon 17 July to Fri 21 July
“August Children’s Week” – Mon 7 Aug to Fri 11 Aug
|
 |
Update on…
The Stables Coffee Shop |
|
 The
new look Stables Coffee Shop is now ready for action. It has a
new look and feel and a different range of refreshments on
offer from the Home Farm Restaurant.
Whilst Home Farm Restaurant is targeted at
everyone including and most importantly of course, families,
the Stables Coffee Shop has a quieter and calmer ambience. It
is perfect for that light lunch or relaxing break; a place to
meet, chat or read.
The layout has been changed, and what a
difference it makes! You now enter and leave via the same
door, select your food and drinks from the clearly displayed
menus, and place your order at the counter. You then take your
seat and your order is served to your table. If you choose to
stay indoors you will find the area full of character; lots of
wood panelling, the stable stalls and old stone floor. The
lighting has been improved and a fine gallery of paintings by
local artis t
John Jackson adorn the walls and provide views of Culzean
Country Park and the surrounding area. Better still, if you
fall in love with one of them, they are available for purchase
at very reasonable rates (displayed on each painting).
Alternatively, if the weather is nice, you might opt to sit
outdoors in the newly developed terraces with comfortable
 and
attractive chairs and tables and a view to die for!
Apart from a fine range of teas and
coffees, you can choose from a wide range of food including
bloomers, paninis, wraps and salads, with a wide variety of
exciting fillings available—and there are plenty of cakes and
sweet things to go with your coffee as well!
So I’ll see you at the Stables Coffee Shop,
sipping a mug of cappuccino, eating a brie, pear and walnut
panini whilst you contemplate which painting is just right for
your home. It’s a tough life!
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