I have had some interesting commissions to repair sculptures. Here are some of the results.
This Ball finial came to me in two pieces with the stainless steel bar still set in place. I cleaned it up, and joined it back together using special stone glue and lime mortar, finishing off with a lime based shleter coat.
This Chinese rider was brought to me with the tips of the Horses ears broken off. I repaired them with a specialist stone glue and mixed stone dust to match the colour.
It’s so satisfying to make something broken and sad, whole again.
I repaired some chips and a corner on a marble wash stand, it was originally joined together with iron rods, these have since rusted. Obviously as a wash stand, there is going to be water. My customer has asked me to disguise the rust staining, I’ll let you know how I get on.
I am still working on a repair to a damaged commemorative plaque to a war hero, I’ll let you know when that one is ready.
If you have something that you would like repaired, please feel free to get in touch and I’ll see what I can do.
You’ll be pleased to hear that the Compass Rose is now complete. Due to frosts after it was put in in March, the resin on the coat of arms failed and I had to remove it, this took some of the stone away and I needed to carve a replacement. In order to make the surface non-slip, I was advised to use a light dusting of clean dry play-pit sand, when this was wet, it looked fine, but over the several weeks that it took the resin to fail, the surface became dirty and horrible. This ruined the overall look of the carving. In a way I was given a second chance, I decided to carve the replacement using an incised line, a v-cut around the edge of the coat of arms. I wanted to make the carving the best I could, but it wasn’t appropriate for the installation.
I am looking forward to what the next few months has in store, I’ll keep you up to date.
Hi everyone, what a tumultuous first half of the year. I am still recovering from my broken ankle, I have tendon damage which I am seeing a physio therapist about. I am doing my exercises and getting stronger everyday.
The Bronchitis hit me like a ton of bricks and I am glad to say that that is behind me.
I am ready to replace the coat of arms in the compass rose, due to the resin failure, I had to carve a replacement. I decided to do this in shallow relief so I could remove the need to level it and make it non-slip.
I am only a little behind on my commissions. I am currently drawing out a memorial on a large piece of Portland limestone. It will have the Royal Welsh Fusiliers cap badge carved in shallow relief.
I have a memorial plaque to repair, that will be placed back in position, next to St Peter’s Church in Sandwich, as soon as it’s ready.
Due to my injury, I haven’t been able to get up to Founders Hall yet to carry out the letter cutting of last year’s Master. I hope to do this next month.
I didn’t win the small business award, I was pipped to the post by a website designer. I am looking forward to putting together my application for the Duke of Gloucester’s stonemasonry award.
Finally, after 10 years and 252,000 miles, my trusty work horse has gone to the great scrapyard in the sky. I hope that my new vehicle, a Fiat Doblo, will last as long.
I will be at Dover castle on the 8th November, running my drop in stone carving activities.
Date: Saturday 8th November 2025
Time: 10-4pm, Last entry 3pm
Venue: Dover Castle, Castle Hill, Dover, Kent, CT16 1HU
This November we’re hosting a landmark day festival at Dover Castle – and you’re invited! Step into a landscape shaped over 400 million years and discover the hidden links between Kent and northern France.
This is your chance to get hands-on with real fossils, create geology-inspired art, and join interactive workshops, talks, walks, and performances that bring the stories of the Geopark to life.
Enjoy free entry to Dover Castle if you’re a local resident or an English Heritage member:
Residents living in postcodes CT15, CT16, and CT17 can visit free of charge as part of the Cross-Channel Geopark Festival celebrations. Please bring proof of address showing your postcode to gain free admission on the day.
All festival activities are free to enjoy.
Some sessions have limited capacity and will run on a first-come, first-served basis, or may require advance booking.
Last entry is at 3pm.
Parking is limited, and holding a ticket does not guarantee a parking space, so please plan your journey accordingly.
Dogs on leads are welcome in the outdoor areas of the site. For more details about on-site facilities, visit English Heritage’s Dover Castle facilities page.
Free travel is available from Folkestone to Dover Castle and back via Crosskeys Coach:
Folkestone Central (Tattoo Shop bus stop) – Depart: 9:30am, 10:30am, 11:30am, 1:30pm, 2:30pm
This day offers a unique opportunity to celebrate our shared geological, natural, and cultural heritage, while also marking a major milestone in our journey to UNESCO status, with our application due for submission later in November.
We hope to see you there!
With thanks to our official partners for the event.
With the generous support of English Heritage, we are delighted to have use of Dover Castle, as well as free tickets for local residents to attend.
The festival would also not be possible without our supporting partners Kent County Council and Cllr Martin Paul, Dover District Council, Folkestone & Hythe District Council, and SailLink.
We very much look forward to celebrating this special occasion with you and expressing our gratitude for your continued support of the Cross-Channel Geopark.
20TH ANNIVERSARY OF CAT’S EYE CARVING.
Saturday 22nd November, 1pm-6pm.
Come and join me for drinks and nibbles, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of my small business.
