The Duke of Gloucester Awards recognise the skills of craftsmen and craftswomen who have gone through a recognised apprenticeship for their craft, achieving a City & Guilds Craft and Advanced NVQ Level 3 at an approved college, and have between two and nine years post qualification experience.

I was very pleased to be invited to attend the awards presentation ceremony at Mercers’ Hall in the presence of Prince Richard, The Duke of Gloucester KG and the Master Mason, Christopher Radmore. On arrival I was greeted warmly by our own Dr Christine Rigden who is currently Upper Warden of the Worshipful Company of Masons and was pleased to meet other members of the Worshipful Company, as well as Simon Martin, our Upper Warden.

There were two awards presented tonight, to Paul Synan, a stonemason working at Gloucester Cathedral and Catherine Martin, a stonemason and sculptor working in the heritage sector. Their work was described as exemplary by their sponsors and they were well deserved winners of these awards.

After the ceremony there was a reception with fine wine and canapes where we all had the opportunity to mix and meet with the winners. Another very successful and joyous occasion.