Joe Kingdon

"If it wasn't for the scheme I wouldn't be in the position I am in to day. Which is in full time employment doing what I love, and for that I am very grateful."

Brian Gardner

"Brilliant, totally worth it!"

Matthew Hodgkinson

"This has been a very good scheme for the crafts and I hope that it can continue. It has helped me developed as a craftsman and Inspired me and a person."

Wesley Blyth, leadwork placement at Lincoln Cathedral

“So far I feel I have taken onboard a lot of information and now putting that into practice. I’ve gone from having very little skill or knowledge to being confident carrying out basic bossing and welding tasks to a good standard. I’m on track with most of my training targets and feel confident I will reach them by the end of the placement. I’m consistently being challenged taking on board information and learning new skills at thie stage it is all new to me. The training so far has been very enjoyable and I realise how fortunate I am to have this hands-on opportunity to learn on such an historic building.”

“Since starting the placement I have been involved with removing old lead from the Cathedral roof, making and installing gutters, bays and flashings. Learning how to boss and weld from scratch. I also feel proud that I have been able to make hollow rolls on the Cathedral roof to a good standard. I have been lucky enough to go on a sandcast lead visit to watch and attempt the traditional methods.”

James Stone, stonemasonry placement, Hardwick Hall

“My time at Hardwick Hall has been extremely useful. I have learnt a tremendous amount about fixing, pointing and general conservation, where previously I had no skills to speak of. I have also built considerably on any banker skills. In addition simply experiencing the stone working environment has taught me many skills related to all construction skills in the heritage sector. I think the training here has more than met my targets. Almost every day brings a new challenge and I am thoroughly enjoying my time here. I’m being stretched in many ways and given first class practical experience to compliment my studies at college.”

Dafydd Driver, thatching placement, Pembrokeshire Carpentry and Thatching Services

“By now I am just over half way through my training and really enjoying it, gaining plenty of experiences along the way. I am carrying out plenty of hands-on practical work and I erally enjoy being involved with interesting projects where I know I have contributed.”

“During this time I have learned a great deal about material production, mainly wheat, over all the different stages: knowing when to cut, cutting, stoking, ricking etc. and how to process the material into different type of thatching materials: long straw, combed wheat reed. I believe I have a good understanding of what it takes to grow material and take it from field to roof.”

“By now I have finishe my training and have really enjoyed the experience. I have vastly progressed in my building craft skills since I started and have gained suitable and relevant experiences to help me meet my training targets throughout. I have had a busy and challenging year and have really seen the value of the whole training scheme as I have a whole portfolio /record of my work and progress for the last year.”

Tracy Brindley, brickwork placement, Mathias Restoration

“A very enjoyable and valuable 2 days. Lynn (Mathias) has provided the highest quality technical guidance as well as numerous discussions and words of advice on my work which is exactly ehat I need. I already feel like my work overall objectives are being met and will be able to apply the skills and knowledge to my own work.”

Spencer Perrin, carpentry placement, St. Fagans National Museum Wales

“The bursary placement has offered me the chance to progress from modern carpentry which I began to find unchallenging and uninteresting, to traditional carpentry type work in the built heritage sector. What better place than the National Museum Wales with over 40 pre-1900 buildings.  It has also given me the opportunity to complete 2 Oak-Framing courses with a highly skilled and experienced timber-framer, whom I also assisted on 4 other projects, gaining invaluable skills and knowledge.  The work I have undertaken on various buildings at the museum has allowed me to collect all of the evidence needed to gain my NVQL3 Heritage Skills.  This has given me great satisfaction and a real sense of achievement. This should allow me to further my progression into the built heritage sector and maybe look at Assessor Qualifications myself.  I wouldn’t be where I am at this present time employed by the National Museum Wales if it wasn’t for the Bursary Scheme."

"I would like to say that it is a very worthwhile and rewarding scheme which should be funded long into the future.  Not only to address the traditional skills shortage across the country and to maintain our heritage buildings, but to change peoples lives and careers for the better.  It has certainly given me the direction and progression that I needed.”

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