Ryde Social Heritage Group research the social history of the citizens of Ryde, Isle of Wight. Documenting their lives, businesses and burial transcriptions.
RYDE SOCIAL HERITAGE GROUP
Based at Ryde Cemetery Heritage & Learning Centre. Preserving, documenting and promoting the social history of Ryde on the Isle of Wight.
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Excellent Training Opportunities

Wight Stonemasonry
Wight Stonemasonry

As part of the Ryde Cemetery Restoration Project there are some excellent adult training opportunities coming up in July 2010.

Wight Stonemasonry Ltd will be delivering two training courses – one on Monumental Masonry and the other on Traditional Craft skills. The training will take place in Ryde Cemetery and Chapels from 9:30 to 4pm on the following days:

Friday 16 July Monumental Masonry
Saturday 17 July Traditional Craft Skills

Friday 23 July Traditional Craft Skills
Saturday 24 July Monumental Masonry

Friday 30 July Monumental Masonry
Saturday 31 July Traditional Craft Skills

There is no charge for participating in the training and there is room for 10 delegates on each day. The training will include the following:

Monumental Masonry:

Information about Wight Stonemasonry Ltd and their experience; a brief history of stonemasonry and its development in building and monuments; the tools used in stone masonry, the types of stone commonly used for memorials; description of lettering design and cutting, lettering types and finishes; explanation of the different types of memorial, shapes, carving, dug in, fixed to base, kerbing & tombs, etc.; description of the methods used for fixing different types of memorials; a walk around the cemetery and look at different stones and designs; detailed assessment of memorials to ascertain condition and course of action; health & safety considerations when working in a cemetery; removal of ivy and roots; basic refixing; use of lime mortar to repair memorials and basic cleaning methods. The trainers will also try to answer any specific questions delegates may have about specific memorials.

Traditional Craft Skills:

Information about Wight Stonemasonry Ltd and their experience; history and preparation of lime mortar, description of its use in architectural masonry and how it works; assessment of walling, a look at some of the walling in the cemetery and planning course of action for repairs; cutting out existing old pointing and re-pointing; how to protect a newly built and pointed wall from weather; and health & safety considerations when working with stone, mortar and walls. The trainers will be happy to try and answer any specific questions delegates may have.

If you would like to benefit from this excellent free training please contact Janis Mundell, the Ryde Cemetery Restoration Project Co-ordinator at Bereavement Services, IW Crematorium, Whippingham, East Cowes, IW, PO32 6NJ. Telephone 01983 885172, Tel Mobile 07887788817, email : [email protected]