July 20th 2006: Queens Garden Party
Buckingham Palace, London

Programme Leader Kevin Calpin and past student Gary Collier attended in their roles as UKSkills Training Manager/Technical Expert and Silver Medallist at Helsinki World Skills Competition respectively. Gary was honoured to be presented to the Queen, he talked about his medal and Her Majesty lifted the medal and commented on the weight. She spent several minutes with Gary genuinely showing a great deal of interest in stonemasonry. Gary works for Lloyd and Smith in Oldham and is currently responsible for organising several of their projects in the North West.

20/07/06
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July 5th 2006: Stone Federation of Great Britain
Drawing Committee meeting at York College

Meeting held at York College. Kevin Calpin gave a presentation of the York College Stonemasonry drawing programme delivered to all students at York and also demonstrated some of the various software programmes and digital resources used to support the drawing programme.

07/07/06
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June 7th 2006: St Francis Monastery, Gorton, Manchester
Stone Federation of Great Britain
Training Committee meeting

Kevin Calpin and part-time stonemasonry tutor, Matthias Garn were invited to the meeting to contribute to the discussion regarding the proposed Master Craft Qualification. Matthias was particularly requested as he has been awarded the title Meister in his home country, Germany. He gave a report on the situation regarding the craft in Europe and how the qualification was structured in Germany along with linking to the French crafts organisation, Compagnions du Revouir.

07/06/06
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June 6th 2006: President's Award Ceremony
St James's Palace, London

Kevin Calpin received the President's Award from His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh as the lecturer of City and Guilds qualifications who has obtained the overall highest marks based on the evidence supporting his C&G Medal for Excellence. Kevin was accompanied by his wife, Joan and colleague and nominator, Paul Hill who met HRH Duke of Edinburgh in the Throne Room after the ceremony. The Duke was especially interested in the employment and training of apprentice stonemasons and explained his role as Chairman of the Fabric of Westminster Abbey. He spoke candidly and showed a great understanding of the problems facing craft shortages.
Read more details in the City and Guilds press release >>>

06/06/06
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May 23rd 2006: York Consortium for Craftsmanship in Conservation (YCCC) Bursary Awards
Merchant Adventurer's Hall, York

Kevin Calpin represented York College at the evening event and supported stonemasonry student, James Dalton, who received the YCCC Prize for the the best portfolio of work submitted by a York College student. Other financial bursaries were awarded to several craftspersons on the night. James works for Lambert and Walker Ltd, Preston.

23/05/06
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May 19th-22nd 2006: Heritage Crafts Open Days with National Trust
Fountains Abbey

York College stonemasonry tutors and students gave demonstrations and 'hands on' carving for schools and colleges on the Friday and Monday and Master Classes for the general public on Saturday and Sunday. The choices on offer were letter-cutting or carving gargoyles. Although there was rain over the weekend it did not dampen the enthusiasm of those wanting to carve stone. Apart from the schools and colleges there were 'would be' carvers form America, Australia, Germany and Holland who tried their hands at stone cutting. Other college departments included Brickwork and Carpentry.
National Trust website >>>
Full story on NHTG site >>>
Fountains Abbey website >>>

22/05/06
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12th May 2006: Skillbuild Regional Finals
York College

York College hosted the Skillbuild Regional Finals for:
- Brickwork
- Carpentry
- Painting & Decorating
- Plastering
- Tiling
- Stonemasonry
The stonemasonry competition was won by Callum Smith, who works for Mather & Ellis, Manchester Second placed was Matthew Leach who works for William Sapcote Ltd, Birmingham Third place went to Mike Winder who works for Able Memorials, Kirby Lonsdale .

12/05/06
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5th May 2006: St Francis Monastery, Gorton, Manchester – Heritage Skills Day Planning Meeting

Heritage Skills Day planned for October includes York College Stonemasonry demonstrating the art of stone carving, setting out and templet making. York are one of a dozen or so organisations who will spend 3 days demonstrating heritage skills to schools, colleges, professionals and invited public. This will take place in the wonderful monastery built by Edward Welby Pugin to house Franciscan monks in 1871. Students will work side by side with staff and it is hoped that the young stonemasons will be able to inspire the younger visitors as they are already carrying out the work. This will be a high profile event attracting a lot of media attention for our young students and they will respond confidently .

05/05/06
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22nd April 2006: Society for Protection of Ancient Buildings, Regional Launch
The Kings Manor, York

Saturday during the Easter break saw Programme Leader Kevin Calpin and stonemasonry student, Paul McGiffen giving demonstrations of stone carving and 'hands on' opportunities for delegates and invited guests. The day was spent alongside other craftspersons representing The York Consortium for Craftsmanship in Conservation.
SPAB website >>>
YCCC website >>> .

22/04/06
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6th April 2006: April Work Based Recorder Training – delivered in conjunction with Mike Curtis, CITB

Kevin Calpin and Paul Hill delivered training for WBR to industry representatives regarding the new Magenta Scheme and how to use the Work Based diaries.
CITB Construction Skills website >>> .

06/04/06
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3rd April 2006: City and Guilds Lion Awards Evening
The Brewery, London

Programme Leader, Kevin Calpin attended this event along with stonemasonry student and fellow Medal of Excellence winner, James Dalton. He was presented with a Magnum of champagne and informed of being awarded the President's Award that he will receive later from HRH Duke of Edinburgh at a ceremony at St James's Palace.
CITB Construction Skills website >>> .

03/04/06
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20th-24th March 2006: National Heritage Training Group – Training the Trainers

Colleges across the UK sent lecturers to attend this event of master practitioners including, Lime plastering, lime mortars, rubbed brickwork and carpentry. Kevin Calpin, Paul Handley, Paul Hill and Adrian Webster all attended various workshops throughout the week.
Read full details on the NHTG website >>>

24/03/06
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17th March 2006: City and Guilds Medals for Excellence Ceremony
The Armouries, Leeds

Kevin Calpin and Paul Hill attended this event where Kevin was presented with a Gold Medal of Excellence for services to training. Paul hill (nominator) and Kevin Clancy Curriculum Manager) were each presented with certificates for York College. Stonemasonry student James Dalton who works for Lambert and Walker, Preston, was also a well deserved recipient of a Gold Medal for Excellence in recognition of his portfolio of work carried out over the previous two years. James was accompanied by his employer, John Lambert who was thrilled with James, who can look forward to a bright future in the industy.

Also at the Armouries, the CoVE event had many CoVE representatives who attended to present and disseminate good practice. Stonemasonry tutor, Paul Handley and Bob Buck presented York College CoVE to other organisations.
LSC CoVE website >>>

17/03/06
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13th March 2006: York College open evening

Open evening for prospective students who wish to find information on stonemasonry and courses available. Kevin Calpin was in attendance to deal with enquiries. Contact course team for details of future Open Evenings.

13/03/06
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8th March 2006: Stone Federation of Great Britain Meeting
York College

Following this meeting members of the committee were given a tour of the workshops, setting out studio and classrooms to view facilities and resources. Members were able to see students working and discuss the work with them.
SFGB website >>>

13/03/06
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