Stone Carving Festival – York Minster 2018

When I arrived on Saturday morning for the York Minster Stone Carving Festival 2018 I found the marquee in Dean’s Park all set up with rows and rows of workbenches, some of which already been chosen and had stone on ready to go.

The Stone Carving Festival begins

At 8 am sharp the call came to commence.  Suddenly the carving tent was filled with the sound of mallets and hammers and chisels and stone being cut away – it was loud and frenzied.  Out of the many busy hands came a sort of rhythm, a tapping, shaping, striking, chiselling beat.  I made my own contribution to the sound and then became lost in concentration.

From the block of stone allocated, a carving had to be achieved by 2.30 pm the following day, so it was head-down and focus.  Within no time, it seemed, the first day was over.  A chance to have a quick look round at all the transformed stones – and review my own progress!

Carving – Day One

If there was any doubt about the headlines for the Festival, of it being a showcase of stone carving skills, the accomplishments of day one were proof enough of exceptional talent and craftsmanship.  The achievements were stunning.  Here are a few of the carvings.

(apologies to all carvers whose stones I’ve included here for not crediting – I’ve forgotten names – please contact me and let me know who you are and I’ll include details).

And my carving – a bee just landed on a flower.

Carving – Day Two

The clock at the Minster chimes on the hour, a great deep, resonating bell ‘dong’, and on the half hour, and quarter – it became a menacing reminder of time moving on, and how little remained for carving.

I didn’t get finished quite by the time it was ‘tools down’ and the organisers came with lot numbers to attach to each piece ready for the auction.

There were other bees at the Festival – this is a very fine example.

All the carvers had the opportunity to vote for the carving they thought best – here they are making decisions before the auction.

Pieces ready for the auction.

Viewing of the stone carvings before they go under the hammer.  You can just see my bee (its bottom anyway!) in the middle.

It got so crowded with viewing, and visitors gathered for the start of the auction, with great anticipation and lot numbers at the ready.  And the bidding began.

I must say a big thankyou to the Stone Yard at York Minster for such an enjoyable, well organised and smooth running Festival, I was looked after exceptionally well and for the first time in my life had others sweep up my stone mess and chippings after each day of carving.  What luxury!

So much love, diligent preparation and care went into each of the carvings made during the Festival – I talked stone, tools, watched different techniques, gained skills and learned lots.  My fellow carvers were just the best company, and I had a wonderfully, wonderful, inspiring weekend.

#stonefest18