Stone masons will be carving out Ludlow's history during festival (From Ludlow Advertiser)

Stone masons will be carving out Ludlow's history during festival

8:00am Friday 27th April 2012 in Ludlow

STONEmasons from all over the country will converge on Ludlow in the summer as the town cements its position as an important centre for craftspeople working in wood and stone.

The Conservation Trust of St Laurence Church will be staging its second weekend devoted to the skills associated with the repair and restoration of historic buildings.

Woodcarvers will join top stone masons for the festival on Saturday and Sunday May 26 and 27.

The event is becoming a regular fixture in Ludlow’s calendar of events and fits in with the town’s position and one of the most important historical centres in the country.

It is also linked with the plans for a major restoration of St Laurence Church which is categorised as one of England’s Great Churches.

“Last year’s Conservation Weekend was an immense success,”

said Bill Lloyd- Kitchen, chairman of the Trust.

“This year we have invited woodcarvers to join the stonemasons and we are delighted to welcome back Mark Stafford-Lovatt, auctioneer and sale room manager at Nock Deighton, who will auction the fine carvings at the end of the festival.

The first day of the festival begins with a series of illustrated lectures featuring Duncan James talking on the Herefordshire School of Sculpture.

Simon Buteux, chairman of Ludlow Civic Society will explain The Treasures’ of St Laurence, including the stained glass windows created over eight centuries, the 15th century misericords and choir stalls, chapels and monuments that are all legacies of the Ludlow Palmer’s Guild.

Olwen Hughes will tell the story of St Laurence as depicted over the centuries in mosaics, paintings and stained glass.

The weekend of the festival will also include a display of flowers to mark the anniversary of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

A historic walk or guided tour of St Laurence Church is available for £10 will talks starting at 9.55am.

Tickets for the auction on the Sunday afternoon starting at 3.30pm are £2.

More information is available by visiting stlaurences.org,uk