City & Guilds of London Art School Craft&Making visited the Tower of London for a Masterclass in stone carving with Paye.
The day started with an introduction from the Paye team, who explained their work and their partners. Paye is the leading stonework and restoration contractor in London and the Southeast. They showcased their conservation work at the Tower of London and introduced different types of masons: carvers, bankers, and fixers.
Following this, Club members wore gloves, goggles and aprons to participate in a carving workshop. They first carved chamfers into a geometric stone window shape, typically found in churches. Then, they practiced letter carving and shaped a parapet-type brick. They learnt about the different types of stone, both soft and hard, and the history of restoration at the Tower of London, including the various materials and methods used. The masons guided the Club members throughout the session, offering advice, demonstrating techniques, and sharing their own experiences.
The environment was dynamic, with some Club members swapping blocks and comparing their work, while others focused on the same project for over an hour.
At the end of the day, Club members took home the smaller blocks they carved as mementos.