Awards in 2007

CWO Recognised by Major Industry Bodies

Only one year on from CWO’s MBO from construction company Geoffrey Osborne Ltd, CWO has proved that it remains a major industry name. This month alone, CWO has gained recognition from the Worshipful Company of Masons, the Stone Federation Great Britain and Skillbuild (‘a national competition promoting excellence in young crafts people’) for its work in conservation and the quality of its masons.

Worshipful Company of Masons, Natural Stone Craft Awards 2007, held at the Mansion House on 5th October 2007, recognise buildings of quality that promote the correct use of natural stone, further its reputation and use, and stimulate public interest in craftsmanship. Buildings entered must be within the area the Company originally had control of in its Charter and completed within the three years ending December 2006.

In the category of Repair and Restoration, The Relocation of Temple Bar from its previous home in Hertfordshire to the new Paternoster Square development adjacent to St Paul’s Cathedral, was the winning entry ‘for the general excellence of the stonework’. The project, completed and opened by the Lord Mayor of London on 10th November 2004, took 72 weeks to complete.

The awards were presented by HRH The Duke of Gloucester KG GCVO accompanied by The Lord Mayor Locum Tenens Alderman Sir David Brewer CMG.

The Duke of Gloucester Award 2007, also run by the Worshipful Company of Masons, and held along side the Craft Awards, recognises Masons who have worked between three and five years since completing their Apprenticeship, and have shown ‘a high degree of skill in masonry or the carving of stone and have shown considerable improvement’.

CWO Mason Guy Levett, was one of six short listed for the award and attended the London ceremony where the awards were presented. Guy completed his Apprenticeship in September 2003 and has since been studying carving at the London College of Art as well as working alongside carvers in CWO’s Chichester workshops. Guy intends to continue his studies at the next level and CWO hope to enter him again in the future, CWO Managing Director Bernard Burns said “We are all incredibly proud of Guy; just being short listed for an award of this nature is an achievement in itself. We are very keen for him to continue his training and have every intention of putting him forward again”.

Skillbuild, an annual competition with its National Finals held this year at South Birmingham College on 10th – 12th October 2007, was established in 1981 and is part of National Construction Week. Through regional competitions, colleges select their most promising students in various trades to represent the region in the national competition.

CWO Apprentice Ollie Clack was one of two regional competitors selected by Weymouth Technical College, and went on to win the Bronze medal in the three day competition.

Ollie, who has been working at CWO since July 2006, is now in his second year and has also been honoured by the Stone Federation Great Britain as their Trainee Mason of the Year 2007, the award is due to be presented at the Federations AGM on the 22nd November 2007.