Hamish Ogston CBE visits Cathedral to see heritage skills in action

ON Friday, 7th July, Hamish Ogston CBE met with Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship students as part of his visit to Salisbury cathedral.

The Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship (CWF) is proud to be part of a long-term partnership with UK charity, the Hamish Ogston Foundation, which is essential for securing the future of English cathedrals and the people who care for them.

Between September 2022 and August 2025, the Hamish Ogston Foundation will award £2.3 million to the CWF, which will fund the employment and training of stonemasons, carpenters, joiners and electricians at the 11 CWF cathedrals, including Salisbury Cathedral.

During his visit, Hamish took the time to stop by the cathedral’s on-site workshop where he met with some of the CWF students. This included apprentice stonemason Joe O’Connell, who is currently studying at Level 2 in preparation for completing the CWF Foundation degree in

Applied Historic Building Conservation and Repair, and Matt Barton, who completed this qualification in March 2022, both funded by grants from the Hamish Ogston Foundation.

Joe, Matt and Hamish discussed progress on projects, such as a baluster which showcases different masonry profiles and demonstrates the many skills developed on the course.

Hamish Ogston CBE, said: “My interest in heritage skills and stonemasonry stemmed from observing the great stonework in and around Salisbury Cathedral while I was a chorister and pupil at the cathedral.

“Returning to the stone works yard to meet the apprentices we are funding through our programme with the Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship is a great privilege.

“Apprentices are safeguarding the future of the cathedral so that many more, children and adults alike, can enjoy the majesty of its ancient architecture for generations to come.”

Joe O’Connell, apprentice stonemason under the Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship, added: “I really enjoyed meeting Hamish today and expressed my thanks for his generosity.

“By funding my stonemasonry apprenticeship at Salisbury Cathedral, Hamish has enabled me to pursue my passion for medieval architecture in a practical way and develop the skills necessary for me to contribute to the restoration and maintenance of our built heritage, preserving these beautiful buildings for years to come.”

Frances Cambrook, executive director at the CWF, said: “We are delighted to welcome Mr Hamish Ogston to Salisbury Cathedral marking the partnership between the Cathedrals’ Workshop Fellowship and Hamish Ogston Foundation in developing the heritage sector.

“This collaborative project has ushered in a new era of progress and advancement, particularly within the member cathedral works departments.

Every Sunday in August 2-4.30pm

“Mr. Ogston has witnessed the remarkable achievements of our trainees. As we approach significant milestones in the academic calendar, with students completing their summer works, it is truly a pleasure to witness our esteemed stakeholders engaging with our talented students and observing first-hand the profound impact they are making on the acquisition and preservation of craft skills in the United Kingdom.”

The Hamish Ogston Foundation is a charitable organisation, based in the UK, but with a global reach, dedicated to three prime areas of philanthropic focus: heritage, music and health.

The foundation’s prime goals are to preserve historic buildings throughout the world by funding heritage skills apprenticeship programmes, to support and build the UK’s Choral Music Tradition, this country’s oldest living cultural heritage, including the role that organs play within this, and to work towards eliminating the disparities in both access to medical treatment and health awareness around the world by funding vital research.

To date, the foundation has committed more than £30m to the protection of historic buildings in the UK and abroad through the training of more than 3,000 people in heritage conservation skills.