The team at VAC had our annual away-day on Wednesday 5th April. The day consisted of strengthening our core values of inclusion, quality, solutions, connectivity and integrity, as well as demonstrating how we can have fun as a team.
This year, we decided to spend an afternoon at the wonderful West Riding Stone Carving Association situated at Shaw Lodge Mill. Founded in 2010, the association keeps the long-established craft of stone carving alive and well by offering beginner sessions to members of the public as well as monthly memberships for those with more of an interest.
Our afternoon started with a tour of the workshop by Helen Jukes where we were able to take in the handcrafted sculptures on display and really appreciate the art for what it is.
We then were each handed our slabs of Tadcaster limestone with our apt but beginner-friendly Spring design, a singular daisy outlined and ready to be chiseled. John and Mark, our wonderful tutors, ensured we each knew how to wield our tools and create our own hand-carved masterpiece.
Sameea, our Membership and Communications Officer who had never been familiar with the art prior to our session said:
“All the staff at the Stone Carving Association were very supportive and encouraging, I actually found it to be quite a fun task which I was surprised at!”
The entire VAC team had a great day out, and we are thankful we had the opportunity to learn something new and build on what makes VAC a strong-willed, community orientated and encouraging team.
Our biggest thanks to all the staff at the Association, we hope to visit you again in the future!
Join the West Riding Stone Carving Association, in partnership with Halifax Minster between the 22nd and 23rd of July 2023 10am-6pm for the Halifax Stone Carving Festival where you can enjoy live music, refreshments, stalls and of course up to 60 stone carvers from across the country who will be focusing on crafting pieces for this year’s theme “The Wildlife of Yorkshire.”
Entry is free of charge, and there will be an opportunity for members of the public to bid on the finished pieces on the 23rd.
If you would like to find out more about the West Riding Stone Carving Association and view their available courses you can visit their website here for more information.
