A NEW apprentice stonemason with a passion for Salisbury and its cathedral is being sought. 

This week Salisbury Cathedral has opened applications for a four-year stonemason’s apprenticeship in the Cathedral Works Yard. 

The cathedral is one of only nine English cathedrals with its own works yard – there are 42 English cathedrals in total – and it is the only one with the equipment and capacity to work stone from a quarry block to fixing the final stone. 

The successful candidate will get training in all aspects of stonemasonry from mould cutting and carving to fixing and conserving.

Gary Price, clerk of works, said: “We are looking for someone who has a real passion for Salisbury and its cathedral. The successful applicant will be working among arguably some of the best craftsmen and craftswomen in the country. 

“This is the route followed by our current head mason, Lee Andrews, who joined us as an apprentice and then went on to complete a specialist ecclesiastical stonemasonry degree.”

The new apprentice opportunity has arisen because Christian Sullivan, the most recent apprentice, has completed his four year training and has now graduated as a fully fledged stonemason.

On Monday (June 19) Christian was presented with his completed indenture documents, sealed with the cathedral’s wax seal by chapter clerk and executive director, Jackie Molnar in the Chapter Office. This officially confirms that he has completed all aspects of his apprenticeship.

Christian marked the end of his training by carving and fixing a finial on the south east side of the cathedral.

Like most of the apprentices who join the cathedral he is local and came to the job with no prior experience. 

Head mason Lee Andrews said: “We like to start from scratch with our apprentices because this allows us to train them in our ways and helps them to blend with the team. Of course we take ready-formed talent but this particular post offers a great opportunity to create our own home-grown talent.”

To find out more about the stonemason apprenticeship go to salisburycathedral.org.uk/about-us/work-us.

Anyone interested in applying should download and complete the application form and email it to n.stafford@salcath.co.uk by midday on Monday, July 3.