Towering skills on display

West Suffolk College students showcased traditional skills at a celebration of the crafts used in creating the Millennium Tower of St Edmundsbury Cathedral.

 

The demonstrations of brickwork, carpentry, stone masonry and flint knapping were part of an exhibition in June. They are some of the skills used on the Millennium Project at the Cathedral over the past 8 years.

 

Although most of the craftsmen involved had many years of experience, some of them were apprentices at the College. In 2004-5, two young men served their apprenticeships on the Cathedral Millennium Project.

 

"Working on the Millennium Tower was a once in a lifetime opportunity for Apprentices in Carpentry and Brickwork," said College lecturer Brian Tunbridge. "During the exhibition, students showcased traditional skills which are taught to craft Apprentices at College. Carpenters worked on an oak king pin truss, bricklayers created a twisted pier and painting and decorating students demonstrated marbling and other paint effect techniques.’

 

Declan Smith, 18, from Thurston was among Carpentry students working on the king pin truss. Declan has just completed a Level 1 Carpentry Diploma at College. He will be coming back in September to complete a Level 2 Diploma.  He has gained employment with A J Joinery, Cockfield.  His employers have agreed to allow Declan to attend College on two days a week to complete the qualification.