Farmington Fired Up

Cotswold stone quarriers Farmington have been celebrating the production of the 1,000th Woodcote fireplace. The Woodcote was one of Farmington\'s first fireplace designs nearly 70 years ago and for the past 50 years the design has been produced by Farmington\'s Master Mason, Peter Lee, pictured here (right) working on the 1,000th Woodcote.

Peter was born in Farmington village and has worked for Farmington quarry all his working life, apart from two years\' national service. He is now 67 and says he has carved 405 of the various models of fireplaces produced by Farmington since he was due to retire two years ago.

This magazine\'s editor, Eric Bignell (centre), was invited along to share in the celebrations and congratulate Peter Lee on his long service. Also in the picture is John Barrow, owner of Farmington Quarry. Commenting on the 1,000th Woodcote, Bignell said it was a testament to the design that it had survived the test of time, just like the stone from which it was made.