A stone carving festival returned to Wells in Somerset for the May Day bank holiday weekend this year and, as former editor of Stone Specialist, Eric Bignell reports, it was a real success.

Held at the Tythe Barn in Britain's smallest cathedral city, the event was organised by local mason Paul Roddan, who had also organised the first carving festival there in 2018. He said in 2018 he wanted it to become a regular event, but circumstances conspired against that – not least the Covid pandemic. But this year the festival did return and once again Paul says he wants to establish it as a regular in the calendar of attractions at Wells.

Conservation and restoration specialist Stonehealth has announced the conversion of its iconic machinery to be able to run on biodiesel.

All future machines sold by the Gloucestershire company will be able to run on the eco-friendly fuel, while the machines in use around the UK and globally are now able to be retrofitted.

The move comes in response to requests from contractors, partly in anticipation of an industry move towards cleaner fuels given that restoration projects are often undertaken in urban environments where air quality is paramount.

Brian Crowe, founder of Stonehealth which recently launched the Doff III – the latest iteration of the superheated water cleaning system – said tests had shown biodiesel was working equally well, with improved cleanliness and no impact on core operation temperatures.

He cited US Department of Energy figures which show an 86 per cent reduction in greenhouse gases (GHGs) when using biofuel, but confirmed that the machines would still run on diesel or kerosene where price was a key factor.

“Biodiesel is slightly more expensive than normal diesel,” he said, “but the ecological benefits are clear and we know that end clients are starting to factor emissions into project awards for our contractors.

“For example one of our contractors in the Netherlands is aiming to win a contract with the Dutch government, which has stipulated that diesel is not permitted on the project in question.

“Other contractors in the UK are also finding that promoting the eco-benefits of their solution is a factor in winning work with public and private organisations.

“This is particularly relevant in urban environments where air quality is a significant issue and where pollution causes damage to heritage buildings.

“So we know this move is happening across the industry. We wanted to get ahead of the curve and pre-empt the demand becoming more commonplace.”

Research and development for the biodiesel conversions have been undertaken by the engineering team at Stonehealth, which is based in in Cam, near Dursley.

Brian confirmed that tests had shown all existing iterations of Stonehealth machinery – three models of the Doff machine, as well as the Torc cleaning system – could be converted to run on biodiesel.

“Our team are able to retrofit older models if necessary,” he commented. “We’ve done the tests and the machines work really well on this fuel.

“So we’re excited to offer this new development as our company continues to lead the way in the careful restoration of our nation’s heritage buildings.”

In January, Stonehealth announced the launch of the new Doff III machine - a new and improved, even safer and more sustainable version model of the machine used by architects, specifiers and cleaning industry professionals in the UK and worldwide.

At the same time the company has appointed Angela Southern as business development director, as the company seeks to enhance its reputation and explore new markets.

Jackie Molnar, chief operating officer of Salisbury Cathedral will step down from her role as Cathedral Workshop Fellowship (CWF) chair of trustees. During her leadership, Jackie has been instrumental in training stonemasons, joiners, and other craftspeople across the 13 cathedral member workshops. Jackie also chaired the governance group prior to the launch of the CWF as a charity.

Executive director of the CWF, Frances Cambrook commented: "Jackie's unwavering commitment to our vision embodies the spirit of collaboration and preservation that defines the Cathedrals' Workshop Fellowship. Her guidance and support before and after the charity's inception in August 2023, have been invaluable in shaping our journey."

Reflecting on her time in the role, Jackie said: "serving as chair of trustees for the CWF has been a privilege and a rewarding experience. Witnessing the tangible impact of our training programmes on both individuals and our cathedral communities fills me with immense pride. The dedication and passion of our craftspeople resonate deeply with the ethos of Salisbury Cathedral, where preserving heritage is at the core of our mission."

The incoming chair of trustees will be Carolyn Bruce, executive director of Chester Cathedral who said: "I am deeply honoured to take on the role of Chair of Trustees for the Cathedrals' Workshop Fellowship. The work of the Fellowship resonates strongly with Chester Cathedral's commitment to craftsmanship and heritage preservation. I am excited to collaborate with our trustees, staff, and cathedral partners to ensure that the Fellowship continues to thrive and make a meaningful impact."