The Mason

I visited Forth Valley College in Stirling today with colleagues, where we saw inter alia the superb workshop for apprentice masons. This has every piece of equipment to facilitate safe and accurate working "at the bank" where blocks of stone are carved and profiled. Each bank can be raised and lowered electronically, and flexible task lighting is provided, built into moveable dust extractors. Sadly, my iPhone couldn't quite catch the stream of fine dust that accompanied every strike of the chisel. Ventilated safety helmets are a part of every apprentice's kit and, through the visors, you could see the intense concentration on every face.