Gary Holliday, of Consett, has been given the Masons’ Livery Company - Journeyman Mason Certificate Award for 2021. The award from the Worshipful Company of Masons is given to those who have displayed consistently high levels of craft skill for a period of at least 10 years and who have demonstrated their commitment to furthering not just their own craft, but also skills of their mentees and apprentices. Above all, it serves as formal recognition from Gary’s peers that in his pursuit of excellence in his trade, he is shining example of his profession. Gary trained to become a mason as an apprentice at JLD Stone based in Thornley, as well as training at York College between 2002-2005.
Dick Reid with his OBE and, right, as a young man at work on a carving Internationally-renowned York sculptor and stone carver Dick Reid, whose work can be seen at York Minster, Windsor Castle and Highgrove, has died following a short illness. He was 86. Mr Reid, who had a workshop in York, also worked on memorials in Westminster Abbey to John Betjeman and the Countess of Pembroke - and on numerous churches in York and further afield. Dick Reid was born in 1934 in Newcastle upon Tyne. He excelled at arts and crafts at school and was spotted by Ralph Hedley, who offered him an apprenticeship as a carver in stone and wood.