Thirty Weymouth College stonemasonry students worked for 3 days as part of a competition to create a themed boss stone ready for judging on Friday 17th May at the Dorset Skills Centre. The theme this year was cartoon characters, as decided by the students themselves, with the winners being a Tasmanian devil, Top Cat and The Mask.
Judges from all areas of the trade were present withDirector of School for Construction and Engineering, Rex Witts paying special thanks to guestsSharam Hakimzadeh and Rob Worlock of Hanson Bath and Portland Stone Ltdsuppliers of the rectangular pieces of boss stone, for the nineteenth year running.
The other judges and sponsors were David Collier of William Anelay, Neil Fuller of Stonefirms Portland, College Principal Liz Myles,former student and last years’ 2ndyear winner Maya Martinand Martin Lowe, Chairman of The Worshipful Company of Masons’ Craft and Training Committee.
When asked what the judges were looking for, Sharam Hakimzadeh said he was looking for: “concept, accuracy and attention to detail.”
After an hour of judging, the ‘best overall winner’ was awarded to Alistair Mason for Taz bycontributing sponsor William Anelay and Worshipful Company of Masons. The ‘best 1styear winner’ was awarded to Archie Stokes for Top Cat and ‘best 2nd year winner’ was awarded to Paul Roddan for The Mask by sponsor Daedalus Conservation. JP Masonry Supplies presented all three winners with a set masonry tools each.
To mark the 20th anniversary of the Boss Stone Competition, the theme for next year will be “out of this world.”
For more information about the Annual Boss Stone competition held every year by Weymouth College at the Dorset Skills Centre, please contact Richard Mortimer on 01305 340162or visit www.weymouth.ac.uk.
