2016: the year of our 50th anniversary celebrations and the year of exciting new courses and competitions.
This year, one of our new competitions comes in the form of our revised dry stone walling competition! The Cotswolds Rural Skills team has decided to mix it up this year, and bring a fresh take on one of our classic competitions. In 2016, the Best Cotswolds dry-stone wall competition will offer wallers of all abilities the opportunity to showcase the best of their skill at this traditional rural craft.
We have decided to move away from the old layout for the competition and focus on a new and updated format. However, we want to continue to promote the skills of local dry-stone wallers and recognise the importance of their craft within the wider Cotswolds AONB.
This year, we’d like our contestants to send photos into us of their best or favourite drystone wall that they have built in 2015 or 2016 within the Cotswolds. It could be a feature wall which incorporates technical skills such as curved or high walls, pillars, lunkies and other bespoke dry wall design or a field wall- be it a field boundaries or livestock barrier. There will additionally be a category for the best amateur wall, built by a part time, LANTRA Level 1 or low experienced dry-stone waller.
Our expert judges will closely examine the photographs and the best 3 walls in each category will be visited and viewed. Marks will be awarded for style, standard, features, landscape and a tidy site, taking into consideration impact and difficultly of terrain.
The winners of each class will have their winning wall featured in a full page spread in a prominent local media source such as the Cotswold Lion Magazine to promote their business and celebrate their great achievements! Second and Third place finishers will receive a free advert for their business in the Cotswolds Lion magazine and a certificate.
The competition is free to enter and awards will be made for the entries which in the opinion of the judges merit recognition because the walling is to a high standard, blends well with the existing walls and uses the local style. Either the owner of the wall or the craftsman who built it can enter the competition.
So, if you’re a keen drystone waller – be it professional, amateur or novice, what are you waiting for?! Enter this year and get the recognition for your skills and your company! For full details, terms and conditions and how to enter, please contact Rural Skills & Grants Officer, David Molloy on 01451 862002 or by email david.molloy@cotswolds-nl.org.uk
If you haven’t tried drystone walling before, but are keen to have a go, why not check out our wide range of rural skills courses available through the Cotswolds Rural Skills website http://www.cotswoldsruralskills.org.uk/events/?searchfilter=type&searchquery=1
