The York Consortium for Craft and Conservation (YCCC) is a volunteer-led association of businesses, organisations and individuals actively engaged in the work of built heritage conservation and craft skills. Like us, most members are based in Yorkshire; however, their knowledge and skills are in demand throughout the UK and around the world.
Offered over two or three years, the Consortium’s annual bursaries support training and skills development in the next generation of craftspeople, and we’re delighted to increase our support for this scheme from £5,000 to £10,000. This has enabled us to support the studies and professional development of five craftspeople in stone masonry, historic building conservation and carpentry.
York Conservation Trust CEO, Guy Bowyer, was there on the night to congratulate the award winners.
"The generous support from the York Consortium and York Conservation Trust has taken me from my first set of chisels, as an apprentice with Matthias Garn, to studying historic stone carving at City and Guilds Art School. Now building up my own workshop, I am establishing myself as a self employed Stonemason.''
Recently completing his studies in Stone Carving at City and Guilds Art School, James has returned to York to establish his own workshop.
Work on his Grandfather’s headstone led James to meet artist Emma Smith and collaborate with her on a commission for Wild Eye producing stone sculptures on Scarborough’s Cinder Track. Working from Emma’s sketches, James created works from blocks of large, partially cut Swaledale Fossil limestone, and has been inspired to expand his own sculptural practice.
James will use his sponsorship to fund the purchase of tools and equipment that will allow him to develop his technical ability and work on larger pieces.
"My grateful thanks to YCCC and York Conservation Trust in supporting the development and scope of my professional abilities."
York-based William has a passion for sculpting and carving, retraining in stonemasonry after initially working in hospitality, William seeks to apply his developing skills at every opportunity.
An apprenticeship with Matthias Garn Workshop delivered a wide variety of opportunities, through which William has been nominated for the Duke of Gloucester Award for excellence in the Craft of Stone Masonry and received a Commended Award for his contributions to St Mary’s Church Beverly and projects at St. Peter’s School in York.
William will use his sponsorship to attend hand and portrait sculpting courses with Andrian Melka at Bolton Percy.
"Timber buildings tell us so much about the people who lived and worked in them, and the skills to not only repair them but also be able to read them is vital to their preservation. Thanks to the YCCC and sponsorship from the York Conservation Trust, the door has been opened for me to take the first big step in my career, and I feel very fortunate for the opportunity to study such a unique and important subject."
With a degree in History and History of Art from Leeds, Phoebe is committed to a career in conservation and is currently undertaking an MSc in Timber Building Conservation based at the Weald and Downland Living Museum in Singleton, Sussex.
Also working part-time at the Weald and Downland, Phoebe volunteers her time assisting with site operations and hopes to take on a Research Assistant role with Dr. Anna Clement.
Phoebe will use her sponsorship to help fund her MSc in Timber Building Conservation. Image: Wagon Shed - Weald & Downland Living Museum
“I am really grateful to the YCCC and York Conservation Trust. It has really enriched my growth as a student of historic buildings conservation, providing me with crucial support to complete my Masters dissertation project, as well as my overall development as a heritage and historic buildings professional. I am very excited for what the future holds.”
Clemmie’s ambition is to establish a career in built heritage conservation, working alongside architects or within a local planning authority to support the protection, adaptation and sustainable management of historic buildings.
Her work to date has included the recording of heritage ruins with the Carneddau Landscape Partnership in North Wales and she looks forward to work with the National Trust at Cherryburn; playing an active role in a project to deepen public and professional understanding of the site.
Clemmie will use her sponsorship to help fund her MA in Conservation of Historic Buildings at The University of York, including expenses for dissertation research and site visits.
"I am very honoured to be a recipient of a YCCC Bursary, supported by York Conservation Trust, which has made a substantial difference to my ability to make the most of the William Morris Craft Fellowship. Since April, when the Fellowship course began, I have had the opportunity to see behind the scenes in many of the UK and Ireland's most significant buildings, as well as gaining a better understanding of other crafts and how they interact in old buildings."
Viv is based in Cumbria and has been accepted on the renowned William Morris Craft Fellowship scheme with the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB). An unparalleled learning opportunity for the on-site training of building specialists and craftspeople.
Based in Cumbria, Viv is currently involved in the design and build of a timber framed building as project manager, co-designer and carpenter. Alongside this, Viv has also collaborated on an Orkney based project with the University of the Highlands and Islands in the construction of a replica Iron Age bowl. Working with both wood and non-ferrous metals, Viv was invited to present her work at Stromness Museum.
Viv will use her sponsorship to fund her SPAB Fellowship learning and expenses.
Congratulations to all 2025 Bursary Winners.
If you are interested in the work of York Consortium for Craft and Conservation, would like to become a member or apply for a Bursary, visit their website for more information.
