Worcester Cathedral is holding its first ever sealed-bid carved stone auction to raise funds to support their stonemasons and the future of the cathedral.
Stonemason Auction at Worcester Cathedral
Maston Mason, Darren Steele, has carefully chosen a selection of ten carved stones varying in weight from 8kg to 30kg. All have been created by the cathedral’s talented apprentice stonemasons, both past and present.
Darren said:
“It is vitally important that we have stonemasons with the skills to restore, conserve and respect the stonework, and it is key that we retain all the characteristics and architectural styles so future generations will be able to enjoy the beauty of the Cathedral and explore its history.
“To ensure we can do this, we have had a stonemasonry apprenticeship programme for the last 35 years and we have trained many new masons. They have learned their trade here; some have stayed and worked on the Cathedral, and some have moved on to use their skills across the country, and even globally, in the heritage sector.”
The auction lots are currently on display in the Dean’s Chapel, during normal Cathedral visiting hours, until Thursday 28 November and anyone can submit a sealed bid by Sunday 1 December 2024, when the auction will close.
Bidding is via a form on the Cathedral website or in person when visiting the exhibition.
The highest bid holder will be contacted on 3 December with the good news and all lots purchased must be collected from Worcester Cathedral by 13 December 2024 and upon cleared funds being received. The buyer will be responsible for collection. Each stone has a reserve placed upon it. If this is not met the stone will remain the property of Worcester Cathedral. Worcester Cathedral reserves the right to reject any and all bids.
All proceeds will be used to support the stonemason team in their work to preserve Worcester Cathedral for future generations to enjoy as we do today.
To place a bid and to view the Auction catalogue, please click here.
