NEWSLETTER

The NSI was one of the record number of exhibitors at the sixth Natural Stone Show held in London’s ExCel exhibition centre between 9th–11th March 2004. Exhibitors came from the stone and processing sides of the industry and included contractors and consultants. Attendance was an ABC-audited 5,452.

The NSI stand formed part of a special area focusing on building conservation, presented in conjunction with English Heritage and other partner organisations from the conservation section. Alongside the NSI were organisations such as the Men of The Stones, the Institute of Historic Building Conservation, the National Heritage Training Group, and the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

Advice from conservation specialists was available in this area, which will also featured working demonstrations of craft skills throughout the show.

This year a major conference was held in conjunction with the exhibition. The lecture programme was split into separate sessions for new build and conservation. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) led sessions on the use of stone in new build, while English Heritage led a number of sessions on conservation.

NSI appoints its first President

The NSI chose the Natural Stone Show as the venue to announce the appointment of its first President, Sir William McAlpine. The announcement was made at a reception, where Sir William had the opportunity to meet members of the Institute and guests from all aspects of the stone industry.

Sir William, a Director of Sir Robert McAlpine & Sons, one of the largest construction companies in the UK, accepted the position of President saying:

‘I fully endorse the aims and objectives of the Natural Stone Institute and am delighted to have this opportunity to make a constructive contribution to its further development. This generation has a responsibility to ensure that our country’s built heritage, not just listed buildings, is maintained in the most appropriate manner – that is what the Institute is seeking to achieve and I am looking forward to doing what I can in this respect.’

Sir William McAlpine, first President of the Natural Stone Institute
From left to right: Sarah Bailey (Education Officer, NSI), Andrew McMillan (Convener, NSI),
Sir William McAlpine and Ingval Maxwell (TCRE, Historic Scotland)

Mr Andrew McMillan, Convener of the NSI, welcomed Sir William saying:

‘The Natural Stone Institute is working to provide a ‘one door’ approach for those seeking knowledge and information on all aspects of stone and its use in the built heritage and in future construction. As we develop our capability to promote education and research initiatives in stone, we are delighted to have a person of the calibre of Sir William to champion the activities of the Institute.’

Sarah Bailey
Education Officer (NSI)

Walls for the future

An accredited training scheme in dry stone walling

Yorkshire - Standard Wall Construction
Courtesy of the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain

The Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain is the foremost national organisation involved solely with dry stone walling. Founded in 1968, DSWA has established a highly regarded skills certification scheme, which is nationally accredited and used throughout the world.

The College of the Peak and a group of Derbyshire Craftsmen have developed a new training scheme for the Peak District aimed at developing the skills necessary for professional competence in dry stone walling. The scheme is externally validated to Level 2 by Lantra Awards but also includes more advanced techniques. Trainees work in a number of locations within the Peak District so that they experience working with a variety of stones in different situations.

The scheme is aimed at those who think that they would like to work as dedicated dry stone wallers. A little previous experience is helpful but not essential.

What does the scheme involve?

The scheme, taught by Derbyshire Master Craftsmen, covers all aspects of dry stone walling practice. Towards the end of the course there are opportunities for one-to-one mentoring and support in practical situations. Trainees will also be able to attend workshops on ‘self-employment’ and ‘using ICT in small business’. DSWA provides the examiners for the Lantra awards.

After the course, a trainee should be a competent dry stone waller, able to work independently or as part of a team. Further training opportunities would develop more advanced skills to achieve Lantra Award Level 3 as well as working towards the Master Craftsman certificate and possible routes to becoming a trainer.

Where and when?

After an initial day of induction at the National Stone Centre, the scheme involves several intensive periods of taught activity from April – September 2004. If you are interested in joining the scheme or require more information contact:

Louise Nadin (Co-ordinator)
College of the Peak
Tel: 01629 815749
email: collegeofthepeak@tiscali.co.uk
web: www.collegeofthepeak.org.uk

To find your nearest branch or to find out more about the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain go to: www.dswa.org.uk

NSI Publications

The NSI is currently involved in the production of a volume addressing the use of natural stone in modern construction. The publication, provisionally entitled Building with Scottish Stone, will be aimed at architects and will cover the range of stone available throughout Scotland as well as looking at best practice details and inspiring case studies.

The publication aims to promote a viable stone industry in Scotland by encouraging the innovative use of stone in new build projects. Through such activity we would hope to create an increase in demand which could safeguard production from quarries that also provide the stone so necessary for the repair and maintenance of our built heritage.

We will provide more information, as the project progresses. The project has already received support from the Scottish Executive and has also found support from within the Scottish stone industry.

The publication launch will be towards the end of 2004 – so watch this space!

Building stone publications

We are currently looking for building stone publications to feature in future NSI newsletters. If you have a favourite regional guide or technical publication let us know - you could even send a review.

Send suggestions to sarahbailey@nsiuk.org and your favourite publication could be featured.

Brit Pits - A national GIS-linked database of UK mines and quarries

The British Geological Survey (BGS) has been collecting geological information about working mines and quarries since 1835. They have also been collecting mineral resource data on producing mines and quarries for nearly as long. This information is held in a database called Brit Pits, one of the most comprehensive and up-to-date sources available.

Brit Pits holds information on every active mine and quarry, its geographical location, address and operator. It also includes information on the Mineral Planning Authority, geology, mineral commodities produced and their end-uses.

Originally only details of active and temporarily inactive sites were included in the database and associated publication – Directory of Mines and Quarries, but because of the importance of former workings for waste disposal and as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs), information is now collected on both inactive and closed operations.

On behalf of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, BGS is currently preparing digital information on mineral resources in map, database and GIS format. This includes the known extent of a number of mineral resources, the location of mineral workings and planning permissions for extractions, as well as designated areas of environmental interest. The aim is to produce digitally accessible information for national, regional and local planning.

The BGS can supply data on active mineral workings either in printed form as the Directory of Mines and Quarries, or as a digital database in spreadsheet and database formats. They can also supply data in widely used Geographical Information Systems (GIS) formats. A digital index to the locations of all the currently available active mines and quarries can be viewed on the BGS website in the Geoscience Data Index under the geology section www.bgs.ac.uk/geoindex

Don Cameron,
BGS Keyworth

The above article was taken from Earthwise, Official Magazine of the British Geological Survey. The BGS distributes Earthwise magazine free of charge to geologists, lecturers, teachers and libraries, etc. To apply to be added to the Earthwise mailing list, or to obtain back copies, complete the online form at: www.bgs.ac.uk/magazine/magazines/ewsub.html

NSI Excursions

Last year the NSI ran two excursions; a weekend visit to Caithness in May, and a day at Swinton Quarry in the Borders in August. Having visited the northern and southern extremities of Scotland last year, in 2004 we plan to go to the east and west!

Stone decay & repair in the Edinburgh World Heritage Site

Wed 12th May
Joint trip with the Edinburgh Geological Society
An evening walk led by Dr Ewan Hyslop (British Geological Survey) will look at examples featured in the new Historic Scotland Research Report ‘The Performance of Replacement Sandstone in the New Town of Edinburgh’.
Meet in the southern corner of Rutland Square, 7pm.

Visit National Trust for Scotland masonry workshops at Culzean Castle

This one-day visit will tour the masonry workshops where repairs to the fabric of Culzean and other NTS properties are carried out, including training stonemason apprentices, and preparation of lime mortars using a small-scale traditional kiln.
Date to be finalised, possibly during May.

Cullaloe Sandstone Quarry, Fife

Sat 24th July
Joint trip with Edinburgh Geological Society
Visit to the recently re-opened historic quarry which once supplied high quality sandstone to Edinburgh. Having received planning permission in March 2004, the quarry faces have now been cleared revealing impressive beds of high quality freestone.

Visit to the historic Easdale slate quarries

7th and 8th August
Led by Dr Joan Walsh (University of Paisley)
This weekend excursion will examine former slate quarries on the islands of Easdale and Luing, looking at aspects of the geology, quarrying and industrial heritage. Known in its day as ‘the roof of the world’, Easdale slate provided the distinctive ‘Scots’ roofing slate which characterises many of Scotland’s cites and towns.

Last year excursions proved popular, informative and fun, so we hope as many people as possible can attend these events. We are also keen to hear ideas for future visits, particularly outside Scotland. Can you show us round your quarry, building project or place of work? For further details of the above excursions or if you have any suggestions please contact Ewan Hyslop (e.hyslop@bgs.ac.uk or 0131 667 1000).

Membership benefits

As part of the Natural Stone Institute’s ongoing commitment to support everyone seeking knowledge and information on the use of stone, we are seeking to secure a range of benefits for NSI members.

These benefits are designed to offer practical help and advice to all who are interested in the use of stone in new build, conservation or repair and maintenance programmes. The first of these membership benefits, offered by the STATS Consulting Group, is detailed below.

STATS have expressed their strong support for the NSI and are delighted to have the opportunity to offer both testing and consulting services that NSI members will regard as representative of technical excellence, reliability and good value.

STATS provides independent specialist consulting and technical services across a wide range of fields both in the UK and world-wide. Their consulting services are backed up on the practical side by high quality UKAS-accredited test facilities.

Currently STATS are launching their Centre for Stone & Slate Technology (CSST) [contact Dr Ian Blanchard at csst@stats.co.uk] as a dedicated focus for their comprehensive range of testing and specialist consulting services in natural stone and related products, backed up on the practical side by high quality ISO 9001 certified and UKAS- accredited test facilities. Commissions have been carried out throughout the UK and abroad involving both new and historic buildings.

If you would like more information about STATS standard laboratory fee rates, including frequently required tests and currently used EN methods, contact Sarah Bailey – details below.
For more information on the STATS Consulting Group go to www.stats.co.uk

In addition negotiations with the Building Research Establishment and the British Geological Survey, to offer similar services, are at an advanced stage.

How do I join the NSI?

By becoming a member of the Natural Stone Institute, you will be able to take full advantage of membership benefits.

There are three forms of membership:
Ordinary Members: £25.00
Corporate Members: £150.00
Overseas Members: £75.00

To join the NSI, send an email to sarahbailey@nsiuk.org requesting a membership application form.

Heritage Information Website

Founded by the architect and conservation expert Dorian Crone, the Heritage Information website aims to put people in touch with one another, simplifying the process of conserving and restoring historic properties.

The site is aimed at anyone who has responsibility for, or an interest in, a historic environment – from homeowners to property managers, churchwardens to estates surveyors.

To access information on the website users need to sign up as a member. This allows free access to all the building conservation-related information you might need.