A Monmouth man who once spent his days under car bonnets is now building stone walls out in the open air.
Joe Preddy, 28, studied engineering at John Kyrle High School in Ross, then worked as a motor mechanic for Renault before moving on to Volkswagen and Audi in Hereford. After a few years in workshops, he decided he wanted a different kind of workday and made the move into the building trade, helped by family already in the industry.
Working with a local firm, Preddy found he had a knack for wall building. That early experience has led him to launch his own small business, JH Stonemasonry. He has recently completed an eye-catching stone wall in Mitchel Troy, and he is preparing to start a larger project in the Abergavenny area.
His work will also carry a personal signature. Preddy plans to place a small metal time capsule inside each wall, including a £1 coin and a letter explaining what it is, leaving a marker for future generations.
For anyone hiring stone walling, his approach is a good reminder that quality takes time. Professional wall construction is a slow craft because each stone needs to be carefully chosen, and the finished look depends on patience as much as skill.
When he is not working on walls, Preddy keeps his connection to the fast lane by riding one of his four sport bikes.
Read the full, original article from The Ross Gazette here.