Two new stonemasonry apprentices have joined the Works Department team tasked with preserving Salisbury Cathedral.
George Minchington and Flo Whiting started their three-year placements at the end of August. The cathedral said the roles are designed to provide hands-on training while the apprentices work toward formal qualifications in stonemasonry.
Neil Traynor, canon treasurer at Salisbury Cathedral, said the Works Department includes a “highly skilled team of artisans,” and that their craft plays a key role in caring for the building’s heritage. He said training the next generation of stonemasons and craftspeople helps keep traditional skills alive for years to come.
For mason contractors and restoration teams, the structure of the placement stands out. It pairs jobsite learning with a clear timeline and recognized credentials, which supports consistent training from one project season to the next.
The cathedral also highlighted the range of backgrounds that feed into the trade. George is from Devon and previously worked in an aerospace factory. She described the move into cathedral work as a “physical manifestation of devotion.” Flo is from the Isle of Purbeck, known as the source of the cathedral’s Purbeck stone, and said she pursued stonemasonry after attending the Chalke History Festival.
Gary Price, clerk of works at Salisbury Cathedral, said bringing in two heritage stonemasonry apprentices is an investment in safeguarding centuries of craftsmanship. Salisbury is one of only 10 English cathedrals with its own dedicated Works Department.
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