Set in Stone: Crafting the Past into the Future
On Thursday, 18 September 2025, the church of All Saints' in Langport, Somerset, welcomed guests for an inspiring evening of conversation and craft as four remarkable stonemasons and heritage plasterers shared the stories that shaped their careers. At a time when traditional skills face a national shortage, this event offered vital insight into why heritage trades matter more than ever - and how new hands can still find their way into the craft.
It was a beautiful late-summer evening as people gathered in the churchyard of All Saints', an ancient and striking Lias and Hamstone building cared for by the Churches Conservation Trust. Guests enjoyed locally produced Burrow Hill cider while admiring views across the moor to Muchelney Abbey and the handsome towers of nearby churches such as Kingsbury Episcopi. As dusk settled, 148 people filled the church to hear an introduction from SPAB Somerset committee member and CCT Conservation Project Manager, Meriel O’Dowd, who spoke on the importance of craft skills and the urgent gap between the number of skilled craftspeople and those currently in training.
The first speaker, Nick Durnan - stonemason, stone carver, artist, teacher, and conservation consultant - shared his passion for stone and his inspiration drawn from Romanesque and medieval sculpture as well as the order of geometry in nature.
He was followed by stone carver and sculptor Tom Clark, who delivered a lively demonstration of traditional tools in action. The sound of his hammer and punch echoed around the church, vividly evoking the atmosphere of its original construction.
SPAB Fellow Daahir Mohamed then spoke of his craft of lime plastering, recalling memories of childhood in Somalia where his love of traditional materials first began. His thought-provoking talk touched on how the Black Lives Matter movement prompted him to reassess the types of buildings he was working on—yet reaffirmed his belief that “heritage has no borders.”
The evening concluded with SPAB Fellow Samantha Peacock, a stonemason and stained-glass conservator. She spoke about her recent conservation work on the statues of Wells Cathedral’s west front, dating from the 1300s–1500s. Her talk balanced admiration for their beauty and fragility with personal reflections on her summer working with “statue 150,” King Æthelstan. What began in despair at his deteriorated condition grew into an unexpected fondness for the figure as the project progressed.
This atmospheric event, organised in partnership with Levels Live, CCT, and the SPAB Somerset regional group, carried on into the evening as many guests continued their conversations across the road at The White Chapel Gallery, which was hosting George Henry Longly’s exhibition MEGABRECCIA exploring his connection with the landscape and white Lias stone.
Proceeds from the evening supported the Community Infrastructure Upgrade project at All Saints’ Church—the largest event space in Langport. Once completed, this project will provide much-needed toilets and a servery, enabling the community to expand the cultural and entertainment use of this historic building. We are deeply grateful to everyone who joined us and supported this cause.
All Saints’ is a space where heritage, creativity, and community come together—but we need your help to secure its future. If you would like to contribute to the Community Infrastructure Upgrade project, please donate here. To hear more about the discussions from this event or other fundraising initiatives, please contact Local Community Officer Marie Leverett at mleverett@thecct.org.uk.
Together, we can ensure that All Saints’ continues to inspire, welcome, and serve the people of Langport for generations to come.
Date written: 6th October 2025