Vital work experience benefits wider community

Four stonemasonry students from City of Glasgow College have helped in the construction of a memorial to veterans and others who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Following an appeal for funding to the Incorporation of Masons of Glasgow, the special tribute was recently unveiled in Barrhead and is now in place outside The Foundry Leisure Centre.

John Brown, Deacon of the Incorporation of Masons of Glasgow, and Lecturer in Construction at City of Glasgow College attended the unveiling. He said:

“During the construction I was assisted by four students studying SQA Level 3 stonemasonry; Thomas Lamington, Ronan Evans, Joseph Purcell and Mason Young, who all needed site evidence of building ashlar walling for their portfolio.

“The apprentices had missed that vital site evidence having been furloughed for several months due to the pandemic. Being able to work to a real life brief was an excellent opportunity for the apprentices to gain the experience required for their qualification, and to make a lasting contribution to the wider community.

“The Incorporation of Masons of Glasgow has a close relationship with the college and its students and, of course, as a lecturer there I was delighted to be able to draw on the support and skills of these students, and the outstanding facilities at the college’s City campus.”

Prominent sculptor Josephine Crossland was commissioned to carve the commemoration stones with a style of lettering devised by herself and featuring the Incorporation of Masons of Glasgow shields.

During the unveiling the Provost for East Renfrewshire, Jim Fletcher, said he hoped the memorial would provide some comfort to the friends and families of those who have died, providing a physical reminder that their loved ones are not forgotten.