Members of the congregation were given a unique opportunity on Thursday 11th June, to learn all about Lime Mortaring the joints on the stonework of St Andrew’s church.
Several of us took the class and then under the watchful eye of Toby, the stonemason, we were allowed to carry out some of the repairs. It was a huge priviledge to work on the stone of the church, and to know that we have helped to preserve it for generations to come.
A Bullnose chisel helps to cut curves, as demonstrated on one of our pillars. Different widths would create different curves.
During a heavy shower, Toby took the time to explain what tools stone masons use, and to show us the marks these tools made on our stonework. The stone was "dressed" or finished, by using a tool called a drag. He had two different drag combs with him. A very fine toothed comb, and a more course one. We used the drags to remove the lime mortar from joints we were repairing.
He showed us the marks these drag combs made on the stone. For awkward angles, small chisel shaped tools, called claws, were used to dress the finished surface. He had a claw that perfectly matched the markings on the church door.
All of his tools are old, some even bore the mark of the stone mason that they once belonged to. Somehow it felt very fitting using tools other hands have held, to repair our ancient church.
Coral