Mason crafts commemorative statue
A statue commemorating the United-Nations-designated International Year of Co-operatives (IYC) has been crafted by a mason at the Midcounties Co-operative Memorial Masonry Centre.
Chris Wilkinson, who has worked for Midcounties for more than a decade, spent three weeks working on the four foot by two foot statue at the group’s Memorial Masonry Centre in Walsall, before its unveiling at Midcounties’ headquarters in Warwick.
“I’ve not worked on a project like this before so I feel very privileged,” Chris remarked. “The hardest part was facing the unknown. The Portland stone is very unforgiving of mistakes so it was a little nerve-wracking at times.
“It’s a neutral tone so it will change colour as the seasons alter and the sun moves around it. I’m really proud of the end result and I’d love to do another project like this.”
As well as a commemoration, the statue was crafted to showcase the skills of the masonry team.
Funeral sector group general manager for the Midcounties Co-operative Group, Simon Fisher, said: “It’s a wonderful statue and a unique opportunity to celebrate the IYC and the 1.4 million co-operatives across the globe.”
Image: (L-R) Head of masonry services Shayne Taylor with Simon Fisher and Chris Wilkinson.