Gloucester Cathedral stonemasons' workshiop is now one of only nine such workshops attached to cathedrals in England. Forty apprentices have been trained here over the seventeen years that our master mason has worked on site. An apprenticeship scheme devised here means that the apprentices learn many skills including building conservation and blacksmithing ( to fix stonework and make their own tools in some cases). The work on site over the next five years will see huge committment, including designing, carving and fixing of new gargoyles and major conservation and restoration work. This funding will support and cover the work of 5 full time masons. In order to give them the stability they need over the next 5 years, £500,000 is needed to support their work. The cathedral is over 900 years old and we believe we have a duty to maintain this exquisite piece of our architectural heritage which has evolved over many generations, for the delight and use of many more people. Please help us to do so!