This National Careers Week we wanted to shine the light on the different avenues into this heritage craft. Although Apprenticeships are a great way into the craft (as proved by our past schemes), they are not always available. We have spoken to three wallers to see how they became a professional dry stone waller. Simon… Read more »
With uncharacteristically bright skies, the first UK based test day of the year got underway at the DSWA National Training Site near Kendal on Friday 21st March. With a mixture of Level 1’s and 2 candidates, we also welcomed back to site Hristo Totsev who had travelled from Bulgaria for his Master Craftsman timed test.… Read more »
We are excited to announce that our Derbyshire Branch will be hosting a Summer Fete and Social Weekend on the 14th & 15th June 2025! This exciting event promises a fantastic line up of attractions, activities, and entertainment for wallers, families, friends, and the public. With a packed itinerary spanning the weekend, there’s something for… Read more »
A 25 year old man from Denbighshire has become the latest to reach the prestigious status of Master Craftsman dry stone waller after a gruelling seven and a half hour timed assessment building a feature withing 5m2 of dry stone wall. Barney Murray began his dry stone walling career at the age of 19… Read more »
We are delighted to report that His Majesty, The King has reaffirmed his patronage of The Dry Stone Walling Association, following a review of Royal patronages conducted after His Majesty’s accession to the throne. His Majesty became patron of the Dry Stone Walling Association in 2006 and since then, he has helped raise awareness and visibility of our… Read more »
The DSWA are offering two candidates the chance to become a dry stone walling apprentice. Kindly funded by The Ernest Cook Trust, these 12 month long apprenticeships will see the successful candidates placed with a DSWA Master Craftsman. The candidates will learn the skills required to pursue a career in dry stone walling through a… Read more »
Aberdeenshire dry stone waller achieves elite Master Craftsman status Stephen Denham, a professional dry stone waller based in Aberdeenshire, has joined the elite ranks of Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA) Master Craftsman. The Master Craftsman Qualification is a notoriously difficult accolade to gain with candidates required to build four different elements with one… Read more »
After much anticipation the DSWA 2024 four-day Qualification courses are now open for booking! Running from March through to October, the courses are all run by a DSWA Master Craftsman Instructor and will take place at our National Training Site, near Kendal. Courses are aimed at those wanting to progress their skills or are looking… Read more »
After, twenty years working tirelessly for the Dry Stone Walling Association it has come time for our Office Administrator, Alison Shaw, to move on to pastures new. Alison’s passion and can-do attitude has helped support the Dry Stone Walling Association in its endeavours, helping Branches, members and public alike. We would like to say a… Read more »
On 14 June, Scottish Sculptor, James Parker, and the team at Drystone Walling Perthshire will receive the prestigious Certificate of Merit from the Dry Stone Walling Association; an award which recognises exceptional projects incorporating dry stone walling in Great Britain, and the first Certificate of Merit to be awarded in Scotland since 2006. A… Read more »