The Ellwood Branch was established in 2019 as a non-geographical branch of the DSWA. Its aim is to provide a community for professional wallers from all parts of the UK to support and advise one another.
Named in honour of the great Ted Ellwood, the branch recognises his high standards, generosity in teaching others, and outstanding record in dry stone walling competitions.
Inspired by Ted’s achievements, the branch established its own annual competition, held in a different location each year. This event gives competitors the opportunity to work with a range of stone types and experience the diverse styles of walling found across the UK.
If you are a professional waller looking to develop your skills and deepen your knowledge of the craft, get in touch and keep an eye on the branch’s Instagram page for upcoming events.
Ted Ellwood 1928 – 2019
I first met Ted Ellwood back in the mid 1990’s when I attended a dry stone walling course he was instructing. I immediately realised I had a lot to learn and this chap, peering out from behind his spectacles, was the one to teach me. I can safely say I learned more about dry stone walling from Ted in those first couple of days of meeting him than I have learned in the following two decades.
For this introduction to the craft of dry stone walling and indeed to the DSWA I will be forever grateful as I am sure will countless other dry stone wallers who have been influenced by Ted’s enthusiasm for the craft.
Ted was a member and supporter of the DSWA right from the beginning, in the 1960’s he introduced coursed walling to Scotland via the Gatehouse of Fleet walling competitions, much to the consternation of the locals. In between raising his family and running his farm near Kendal, Ted was a keen competitor in local and national walling competitions attaining well over one hundred first place positions in his career. I remember on one occasion Ted was asked to judge a walling competition, on his arrival he noticed there were not many competitors so he decided to compete to raise the entry and won it, not bad for a man in his seventies.
Further to his impressive competition record Ted was presented with a long service award by the Royal Agricultural Society for the many years of walling demonstrations he carried out on behalf of the Association at The Royal Agricultural Show at Stoneleigh in Warwickshire. He was also awarded a life membership of the DSWA in recognition of his contribution to the craft. It is very fitting that the DSWA’s newest branch carries his name; the Ellwood Branch was set up earlier this year catering mainly for younger wallers, with an emphasis on high standards of workmanship. It was a great shame Ted passed away two weeks before they held their first event, a dry stone walling competition only a couple of miles from where he had farmed at Stainton, but through this branch and their activities his legacy will continue.
Ted Ellwood will be remembered by all who met him for his infectious enthusiasm for the craft of dry stone walling, his generosity in passing on his skills and knowledge to others and, of course, for his undoubted skill as a craftsman and dry stone waller.
Andrew Loudon
DSWA Chief Examiner
Summer 2019