The Tylers and Bricklayers - Craft Awards 2021 & 2022

The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers CRAFT AWARDS 2021 & 2022

Presentation of Awards Trinity House, Trinity Square, London, EC3N 4DH Thursday 10 March 2022

In the presence of Dr. Anna Keay OBE Director of the Landmark Trust

INTRODUCTION TO THE AWARDS

The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers is one of the historic Livery Companies of the City of London and is unusual, if not unique, in being involved with three distinct crafts – Bricklaying, Roof Slating and Tiling, and Wall and Floor Tiling – for which we present awards today.

The Company can trace its history from as early as 1416 and at that time and during the subsequent 250 years, it exercised almost total control over the three crafts within the London area. Liverymen were responsible for training the future generation of craftsmen through an apprenticeship system and it presided over disputes within the trades, monitored levels of craftsmanship and enjoyed draconian powers over members of the Livery who fell short of the required standard.

It was, simultaneously, a cartel, an employers’ confederation, a trade union, a trading standards authority and, through the fraternity which existed between its members, a source of welfare and support to those who fell on hard times and to their families. Over the succeeding centuries the Company’s powers diminished with a substantial loss of influence following the relaxation of the craft monopolies which had to be sanctioned following the Great Fire of London in 1666.

A significant part of the Company’s role today is in the fostering of the crafts it represents within the construction industry through the giving of awards and prizes. In this way the Company seeks to encourage the development of these crafts and the training of aspiring craftsmen and craftswomen, giving recognition to individuals at the outset of their careers and ultimately conferring Master Craftsman status on those who can demonstrate the very highest standard of craftsmanship over a range of work.

These awards were originally timetabled to take place during March of 2021, but the global pandemic which took hold during the first half of last year left us no choice but to cancel the event. What followed was a roller coaster of a year which proved very difficult for everyone, but we have all been working very hard to make sure that our skilled craftsmen and women are recognised and rewarded for all their hard work in these, the 2022 Craft Awards.

Unfortunately, the annual 2020 SkillBuild event, which precedes our awards and which provides us with the winners in our 3 trade categories, was also cancelled. We are however pleased to say that the 2021 craft competitions did take place and we recognise the skills of these young crafts people here today.

The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers has a long serving bond with the Corps of Royal Engineers and makes annual awards to outstanding Class 1 and Class 2 construction trainees from the Royal School of Military Engineering in Chatham.

Nominations were received for the 2021 awards, but restrictions meant that we could not recognise the individuals in 2021; but we do so here today, alongside the 2022 winners.

We present two further awards annually, known as the Cadet Force Awards, to the best London based Army Cadet and Adult Volunteer Instructor. The 2021 winners were unable to receive their awards last year, so we welcome them here today too, alongside their 2022 peers.

From time to time, and as the strict criteria are met, we confer the status of Master Craftsman on individuals from our 3 different crafts. Each winner will have demonstrated his or her mastery of their specialised craft and their ability to pass on the specialist skills through mentoring. They are truly, craftsmen of the highest order, and we recognise these individuals at our Annual Craft Awards here today.

The Company is grateful to all those who assisted with the arrangements, assessment, and presentation of the 2022 Craft Awards in these difficult times.

We welcome our Principal Guest, Dr Anna Keay OBE.

THIS YEAR’S AWARDS

The Stokes Royal Engineers Awards, Class 1 2021 The Stokes Royal Engineers Awards, Class 2 2021 Cadet Force Awards, Best Cadet 2021 Cadet Force Awards, Best Adult Volunteer 2021

The Stokes Royal Engineers Awards, Class 1 2022 The Stokes Royal Engineers Awards, Class 2 2022 Cadet Force Awards, Best Cadet 2022 Cadet Force Awards, Best Adult Volunteer 2022

The E & R Fuller Award for Bricklaying 2022 The Mason-Elliott Award for Roof Slating and Tiling 2022 The Montgomery Award for Wall and Floor Tiling 2022

Recognition of Master Craftsman – Bricklayer Recognition of Master Craftsman – Roof Slater and Tiler Recognition of Master Craftsman – Wall and Floor Tiler Special Recognition Award – Roof Slating and Tiling, Services to Education and Industry

CORPS OF ROYAL ENGINEERS AFFILIATION

THE 1 ROYAL SCHOOL OF MILITARY ENGINEERING REGIMENT The 1 Royal School of Military Engineering Regiment was formed in 1812 and since its creation the Regiment has undergone many changes. It has served as a school, a depot regiment, a training regiment and a specialist equipment regiment. It has provided highly trained soldiers to the Corps of Royal Engineers, for deployment across the globe for over 200 years. Presently it trains our Royal Engineer soldiers in construction, engineering, and watermanship. The school normally provides the third and final phase of a Sapper’s training package before they are posted to their first Field Army operational unit.

The name “Sapper” is derived from the French word sappe meaning “spadework,” or “trench” and became connected with military engineering during the 17th century, when attackers dug covered trenches to approach the walls of a besieged fort.

They also tunnelled under those walls and then collapsed the tunnels, thus undermining the walls. These trenches and tunnels were called “saps,” and their diggers came to be called “sappers.” In modern armies, sappers serve three functions. They provide tactical support on the battlefield by installing portable bridges, tank traps, and other construction; they build major support facilities, such as airports, supply roads, fuel depots, and barracks; and they are assigned additional tasks, including the construction of schools and other facilities, throughout the world.

On completion of their training, Sappers will be able to use both traditional and modern brick and block laying techniques, set out buildings and erect scaffolding.

THE ARMY CADET FORCE The Army Cadet Force (ACF) can trace its beginnings to 1859 when there was a threat of invasion by the French. The British Army was still heavily involved abroad after the Indian mutinies, and therefore had very few units in this country. The Volunteers were formed to repel the possible invasion. Immediately following the formation of the Volunteers came the start of the Cadets. In 1860 at least eight schools had formed Volunteer companies for their senior boys and masters, and a number of volunteer units had started their own cadet companies. The cadet movement continued to grow over time encouraged by pioneers of their time, such as Miss Octavia Hill, who had done a great deal to establish the National Trust and was certainly not a militarist!

She formed the Southwark Cadet Company in order to introduce the boys of the slums of that area to the virtues of order, cleanliness, teamwork and self-reliance.

The present concept of the Army Cadet Force is as a voluntary youth organisation, helped and inspired by the Army, really stems from that time, and has continued throughout the ACF’s history.

OUR AFFILIATION The early fostering of the relationship between our Company and the RSME was sponsored by Past Master Sir Idris Pearce and was formalised on 28 June 2000 at the Royal Hospital Chelsea by an exchange of adoption scrolls. The adoption recognised the mutual skills, shared values, and long histories of both organisations. In 2008 the Lord Mayor invited livery companies to support youth organisations and Past Master Ian Mitchell Grimshaw took the opportunity to adopt the Royal Engineer Cadet Detachments in the Greater London Region, further strengthening the relationship between the Company and the Corps.

Two significant events preceded this affiliation, firstly the establishment of the Stokes Awards, generously funded through a trust set up by the Stokes family. And secondly, a joint venture to design and construct 3 polar sundials that were presented to the City of London in the Millennium year. One is located on the North Bank of the River Thames adjacent to the Millennium Bridge, one is located on the South Bank of the River Thames close to the Millennium Dome Ecology Park and the third is displayed in the Royal Engineers Museum in Chatham. All three sundials were constructed at the Royal School of Military Engineering based on a concept developed by Past Master Piers Nicholson and each contains a time capsule enclosing the Company and Royal Engineers Lists.

THE STOKES ROYAL ENGINEERS AND CADET FORCE AWARDS 2021

Class 1 Winner – Lance Corporal Taylor LCpl Taylor joined the British Army in 2013 completing basic, combat engineering and trade specific training before assigning to 101 Engineer Regiment Explosive Ordnance Disposal & Search (EOD&S). LCpl Taylor exercised numerous times as part of an EOD&S team, including an overseas deployment to Nigeria as a member of a short-term training team. Promoted from Sapper to Lance Corporal in 2019 whilst on his A1 Bricklayer and concreter course in Chatham; after completing the Army Leadership Development Programme course LCpl Taylor was made substantive in rank. LCpl Taylor was a winner of the Archibald award for tradesman of the year, in 2020.

Class 2 Winner – Sapper Kieran Green Spr Green enlisted in February 2019, and completed his basic training at ATR Winchester, where he won best recruit. Soon after finishing basic training, he attended his B3 Combat Engineering course at 3 Royal School of Military Engineering. After the course, he attended his 0-2 Bricklayer & Concrete course at 1 Royal School of Military Engineering. Upon completion of his trade training, Spr Green was posted to 21 Field Squadron EOD&S in 35 Engineer Regiment EOD&S. This last year has seen Spr Green deploy to Germany for a range sweep, deploy on multiple exercises and complete search and EOD courses.

Best Cadet Winner – Cadet Sergeant Amy Erin Vaughan Cdt Sgt Amy Vaughan joined our CCF (Army) a year late, having opted in Year 9 to focus on her Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. On joining, she therefore trained alongside recruits a year younger than herself, and from the very start looked after those younger pupils with the same selfless commitment which she brings to everything she does, including her A Level subjects, debating, Model United Nations, fencing, and, of course, the CCF. She is one of those unsung senior cadets who is always present and involved, but never seeks the limelight.

She is a great credit to her Royal Engineers cap badge.

Best Adult Volunteer Winner – Sergeant Instructor Joshua Delius SI Josh Delius is an outstanding young adult volunteer who has quickly shown himself to be a force multiplier at all levels. In addition to his crucial contribution to detachments, he has extensively supported both 10 Company and Sector HQ training events. He always displays an unfailingly positive attitude and encourages cadets and adults alike with his calm and supportive manner. He has transitioned effortlessly from cadet to adult instructor and gained a ‘highly competent’ grading on his AIC report. Josh exemplifies the very best qualities of an adult volunteer. Enthusiastic, loyal, and professional, he is an outstanding role model to cadets and adults alike

THE STOKES ROYAL ENGINEERS AND CADET FORCE AWARDS 2022

Class 1 Winner – Lance Corporal Hawkes LCpl Hawkes enlisted as a Royal Marine in 2001. He later joined the British Army in 2017. After completing Basic Combat Engineer Training at 3 RSME Regiment, he became a member of the Corps of Royal Engineers. LCpl Hawkes completed his ME B&C Class 2 course in 2018 and was posted to 24 Commando Engineer Regiment. In 2021, he returned to 1 RSME Regiment to complete his Class 1 B&C Course. His practical bricklaying skills were excellent from the start, demonstrating the finesse required to finish his work to a very high standard, reinforced by a sound understanding of brickwork theory. LCpl Hawkes is recommended as a potential trade instructor at 1 RSME Regt due to his high standards, trade, and leadership skills.

Class 2 Winner – Sapper Charles Sykes Spr Sykes enlisted into the British Army in 2019, after working as a self-taught bricklayer and plasterer. He completed his Basic Training at ATC Pirbright before successfully completing his Basic Combat Engineer Training at 3 RSME Regiment.

Spr Sykes went on to complete his ME B&C Class 2 Course at 1 RSME Regiment in 2021. His attitude towards instructors, the course and his peers has been exceptional. His bricklaying skills are to the highest level of professionalism with a keen eye for detail. Spr Sykes has already shown the great abilities within his trade and would make a fine candidate to represent the Corps in the World Skills competition.

Best Cadet Winner – Cadet Drum Major (Sgt) Rami Ahmad Rami Ahmad joined the Cadet Contingent in Year 9, and he has since proven to be one of the most outstanding Cadets. Rami was a founder member of the Contingent’s Corps of Drums, and since taking over as Drum Major in September 2021 has led it with tact, stringent standards, and an attention to detail. Rami is one of only two members of his year group to have been appointed a Troop Sgt, in his case of Teeling (Recruit) Troop. The responsibility of leading a team of six members of his own year group as they have trained our 82 new recruits from September 2021 has not daunted him. Rami is always willing to get stuck in himself when occasion demands and his popularity with his peers and juniors is a tribute to his fairness, competence and natural authority.

Best Adult Volunteer Winner – Lieutenant Richard Scally Lt Richard Scally is a teacher at Queen Elizabeth’s School teaching PE and is Master in Charge of Cricket & Aquatics. He joined the CCF in 2010, starting out as non-Uniform Volunteer. He was finally commissioned in September 2015 and since has been prominent in developing challenging training that engages students both physically and mentally. He has taken trips to Gibraltar Barracks where Cadets had the opportunity to be introduced to Military Engineering including Watermanship, Bridging and Demolitions. He is a highly dedicated Cadet Force Volunteer who always puts the welfare of his cadets first, always brings a smile to the faces of the cadets and his creativity allows the unit to develop new training strategies.

WORLDSKILLS UK

WorldSkills UK is an independent charity and a partnership between employers, education, and governments. Together, they are using international best practice to raise standards in apprenticeships and technical education so more young people and employers succeed.

WorldSkills UK is a member of WorldSkills, a global movement from over 80 countries. WorldSkills supports young people across the world via competitions-based training, assessment and benchmarking, with members’ national teams ultimately testing their ability to achieve world-class standards in the biennial global ‘Skills Olympics’.

The WorldSkills UK National Finals, known as “WorldSkills UK LIVE” are held in the November of each year. Finalists must first compete in a range of remote and offline tests before taking part in Regional Qualifiers at their local college, training provider or workplace. The winners of these Regional Qualifiers are notified in September and then have October to prepare and practice for the National Finals. Winners of the National Finals are then eligible for selection onto the international “Squad UK” and showcase their skills on the world stage in both European and Global competitions.

SkillBuild is UK construction’s specific skills competition. It is run by GoConstruct who are funded from the CITB Levy.

GoConstruct, under their SkillBuild banner, organise and run the construction specific Regional and National construction skills competitions on behalf of WorldSkills UK. In 2020, both the WorldSkills UK LIVE event and skills competition were cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic which meant that our Company had no eligible candidates to recognise in our 2021 Craft Awards. In 2021, the WorldSkills UK LIVE event was also cancelled, however the competition was still run, but held in regional centres.

In parallel with these changes for 2021 the Roof Slating and Tiling category of the WorldSkills UK LIVE competition was removed from the SkillBuild remit and the regional and national competitions are now being organised and run by the National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) under the banner of “The Great British Slate Off”. The finals were held at the Centre of Roofing Excellence (CoRE) in Hereford between the 9th and 11th of November 2021.

The bricklaying and wall and floor tiling element of the competition took place at the National Construction College at Bircham, Norfolk between the 16th and the 18th of November 2021.

All 3 events were attended by the Master and the Chair of the Craft Committee.

The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers recognises and rewards the winners of these competitions and bestows upon the winners the following awards: – •

The E & R Fuller Award for Bricklaying

•

The Mason-Elliott Award for Roof Slating & Tiling,

•

The Montgomery Award for Wall and Floor Tiling

For the first time, the Company both sponsored and presented an additional award this year, rewarding the winner of the Bricklaying Stretch (speed) Test.

The stretch test is a balance of skill and speed that requires competitors to build a decorative pillar in 1 hour with bonus marks being given for the speed element but still marked for millimetre accuracy.

The Master presented the 2022 Award on the day, to the winner Harvey Enwright.

THE E & R FULLER AWARD FOR BRICKLAYING 2022

This year’s E & R Fuller Award for Bricklaying is presented to Mitchell Proctor.

After winning his Regional Heats, Mitchell competed in this year’s SkillBuild 2021 UK National Finals event. The competition was held from the 16th to the 18th of November 2021 at the National Construction College in Bircham Newton, Norfolk, where he competed against 5 other competitors from around the UK. Mitchell studied his NVQ at Preston College under the tutelage of Jason Crumblehulme, their School links & NSF Coordinator and he is presently employed by SMW Construction Limited, also from Preston.

Jason Crumblehulme, Mitchell’s competition Tutor, said this of Mitchell following his convincing win.

“Mitchell has always been a great student, keen to develop his skills and very early on we worked on complex models. He listened to feedback and was always eager to put that into action when he built his next model in college. Mitchell carries himself with maturity and is very well respected within our college and amongst work colleagues.

He was trusted, very early on by his employer SMW Construction, with working independently with jobs and with customers. Mitchell has worked hard to get to this stage in his career as a bricklayer and as a competitor at WorldSkills. We were really disappointed he couldn’t compete at the Guild of Bricklayers competition in 2020 due to the pandemic. However, that did not stop his motivation and confidence in entering the regional heat of the WorldSkills where he was placed highest due to his points accumulated, earning him a place at the National Final. At the final Mitchel showed a relaxed calm attitude, believing in his abilities and eventually producing a fantastic piece of work earning him the first place and gold medal.

At Preston College the brickwork lecturers and the whole college could not be prouder of what Mitchell has achieved.

On a personal level, having worked with Mitchell for 3 years, seeing what he has achieved filled me with so much pride and justified to me why I became a lecturer.”

THE MASON-ELLIOTT AWARD FOR ROOF SLATING AND TILING 2022

This year’s Mason-Elliott Award for Roof Slating and Tiling is presented to Jordan Maley.

Jordan, a slating apprentice from South Lanarkshire College (SLC), was one of six student slaters from colleges across the country who competed head-to-head at the NFRC competition between the 9th and 11th November 2021 at the Centre of Roofing Excellence (CoRE) in Hereford.

Following his triumphant victory Jordan said.

“My training at South Lanarkshire College has been great! Learning a lot of new skills and techniques that I wouldn’t normally do too much of on site. My aspirations in the future would be to work on prestigious buildings such as castles, churches and other important listed buildings restoring them to their former glory. That’s where I get the most job satisfaction from.”

Ross Hepburn, from South Lanarkshire College is Jordan’s tutor and he said this, following Jordan’s win at the competition.

“I would like to say a massive congratulations to Jordan on his performance, the standard of work on show by all competitors was fantastic, and this must have been an extremely difficult task for the judges. Jordan showed that all his hard work, both in college and on-site under guidance from his employer Owens LRJ Roofing and the SLC Roofing Department, has been well worth the effort.”

Competitors were provided with an exacting brief that tested all their skills. Underlays had to be evenly tensioned and free from damage with correct laps. Battening had to be fitted to the correct gauge with a tolerance of 3mm, ensuring that the timber was defect free and had the correct fixings. Slates were to be correctly graded and holed to a maximum of 5mm. All slate laps, overhangs, valleys, and verges were tightly controlled, and measurements physically checked by the Inspectors. An integrated ornate panel of the competitors own design was compulsory. Marks were awarded for complexity, symmetry, cutting and overall appearance. Finally, marks were awarded for Health and Safety, incorporating safe working practices, cleanliness of the work area and the wearing of appropriate PPE. Jordan is also being presented with an additional award this year, a copy of Liveryman Gerald Emerton’s comprehensive roofing reference book, titled “The Pattern of Traditional Roofing”.

THE MONTGOMERY AWARD FOR WALL AND FLOOR TILING 2022

This year’s Montgomery Award for Wall and Floor Tiling is presented to Aaron Gillespie.

Aaron, a tiling apprentice employed by Kevin Smyth Elite Tiling and who completed his NVQ Level 3 at Southern Regional College, Armagh, competed in this year’s SkillBuild 2021 UK National Finals event. The competition was held from the 16th to the 18th of November 2021 at the National Construction College in Bircham Newton, Norfolk, where he pitted his skills against 5 other competitors from around the UK. Aaron’s tutor is Paul Doran, from Southern Regional College, who were recently designated a TTA Centre of Excellence.

Contestants had to complete a stretch (speed) test which involved using a tiling system from Schluter UK, to prepare the background that involved cutting and applying Kerdiboard and fitting a prefabricated niche to be set at a particular height as specified.

The prescribed tile design asked the competitors to cut out the lettering for “CITB UK” and to craft circular work to simulate toilet waste pipes to very precise measurements and to tile the niche already prepared during the stretch test.

The overall objective was to align the competition with industry and ensure that the vocational delivery meets the standards employers require for a finishes trade in the UK.

RECOGNITION OF MASTER CRAFTSMAN

The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers of the City of London has for centuries played a leading part in the regulation of standards of craftsmanship in and around London. Because of the importance of the London region these have impacted on standards across the United Kingdom and helped to shape the various manifestations of the Building Regulations since their introduction in the wake of the Great Fire in 1666.

We wish to recognise those who achieve higher levels of competence in the crafts of bricklaying, roof slating and tiling and wall and floor tiling, through a combination of their own training, practical site experience and a willingness to assist in the training of others. This recognition takes the form of the award of Master Craftsman status.

Applicants for the award must: •

have completed a recognised apprenticeship or a recognised college course and now possess formal craft qualifications

•

provide evidence to show the time spent in training and as a qualified craftsman

•

provide details of projects that they have worked on which demonstrate their experience and standing in their chosen trade.

The applicants must first provide evidence to support core competencies in all 3 trades. For bricklayers they must then choose either a General or Heritage Bricklayer specialisation.

Next, the applicants must select a further six skills from the remaining list of trade specific competencies for which detailed written and photographic evidence must be submitted.

Generally, applicants will submit a portfolio of their projects, including photographs, through which they can demonstrate their knowledge, experience, and successful completion of the required competencies, including the date that the works were carried out.

As part of the evaluation process, members of the Craft Committee will visit to inspect the presented examples of workmanship first-hand. Unfortunately, this has not been possible on this occasion considering the many restrictions we have found ourselves subject to these past 2 years. However, the submitted entry portfolios were comprehensive, well described and clearly demonstrated the consummate abilities of the applicants.

References from three individuals who have had direct experience of the subject’s work are also a prerequisite for consideration of an application. This could be an Architect, Surveyor, Conservation Officer, Client, or colleague.

We are delighted to announce that this year we are to recognise not one but three individuals who have met the stringent criteria, together with a special additional award given in acknowledgement of services to education.

John Gorman Master Craftsman Heritage Bricklayer

Danny Lyon Master Craftsman Roof Slater and Tiler

Mark Exley Master Craftsman Wall and Floor Tiler

MASTER CRAFTSMAN – HERITAGE BRICKLAYER

The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers take great pleasure in recognising John Gorman as Master Craftsman – Heritage Bricklayer.

After leaving school in 1970 John was apprenticed to Sid Massey Builders of Stevenage. For the next 25 years John honed his bricklaying skills working for a variety of contractors undertaking both new build and refurbishment projects, a journeyman, so to speak.

In 1995 and for the next 9 years John traded in his own right as a small scale housebuilder and in 2004 founded his current company, Herts Renovation. John had clearly found his calling. Herts Renovation specialise in restoration brickwork using, where appropriate, traditional methods, tools and materials, whilst working on a variety of buildings including Tudor cottages, Manor Houses and Listed Period buildings.

As John’s website states, “The work carried out by our craftsmen bricklayers is highly skilled and when you engage Herts Renovation, you can be sure of getting the very best. We are methodical, thorough and give our work the highest attention to detail to ensure your project is restored properly” and we couldn’t agree more!

MASTER CRAFTSMAN – ROOF SLATER AND TILER

The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers take great pleasure in recognising Danny Lyon as Master Craftsman – Roof Slater and Tiler.

Danny started his career in roofing as an apprentice in 1990 and in 1993 completed his City & Guilds in Roof Slating, Tiling and Cement Work Craft. He went on to study a Level 3 NVQ qualification in Understanding and Repair and Maintenance of Traditional Pre – 1919 Buildings. Danny is now a Member of the Institute of Roofing.

After many years of honing his craft Danny started his own company, Lyons Roofing Solutions Limited, in 2009, and has enjoyed the years since working on the roofs of many prestigious and historically significant buildings.

Danny prides himself on the technical nature of his craft, his ability to find solutions to the trickiest of roofing situations and the quality of his finished product, which we all wholeheartedly agreed with.

MASTER CRAFTSMAN – WALL AND FLOOR TILER

The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers take great pleasure in recognising Mark Exley as Master Craftsman – Wall and Floor Tiler.

Mark left school at the age of 15 after spending a year completing extended work experience with his father who was already an established and experienced tiler. From spending this year working with his father 3 days a week, Mark grasped the fundamental knowledge which aided him in his progression and solidified his career path as a well-established tiler. Working with his father allowed him to grasp a knowledge for both old and new tiling techniques, broadening his understanding of the trade.

After completing his extended work experience, Mark progressed his career, firstly working for Hayland Tiling, where he took part in large scale commercial tiling projects. This acted as his proper introduction into the tiling industry, and Mark learned many of the fundamental skills that he still follows to this day. It was also a good introduction into the construction industry and allowed Mark to become accustomed to the demands of construction sites.

After leaving Hayland Tiling, Mark began working for Arvin & Sons Ltd. During his time with this company, he grasped an in depth understanding of both terrazzo floors and screeding. This proved to be very beneficial for his career, as terrazzo is something which is often required in projects on which he currently works. This has allowed him to hone his skill in this area over the years.

At the age of 21, Mark and his father Ken began working for W B Simpson & Sons, and he has continued to work for them since.

Joining W B Simpson & Sons has allowed Mark to refine the skills which he had acquired in previous employment, sculpting him into the accomplished tiler that he is today.

SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARD – SERVICES TO INDUSTRY, ROOF SLATING AND TILING

This year, The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers is recognising Robert (Bob) Coutts for services to the roof slating and tiling industry through his long-served career as an educationalist and mentor for countless roofing apprentices.

Bob started his career in roofing in 1970 as an apprentice slater working for Crudens of Musselburgh whilst studying for his City and Guilds of London Institute Certificate, then Advanced Certificate in Roof Slating, Tiling and Cement Work.

In 1975 Bob moved to Hart Builders where he continued to ply his trade and in parallel embarked on a further course of studies with the CGLI and was awarded their Full Technological Certificate in 1977.

If that wasn’t enough Bob also undertook CITB Instructor Training in 1975 and went on to study an HNC in Building!

It was clear at this time that Bob’s career was taking a new path, with the educational and training side of our craft becoming more important to him.

During the summer of 1975 Bob carried out his first dedicated apprentice training.

Bob finally left behind his life on site in August 1975 when he became a Lecturer in Roof Slating, Tiling and Cement Work. This is a role that he fulfilled for another 23 years during which time he was instrumental in shaping the course structure and syllabus up to Advanced Craft Level.

In parallel Bob obtained his Teaching Qualification – Further Education (Construction) from Jordanhill College in Glasgow.

Not content with his Lecturing duties during this time Bob became a CITB Consultant and was instrumental in the development of the Standard System Training Test Booklet and in 1990 became a CGLI Moderator for the Advanced Craft Certificate.

In 1998 Bob became a Senior Lecturer of Trowel Trades and continued his lecturing career through to his retirement in 2016.

During this time he developed curricula and course materials, became a Verifier, Course Team Leader and Roofing Curriculum Leader.

Since 2016 Bob has continued to apply his lifetime of learnt skills and experience to the training and development of our young apprentices as a CITB Roof Slating and Tiling Trainer / Assessor.

In 2002 Bob became involved in the NFRC and has since sat on their Competition Committee, believing it was a great way to motivate, challenge and reward our apprentices. At the same time Bob became an Assistant Mentor for young roofers who compete in the IFD (Internationale Foderation des Dachdeckerhandwerks) World Championships. The IFD promote the roofing trades internationally and run annual World Skills Championships for Young Roofers designed to underline the advantages of on-the-job training and increase the respect given to the roofing trade globally.

Bob has mentored young roofers from the UK in 13 IFD World Championships and helped our young craftsmen and women to win 3 bronze and 1 gold medal, a remarkable achievement on the world stage.

For those of us lucky enough to know Bob personally we cannot thank him enough for everything he has contributed to the careers of our youngsters embarking on their apprenticeships, nor put into words the passion and commitment he exudes to the roofing trade.

It is with great honour that we bestow this special award on Bob Coutts in 2022 in special recognition of all the great work and commitment that he has shown during his lifetime to the training, encouragement and support of our apprentices and young roofers.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The E&R Fuller award is supported by the Fuller Family in memory of Past Masters Edward Fuller (1954) and Robert Fuller (1962).

The Montgomery Award is funded by the Montgomery Trust set up by Past Master Brian Montgomery.

The Mason-Elliott Award is supported by funds made available by Past Master Newlyn Mason-Elliott (1997).

The Stokes Awards are made available from a trust fund established by Past Masters Christopher Stokes (1984) and Jeremy Stokes (1989).

The special book award presented to the winner of this years Mason-Elliott Award was kindly donated by its author, Liveryman Gerald Emerton and is titled “The Pattern of Traditional Roofing”.

The Library, Trinity House, Trinity Square, London, EC3N 4DH

The Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers Master: Simon Martin Clerk: Heather Smith clerk@tylersandbricklayers.co.uk www.tylersandbricklayers.co.uk