Praise for south Shropshire craftsmen

A number of craftsmen from south Shropshire have been commended for their involvement in a long-running building skills training partnership project between Shropshire craftsmen and their counterparts in Transylvania, Romania.

It is 15 years since Colin Richards, Historic Environment Manager for Shropshire Council, first set up the project.

During that time some 124 experienced craftsmen and young apprentices have shared their skills with local people in the Saxon villages around the ancient citadel fortress of Sighiosara, restoring farmhouses, ancient churches, and bridges and constructing brick and tile kilns to set up sustainable craft industries.

The tremendous enthusiasm and commitment of those involved has now been recognised by Jessica Douglas-Home, chairperson of the Mihai Eminescu Trust, and by Shropshire Council through the presentation of awards and certificates
of achievement.

Ludlow carpenters Darren Griffiths, Joe Richards, Shaun Goodwin, Les Nedic and Richard Mather were recognised for their outstanding work in 2010, whilst Ken Milloy and Phil Steventon from Ludlow, John Lansdell from Longnor and archaeologist Bill Klemperer, were commended for the legacy of their involvement throughout the lifetime of the project.

Mayor of Ludlow, Councillor John Aitken, said

“It is incredible that our young craftsmen have risen to such a challenge and excelled in their professional and personal commitment to helping those less fortunate than themselves.”

Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for housing and planning, said:

“It’s great that Shropshire Council is associated with this long-running project, which has clearly had such a major impact on all those involved, helping to enhance our capability to repair and conserve both the heritage of Shropshire and Transylvania.”