Testimonials
Some thoughts from all four of our past apprentices, now that they have completed their apprenticeships and are working as self-employed letter-carvers:
“The apprenticeship meant a huge amount to me. It gave me the rare opportunity to learn from a highly trained, well-established letter carver and the chance to concentrate on lettering to a degree that would have been impossible for me to do myself.My future aims in relation to letter carving are to continue learning about a huge subject that can take a lifetime to develop an understanding of. My letter carving skills have been greatly improved and, in a way, it’s good to know that there is still so much to learn because it means that the opportunity to better myself in my chosen career hasn’t come to a halt.”Louise Tiplady
“One of the many advantages of the apprenticeship was the opportunity to visit other lettercarvers in their workshops. I found them all very generous with their time, sharing their knowledge of lettercarving and their experiences of running a small business. These meetings have shown me how to put systems into place that have helped me in setting up my own lettercarving business.”Sheena Devitt
“During my two year apprenticeship I received an all round training in every aspect of lettercutting, from the essential practical skills of carving and stone handling, fixing and design, to the equally important matters of interpreting customers’ wishes and job pricing. I have learnt a huge amount in the best possible way – that is, by working day to day with a leading expert in the field who was willing to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with me.”Peter Hampson
“Before I started the apprenticeship I was unsure which career path I wanted to take. I now work as a self-employed letter carver producing many kinds of commissions, including home and garden projects as well as memorials, plaques and signs. I run my own business doing a job that I thoroughly enjoy and cannot think of anything else I would want to do more.”Stuart Buckle
“The apprenticeship meant a huge amount to me. It gave me the rare opportunity to learn from a highly trained, well-established letter carver and the chance to concentrate on lettering to a degree that would have been impossible for me to do myself.My future aims in relation to letter carving are to continue learning about a huge subject that can take a lifetime to develop an understanding of. My letter carving skills have been greatly improved and, in a way, it’s good to know that there is still so much to learn because it means that the opportunity to better myself in my chosen career hasn’t come to a halt.”Louise Tiplady
“One of the many advantages of the apprenticeship was the opportunity to visit other lettercarvers in their workshops. I found them all very generous with their time, sharing their knowledge of lettercarving and their experiences of running a small business. These meetings have shown me how to put systems into place that have helped me in setting up my own lettercarving business.”Sheena Devitt
“During my two year apprenticeship I received an all round training in every aspect of lettercutting, from the essential practical skills of carving and stone handling, fixing and design, to the equally important matters of interpreting customers’ wishes and job pricing. I have learnt a huge amount in the best possible way – that is, by working day to day with a leading expert in the field who was willing to share his knowledge and enthusiasm with me.”Peter Hampson
“Before I started the apprenticeship I was unsure which career path I wanted to take. I now work as a self-employed letter carver producing many kinds of commissions, including home and garden projects as well as memorials, plaques and signs. I run my own business doing a job that I thoroughly enjoy and cannot think of anything else I would want to do more.”Stuart Buckle
