John Wilson introduced our invited speaker Neil Rippingale who presented his talk “Rockin round the World” as “ 30 years experience in 30 minutes”.
An international mastercraftsman in stonework Neil used superb photographic material to take the meeting through a wide selection of projects he has completed in numerous American States including New York , Kentucky, Washington and Virginia. He has also undertaken work in Canada, Australia,Switzerland, Harris, North Berwick and Livingston !
Many of his American projects were undertaken on behalf of National Parks who are keen to use his skills, not only to replace and repair traditional and historic stonework, but also to train local craftsmen in the many facets of “drystane” and masonary work. Among the many projects Neil illustrated three were particularly memorable - Fredericksburg Defence Wall in Virginia, an historic and revered drystone wall used by soldiers as cover from gunfire during fighting in the American Civil War. The wall had fallen into disrepair and major reconstruction was undertaken with care being taken to conserve as much as possible of the original stonework - The Black House on Harris, a total re-build of what had been a centuries old croft house using traditional “drystane” ( no cement ,no mortar) construction. The house is now available for holiday rental ! - The Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick, an iconic building on the seafront at North Berwick, exhibiting superb stone work walls constructed on curves using local stone. The Centre now attracts thousands of visitors every year and has become established as a major visitor attraction.
Neil freely admitted a real and continuing passion for stone and stonework in all its forms and expressed his admiration for the historic skill and craftsmanship of his predecessors in the craft. He estimated that over thirty years he has trained approximately six thousand stonemasons in numerous countries throughout the world and that he considers it vitally important to leave behind trained local staff and expertise when undertaking and completing his work.
After taking numerous questions Neil was thanked on behalf of the Club by Jim West for his absorbing presentation and for the generous gift of his time.