Not only is stone an incredibly beautiful matieral, it also has the abilty to connect us with our human nature. Its ancient history connects us with the past, its tacile quality connects us to the present, and its longevity connects us to the future. Unfortunately, the traditional skills of stone carving, stone masonry and letter carving are in decline, so I am proud to continue to use and promote these skills, (particularly through my community workshops for women and through my membership as a Yeoman for the Worshipful Company of Masons) and I encourage the use of natural stone in all its forms, both functionally and artistically.