Wells Cathedral Stonemasons, has been accredited by the RIBA to provide Continuing Professional Development (CPD) courses for architects.

The Somerset-based company will now host training seminars on stone work for UK architects.

Having pioneered a revival of apprenticeship training for new stonemasons, Wells Cathedral Stonemasons has now joined forces with the RIBA to boost architects’ understanding of stone as a structural material for new buildings and the management or restoration of historic stone buildings.

Simon Armstrong, the Wells Cathedral Stonemasons director heading the new RIBA initiative, said: “As one of the UK’s leading specialists in delivering stonework for new-build and restoration, we recognised the need to provide ongoing training and a technical support for architects.

“We can now stage a programme of seminars, assessed by RIBA’s CPD Providers Network. This rigorous assessment process means that our lectures will give architects a valid educational experience, helping them to do their jobs correctly, creatively, cost effectively, and efficiently.

“Stone is a crucial element of the UK’s built environment, but it demands specialist understanding. Our agreement with the RIBA is to share that understanding with UK architects”, said Mr Armstrong.