The Next Generation of Heritage Building Crafts People

High up in the scaffolding that’s currently wrapped around part of York Theatre Royal, 25 year-old Jemima Davies is checking her work. Jemima is an apprentice stonemason, currently working with Pinnacle Conservation on our commissioned repairs of the 300 year-old theatre’s stonework.

Joining the Heritage Mason Apprenticeship at York College this autumn, Jemima completed her degree in Quantity Surveying at the University College of Estate Management part of Reading University. The last nine months have been with Pinnacle working alongside Tom Farrell, a highly experienced Banker Mason who carves stone from drawings and templates into finished products for fitting into the fabric of historic buildings.

Before moving up to Yorkshire in 2022 Jemima spent a year as an Assistant Conservator working on the Oxburgh Hall restoration project in Norfolk, including rebuilding 27 ornate Victorian chimneys. After her apprenticeship Jemima is hoping to start working towards joining the Guild of Master Craftsmen and find time to explore her own creative style. A big fan of Gothic Architecture, the dream job is working on the Duomo di Milano, for now we’re delighted that Jemima is working on the repair and renovation of our wonderful theatre.