At the heart of THE STONES OF IFFLEY weekend will be a STONE-CARVING COURSE. This is for complete beginners as well as people with some previous experience. Tutors on the course are stone-carvers Alex Wenham, Richard Martin, Royse Murphy and Maya Martin.

The 850-year-old hand-carved sculptures on Iffley Church will be our inspiration. Soft limestone, basic hand tools and expert teaching will be provided. Course participants will work together to create a brand-new Romanesque arch, perhaps inspired by our extraordinary 12th-century beakhead carvings.

The course participants are encouraged to meet at Iffley Church at 10.00 on Friday 27 September and join Philip Powell’s tour of the geology of the stone of the church are graveyard. They are welcome to take part in all the other events over the weekend. (See PROGRAMME)

The small group of 8 students will be introduced to the world of stone-carving at Alex Wenham’s studio in Cumnor on Friday afternoon. On Saturday the day will start with a close look at the sculptures on Iffley Church before getting to grips with stone, tools and bankers in the churchyard. On Sunday they will work in the churchyard, finishing by 3.30 when they will exhibit their (probably unfinished) arch and have tea.

Visitors are welcome at all times to watch the course participants at work, and to immerse themselves in all the eye-opening activities that will be taking place over the STONES weekend.

Participation in the STONE-CARVING COURSE is for pre-booked applicants only, due to health and safety requirements. Fee for the whole 3-day course is £175. Participants on the course have FREE entry to all other events taking place over the weekend.

The course is SOLD OUT. To join the waiting list, and for more information, please contact ptyack.livingstones@gmail.com