Further to the presentation of the Company’s annual Anne Cadbury Apprentice Awards by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal (see previous news item), the Warden, Michael Jones, visited Gloucestershire Cathedral to see the stonemasonry apprentices at work.
The Very Reverend Andrew Zihni, Dean of Gloucester, said: “At Gloucester Cathedral, we see every day how craftsmanship, dedication and the passing on of skills from one generation to the next help to sustain our shared heritage. Our stonemasonry apprentices are not only learning an exceptional craft, but also contributing to the care of a building that has stood at the heart of Gloucestershire for more than 900 years. We are delighted to join with The Honourable Company of Gloucestershire, Gloucester College and Hartpury University and Hartpury College in celebrating this year’s Anne Cadbury Apprentice Award recipients. These grants are a meaningful investment in talented young people whose skills will strengthen our county’s communities, industries and historic places for many years to come.”
Michael Jones Warden of the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire said: “I was once an apprentice myself; it gave me an excellent basis on which to build my career and eventually brought me to Gloucestershire, to be responsible for Smiths electronic business. I feel apprenticeships are of high value for young people, to not only provide career-based skills, but also essential life skills. As Warden of the Honourable Company, I have led the creation of this unique award, which provides cash to an apprentice often when funds are tight at the start of their career. This bursary allows them to purchase essential equipment, which will help them complete or expand their aspirations in their chosen career. In the short time since this award started, we have been able to help 65 apprentices, our aspiration is to expand the scheme to cover the whole of Gloucestershire.”
See also the article on the Cathedral’s website here: Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal presents the Anne Cadbury Apprentice Awards | Gloucester Cathedral
