Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
a more holistic understanding of their chosen craft, by re-introducing long-
lapsed branches of the craft and a range of traditional materials, skills and asso-
ciated knowledge, without compromising the
City and Guilds 588 - Brickwork
and Masonry
syllabus or their modern site needs.
This syllabus was, it is considered, being interpreted nationally at the colleges
and within publications to support delivery, solely as a preparation for appren-
tices working with modern cement:sand mortars and cavity-wall construction.
Also, despite clear references to various traditional materials and skills within
the syllabus (this justifying their re-introduction), there was no historical con-
tent or context to them. This was deemed a serious omission, as apprentices
would fail to understand why a certain skill was developed or recognise when
and how to apply it today. Much of what was available concerning traditional
aspects of the craft was narrow on interpretation of historical practices, and
served only to mislead and confuse. Amongst the many traditional craft areas
re-introduced was the art of gauged work.
Five main factors enabled the history, knowledge, and craft skills of gauged
brickwork to be pioneered at Bedford College (Fig. 164):
1.
The in-built flexibility of the
City and Guilds 588 - Brickwork and Masonry
syllabus allowing delivery of its implicit overall objectives for apprentices,
yet permitting development and nurturing of the naturally talented
students by a more advanced interpretation and level of a subject to extend
personal ability.
2.
Recognising the un-tapped natural academic ability of many craft
apprentices who, for various reasons, had not pursued O and A-level
examinations. Most were capable of being enthusiastically stimulated and
thus receptive to the more challenging educational and skill areas of study.
All true craftsmen and women possess high intelligence.
3.
Recognising that most apprentices were not working for large building
companies that required bricklayers proficient only in basic skills of laying
Figure 164
General view of
a gauged work
project designed
by the author and
undertaken at Bedford
College, Bedford
(Bedfordshire), by the
Craft and Advanced
Craft apprentices,
under his tuition and
supervision, between
1988 and 1991.
