15th June 2015
Two Barking & Dagenham College students have walked away with first and second places in a prestigious brickwork competition.
The students were competing in the Guild of Bricklayers London regional competition. The Guild, founded in 1932 promotes and maintains the highest standards of craftsmanship in brickwork, so the competition is seen as a very respected one to win.
Impressing the Guild of BricklayersConnor Honeyman, 18 from Rush Green, competed in the junior competition, while Jack Bell (pictured below), 19, from Dagenham, took part in the senior competition.
Above: Apprentice Jack Bell takes second place in the senior brickwork competition but also goes through to the national finals.
The competition saw Connor (pictured below) - who is an apprentice with Winchmore Brickwork, and studies with the College one day a week - construct a two brick hollow pier, as well as a decorative feature using contrasting coloured bricks. His work was so good, that the judges promptly awarded him first prize for his efforts!
Above: Connor Honeyman takes first to secure a place in the finals Through to the national finals in Leeds
The senior competition meanwhile saw Jack, a CSkills apprentice with Barratts who also studies at the College, construct a wall with decorative features as well as circular and recessed work, which requires a lot of skill.
His work also impressed the judges and he was awarded second prize. In fact the score Jack achieved in this competition has meant that he qualifies to take part in the national finals in Leeds at the end of the month.
"Proud"Tony Carruthers, Curriculum Manager for Construction at Barking & Dagenham College said:
“The competition offered a great platform for Connor and Jack to put the skills they have learned into practice and they did exceptionally well! They have both proved they have what it takes to make it in the bricklaying industry. We’re very proud of them.”
