The Agony and the Ecstasy

My Life as a Stonemason

Nonfiction, Home & Garden, Crafts & Hobbies, Art Technique, Sculpture, Carving, Biography & Memoir
Cover of the book The Agony and the Ecstasy by John Hopkins, Xlibris UK
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: John Hopkins ISBN: 9781483641423
Publisher: Xlibris UK Publication: June 6, 2013
Imprint: Xlibris UK Language: English
Author: John Hopkins
ISBN: 9781483641423
Publisher: Xlibris UK
Publication: June 6, 2013
Imprint: Xlibris UK
Language: English

This is the true story of my life, born into a family who lived in poverty on the edge of Bristol. In the early 1930s the economy of England started to improve. This improved my life in that I had my own pair of shoes to wear and some new clothes instead of hand me downs but never enough food. I relate some of my experiences as a child and teenager, then my Stonemasonry story. My career in the armed forces in England and Malaya. When I entered the army I was 5foot 4 inches tall. Upon de-mobilisation I had grown to 6foot 3 inches due to being fed properly. I trained as an Alabaster worker and Stonemason. I finally was made the National President of the Association of Natural Stone Industries. This gave me the great honour of sitting down to a banquet with Prince Charles. I also had the privilege of meeting Princess Margaret, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Her majesty our present Queen. During my lifetime I have repaired many grand edifices and many Churches. It has been my good fortune to learn that from Saxon times onwards Stonemasons could do better work when their tools were made for them by Blacksmiths. This knowledge eluded most Masons but helped make me a much respected restorer in all periods of construction. I was appointed a lecturer at Bristol University and the Orton Trust in Northamptonshire. This was my real rags to riches story.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

This is the true story of my life, born into a family who lived in poverty on the edge of Bristol. In the early 1930s the economy of England started to improve. This improved my life in that I had my own pair of shoes to wear and some new clothes instead of hand me downs but never enough food. I relate some of my experiences as a child and teenager, then my Stonemasonry story. My career in the armed forces in England and Malaya. When I entered the army I was 5foot 4 inches tall. Upon de-mobilisation I had grown to 6foot 3 inches due to being fed properly. I trained as an Alabaster worker and Stonemason. I finally was made the National President of the Association of Natural Stone Industries. This gave me the great honour of sitting down to a banquet with Prince Charles. I also had the privilege of meeting Princess Margaret, Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother and Her majesty our present Queen. During my lifetime I have repaired many grand edifices and many Churches. It has been my good fortune to learn that from Saxon times onwards Stonemasons could do better work when their tools were made for them by Blacksmiths. This knowledge eluded most Masons but helped make me a much respected restorer in all periods of construction. I was appointed a lecturer at Bristol University and the Orton Trust in Northamptonshire. This was my real rags to riches story.

More books from Xlibris UK

Cover of the book Management and Leadership by John Hopkins
Cover of the book Tell Me a Story – Monique by John Hopkins
Cover of the book The Adventures of Barazaburg by John Hopkins
Cover of the book Playtime for Truth by John Hopkins
Cover of the book A Stroke of Luck by John Hopkins
Cover of the book The King of Terror by John Hopkins
Cover of the book Deliberate Self-Harm in Substance Abuse Population by John Hopkins
Cover of the book Letters to Arden by John Hopkins
Cover of the book The Devil’S Eucharist by John Hopkins
Cover of the book Let Poetry Flow from the Minds of Those That Hear by John Hopkins
Cover of the book Susan Dax by John Hopkins
Cover of the book Sharing Bananas by John Hopkins
Cover of the book Out of the Closet by John Hopkins
Cover of the book Conversation with God by John Hopkins
Cover of the book The Lovers Grim by John Hopkins
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy