The Cotswold Stone Mason
“I’ve just cut another load of stone out of my quarry and need to get it down to the Earls house in Stanway. He likes it because it’s soft and his mason can cut it easily…… that means that construction can move along at apace.
He’s been involved in building some new stables on the eastern side of his house, I’m happy to say….. that means this Christmas will be a good one for me and the family. With seven mouths to feed, I need all the help that I can get.
There was a rumour that his estate workers were summoned into the old tithe barn last week. The Earl wanted to let his menfolk know that they must volunteer for service in the army. He told them to sign up or they’d be out of work!……… it did not go down well with any of us in the village.
M’lady, his wife, has intervened by sending a letter to her friend the Prime Minister. Everyone has calmed down a little now and no one is being ‘pressed’ into the army……. She’s a good woman.
The war isn’t going well……. Our expeditionary force managed to stop the German army at a place called Ypres, but they were decimated in the process…. This affair certainly won’t be over by Christmas.
Our vicar was touting the virtues of enlisting…’for God, for King and for country’ he said….. if this thing goes badly, I know that those three entities will pay dearly.
Ahhhh, there’s William…. ‘How are you this fine morning, young man?’
‘I’m alright, ‘arry, how are the kids?’ He says in response.
‘I stacked some dry cherry tree outside the ‘ouse for winter fuel, so I think they’ll still all be tucked up in the ‘ouse eating breakfast and keeping warm…..they’re fine’
‘I’ll come along with you and help you unload that stone, shall I?’ He said.
Welcoming him up onto my cart, we rumbled on along the old Roman road, towards the Earls house together.
As we chatted, the frost gathered on our caps and our breath turned into a fine fog. My old nag ‘Doris’ steamed!
It’s a lovely morning. Winter has arrived with a vengeance and the threat of snow is upon us. It’s a beautiful time and place. It’s that time of year when everyone has expectations for Christmas and the New Year and everyone here on the ‘wolds is feeling it.
Passing the mill, we waved out to Jonus the miller. He has on a white coat and is covered in flour…. We chuckle at him. He coughs and laughs with us.
Samuel is waiting at the gatehouse, next to the church. He’s the mason and he’s tapping his cold chisel on one of the cap stones that he laid yesterday…. He’s an impatient man. His time is money wasted, and the whole village knows him for it….. I just want a peaceful life. He just wants to finish laying stone on the stable roof.
We all set about unloading the stone….. about six tons of it this morning. We’ll work up a sweat and then I suspect we’ll head into the village for a pint of scrumpy…. None of us can afford the good stuff… I smile to myself, happily.
I wonder what the New Year will bring. 1914 has been a tumultuous year!
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