How stonemasons are bringing the past back to life at Bristol Beacon

There may be cranes currently dotted around Bristol’s skyscape, but how many of these new buildings will be painstakingly restored in the decades and centuries to come?

There will certainly be no need for stonemasons among all the glass and concrete.

In older buildings, however, the skills of stonemasons which have not changed much for more than a millennia will always be needed.

The present Bristol Beacon was opened as the Colston Hall in 1867, with stonemasons currently uncovering some of the original details that would have been seen by Victorian audiences.

In what used to be the venue’s colonnaded foyer and what will one day become a new restaurant, stones quarried from a site in the Cotswolds are cut into shape in situ before being used to repair pillars, walls and archways.

Looking down onto what used to be the Colston Hall ticket office and what will be a restaurant when the venue reopens – photo: Martin Booth

One of the stonemasons is 60-year-old Shane Cameron, whose first gig was at the Colston Hall where he saw the Bay City Rollers. He is now working to ensure a new generation of music fans will be able to enjoy the venue.

Shane and his team have done much of the conservation and restoration work both inside and outside the building.

The colonnades have been stripped of the paint covering them by Shane and his team from Farmington Masonry, and restored to their original late 19th century Byzantine architecture.

Internally, they are also in the process of restoring the arches back as near-as-possible to their original state.

Shane Cameron was an apprentice bricklayer before becoming a stonemason – photo: Martin Booth

“It’s been a wonderful job to be a part of as a Bristolian,” said Shane, who grew up in St George and Whitchurch, and now lives in Bishop Sutton near Chew Valley Lake.

“To be on this building is fantastic. To be able to bring it back to its original state has been great.

“It’s had its challenges. Any old building does. We’ve discovered some lovely old markings and things like that.”

Some of the columns need urgent attention – photo: Martin Booth

Shane said that he is “really proud” to be able to do the work he is doing at the Bristol Beacon.

“It’s rare that you’re able to work on a building like this and also have the scope to put quality into it.”

Shane began his working life as an apprentice bricklayer “and then for whatever reason moved into stone as soon as I came out of my time”.

He has now worked for Farmington for 32 years, working first in the quarry and then in masonry.

The colonnade area is where Shane and his team continue to work – photo: Martin Booth

Much of Shane’s handiwork will be up high out of sight, but the main thing that concertgoers and diners will be able to appreciate is the restored stonework within the new restaurant and bar.

“They’ll see the wonderful arches in there that are in two forms of stone, which for hundreds of years have been covered in paint. They’re now back to their original state. I think people will really be impressed in that area.”

Shane said that he is not just looking forward to heading into the newly refurbished main auditorium – where two new balconies have now been built – but also downstairs into the old vaults.

“The two levels of vaults are absolutely wonderful. And if you appreciate craftsmanship, it’s here to see. Some of the stonework and the brickwork here is amazing, it’s first class, it’s wonderful…

“This is one of Bristol’s main buildings and I think Bristolians will be very proud of it. It will be awesome. It will be an amazing place to come and watch music. I’m very much looking forward to it.”

Two different types of brickwork will be a feature of the historic space – photo: Martin Booth

Main photo: Martin Booth

Read more: Bristol Beacon redevelopment costs more than double to £107m