DSWA Craftsman Certification Tests at the Stone Trust

After the tragic events to our south in Boston at the start of last week it was heartening to end it on Saturday with a positive note. Nine candidates came to The Stone Trust facility at Scott Farm for DSWA craftsman certification tests. After seven hours of intense walling activity, passing marks were awarded to Level 1 and 3 participants by the DSWA examiners; myself and Chris Tanguay. Candidates came from Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Pennsylvania and Newfoundland, Canada to test their dry stone construction skills against what are recognized to be among the most rigorous standards found anywhere in the world. Congratulations to all!

DSWA Test Day at the Stone Trust

All seven candidates passed their respective levels of DSWA testing on Sunday, due in some measure I’m sure, to the practice many took on Friday at The Stone Trust center to prepare themselves for the rigors of taking a timed dry stone walling test. Building to a predetermined standard and having two examiners, Dave Goulder and me, looking on as work progresses aren’t the ingredients of a typical day for a waller. My admiration goes out to Brian, Peter, Curtis, Lew, Dario, Adam and Jamie for their poise under fire. Congratulations to all on work well done.