Chance to be a waller (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Chance to be a waller

THE Cotswolds Conservation Board has organised a series of training courses to encourage people to maintain and restore stone walls.

There are at least 6,000kms of dry stone walls in the Cotswolds but many of them are derelict or in a poor state of repair.

The courses will be held throughout the area and are mainly aimed at beginners, with two intermediate courses for people with some previous experience.

Jonathan Gahan, dry stone walling officer for the Conservation Board, said: "So far we've trained 500 people and with the 24 new courses planned for this year we're set to train a further 280 people.

"There are professional dry stone wallers in the Cotswolds but not enough to tackle all of the rebuilding needed. Without more people taking responsibility for their walls we are in danger of even more of them falling into disrepair."

The courses last for two days and cost £40. For more details about the courses call 01451 862002.