The Disappearing Art of The Stonemason

Transcription

1 The Disappearing Art of The Stonemason The craft of cutting and dressing stone is as old as human civilization. An ancient Roman stonemason would have precious little to learn from his 21st century British counterpart provided. Of course, you could find one. In Britain, stonemasonry has been in rapid decline for over a century. These days, despite having more than 6 million buildings dating from before World War 1 to restore and maintain, we suffer from a chronic shortage of skilled masons. After quarrying, the stonemason s raw material is sawn into large blocks on a circular saw, then cut into smaller stones. So-caller banker masons then shape each cut stone into the precise geometrical forms required by the design often using machine tools. Carvers, as the name suggests, then take a cut stone and carve into it with hand tools, flowers, foliage, animals, human figures, lettering, heraldry and abstract designs. Theirs is meticulous, exacting work blurring the borders between craft and art. To be a stone carver you need a good eye, artistic flair, a real feel for stone, plus passion and boundless patience. Having traced the basic shapes onto the stone in

2 On Tap... Cocktails Chivas Sour 8.50 From our friends at Chivas Regal comes % London Pride UK the Chivas Sour. A refreshing blend of lemon juice, sugar, Chivas Regal & a Born & brewed in London, an exceptional balance of malt & hops Red Fox UK An autumnal favourite with malted golden toasted oats Amstel AMS Camden Wit UK Wheat & pilsner malt, try me with a slice of lemon Frontier UK Cuban O.C, 7.00 The Cuban OC is the perfect combination of Havana Club Especial & a fresh orange wedge served with sweetened The characterful lager, be adventurous Honey Dew UK Organic beer, zesty edge & subtle sweetness 1664 FRA Peroni ITA Siarra Nevada USA

3 White Wine Cocktails Griffin Ridge, Vin de Pays D OC, France FROM THE BAR Dry, fruity and easy going. Pinot Grigio, San Valentino, Italy Crisp, refreshing with big citrus flavours. A true night-time classic. Es Sauvignon Blanc, Vega del la Reina, Rueda, Spain We haven t fussed around Classic green fruit flavours and great acidity. Rioja Blanco, Marques del Atrio, Spain with it, it s just like you remember. Absolute Vanil- FROM THE CELLAR Albariño, Lolo Rias Baixas, Spain Fantastic ripe fruit flavours with great balance & acidity. Pinot Gris, Opawa, Marlborough, New Zealand Dry, ripe lemon with a hint of spice. Muscadet, Sur Lie, Loire, France Ripe green apple with a great juicy texture. Dao, Boas Vinhas, Portugal Peach and pear, a very good balance of fruit, acidity, and mineral character. Nautilus Gruner Veltliner, Marlborough, New Zealand Citrus peel, dried herbs & spicy notes. Dry, crunchy, mineral texture. Pouilly-Fumé, Domaine Jean-Claude Chatelain, Loire, France Sauvignon Blanc in full glory, arguably the finest dry, white from the Loire region. Chablis, Domaine de Vauroux, Burgundy, France Crisp, apple acidity, fruit flavours of white peach and pears ending with a classic, steely, dry finish. Meursault, Vielles Vignes, Guy Bocard, Burgundy, France White Russian Just how you like it, but with a tiny twist. Absolute Vodka, Kahlua and double cream.

4 Cocktails Bottled Beer & Cider % Shaky Mason 8.50 This shaky little number is our own creation of Beefeater Gin, ginger, Sol MEX Brew Dog Punk IPA SCO Leffe Blonde BEL ESB UK London Porter UK Sierra Nevada Torpedo CAL Gin Fizz 9.50 The fizz is sure to get you in the mood. A great Aperitif. It s Tanqueray Gin, Elderflower, a touch of lemon and is finished Longboard Larger USA Big Wave USA Fire Rock USA Chimay - Blue, Red, Tripel BEL Bitburger Drive GER Cornish Orchaards Pear UK Tequila Sidra 8.00 Another of our little creations. We use Olmeca Gold Tequilla, Fresh Lime, Cornish Orchards Heritage UK Cornish Orchards Cornish Orchards Cider and Agave syrup. Finished off with a twist of

5 Brandy % Martel VS FRA Hennessy FRA Remy Martin FRA Whiskey % Bushmills IRL Auchentoshan SCO Bowmore 12yr SCO Dalwhinnie 15yr SCO Glemfidich 12yr SCO Champagne & Sparkling Wine Prosecco, Italy Pelorus, Cloudy Bay, New Zealand Collet Brut NV Laurent-Perrier Brut NV Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial NV Laurent-Perrier Cuvée Rosé Rosé Syrah, La Petite Vigne, Pays D oc, Zinfandel, Cutler Crest, California, Rose Glenlivet 12yr SCO Glenmorangie SCO Jack Daniels USA Jameson IRL Johnny Walker Black SCO Johnny Walker Red SCO Chivas Regal SCO

6 Red Wine Vodka % FROM THE CELLAR FROM THE BAR Griffin Ridge, Vin de Pays D OC, France Soft fruity & easy going Montepulciano D Abruzzo, Italy Deep coloured with flavours of red cherry and pepper spice Pinot Noir, Los Gansos, Chile Light bodied with a beautiful red berry flavour with a hint of oak Merlot, Coastline, South Africa 2014 Dao, Opta Tinto, Portugal Plum & cherry flavours supported by firm tannins, well worth a try. Fleurie, Clos de La Chapelle des Bois, Beaujolais Silky fruit flavours with a hit of chocolate on the nose. Châteauneuf du Pape, Roger Perrin, Rhone Valley, France % Grenache, 14% Syrah, 7% Mourvedre medium body with black fruit flavor. Delicious. Shiraz, Calabria, Barossa Valley, Australia Produced from 100 year old vines with low yields to concentrate the fruit, rich plum flavours and fine tannic structure. Château Batailley, Pauillac, Bordeaux, France Beautifully seductive and mouthwatering, it is brimming with perfectly ripe Cabernet Sauvignon fruit. Château Hostens Picant, Bordeaux, France Ripe, round, sweet plums, and juicy raspberries, with a sweet, soft, black cherry finish. Château Loudenne, Bordeaux, France, elegant and well balanced style of claret showing black cherries and redcurrants with earthy undertones. Louis Latour Bougogne Pinot Noir, Burgundy, France, A classic, well-balanced wine with fresh redcurrant and wild strawberry-fruit flavours, and a smooth texture. Domaine de l'ameillaud, Cairanne, Rhone Valley, France Smokey black fruits with well structured tannins. Arguably from the best village in the Southern Rhone. Cote du Rhone, Domaine la Garrigon, Rhone Valley, France Pleasant and elegant with black fruit notes mixed with sweet spices. Gin % Tanqueray UK Severed with pink grapefruit & juniper berries Beefeater UK Hendrick s SCO Always with cucumber Smirnoff Black RUS Stolichnya LAT Belvedere POL Ketel One HOL Grey Goose FRA Absolute Rum % Havana Club 3 CUB Havana Club Especial CUB Lambs Navy Rum UK Mount Gay BAR