CERTIFIED MEMORIAL MASONRY TRAINING
2025 Summer Update
The first six months of 2025 has been very busy for us, delivering a number of Training Courses across most areas of the UK. We began the year at Brookwood in Surrey delivering our Dismantle and Re-fixing course and NOS VR194 (HA1J-04) memorial fixing qualification to staff members of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, this was followed in April with the third course dismantle and Re-fixing we have delivered for the CWGC, this was was held in Leicester. In between these courses we were in Orkney delivering the Manage and Maintain Cemetery and Burial Ground memorials award J1N8-45 award and a Dismantle and re-fix and Fixing award Course in Perth.
June found us in Oban and Lochgilphead where we had twenty three students attain their J1N8-45 award Manage and Maintain Burial Ground Memorial award. This was followed by a trip to Chorley in Lancashire where the same awards were delivered to Chorley and South Ribble Borough Council Operatives.
The Inspection and Assessment of Burial Ground memorials course combined with the SQA Manage and Maintain Burial Ground Memorials award is proving to be very popular and we understand that this is the only Memorial Safety Inspection Award which has a SCQF level and credit value.
https://on.abdn.ac.uk/discover/credits-explained
In addition to these courses we are also carrying out HA1J-04 Fixing assessments on Memorial Masons as and when required as well as running J1N8-45 award Manage and Maintain Burial Ground Memorial courses at out Kirkcudbright Training Centre
NEWS
We are also negotiating with the Scottish Lime Trust Centre in Charleston in Fife where we have delivered training in the past, with a view to offering some of our training courses through them. We shall post any further information developments regarding these courses here.
We strive to improve our training and keep all of our courses as current as possible; Douglas is involved with the National Occupational Standards Committee who are currently reviewing a number of the stone masonry awards, whilst also looking at apprenticeships. The British Standard BS8415 – 2018 has been reviewed and no changes have been made. Any changes to the standards will be absorbed into our training ensuring the information we deliver is up to date.
Other news is that any candidates who have previously received a Tomasson Memorial Inspection Competence Certificate (or equivalent award) can now upgrade that certificate (for a reasonable fee) to the SQA J1N-45 Manage and Maintain Cemetery memorial award, provided that the candidate is currently actively involved in memorial testing activities. (Please contact us for more information)
Tomasson Consultants
Although originally based in Glasgow the consultancy provides Memorial Masonry Training anywhere in the UK including Northern Ireland and can deliver SVQ qualifications.
The consultancy employs fully qualified industry experienced memorial masons to deliver a wide range of memorial masonry training courses including headstone or memorial fixing, headstone or memorial repairs and restoration and The Testing and Inspection of Burial Ground memorials.
Training courses and assessments in Memorial masonry can be arranged at your place of work, any cemetery or burial ground, or at our fully equipped training centre.
Courses and training can be tailored to suit individual requirements where a special skill is required, or as part of one of our standard courses.
Tools and equipment are supplied for all courses.Students are required to provide their own PPE. A list is provided for students, which will normally comprise of the following items:
- Overalls or work trousers
- Steel toe capped boots or shoes
- Safety gloves
- Wet weather clothing
- Ear defenders or ear plugs
- Dust masks
- Safety goggles or safety glasses
