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Testimonials
Dr Tim Meek. The University of Stirling. 22nd November 2023 ​​
For several years, a small but increasing number of people have become concerned about a universal methodology for repairing masonry walls by pointing where there is clear evidence of more sophisticated aesthetic. That group has come together to further explore the relationship between the presentational values of architecture and the functionality of surface treatments. We are called the Lime Finishes Group. Recent works in Scotland have demonstrated that the temporal and spatial extent of lime finishes extended from the 12th to late 17th century when the introduction of bare stone arrives – what many call ashlar, though the term is contested.
Throughout the 18th century bare stone becomes the dominant aesthetic and with it a variety of pointing styles, sixteen in total. Missing from the study was the now universal method of applying lime mortar to the joint, sightly recessing it and exposing the aggregates by tapping repeatedly with a stiff brush: what Dr Gerard Lynch calls ‘The Heritage Joint’.
Gerard was contacted by Dr Tim Meek, Research Associate at the University of Stirling on behalf of the Lime Finishes Group to deliver one of a series of online talks about general misunderstandings in the terminology of English Brickwork and how this has led to confusion in repair strategies. With a deep underpinning knowledge of the craft and history of brickwork and its associated materials and methodologies, Gerard, in fine detail, illustrated the difference between Gauged (best), Common (good) and Rough work (quality but understood to be coated). He also highlighted how we live in an age that values the rustic over the detailed finesse of a skilled bricklayer, what he called ‘the dignity of the craft’.
This shift in priorities has had disastrous consequences for the presentation of brickwork. For example, bricks once flush pointed, lined out with an incision into the fresh mortar, subsequently coated with a red [‘raddle’]wash and finally the incision skilfully highlighted with a white line.
Gerard defines this as ‘pencilled work’, work that presented the ambitions of those who commissioned such work and the intangible heritage of those bricklayers who undertook it. When ‘conserved’ by the ubiquitous use of the heritage joint the dignity of the craft disappears and what remains are bricks seemingly floating in a sea of mortar.
Members of Lime Finishes Group valued the seaming ease with which Gerard conveyed his world class knowledge base combined with consummate craft skills: all delivered with passion and vitality.
Following his presentation the Zoom Chat Box was filled with tremendous positivity, so on behalf of the LFG I thank you Gerard.
David Szymanski, Chairman of the Association of Bricklaying Contractors
The Association of Brickwork Contractors is delighted to work with Dr Gerard Lynch as one of the four judges for the annual ABC Awards, which celebrate the best in brick. Gerard was first invited to judge entries in 2022, upon the launch of the event, and has proved invaluable in the judging process ever since.
Gerard, widely known as ‘The Red Mason’, was chosen because of his extensive knowledge of masonry and what it means to be an exemplary craftsman. His attention to detail, and attitude towards bricklaying is inspiring and we are very pleased to have him on our judging panel. As part of the judging process, we interview bricklaying apprentices, and it is plain to see how much of a role model he is considered to be, by those starting their bricklaying careers.
Gerard has also written an extensive and detailed document for the judging of the ABC Awards, which we send to applicants. It is an impressive document and something that will be used for years to come.
Yorick Irwin - ‘Irwin Building Services Limited’, London
After a long time researching tuckpointing, I came across a gentleman who actually taught this seemingly mysterious craft, this person was Dr Gerard Lynch: ‘The Red Mason’.
Subsequent private tutoring on many aspects of the craft of repointing with truly authentic reproduction of historic profiles and Gauged brickwork, similarly executed to the very finest and highest of standards, by Dr Lynch have facilitated within me a far more profound understanding of traditional craft practices than anything ever taught to me throughout all of my City and Guilds or NVQ training. Dr Lynch’s teaching not only focusses on the very important practical side of the subject being taught - and he has a very charismatic teaching style - but also imparts his vast historical knowledge to students to enable us to put what we have learned into a contextual framework. The importance of the latter is something I now find absolutely essential for any tradesperson.
It would appear that as of 2021, there are a number of independent people now offering courses similar - on the surface at least to Dr Lynch - but given the breadth of hands-on experience and academic dedication evidenced by Dr Lynch, I am absolutely confident that these others are mere pretenders to the throne: and out to cash-in on an increasingly popular interest in the revival of craft practices. They are not remotely of his calibre! Within his well-equipped teaching studio, It is clear to see that Dr Lynch has invested a great deal of time and considerable personal expense in providing facilities to effectively teach the higher expressions of craft practices which should in effect be part of a national curriculum.
As a craftsman, working daily on the tools, I am always pleased when, at the end of a contract, I send before and after photographs of my work to Dr Lynch for him to cast a constructively critical eye over. I do this not as an endeavour in self-gratification but, rather, to convey to Dr Lynch that through his teaching, a higher quality of authentic craftwork is percolating back into the system.
I most certainly consider Gerard as a mentor and role model of high regard.
The high quality work I am now able to produce, solely because of my in-depth tuition under Dr Lynch, provides a very stark contrast to the incredibly low-level of unskilled practices that have proliferated, seemingly unchecked, on our built-heritage for a number of decades now. These are the tangible results of a wholesale lack of appropriate, or relevant, teaching of building crafts are clear to see on virtually all British High Streets right across the nation. Unfortunately, unless there is a fundamental change towards providing proper apprenticeships, and very soon too, a lot of the aesthetic beauty of our brick-built heritage will be resigned to the history books.
The Heritage bodies of this nation have much to thank Dr Lynch for, because through his peer-acknowledged knowledge and mastery of his craft alongside his sterling work reviving a number of almost forgotten materials, tools and practices, as well as his selfless pursuit of teaching craft excellence, has provided a number of craftspeople who now work to very high standards.
James Baker - Director 'Craft-Build'
We found it incredibly fascinating and insightful. Gerard’s passion for the subject and his exceptional presentational skills are truly second to none. In fact, one of the surveyors from ‘Smith Heritage’ mentioned it was the best CPD session he has ever attended.
Ian Pringle - Heritage Brickmason, Ireland
It is most encouraging to know that you have complete confidence in myself as a result of my investment in undergoing extensive education and training with you Gerard, The Red Mason, with in-depth courses on ‘Limes and Lime-based Mortars’, ‘Historic Forms of Jointing and Pointing’, ‘Introduction to Tuck Pointing’, and ‘Advanced Tuck Pointing’, as well as ‘Irish Wigging’. ‘Introduction to Gauged Brickwork’ and ‘Advanced Gauged Brickwork’, as well as a bespoke course on the correct use of the ‘Brick Axe’, a long forgotten craft tool you revived and mastered.
I now consider yourself as a friend as well as my personal mentor within our craft. I am also increasingly aware, through the online world and those in the craft I meet and talk with, that there are those now out there proclaiming expertise in the craft, and as such, offer the service of consultancies as well as training courses modelled on you. Yet I also know from those who have met and now openly discuss what these actually offer and know that they are very deficient in what matters to constitute an Expert, being mostly charlatans: and simply don't realise there is and can only be one Gerard Lynch.
They fail to recognise, even if they attended a few basic courses with you that you are a unique character, and craft wise from out of a wholly different background to them. You were an acknowledged Head of Trowel Trades, who solely took on the huge task of not only teaching contemporary knowledge and skills for modern construction, but also revived and reintroduced traditional skills and knowledge to all those lucky apprentices you taught: and to the highest of standards too. You quite literally wrote four authoritative books on our bricklaying craft that have proved invaluable to so many. You not only have a Masters Degree with Distinction in the Conservation of Historic Brickwork, but also a PhD in Historic Brickwork Technology, that in combination gives you an unparalleled academic background. In achieving all of this, your personal passion for your craft saw you dedicate long years of research to enhance your own vast in-depth knowledge tied-in to reviving so many areas of historical craft materials, tools, equipment and techniques, that had almost been lost, to allow what you term ‘empathetic work’ on historic brickwork of all periods: and which you have unselfishly shared with so many to help people like me, eager to learn, so we could advance and grow in knowledge, skills, and overall confidence. Yet, just because someone does a few courses with you does not mean that they are suddenly qualified to proclaim expertise or to teach it, because these deceive themselves and those who come to them in good faith, and then suffer as a consequence as they then gain far less of value than they would have otherwise had from someone of your stature.
I have personally seen the absolute dedication that you have towards teaching all your courses with how you develop and present your lectures and the amazing ability you possess to be able to talk extensively on so many inter-related areas of each and every subject, if that be history, theory or technology. All of these attributes have then been wholly enhanced by your incredible range of subtle craft skills, you learned whilst time-serving, blessed with a God-given natural ability that saw you gain Silver and Gold Trowels as Top National Apprentice. All of this you honed by working out in-the-field with long years of meaningful site experience working on new build alongside the many branches of the traditional aspects of the craft gained from the repair, conservation and restoration of brickwork of all historic periods, up to the highest levels of craftsmanship. You have long been, quite rightly, acknowledged right across the world as a very unique Master Brickmason who possess an amazing breadth of craft skills, that I have witnessed, first-hand, and both copied and perfected under your personal expert tutelage.
Gerard, no one can even begin to match your record of achievements, and how you carry yourself so professionally, by being well-dressed, polite, always welcoming and respectful of others, and refreshingly devoid of any hint of arrogance that so many with even half of what you represent might display. You are a credit to our craft and it has been very fortunate to have someone of your calibre not only revive traditional materials and skills, but also taking the lead in your personal drive for attaining the highest possible quality of craftsmanship, and particularly at this time when we all see how general standards have declined so markedly and ubiquitously
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