THREE of England’s leading stone masons are slowly chipping away at the outer facade of Hamilton’s oldest landmark.This is the first time in 15 years that experts have had to be called in to help replace the crumbling, honey-coloured Caen stone, which adorns both the inside and outside of the 113-year-old Anglican Cathedral.

Ron Palmer, Steve Tinsley and Lloyd Lucas from Paye Stonework in the UK arrived in Bermuda three weeks ago and have spent almost every second of the day on scaffolding some 70 feet in the air removing the damaged stone.

Mr. Palmer said Caen stone, used in the construction of cathedrals across the world since the late 11th century, is very brittle and falls foul of the weather, especially humidity.

Unlike the Bermuda limestone which has stood up to the elements since the first phase of the cathedral was completed in 1984. The new Caen stone had to be shipped to Bermuda from Normandy in France and is cut to fit on site.

However, the more detailed work such as the stone tiles embedded below the enormous stained-glass windows, had to be cut and moulded in London. “It’s a bit like icing a very large cake,” Mr. Palmer explained. “You add layer on layer and then shape and mould the stone.”

Their greatest challenge? Replacing the stone around the windows inside the cathedral, as mould had caused extensive damage over the years. Prior to 1992, this light-coloured stone was replaced at great cost every 20 or 30 years. The current $600,000 project is due for completion in May.

Mr. Palmer and his team have worked on some of England’s oldest cathedrals and buildings including Buckingham Palace and Canterbury Cathedral. “I haven’t been out of a church since I was 20!” Mr. Palmer added.

Anglican Bishop of Bermuda the Rt. Rev. Ewen Ratteray welcomed the much-needed restoration and said the process had not affected services in any way. “They are very quiet,” he said of Mr. Palmer and his team.

The project is being managed by Woodbourne Associates Limited and building surveyor Steve Conway was on site yesterday inspecting the work.