Taken from Lynne’s weekly column ‘Green Scene’ for the Western Mail
28th June 2025
A I-nteresting Read
I’ve been reading a lot about AI this week and according to The Wall Street Journal, the inevitable ‘job destruction’ has already started. Procter & Gamble has cut 7,000 jobs, Estée Lauder and dating-app operator Match Group both recently ‘let 20% of their managers go’ and Microsoft plans to lay off thousands of employees in its sales department in the coming weeks. All due to AI. Predictions suggest ‘knowledge workers’ – from call centre employees to accountants and lawyers – will be replaced by AI. One human with an AI assistant will be able to manage the work that previously required 10 humans.
You can listen and watch the ‘Godfather of AI’ Geoffery Hinton speaking to Stephen Bartlett in Diary of a CEO on YouTube – it’s a proper eye-opener.
Reassuringly, The Economist suggests that the areas less likely to be impacted are the skilled trades – gardening being one of them. It has long been said that gardening is good for you – it might be in more way than one in the future.
Hearting v Head
Something else I can’t imagine AI taking over is dry stone walling – so perhaps I am inadvertently securing my future, with belts and braces.
I am absolutely besotted with my walling, it’s hard to put such a passion into words, as is often the case I suspect, but it just make me feel so fulfilled on so many levels. I feel totally at home on the windswept, rugged, isolated sites and working with people who, if they are unable to improve on the silence, simply don’t bother. The mix of learning from some fabulous, characterful people, improving, fresh air, peace and quiet and being involved in such a deeply fulfilling craft is, especially at my age, wonderfully and unexpectedly refreshing.
Whilst recently repairing a wall at home that had been demolished by a delivery driver – and which, instead of getting uptight about I just saw as another opportunity for ‘practise’ – I wondered whose hands had been the last to handle the very stones I was handling; what their circumstance were, when was it – and so many other things. I just adore it. So much so that being unhappy with the initial rebuild, I dismantled it all the next day and re-did it ‘properly’. I have a competition in July and my exam in September and whilst I am not 100% sure what it will lead to, I know it’s where I want to be and what I want to do. I have been lucky to do the work I love for over 40 years but this feels like what it has all been leading up to.
Reading more and more about dry stone walling, and talking to some real ‘dry-stone’ characters, there are numerous not-so-obvious doors that stone walling can open.
Sean Adcock is one of those characters. A Master Craftsman, winner of over 30 walling competitions around UK, twice runner up in UK championships; co author of TCV’s ‘Dry Stone Walling Manual’ and ‘Clawdd Construction’ (the only instruction manual on building Welsh stone faced Banks), Sean knows the craft inside out.
He also has the advantage of bringing his sharp technical mind into the practical construction, and has spoken to groups and societies worldwide. Recently he spoke at the Jeju Peace Forum in South Korea, about ‘building peace on stone walls’ in which he shared his knowledge and experience to compare stone structures across the world, look at the role of education and how the craft – and it’s festivals throughout the world – unite people.
I’m confident no career advisor would or could have advised or predicted the career that Sean has carved out, or built, for himself – and in a lesser-known field. Literally. You can see some of Sean’s work and contact him through www.dry-stone.co.uk or call him on 07767 898080.
I know a lot of the organisations I speak for are always looking for new, interesting speakers, and whilst Sean isn’t so much ‘new’, he is most definitely interesting. Based in north Wales, he’s not averse to travelling either, as you will see on his website. Oh and did I mention that he was awarded British Empire Medal in 2024 for services to dry stone walling?
I have been lucky that my gardening ‘career’ has also opened a lot of unexpected doors, or gates, for me too – including writing this column, of course. I think too many people choose a career or job with their head – one that they think will provide well for them ‘in the end’ – but it’s much more fun to choose with your heart, to invest your time into what brings you joy every day and then to just let other good things happen along the way – because they will. And why wait until ‘the end’ to be happy?
Having already been nicknamed The Stone Ranger by The Western Mail, I will obviously be keeping you up to date with my passion – the highs, the lows, and the ‘hearting’, but if you have an interest in the craft yourself or just want to support the vitally important work of the Dry Stone Walling Association (DSWA), then you can become a member at www.dswa.org.uk. You don’t even have to lift or place a stone if you don’t want to but your support will still be much appreciated, especially by those of us who want to. Thank you.
Oh, and by the way, ‘hearting’ is the small stones used to fill the middle or core of the wall, between the two faces. It’s a crucial part of the construction process, providing stability and strength to the wall – and such a fabulous word.
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Just received …
In the coming year, the Dry Stone Walling Association will have several Trustee vacancies. For those interested in supporting the DSWA, there are plenty of ways to get involved without the full commitment of a Trustee role. Groups such as Finance, Operations, and Marketing work alongside the Trustee Board, offering opportunities for members with the right skills to contribute without taking on Trustee responsibilities.
The DSWA is particularly seeking individuals with experience in finance, law, human resources, business operations, and policy. While professional qualifications are not required, relevant experience in these areas is valuable.
Location is not a barrier! By using technology, you can get involved and contribute from wherever you are. Whether it is virtual meetings or remote collaboration, there are plenty of ways to be part of the team and make an impact.
This is a fantastic way to get involved at a central level, offering valuable insight into the role for those who may wish to take that next step in the future – without any pressure.
If you are interested, please contact trustees@dswa.org.uk to have a chat about how you can help.
Open Gardens
There are some stunning gardens being opened to the public for Crickhowell Open Gardens next Saturday (5th) July from 10.30am to 5.00pm, with tickets being available from the Market Hall in the High Street from 10.00am.
Visiting ‘real’ gardens is a fabulous way to be inspired, get ‘doable’ ideas, and to chat with the people behind all the hard work, and chequebooks. There will also be plant sales and numerous refreshments, and of course it gives you the opportunity to enjoy all the other wonderful things Crickhowell has to offer.
Contact c.sheffield2@btinternet.com for more details.
Word Wise
Whilst having lunch in work last week after a shower of rain, I commented on the petrichor – that lovely smell of rain after a long dry spell. That immediately opened the door to several other unexpected contributions.
Did you know that the noise that your rumbling stomach makes is a called a wamble; the day after tomorrow is known as overmorrow; combining an exclamation mark with a question mark at the end of a sentence – which I was always reprimanded for in school – is called an interrobang and that sick feeling you get after eating too much is called crapulence.
I have obviously checked all these as I’m reluctant to trust what the lads tell me, especially when they are suffering with crapulence!?
Another delightful piece, Lynne
All the very best as you take your stone-walling forward, along with your other ventures.