Alex Piper, a third generation stonemason and partner in the firm C F Piper & Son Bearah Tor Granite Quarry, at Henwood, is joined by glazier Arthur Bradley as they combine their skills and experience to save a crumbling church window at Warbstow.
The show, which follows local life in both counties and is narrated by John Nettles, returns to C4 on Monday, January 18 at 8pm.
In episode one of this third series, the focus is all at sea, meeting the people who live and work along the beautiful and rugged coastline.
In Looe, the whole community is gearing up for one of the biggest events of the year – the one-mile wild swim from St George’s island. In Gweek, clean ocean campaigner Steve Green is collecting plastic from isolated beaches and diver Frazer Pugh sets sail from the Devon port of Brixham, searching for scallops.
In episode two, on the Devon side of the river Tamar, sheep farmer siblings William and Harriet Allin from Milton Damerel, who have a regular column in the Cornish Times, are hoping for a shot at the coveted Young Handler of the Year title; and on the edge of Bodmin Moor, cider maker Tom Bray is creating a special blend, to celebrate 100 years of the family owning the farm.
Alex and Arthur feature in episode four. The crumbling church window had to be taken out and replaced and Alex carried out repairs to the granite tracery and mullions, while Arthur repaired the glass.
“The window was basically falling out,” Alex said.
The crew spent two days filming at the quarry followed by two days at the church, documenting the work from start to finish.
Alex left school in 1999 and started work with his dad. He said he’s proud to keep the family business, and the tradition of stonemasonry alive.
The business was started by his grandfather, Clifford, and carried on by his father Ian, who is still partner in the business.
“We’ve kept it going and we’ve got enough work to carry on. It is a dying trade though. There’s not many young ones doing it now. When I’m gone that might be the end, but there’s always hope. We’re in the last episode — save the best ‘til last!”
Mrs Helen Jeffs, Warbstow churchwarden, said everyone involved is delighted with the work that has been carried out.
She said: “The window would have come into the vestry and would have made a terrible mess. It was a dangerous window that wanted doing badly. The end result is fantastic.”
This episode is due to air on Monday, February 8.