13792/2STONEMASON John Lloyd of Great Bedwyn has carved a replacement for the capping stone on the tower of a church built by his great-great grandfather.

Mr Lloyd is the seventh generation of his family to work as a stonemason, all of his predecessors called either John, like him and his great-great grandfather, or Benjamin like his father.

In the mid 19th century it was decided to build a church at East Grafton and the land was given by the Marquis of Ailesbury.

John Lloyd was engaged to build the church to a design by architect Benjamin Ferrey who had several churches to his credit.

However, the building of St Nicholas Church was marked by a dreadful accident when a stone arch collapsed and killed the Rev George Montgomery who was with a group being shown around by the Marquis of Ailesbury.

Mr Lloyd said no blame for the accident could be attached to his great-great grandfather.

He said: "The architect insisted that shuttering supporting the new stonework should be taken down."

The top of the small tower at St Nicholas is currently undergoing masonry repairs being carried out by Pewsey-based Landlace Properties.

John Lloyd was asked to provide a new capping stone to replace the one originally erected by his namesake in 1843.

Made from Bath stone it carries the current John Lloyd's initials, JSL, and the dates 1843-2004.