A lot of planning goes into a walling festival Festival of Stone
Faithful friends and longtime supporters of walling here in Canada gathered this past weekend and others will be gathering in the next two weeks (from Ontario right across the country, as well as the States, and Britain) to work together in Alton, to prepare to promote and celebrate not just walling, but the whole tradition of cooperation long associated with the craft worldwide.
These are good people, committed professionals eager to see walling enthusiasts and newcomers alike join forces in a now nation wide organization (a 'Canadian Association' - a legal, 'not for profit', cooperation with board members that were democratically elected, and a mission statement that was carefully crafted to not exclude any important aspects of dry stone walling being established here in Canada ) a body of people who have chosen to circumnavigate all forms of oneupmanship, elitism and negativity - past , present and future .
We are preparing for the best.
And that means building up and maintaining good relationships (not just walls) as well as a solidly Canadian dry stone wall identity.
Any other agenda would be insane — but then there are 'institutions' if you are looking for that sort of thing.
Shaping and stock-piling the all-important cornerstones.
Setting out the base in order to build together.
Making sure the lines (of communication ) are always in place
Being straight and level with one another
