TECHNOLOGY has vastly taken over as a creative tool but for Dave Bedford and the many more talented craftsmen and women the tools of their trade are their hands.

Just as his father could whittle an artistic creation out of wood - a fond memory Dave recalls from his childhood - men and women throughout our country and, indeed the world, are bringing architect’s designs to reality, building and constructing at the sharp end and without computer keyboards.

For them it is hands-on, physical graft. Chisels and hammers are among the tools of their trade and they plough on even in weather conditions making it too difficult to work.

Dave’s late father, Jack, was a brick-layer by trade - wood carving was a pleasant pastime as Dave fondly recalls.

“He used to sit in front of the fire chipping away,” he says.

At the age of 16, Dave followed his father’s footsteps when he too joined the building trade - a career which has proved popular with many members of his family.

After completing his stone masonry apprenticeship at Woodkirk Stone in Morley, Dave eventually went self-employed working around various sites.

During his early 20s he ran his own yard in Bradford but now he runs Undercliffe Stone at a yard in R G Stone in Guiseley where he is busy combining his profession with his pastime.

While undertaking projects, including high profile assignments, such as helping to design and carve the main entrance at the Mosque between Lumb Lane and Manningham, Bradford, and crafting bespoke fire places and imposing porticoes brings Dave great pleasure, he is now turning his hand to, and exploring, the artistic side of stone.

“I specialise in bespoke fire places but it is seasonal,” says Dave.

During the summer he decided to experiment turning stone into works of art - and the result - is his debut exhibition.

Mallets and chisels are the tools of his trade and faces and figurines “anything abstract” are among his favourite subjects to be turned into stone.

Dave can spend either days or weeks on a piece depending on how intricate it is.

“I use old blocks, a piece of rough stone and carve a new piece out of it so you can see the new piece and the old piece in the same block,” explains Dave.

An example of this is the iconic MINI Cooper crafted from Bramley Fall stone that is quarried at Mone Brothers’ Blackhill Quarry where Dave is currently exhibiting his work.

Skipton’s Mill Bridge Art and The Cupola Art Gallery in Sheffield are other locations where Dave is showcasing his skills - his ambition is to become well-known and it seems he’s already making a name for himself.

Since he began displaying his work at Blackhill Quarry last year he says he has sold several of the exhibited pieces.

“I think homeowners are warming to the idea of having an affordable work of art within their home or garden,” explains Dave.

He cites the MINI Cooper as his favourite piece, along with ‘Embrace’ - a sculpture depicting two blokes embracing in a show of support for each other. Both pieces were quarried at Blackhill.

Other works of Dave’s art include the philosopher engrossed in a book, an intricately carved egg and some female forms. ‘Dive’ is another art form of a diver in a tucked up position ready to take the plunge.

‘Alone’ is quite a poignant piece - the art form sat with its hands around its knees almost in quiet contemplation while the ‘stone man’ - one of the earlier figures he created - appears to be heaving himself up out of a garden planter.

Animals have also given Dave the inspiration to chisel his skill. A whale clinging to a rock, currently featuring at the Cupola art gallery in Sheffield, and a beautiful owl bearing the intricacy of Dave’s stonework in its feathers, are among his extensive collection.

The gift of ‘The Stone Roses’ - a sculpture bearing the band’s title - was given and almost certainly gratefully received for a friend’s 50th birthday.

Images of Dave’s work demonstrate his ability to create something special out of stone. He has found his forte and is using this natural material to bring pleasure to others.

“It’s a very good medium to work with and its distinctive look and feel has played a big part in creating our area’s architectural landscape,” explains Dave, who clearly relishes his profession.

And he credits his parents for pointing him in the direction. Dave recalls his mum suggesting he do something similar with stone after seeing him looking at his late father’s wood carvings.

Now the 48-year-old father-of-three from Tingley is working towards his ambition - showcasing his creations at the Chelsea Flower show, the annual horticultural exhibition organised by the Royal Horticultural Society and held in the grounds of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea.

The show provides the perfect platform for renowned designers and nurseries all over the world to demonstrate the latest trends in garden design.

“I would love to see some of my work in the Chelsea Flower show one day,” says Dave “and within some of the bigger galleries around the country.”

Dave says turning stone masonry into art also demonstrates the versatility of his skill, being able to turn his hand to every aspect of it.

Although he loves every aspect of the profession, he finds carving particularly satisfying. “Hours fly by. You start a piece and you haven’t eaten.”

The biggest satisfaction is the complements he receives from customers, and also from fellow sculptors who he is in touch with through Facebook.

Dave, who has three sons who are also in skilled trades, Charlie is a joiner, Connor is studying engineering and Jack is a painter and decorator, would have made his own father proud.

“Everybody says your Dad would have been over the moon with you and it gives me a nice feeling,” says Dave.

Craig Morrell, quarry manager at Blackhill, said of Dave’s work: “It’s a creative and fascinating addition to our show garden area and a real talking point for visitors.

“We are actually finding that some customers are coming here specifically to view Dave’s work.”

For more information visit undercliffestone.co.uk or monebrosdiy.co.uk