THE 2018 Millennium Wall Competition to reward the craftsmen responsible for maintaining Yorkshire’s iconic dry stone walls has been jointly launched by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) and the Yorkshire Dry Stone Walling Guild.

The biennial competition judges new or rebuilt walls in the Yorkshire countryside and is not a contest between wallers building temporary short stretches.

John Pridmore, head judge and chairman of the Yorkshire Dry Stone Walling Guild, said: “Dry stone walling is an essential countryside craft, which shapes our iconic landscape across Yorkshire and beyond. We are looking for stone wallers who can demonstrate a high standard of workmanship and proficient level of skill by packing solid, well presented walls.”

Marks are awarded for use of local style, impact on the landscape, tidiness and difficulty of terrain. The winner receives the perpetual challenge trophy – an engraved glass walling stone. The current title holder, for a second consecutive time, is Lee Jones from Shipley in West Yorkshire.

The competition is open to all wallers who live and work in Yorkshire and is free to enter. Entry forms are available by emailing north@cla.org.uk or on 01748 907070.

The closing date for entries is September 30.