The stone industry in the UK is steeped in traditions dating back more than a thousand years to the construction of medieval cathedrals, churches and castles, yet within those traditions it encompasses the latest computer technology with some of the most powerful and sophisticated 3D CNC workcentres in the world creating masterpieces such as the new Portland limestone Armed Forces Memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum pictured above. The Memorial won stonemasons S McConnell & Sons and Liam O'Connor, the architect, the Design & Technology Innovation Award in the Natural Stone Awards 2008 (all the Awards winners can be found in the 'Useful Information' section of this website). The Awards are held every two years and the next will be presented at Lords Cricket Ground on 26 November.