Nearly 60 years since his father was first commissioned to provide carvings for the historic banqueting wall at Newcastle Civic Centre, Mike Moody, managing director of Classic Masonry, has continued the family tradition.

The connection with the Civic Centre dates to its opening in 1968, when Mike’s father, Terry, and a colleague, meticulously carved more than 26,000 letters and numbers onto the wall to honour the city’s most distinguished citizens and historic figures.

Opened by King Olav V of Norway, Newcastle Civic Centre is a landmark of modernist architecture and civic pride. Designed by city architect, George Kenyon, the building replaced the old Victorian Town Hall and quickly became the heart of Newcastle's local government.

Classic Masonry is a specialist in stonemasonry and architectural precast concrete, based in North Tyneside with Mike and Paul Bennett, senior stonemason, carrying out the precise lettering on the most recent project.

With over thirty years of experience across all sectors of the construction industry, the company offers a comprehensive range of services, including design development, stone sourcing and selection, cutting, profiling, carving and fabrication. It undertakes both new build masonry construction and restoration and conservation projects, which include cleaning, decontamination and facade consolidation. Its expertise spans both modern and historic environments.

Mike Moody, managing director, Classic Masonry, said: “It is a real privilege to continue a family tradition that stretches back decades and to contribute to something so deeply embedded in Newcastle’s history. This project holds specific meaning for me, as my father carved many of the original inscriptions on the Civic Centre’s walls. To now follow him and add to that legacy is something of which I am incredibly proud. My son, Michael, is carrying on the legacy, also, working in the business as an associate director, heading up our design department.

“It is not just about craftsmanship, it’s about honouring the legacy of those who have shaped the city, helped it prosper and added to the Geordie pride. We are honoured to uphold the standards set by those before us and to continue Classic Masonry’s role in marking Newcastle’s historic milestones.”

Cllr Karen Kilgour, Leader of Newcastle City Council, said: “The walls of the Civic Centre’s Banqueting Hall are steeped in history, forever recognising many of our city’s most distinguished residents who all helped shape Newcastle into what it is today.

“Classic Masonry has been a central character in the stories our history continues to tell, having made the first inscriptions during the Civic Centre’s construction and continuing to do so for decades since.

“My own father’s name, as a former Lord Mayor of Newcastle, is among the many notable figures to be inscribed there, and it always gives me an enormous sense of personal pride to see him represented there alongside so many who have played such important roles on behalf of our great city.

“It’s fantastic to see such a skilled, traditional craft continuing to be carried out today. As one Geordie following in her father’s footsteps to another, I’d like to congratulate and thank Mike and all at Classic Masonry for their valued contributions to Newcastle over so many years.”

Classic Masonry has been called upon over the years to carry out repairs to the stone fabric of the Civic Centre. Those honoured on the wall include Freemen of the City, such as Nelson Mandela, King Harald V of Norway, Sir Bobby Robson, Alan Shearer and Jackie Milburn. The banqueting hall also commemorates the city’s former Lord Mayors, Sheriffs and several skilled sculptors and stone carvers who helped shape the Civic Centre’s legacy.

Classic Masonry was recently recognised as the overall winner at the 2024 Natural Stone Awards for its acclaimed work on the Faith Museum at Auckland Castle. This prestigious project showcased the firm’s craftsmanship and attention to detail in a heritage setting.

The company continues to deliver a diverse range of projects across the UK. Current works include the design and build stonemasonry for an extension to Rockliffe Hall Hotel, the construction of stone walls forming part of landscaping at Sunderland Riverside and stone cleaning and restoration of period properties in North Shields and Darlington. Other notable projects include a private residence in Northumberland, conservation work on Cosin’s Almshouses, near Durham Cathedral, the design and installation of precast concrete cladding to retail units in Islington and landscaping works to the rear of the Royal Festival Hall in London.