A CRAFTSMAN from Steeple Ashton has helped build an educational farm in Scotland, which is set to open next month.

Christian Accolla, 46, helped build the farm at the Dumfries House estate in Ayrshire as part of a building course run by The Prince's Foundation for Building Community, a charity founded by The Prince of Wales.

He played a key role in the construction of the latest structural addition at the estate, which is used to help people engage in learning experiences that promote confidence and personal development.

Mr Accolla, a former Devizes School pupil, enrolled on the Building Craft Apprenticeship (BCA) course, which is designed for craftspeople looking to bridge the gap between basic qualifications and becoming a master craftsperson working within the heritage sector, to further his skills and loved the opportunity.

He said: “The brief for The Goose House was to use entirely recycled stone from elsewhere on the estate and around the area.

“It’s amazing to have worked on this project. My family has always been quite spiritual and I have often felt like a square peg in a round hole.

“To hear that The Prince of Wales feels as he does about harmony is very encouraging. I’ve spent all my life working for companies who care only about profit.

“To work with natural products with the environment in mind is great.”

As part of the course, each apprentice takes part in a Live Build on the Dumfries House estate, where they take on the challenge of building a structure from start to finish within 10 weeks.

In the most recent Live Build, Mr Accolla and his fellow students helped design and build an animal shelter – The Goose House – that drew admiration from The Prince on a recent Royal visit.

For more information on The Prince's Foundation's heritage and building craft apprenticeships, visit www.princes-foundation.org