Inspiration Leads to Achievement Award!
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In march 2006 at Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport Pa. U.S. a combined class of students of landscaping design and building construction, under the enthusiastic direction of James Asbury, attempted the first permanent 'dry stone wall loop' on the grounds of the campus property. James, a competent dry stone waller with certification both from the DSWA in Great Britain and the United States, saw the article about the 'dry stone hot wheels loop' in Stonenexus Magazine which DSWAC president John Shaw-Rimmington designed and built with students in Canada in 2005.Two parallel dry stone walls are joined by arching the vertical coping back around, and over top of itself, along with the entire bulk of the wall shape, in one flowing loop.( See DSWAC Training Institute Feb 15-16 2005 ,in Previous Events).

The original hot wheels loop built in 2005 in Canada

Later James saw more pictures of the loop on the DSWAC website and contacted John to get the details and permission to build one with his students. The original Canadian loop was built indoors during the winter and eventually had to be dismantled to make room for other installations and advanced training classes. The new permanent loop was successfully completed as many PCT students from other courses looked on and several media people showed up to document the event. The loop is situated at the entrance to the school and the grounds around it were carefully landscaped after the loop was completed. James received the Alumni Achievement Award for his efforts. He was quite excited about the project and says he plans to do something special in dry stone each year at the College.

Submitted by John Shaw-Rimmington