John of Helpston, Master mason

John of Helpston, a master mason, helped to build the Water Tower.

John of Helpston, a master mason, was contracted to build Chester's New Tower (now the Water Tower) in 1322 for £100. John probably came from the village of Helpston in Lincolnshire, an important quarrying centre. He was obviously prepared to travel a long distance for the employment opportunities presented by Edward’s campaigns and building projects in Wales and the Marches. John also worked on the castles at Chester, Shotwick and Flint in the later 1320s.