An Introduction to Lime + Hot Limes in Building

15 + 16 September 2022
Heritage Skills Centre, Coleshill Home Farm (National Trust), Coleshil, near Swindon, SN6 7PT
Attend both workshops for the reduced rate of £295 per person.  Fully Booked

Or individual bookings for each workshop can be made online here:
An Introduction to Lime in Building, 15 September 2022 (£165 per person). 
FULLY BOOKED - sign up to the waiting list.
Hot Limes in Building, 16 September 2022 (£165 per person)

FULLY BOOKED - sign up to the waiting list.

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An Introduction to Lime in Building

15 September 2022
09:30 - 17:00
Heritage Skills Centre, Coleshill Home Farm (National Trust), Coleshil, near Swindon, SN6 7PT
 

"It is critical as a homeowner, with massive amounts of conservation work to do, to be able to do as much as possible myself. These courses empower attendees to have the confidence to do these repairs." - 2021 course delegate

This introductory, one-day course led by expert tutors is ideal for anyone new to using lime in building or keen to expand their basic understanding. Through a combination of illustrated talks and demonstrations, it will explain the different forms of lime available and look at a range of uses, from pointing to plastering and lime washing.    

The course will be delivered by a specifier (Marianne Suhr), a conservation builder/plasterer (Michal Wolf) and a heritage consultant (Rob Workman).

This beginner / intermediate course will appeal to builders already working with lime and looking to extend their knowledge, or who want to begin using lime. It is also suitable for owners of period houses or other old buildings looking to develop their understanding of traditional materials, and specifiers wishing to develop or enhance their understanding of lime and its many applications.   

The SPAB is an IHBC recognised CPD provider and attendance certificates for CPD are available on request.

Lunch and refreshments are provided. Accommodation is not included.

Programme (subject to change if required):

Thursday, 15 September 2022
09:30   Registration 
10:00   Welcome
10:15   Introduction to lime (demonstrations):
            - the Lime Cycle, the raw material, slaking, mixing, carbonation  
            - looking at sands  
            - understanding hydrated limes (wet and dry hydrates)
            - cold and hot mixing mortars
11:15   Break
11:45   Practical demonstrations, with an opportunity to have a go at:
            Group A - mixing mortars and pointing
            Group B - plastering 
12:45   Lunch
13:45   Practical demonstrations, with an opportunity to have a go at:
            Group A - plastering
            Group B - mixing mortars and pointing
15:00  Mixing and applying a limewash
15:15   Break
15:30   Hydraulic Lime explained 
16:00   Case Studies of lime in use / Questions
17:00   Close

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Hot Limes in Building

16 September 2022
09:15 - 17:00
Heritage Skills Centre, Coleshill Home Farm (National Trust), Coleshil, near Swindon, SN6 7PT
£165 per person   
 

"The course content was revelatory. I knew a little about hot lime mortars and had a small amount of practical experience but the information supplied answered all my questions. It pretty much turned my lime world upside down and as a consequence I have changed my working practise" - 2021 course delegate

This one-day course, led by expert tutor Nigel Copsey, is ideal for anyone with basic knowledge of lime and who wants to explore the use of hot mixes in more detail. Through a combination of illustrated talks, video and demonstrations, it will provide insight into hot limes and their use.

After many years producing lime mortars by first slaking putty, then mixing with sand, it is now widely accepted that mortars were traditionally mixed ‘hot’. This means slaking the sand alongside the quicklime in a single operation. Course tutor Nigel Copsey has spent years researching the methods used for making mortars, and has many years of site based experience using hot lime mortars in the repair of historic buildings.   

The day will be a mixture of illustrated talks and demonstrations, covering slaking methods, different mixing methods, application and aftercare. Nigel will also explain the essential properties of hot lime mortars and explore the reasons for their superior performance in terms of shrinkage, durability and frost resistance.  

This intermediate course is especially relevant for builders already working with lime and looking to extend their knowledge and use of hot mixes, and to specifiers wishing to develop or enhance their understanding of hot lime and its applications. It will also appeal to anyone carrying out practical building projects who is familiar with lime but interested in learning more about hot mixes. It provides up to date information on our understanding of traditional mortars, as well as detailed practical instruction and is therefore essential for anyone working in the field. It assumes a little background knowledge of lime, and anyone completely new to the subject is recommended to attend the Introduction to Lime in Building course, taking place the day before. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions and discuss issues during both courses.     

The SPAB is an IHBC recognised CPD provider and attendance certificates for CPD are available on request.

Lunch and refreshments are provided. Accommodation is not included.

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Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): 
The courses will take place in a workshop and outside. Delegates should wear suitable clothing and sturdy footwear. PPE (hi viz, goggles, gloves) and all tools and materials will be provided. Delegates are welcome to bring their own goggles and gloves if they wish. 

Accessibility:
Please contact us if there are any adaptations we can make that would make the course more accessible for you. We would be happy to have an informal chat about the course and possible access issues before you book.

Tutors:

Marianne Suhr - historic buildings surveyor
Marianne is a chartered building surveyor, writer and broadcaster specialising in the repair of historic buildings. After completing a scholarship with the SPAB, she spent seven years in architectural practice. Marianne gave up her desk job to concentrate on practical building projects, whilst co- presenting three series of BBC2’s ‘Restoration’ programme. She has repaired and adapted four houses of her own, and used the experience gained to set up ‘The Old House Consultancy’. Marianne lectures extensively on building repair and runs courses for builders, homeowners and professionals. 

Michal Wolf - plasterer and conservator in lime
Michal is the founder of All Things Lime, a small but dynamic company which helps owners of traditional buildings and national charities to look after their historic buildings. Michal believes in a positive and sensible approach towards caring for historic buildings, and is also interested in traditional methods of working and keeping the craft alive by researching and using different lime plasters (such as chalk lime and hot lime). 

Rob Workman - heritage consultant
Rob has over 15 years specialist experience in the heritage construction sector, both project managing conservation building works utilising traditional craft skills and appropriate materials, and as a Conservation Officer for South Oxfordshire and Vale White Horse District Councils more recently.  Rob is a member of the SPAB and has a post graduate diploma in Historic Building Conservation from Oxford Brookes University.  He now runs his historic building and heritage planning consultancy, Lime&Listed, in South Oxfordshire. 

Nigel Copsey - stonemason and building conservator
Starting out as a dry-stone waller in Cornwall, Nigel trained as stonemason and carver before working in the building conservation industry across the south and south-west of England and in the USA. Since 2001, he has worked as a building conservation consultant and practitioner in North Yorkshire. Nigel is a leading advocate for the use of traditional earth-lime and hot mixed lime mortars in historic building repair. 

Booking Terms & Conditions