repair*

Traditional Building Skills & Building Conservation Courses and LecturesApril 2014 – March 2015

1

contents*Background 1

City and Country Group & Bursary Information 2

Hands-on courses 4

Course at Orchard Barn 10

CPD lecture programme 12

Essex County Council Heritage Publications 18

Terms & Conditions of booking 19

Booking form & Terms 21

background*Since 1997 the Historic Buildings and Conservation team at Essex County Council has run a series of one, two or three day hands-on courses in traditional building skills. We are the only council in the country to run this type of educational programme. The courses aim to raise awareness of the importance of protecting our historic buildings by using the appropriate methods and materials to repair and conserve them.

Many of the courses are run from our workshop at Cressing Temple Barns but, where possible, we use sites throughout the county which enable our students to work on live projects. Our tutors are all excellent craftsmen who run their own businesses using their skills every day, and who have a wealth of experience and knowledge.

Those attending the courses include owners of historic buildings, practising craftsmen who want to specialise in traditional repairs, and general builders and contractors as well as interested amateurs. Courses are open to all skill levels unless specified otherwise.

Running alongside the hands-on courses is a range of CPD lecture

sessions recognised by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC). Topics vary annually but their aim remains the same, to educate and inform professionals such as surveyors, architects, building contractors, self-employed tradesmen, plus the owners of historic buildings, in the technical and practical issues involved in the care and repair of our historic buildings.

2 3

bursary scheme

City & Country is delighted to be able to support, again this year, this bursary scheme which helps address a lack of traditional building skills in the construction industry. By funding the bursary scheme and offering free places on Essex County Council’s traditional building skills courses, City & Country is proud to be playing an important role in expanding the knowledge and skills of craftsmen.

City & Country is the market leading heritage developer in the South. From stylish apartments and duplexes to traditional mews houses, they offer an inspiring selection of homes to choose from. They have a reputation for creating outstanding developments and their schemes consistently win prestigious awards for design quality and exceptional craftsmanship. Most recently winning Silver for Best Small House Builder and Gold for Best Apartment Scheme for The Galleries at the acclaimed 2013 WhatHouse? awards.

Current developments include: The Galleries, the former 19 Century Warley Hospital in Brentwood, Bentley Priory, the 17 Century Mansion House in Stanmore, The Garden Quarter in Bicester, Oxfordshire. With exciting upcoming projects in Midhurst, West Sussex and Bristol city centre. The importance of tradesman with the skills and knowledge to revive these treasured buildings has never been so great. Read more at www.cityandcountry.co.uk

The bursary scheme provides a unique opportunity for those already working in the industry to gain experience and understanding of craft building techniques relevant to historic buildings. This scheme covers the costs of the course. It will be particularly suitable for independent builders or small contractors who are passionate about period buildings and restoration.

eligibilityApplicants must:

• Be working in the built environment

• Show commitment and passion in expanding their knowledge of the built Heritage sector.

If you have any questions or are interested in applying for the Traditional Building Skills course, please contact Katie Seabright.

Call 03330 136560 or Email traditional.buildingskills@essex.gov.uk

4 5

hands on courses*

Lime Plaster for Plasterers

24-25 April 2014, Little HorkesleyTutor: Roy Cafferty, Traditional Lime Plastering

This two-day hands-on course is aimed at working plasterers interested in broadening their experience, and amateurs with some plastering skills. The course will give student the opportunity to work on a listed barn and will explain how to fix laths, prepare lime putty mixes, and plaster on to laths as well as highlighting the importance of good preparation and aftercare. Roy runs his own plastering business and has been in the trade for forty years. He works in all aspects of lime plaster but specialises in fine plaster finishes. Roy is one of the few lime plasterers who still runs mouldings in situ.

Fee £210

An Introduction to Rustic Fencing 9 May 2014, Cressing Temple BarnsTutor: Steven Westover – Westover Woodlands

Traditional locally made fencing may be more appropriate in the setting of a historic building or in a Conservation Area, more sustainable and more attractive than modern styles and materials, and cheaper and more satisfying if home made. The aim of this one-day course is to introduce participants to different styles of traditional natural wood fencing, including both theory and hands-on experience in the use of the tools and the choice and processing of materials.

Students will be able to take home their finished panel.

Fee £150

Timber Frame Repairs 21-23 May 2014, Little HorkesleyTutor: Rick Lewis, Traditional Oak Company Ltd

Those attending this three-day hands-on course will learn how to repair historic sole plates and studwork, as well as new work on a live project. The course has been designed for working carpenters and joiners, but home owners with basic skills are very welcome. The course will also cover carpentry joints, the choice of timber and analysis of repair strategy. Rick runs his own carpentry business working mainly in Suffolk where he has built up an excellent reputation for his high quality work on the historic buildings in the area. His work ranges from conservative repairs to ancient structures as well as new bespoke oak framed buildings.

Fee £265

6 7

An Introduction to the Art of Pargeting6 June 2014, Cressing Temple BarnsTutor: Bill Sargent, Pargeter and Traditional Plasterer

Pargeting is decorative render applied to the facades of buildings. Its use dates back many centuries. Often it is simple patterns scratched or stamped into the surface, but in the 17 century more decorative freehand work became fashionable. The tradition remains in East Anglia, although previously it could be found all over the country. The day will be a mix of illustrated lectures, demonstration and hands-on experience. Bill Sargent started plastering in 1966 and has been a specialist in pargeting work since 1971, following in the family tradition which was started in 1926 by his grandfather, and has been teaching the craft for over ten years.

Fee £99

Repair and Conservation of Flint Walling 25-27 June 2014, St Botolph’s Church, HadstockTutor: Simon Williams, Anglian Flint

Students on this three-day course will repair and rebuild a churchyard wall using flints and lime mortar. There will also be a demonstration of flint knapping with the opportunity to have a go. The course will be of interest to bricklayers, general builders and home owners alike. Simon is one of the country’s few remaining flint knappers, dealing with the repair and restoration of knapped flint walls as well as work on new developments. No experience needed.

Fee £265

Lime Mortar & Conservation Brickwork

17-18 July 2014, Bures Baptist Church Tutor: Mac Knox-Weir

This two-day course aims to encourage correct brickwork repair and the use of lime mortar. We will also look at a selection of different pointing styles. The course is aimed at working bricklayers who would like to broaden their experience in conservation techniques, however no previous experience is necessary. Mac has been working with lime for over 40 years and has his own company Weir Conservation. He has worked on the repair of many high profile buildings including Hampton Court Palace.

Fee £210

Lime Plaster for Beginners24 October 2014, Cressing Temple BarnsTutor: Roy Cafferty, Traditional Lime Plastering

A one-day course, aimed at owners of historic buildings who want to tackle small patch repairs to their homes and those with no prior experience. The day will show how to hand-mix small amounts of lime plaster, and to repair or replace patches. Roy runs his own plastering business and has been in the trade for over forty years. He works in all aspects of lime plaster but specialises in fine plaster finishes. No experience needed.

Fee £99

9

Run Mouldings29-30 January 2015, Cressing Temple BarnsTutor: Roy Cafferty, Traditional Lime Plastering

A two-day practical course covering the art and craft of mouldings run in situ. The course will begin with a talk on lime, with an emphasis on ornamental work. We will look at interior, exterior and ornamental work and is a rare opportunity to work with our tutor Roy Cafferty. Roy runs his own plastering business and has been in the trade for over forty years. He works in all aspects of lime plaster but specialises in fine plaster finishes. He is one of the few lime plasterers who still run mouldings in situ. The course is open to working plasterers who want to broaden their experience, home owners and enthusiastic amateurs. No experience needed.

Fee £210

Build Your Own Bread OvenTutor: Tony Minter, Bulmer Brick & Tile and Mike Hogan 13 March 2015, Cressing Temple Barns

Take outdoor cooking to the next level by learning how to build a traditional brick bread oven for your back garden. This course would be suitable for homeowners, or bricklayers and builders who would like to offer their clients something different.

Fee £110

7

courses available at Orchard Barn, Suffolk Essex County Council has teamed up with Orchard Barn to run courses for homeowners or builders interested in finding out more about traditional building methods. The courses will take place at the beautiful Orchard Barn in Far Ringshall, Mid Suffolk.

Care and Repair of Traditional Buildings12 -14 May or 22 -24 September 2014

Perfect for home owners or those interested in traditional building techniques, this three-day course will include talks and practical hands-on experience. The course will cover, repairs to timber frame, wattle and daub, lathe and plaster, brick, flint and clay lump, as well as how to tackle the issue of damp in the home. Our tutors for the course are Rick Lewis, Rory Sumerling, Mike McConnell and Sarah Partridge. Places on this course are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment.

Fee £290

An Introduction to Timber Frame Repairs3 June or 30 September 2014

Become more knowledgeable about traditional timber frame repair methods and develop your carpentry skills. These days are made up of theory and practical sessions; they will enable you to understand traditional carpentry joints, make an informed choice of timber, use authentic hand tools and undertake an analysis of repair strategy. Designed for homeowners, builders, architects, surveyors or anyone with an interest in learning how to sympathetically repair timber framed buildings. Your tutor is Rick Lewis of Traditional Oak Carpentry. CPD certification is available from the Institute for Historic Building Conservation

Fee £95

10 11

CPD lecture programme*

Each lecture will consist of two one-hour talks. They will be of interest to architects, surveyors, conservation professionals and planners for specification writing and site supervision, as well as owners of historic and listed properties. A light lunch and refreshments are included. All lectures take place at Cressing Temple Barns unless otherwise stated.

The IHBC recognises that this programme may provide part of the compulsory CPD requirements of a Full Member

Heritage Crime – Enforcement, Intervention and Prevention9.30am to 12.30pm, Friday 12th September 2014Speakers: Brian Taplin – Planning Enforcement Officer, Braintree District Council, Mark Harrison – National Policy & Crime Advisor, English Heritage & Stephen Armson-Smith – Crime Reduction & Architectural Liaison Officer, Essex Police

Heritage Crime comes in a variety of forms, from unauthorised works to sites and buildings, to their systematic neglect and deliberate damage, to the theft of materials and artifacts. Such damage is often irreversible. Intervention to

enforce the law, to promote the regeneration and refurbishment of buildings, or to safeguard them form vandalism and damage, is a very important part of heritage protection. In the first session experienced local planning enforcement officer Brian Taplin will illustrate approaches for dealing with unauthorised works to heritage assets. The second session, presented by English Heritage and Essex Police and will look at tackling and investigating heritage crime and development of partnership approaches. These talks will be of interest to all those who work with historic buildings as well as owners of historic properties.

£55 including light lunch

Understanding the Planning System and Listed Building Consent9.30am to 12.30pm, Friday 26 September 2014Speaker/s: Senior conservation officer, Essex County Council

Looking after listed buildings is a responsibility, one that is potentially becoming more complicated as policy and legislation change, and as the planning system becomes less well-resourced and applicants get less help from their planning authorities. This seminar will be of value to owners and professionals. It will explain the law on listed buildings, with an update on policy developments, it will trace the stages to go through in making a successful application, and cover basic principles relating to maintenance and design of new work.

£55 including light lunch

Understanding Traditional Brickwork and the Importance of Good Repair9.30am to 12.30pm, Friday 10 October 2014Speaker: Peter Minter, Bulmer Brick and Tile Company

This lecture will discuss good practice in the repair of traditional brick, beginning by looking at the geology of clay and brick making techniques, both hand thrown and modern production. Through illustrated examples of works undertaken by Bulmer Brick and Tile Company we will highlight the importance of matching bricks and look at different bonds, types of pointing and mortars. Peter Minter a director of the family firm, Bulmer Brick and Tile Co Ltd. The company formed in 1936, and runs the works on a site which was producing tiles as early as 1450.

£55 including light lunch

12 13

The Energy Efficiency Refurbishment of Traditional Buildings: Theory and Practice

9.30am to 12.30pm, Friday 14 November 2014Speaker: Dr Caroline Rye, ArchiMetrics Ltd

Much refurbishment practice is predicated on modelled assumptions of building performance, however, how appropriate are these assumptions with regard to older, solid wall properties, and how do buildings actually perform following refurbishment? The first half of the talk will look at some of the models and assessment methods used to predict heat and moisture behaviour in buildings. The second part will provide case study examples of measured performance taken from the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings’ Building Performance Survey. This survey, begun in 2010, assesses the effects of refurbishment in three traditional buildings including the long-term consequences of solid wall insulation

£55 including light lunch

Imported Baltic softwood timber into Eastern England: Influence as a building material on Design, Construction and English Architecture9.30am to 12.30pm, Friday 28 November 2014Speaker: Joe Bispham, Historic Buildings Consultant and Contractor

The use of European oak and exotic species of hardwood as architectural and building materials has in recent years become very popular. Generally the species that is overlooked in this revival is that of softwood timber. Softwood, in many cases a misnomer, has a long tradition historically in the construction and influence on English architecture. The lectures gives an insight as to how softwood was to become historically important as a building material covering the period for the modern architectural changes in the construction of English buildings from the 16-19 century, and the conservation of softwood, with repairs to external joinery, specifications, craft practices and repair techniques, illustrated through case studies.

£55 including light lunch

Building Pathology, Dampness and Timber Decay

9.30am to 12.30pm, Friday 12 December 2014Speaker: David Watt, Hutton + Rostron Environmental Investigations Ltd.

Understanding historic buildings and monuments requires a range of skills, including appreciation and understanding of historical development, construction, condition, performance and use. This is especially important when planning changes and interventions to historic fabric. The discipline of building pathology – defined as the study of failures in the interrelationships of building structures and materials with their environments, occupants and contents – provides a structured, evidence-based approach for investigations and surveys. Such an approach is especially relevant when carrying out investigations of dampness and timber decay, where it is essential to identify and treat underlying causes rather than address only the effects.

£55 including light lunch

Lime Plaster: Specification, ‘off the peg’ mixes and good practice9.30am to 12.30pm, Friday 13 February 2015Speaker: Tony Minter, Bulmer Brick and Tile Company& Rory Summerling, Lime Plasterer and Consultant on Lime

Ready mixed lime plaster and mortars are increasingly available. Although they might seem like a quick fix solution to using lime, their use is not necessarily straight forward. In the first talk, Tony Minter will look at the importance of good specification and the suitability of ready mixed plasters. In the second, Rory Summerling will give an account of his research into chalk plasters and give a practioner’s overview of the use of this material for over a decade. He will also look at the importance of good detailing and protection, as well as his experiences with lathe and fibreboard, and different infill materials, such as sheeps wool, hemp and wattle and daub.

£55 including light lunch

14 15

Carpentry repairs to timber framed buildings

9.30am to 12.30pm, Friday 27 FebruarySpeaker: Rick Lewis, Conservation Carpenter, Traditional Oak Carpentry Ltd

This session is divided into two illustrated talks with the first session looking at what repair methods might be appropriate to heavy carpentry and the tools that a modern carpenter might use. Modern and historic hand tools will be covered along with specialist power tools that have been designed with heavy carpentry in mind.

The second session will look at case studies of timber frames that some may consider to have been beyond reasonable repair. Some points on design, engineering along with the need for clear drawings and method statements will also be discussed. The morning should provide specifiers, homeowners and craftsmen with plenty of ideas for the effective repair of historic carpentry.

£55 including light lunch

A tour of a traditional brick works and a guided walk through Bury St Edmunds

9am to 4.30pm, 27 March 2015

A rare opportunity to visit Bulmer Brick & Tile Company’s brickworks and Bury St Edmunds in the company of one of the country’s leading traditional brick-makers. You will look at and discuss the conservation and repair of historic rubbed and gauged brickwork. The day will help professionals to specify and oversee work in the correct manner, and will also be of interest to the enthusiastic amateur. CPD Certificates provided

£95 excluding lunch

New Conservation short courses at Anglia Ruskin University*

To find out more about the new conservation short courses at Anglia Ruskin or the Building Conservation MSc contact Lewis Herbert by email lewis.herbert@anglia.ac.uk or 0774 863 6153 or ring Dr Alan Coday on 0845 196 3944.

working with

16 17

terms and conditions of booking*Paying for coursesPayment must be made in full at the time of booking.

Cancellation of course by Essex County CouncilIf the course is cancelled by Essex County Council we will refund you in full or you may transfer on to another course within the same programme.

Cancellation of booking by attendeesIf a booking is cancelled more than two weeks in advance of the start date of the course we will refund you in full.

If a booking is cancelled fewer than two weeks before the course, booking fees will not be refunded unless, the course is full and the place can be resold.

Changes to published informationAt the time of publishing all information is correct, however Essex County Council reserves the right to make changes to the programme if necessary.Any people booked on these events and affected by changes will be contacted as soon as possible.

Essex County Council Heritage Publications* Information booklets produced by Essex County Council: £1 each Looking After Your Old BuildingsThe Conservation and Renewal of Timber WindowsPointing with Lime Mortars

Conservation in Practice information booklets: 50p each WeatherboardingPlastering & LimewashWattle & DaubRepointing

Conservation in Essex SeriesNo4 - Historic Buildings: 50pNo5 – Shopfronts: £1.50No6 - Signs & Lettering: £1 No7 - Conservatories & Historic Buildings: £2No8 - Infill in Historic Areas: £2

Traditional Building Materials in Essex – Pargetting: £1

Typical details for historic buildings & conservation areas: £5

Mr Pink – the architectural legacy of W.F. Crittall: £10

Regional Variations in Timber Framed Buildings in England & Wales down to 1550: £16 (limited stock available)

To order publications please contact Katie Seabright on 03330 136560 or at Place Services, Essex County Council, County Hall, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1QH.

Some publications are available as a PDF for free

18 19

12

respond*Booking Form To confirm your booking return this form with a cheque, payable to Essex County Council, to: Katie Seabright, Historic Buildings & Conservation, Essex County Council, County Hall, Chelmsford, Essex, CM1 1QH.

Tel: 03330 136560 (NB Charges for calling 0333 numbers are the same as for calls made to standard UK landline phone numbers) Email: Traditional.BuildingSkills@essex.gov.uk

Please check availability before sending in payment.

Course name:

Date of course:

Name:

Company/organisation:

Address:

County Post code:

Tel:

Email:

How did you hear about our courses:

We may use your details at a later date to gain feedback on the courses.Help reduce the amount of paper we use. Please tick to receive course information via email. q Thank you.

For terms and conditions please see page 19*

21

for Essex

The Traditional Building Skills programme is delivered by

Place Services, a team of specialists in building conservation,

design and the environment providing expertise and advise for

local planning authorities.

You can contact us in the following ways:

By email:

traditional.buildingskills@essex.gov.uk

Visit our website:

www.placeservices.co.uk

By telephone:

01245 437 672

By post:

Essex County Council, Place Services PO Box 11, County Hall, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1QH

Read our online magazine at essex.gov.uk/youressex

Follow us on

Essex_CC

Find us on

facebook.com/essexcountycouncil

The information contained in this document can be translated, and/or made available in alternative formats, on request.

Published January 2014 DS

14 4

490