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SPAB & NT – An Introduction to Ornamental Lime Plastering
20 September 2024 - 09:00 - 21 September 2024 - 17:00
£399Friday 20 September – Saturday 21 September, 2024
Take your lime plastering skills to the next level with this practical introduction to ornamental lime plastering, including running a cornice in-situ and forming external and internal mitres.
This two-day practical course is taught by three Master Plasterers at the National Trust’s stunning Heritage and Rural Skills Centre.
Our expert tutors will show you how to make a running mould and a silicone mould, cast and fix enrichments, and run fibrous plasterwork formed ‘on the bench’.
This course is kindly supported by the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers and we can offer some places at a subsidised rate of £150. If you are an early career plasterer or apprentice, plastering tutor or student seeking to develop your lime plastering skills, and require this financial assistance, please contact us before booking: education@spab.org.uk .
You may also be interested in our other courses at the National Trust’s Heritage and Rural Skills Centre:
An Introduction to Plain Lime Plastering, 26 – 27 April 2024
An Introduction to Pargeting, 8 June 2024
Who is it for?
This course is ideal for people with plastering experience, and particularly working plasterers who are keen to expand their skill base.
Although we cannot guarantee it, previous course participants have had success in gaining a CITB short course grant towards the cost of this course fee. Please visit the CITB website for further information.
You will learn:
- The basics of making a running mould.
- Make a mould for original enrichment.
- Fibrous plaster basics.
- Preparation of running a cornice in-situ.
- Running a muffle coat/coring out.
- External and internal mitres.
- Make repairs to an existing cornice.
- How to take a silicone squeeze in-situ.
- Preparation for a finishing coat.
Programme
Subject to minor changes
Day One
| 9am | Registration |
| 9.15am | Welcome and Health and Safety Briefing |
| 9.30am | Introduction to tools and materials |
| Demonstration of making a running mould | |
| Demonstration of mixing/pouring silicone to make a mould of original enrichment | |
| 10.45am | Refreshment break |
| 11am | Introduction to fibrous plastering. Demonstration of casting fibrous plaster and casting enrichment. |
| 12pm | Lunch |
| 12.45pm | Practical session: |
| – Fixing running rule, understanding and mixing plaster for coring out. | |
| – Preparing to run a cornice. Running a muffle coat/coring out. | |
| 1.45pm | Practical session: |
| – Continue running a muffle coat/coring out. | |
| – Start creating a mitred corner. | |
| 3pm | Finishing off and preparation for day two |
| 3.15pm | Refreshment break |
| 3.30pm | Running in-situ case study |
| 4pm | Cornice repairs case study |
| 4.30pm | Fibrous plaster case study |
| 5pm | End of day one |
Day Two
| 9am | Registration |
| 9.15am | Demonstration of taking a silicone squeeze in-situ |
| 9.35am | Practical session: |
| – Understanding and mixing plaster for finishing coat. | |
| – Preparing to run a finishing coat (plain face cornice) | |
| 10.15am | Practical session: |
| – Continue finishing coats. | |
| – Start finishing coat on mitred corner. | |
| 11.15am | Refreshment break |
| 11.30am | Practical session: |
| – Understanding of fixing fibrous run cornices on site. | |
| – Fix fibrous run cornices. | |
| 12.45pm | Lunch |
| 1.30pm | Practical session: |
| – Finish mitred corner on solid and fibrous cornices. | |
| – Demonstration of fixing enrichments. | |
| 3.30pm | Clear up |
| 4pm | End of day two |
You will need:
- This is a practical course. Please arrive wearing warm, comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty or damaged. We recommend you bring overalls or coveralls to wear if you can.
- You will need to wear sturdy (flat and closed) footwear, ideally steel-toe capped.
- We will provide all necessary protective equipment, but if you would prefer to wear your own gloves and goggles, please bring them.
- All tools and materials will be provided. If you would prefer to bring your own tools, please ensure they are labelled.
Tutors
Sean Wheatley, traditional plasterer
Sean is a Master Plasterer of the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers and has four decades’ experience as a plasterer. Has has concentrated on traditional methods, materials and decorative plasterwork for the last 30 years. He has also been involved in the preparation of reports, surveys and methodologies regarding the conservation and restoration of historic plasterwork in listed and historic buildings. Sean is a SPAB Guardian on our Education and Training Committee.
Keith Langton, decorative plasterwork specialist
Keith is a specialist in heritage and fibrous plasterwork. A Master Plasterer of the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers, his portfolio covers an extensive range of projects from large commercial properties to private residences, as well as film set construction and design.
Michal Wolf, plasterer and conservator in lime
Michal is a Master Plasterer of the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers and a founder of All Things Lime, a company which helps people look after their historic buildings. He is 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.
Assessment / Accreditation
The SPAB is an IHBC recognised CPD provider and attendance certificates for CPD are available on request.
Accessibility
This is a practical course held in a workshop environment, which can be dusty, cold and noisy. There are some uneven surfaces, such as cobbles, due to the historic nature of the building.
Please bear in mind that the workshop demonstrations and activities will require standing.
Accessible parking spaces are marked in the car park. Accessible toilets are available.
Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email education@spab.org.uk.
Photography
We may take photos or videos at this event to be used in future promotion, including in print and online.