Programme Overview
Gain hands-on experience with heritage lime mortar techniques within the grounds of Reading Abbey Ruins, a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument. This full-day CPD course combines classroom theory and discussion with a supervised practical session.
Why attend this training day
- An introduction to traditional lime mortars and specifying them for use on historic buildings
- A live case study – guided walk through Reading Abbey Ruins and hear about the work Cliveden Conservation have carried out there using traditional lime mortars
- Appreciation of different binders, aggregates and additives
10.00 – 12.00 Session One: Classroom Presentation
- The benefits of lime
- The importance of appropriate specification
- The lime cycle and the chemistry of lime
- Hydraulic limes, pure limes and their uses
- Binders, aggregates, pozzolans
12.00 – 13.00 Lunch
13.00 – 13.30 Guided Walk: Reading Abbey Ruins
- Explore the ruins and learn about the challenges of their conservation
13.30 – 16.00 Heritage Lime Mortars Practical
- H&S toolbox talk
- Quicklime slaking demonstration
- In pairs – mixing two mortars using NHL and Quicklime
- Application of mortar to the Abbey Ruins Walls
- Techniques for pointing and consolidation
- Techniques for tending
What you will take away
- Handout with notes
- IHBC certificate
Ben Newman is an art school-trained stonemason and carver with extensive experience of producing high-quality work in the repair of Historic Buildings. He has been teaching stone carving for over seven years and is expert in communicating the practical skills and know-how necessary to begin to master the skill to work stone.
Amelia Morrison studied History of Art at Goldsmiths, University of London; then achieved her Level 3 Bankermasonry Diploma at the Building Crafts College. Amelia is the Stonemasonry Foreman for Architectural Projects at Cliveden Conservation and has worked on many award-winning projects.