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 with supervised practical sessions.
Why attend this training day
- An introduction to traditional lime mortars on historic buildings
- Classroom and practical session
- Walk through Reading Abbey Ruins
- Appreciation of different binders and mixes
Who should attend:
Architects, project managers and surveyors
10.00 – 11.30 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
- Methodology – H&S, mixing, application and tending
11.30 – 12.00 Guided Walk: Reading Abbey Ruins
- A summary of application of lime mortars
12.00 – 13.00 Lunch
13.00 – 14.00 Practical Session One
- H&S toolbox talk
- Mixing demonstration of different binders
- In pairs – mixing two mortars using NHL and Quicklime
14.00 – 16.00 Practical Session Two
- 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.