In mid-December 2024, the Clerk drove to Barnstable to meet our current King's Foundation Plasterer – Jess Lay - who was on a placement working on a historic cottage in Devon. It was a pleasure to meet her and see her enthusiasm for plastering. 

Two years ago Jess switched careers from social care to plastering and, after initial training and work experience, set herself up as a self-employed plasterer. Jess’s goal is to use her skills in the traditional ways of the craft and share them with others who also have a passion for creativity and sustainability. Jess is also keen to contribute to conserving the beauty and accessibility of heritage buildings for others to enjoy and feel inspired by. 

During 2025, the King’s Foundation Building Crafts programme students will come together from placements across the country at Highgrove, where they will work together on a build project that will highlight the variety of skills, including stonework, carpentry and plastering, to construct a new building on the estate. The Master and Clerk hope to visit Jess during this part of the year.