The Plaisterers’ Charity

Ornamental Lime Plastering: 2-Day Course

Venue: National Trust Heritage & Rural Skills Centre at Coleshill

I was delighted to be invited to attend Day 1 of this course in late September, presented by SPAB (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings), in association with the National Trust, with the Plaisterers’ Charity subsidising seven places. Seven plasterers from around the UK; keen on conservation and wanting to gain experience in the use of traditional building methods and materials.

Freemen of the Company and holders of our Master Plasterer Certificate, Sean Wheatly, Michal Wolf and Keith Langton were the tutors on this course and indeed previous plastering courses, held now in a dedicated studio in this Skills Centre. The Plaisterers Charity has subsidised plastering courses at this site for 3 years and the success of those courses has been influential in the National Trust converting what were semi-derelict farm buildings into a skills hub where conservation skills, knowledge and expertise are shared and developed.

I last visited three years ago and the transformation of this site is extraordinary. The plasterers’ courses are now held in the Lime Studio, created in the former cattle-fatting pens. And I had a feast of a day watching students in their lathed booths fixing a running rule and preparing to run a cornice and creating a mitred corner. As I was questioned by the students, I had to explain there was a world of difference between being a Past Master Plaisterer and a Master Plasterer. Until that day I had no idea how a running mould was assembled!

Traditional building techniques and rural crafts are in decline and this skills shortage is putting heritage buildings at risk. Sean, Michal and Keith share a passion to highlight this and pass on their skills to the next generation. The heritage plastering courses are instrumental in saving and safeguarding our endangered craft. The Plaisterers Charity is proud to be associated with SPAB and the National Trust’s Heritage and Rural Skills Centre at Coleshill. If any of our plasterers want to know more about the courses held at Coleshill please contact the Clerk. The courses are informative and great fun! SAVE OUR CRAFT

Thank you, Sean, Michal and Keith, for a truly informative visit and for the work you do.

Margaret Coates,

Charity Steward/Managing Trustee

Images of the day © Ralph Hodgson