Published: 28/04/2015
Tuesday 28 April 2015. For immediate release
COPELAND residents and builders can get their hands dirty at free courses in heritage construction techniques.
Copeland Borough Council has organised the events with funding from the Townscape Heritage Initiative. They include taster days for the public, and masterclasses aimed at professional building firms. Participants will get to work at a “live” project - the former YMCA building in Whitehaven, currently being transformed into flats and young people’s services by Howgill and Impact Housing.
Jane Taylor, Copeland’s THI officer, said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer these interesting courses – the public can have great fun trying something new, and professionals can get invaluable skills to help their business."
The taster days for the general public will be led by expert craftsmen with many years’ experience of working on heritage projects. The sessions are:
- · 16 May – Lime rendering, 10am – 4pm. Bring a packed lunch.
- · 6 June – Lime plastering, 10am – 4pm, bring a packed lunch.
- · 18 July – Internal lime pointing, 9am-noon OR 1pm – 4pm.
- · 15 August – External lime pointing, 9am - 1pm
The council are also offering free masterclasses, open to all construction firms with staff who could benefit from gaining or improving specific heritage techniques. The masterclasses will also be led by experienced craftsmen and include:
Lime Render
May 11 – 15, 10am – 4pm.
With tutor Rob Williams, who specialises in listed buildings and churches, participants will apply render, control the suction, protect the render while it cures and learn about different lime mixtures.
Lime Plastering
June 1-4, 10am – 4pm.
Attendees will learn the advantages of lime plaster and the different backgrounds to apply it to, and get a chance to apply the plaster on a live project.
Cobble Setts
August 17 - 18, 10am - 4pm.
Paving professionals will learn to lay traditional cobble setts in a courtyard setting.
Anyone interested in the masterclasses or the public taster events should call Jane Taylor on 0845 054 8600. All events are free but need to be booked as places are limited.
The Townscape Heritage Initiative is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Britain’s Energy Coast (using funding from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority) and Copeland Borough Council. The money is being used to help restore buildings in the James St and Market Place area of Whitehaven, bring floor space back into use and provide training and skills projects.
Ends
Notes for editors
- ·For media enquiries, please contact:
Communications Officer, Leila Cox on 01946 598315
Communications Officer, Anja Swan on 01946 598353.
Communications Manager, Karen Morley-Chesworth on 01946 598 504
Mobile: 07880 997 246 Email: karen.morley-chesworth@copeland.gov.uk
- · Copeland Borough Council – Proud of our past. Energised for our future.
- · Copeland Borough Council’s vision – Working to improve lives, communities and the prosperity of Copeland.
