16-17 May 2025

Black Country Living Museum, Dudley

Lead flashing on roofs, brass or copper on domes, lead windows, wrought iron gates, structural cast-iron buildings – these are some of the uses of metals in buildings. And metals decay. This workshop looks at the historical background of ferrous and non-ferrous metals, their methods of production, the reasons for their decay and the appropriate conservation techniques for lead, wrought and cast iron. Students will get a feel for wrought-iron repair by trying their hand at forge welding. We will be making pot hooks, nails and pokers.
‘Really exciting and eye opening’

Jackfield Tile Museum, and Museum of Iron, Ironbridge Gorge, Telford
Bricks, terracotta, faience and tiles – all of these form part of many historic buildings. Do you know how they are made, how they decay and how to repair, replace or conserve them? This hands-on course will include a trip to the newly-refurbished Jackfield Tile Museum, a go at decorating a tile, as well as bricklaying using lime mortar.
‘a great experience...’

Ludlow and Worcester/Bromsgrove
Nearly all historic properties will have wood in them - whether as windows, joists, floors or doors. Some buildings are also structurally made from wood with timber frames. The first day of this course will deal with the conservation of non-structural timber in buildings – using Treasures workshop in Ludlow. The second day will deal with the history of and problems with timber-framed buildings and include visits to some magnificent examples. Current repair techniques will be demonstrated using experts.
‘Very helpful and interesting’

A private estate in Shropshire and Hagley Hall, Worcestershire
This two-day course will study how a traditional landed estate used to be managed and how it manages to make its way in the twenty-first century. Are there compromises to be made over reusing farm buildings? If the estate contains listed buildings, scheduled monuments and a registered park or garden, how are funding targets met? The course will be held at a privately-owned estate near Shrewsbury. The second day looks at the history and management of historic parks and the exciting discovery and conservation of an eighteenth-century landscape garden.

2-3 May 2025

Woodchester Mansion, Stroud, Gloucestershire and Parkside Building, Birmingham City University B4 7BD

England is blessed with a great variety of building stones, which is partly what gives it its unique character. Yet stone weathers and decays for a number of reasons. If you work in or with or on a stone building this two-day course will help you understand why and how stone decays and what the appropriate repair or conservation techniques are. Demonstrations from a stone mason and a chance to do some carving will complement lectures from architectural conservation staff.
‘I now know limestone from sandstone and know what to ask my builder to do.’

Wightwick Manor, Wolverhampton and Westwood House, Droitwich Spa, Worcestershire.
How do you peel away the layers of a historic interior and discover what is really ‘significant’? Once you have understood the interior how do you install services - electricity, security and fire detection systems? Using Wightwick Manor as a case study the day will progress to how the National Trust conservators identify the agents of deterioration within the mansion and deal with both preventative and remedial conservation. The second day will take a closer look at the plastered, papered and painted finishes of historic interiors.

Parkside Building, Birmingham City University B4 7BD
Some of the iconic buildings of the twentieth century were constructed from reinforced concrete. Like it or loathe it the concrete revolution changed the pattern of building. Yet
reinforced concrete decays and is subject to concrete cancer. If you manage a twentieth-century building you may want to know why it is important, how its components might be decaying and what to do about it. The Twentieth Century Society will talk about their recent campaigns. Concrete repairs will be covered in detail. There will also be case studies on successful conservation projects.

Harvington Hall, Worcestershire and Pitchford Hall, Shropshire.
Learn the levels of recording commissioned in the conservation industry, whether to discharge a planning condition or for investigation, or in advance of demolition. Prepare for recording, selecting the most appropriate techniques. See the latest techniques of photogrammetry and laser scanning. Experience hand drawing a measured elevation and plan. See if remote capture by drone is for your project.
‘I needed to update myself on current methods and potential’.