About Our Practical One-Day Workshops

Over the past six years our workshops have attracted a range of people including homeowners, professional builders, architects, surveyors and those who wish to self-build.

The aim of the workshops is to give course members knowledge and understanding of cob building, cob repairs and uses of lime in building. This will enable people to either undertake work themselves or to instruct contractors with confidence.

The cob and lime days are a mix of practical instruction and hands-on experience. We cover aspects of build and repair, for example, mixing cob, making blocks and building with mass cob as well as repair techniques. The lime days are taken up with, slaking lime, mixing mortar and limewash. We also cover pointing, plastering and rendering.

Practical Cob Day Programme

9.30	The workshop begins at the Clinton Hall, Merton Introductory talk and slides. Any questions? Coffee
10.30	Workshop continues at the site of new build cob house Suitable soils. What soil type is required for successful cob building and how to find out?
11.15	Mixing cob with straw. Making cob blocks. Building a mass cob structure. Mixing sieved cob for floors.
12.45	Lunch and time to raise questions and talk about individual projects and repairs.
14.00	Workshop continues at Great Potheridge just outside of Merton. Great Potheridge is an historic house with cob barns in need of repair. Repair techniques. Use of stainless steal fixings, stitching and tools required.
15.15 – 16.00	Appropriate renders, plasters and finishes

Practical Lime Day Programme

9.30	The workshop begins at the Clinton Hall, Merton Introductory talk and slides. Any questions? Coffee
10.30	The workshop continues at Pinkhill Farm, just outside of Merton. The farm has a range of old stone barns. Choosing the correct sand, types of lime and hair for mortar Health & Safety, correct storage and shelf life of lime putty mortar and NHL Slaking lime and mixing mortars Pointing
12.45	Lunch and time to raise questions and talk about individual projects and repairs.
14.00	Rendering techniques, hand harling and plastering Protection and curing
15.15 – 16.15	Mixing limewash and limewashing

For further information regarding our courses or to make a booking please contact us either by e-mail or telephone on 01805 603587

Price £70 including VAT and lunch

We supply all tools, equipment and materials.
Most of the day is spent outside so please wear suitable clothing and footwear.

course members pointing old stone barn.

Jerry leading a group as they begin to mix cob.

Tamping cob on a wall.

Mixing haired lime mortar.

Helping course member to lime plaster.