The agenda for the day includes:
- Introduction and Health & Safety
- Lime – It’s properties and Use
- Lime Slaking demonstration
- Plastering/rendering/roughcasting
- Pointing and Mortar Analysis
- Limewash and Limewashing
The training centre at Ty Mawr is based in a beautiful complex of Grade 2* listed buildings in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park in Mid Wales. Once the site of an impressive medieval manor house, the current buildings are set in 95 acres of land on the southern shore of Llangorse Lake.
The meeting / lecture room was once a stable and granary. It has been restored over the last ten years and, with the creation of a linked toilet block, has combined traditional and modern methods and materials to make an attractive and sustainable venue (including lime-hemp plaster, re-cycled glass plaster (glaster!), solar thermal panels, biomass heating and a rain water harvesting system) providing a perfect backdrop to our courses.
Practical training sessions take place outside or in the plastering workshop (located in the old farm buildings) with a superb team of experienced tutors..
Food is locally sourced as far as possible (some as local as the kitchen garden) and is provided by a local caterer. Refreshments include Fairtrade tea/coffee, freshly baked cakes and Welsh cakes and a hot lunch is provided.
The site is still the home of the founders of Ty-Mawr, Nigel and Joyce Gervis and their family (and chickens, geese etc!), their head office is still located on the site as well as the manufacturing facility (which you will have the opportunity to see) and there is always work in progress to see and we try to include a tour of the site for those interested on all days.
There is a small campsite at Ty-Mawr and a good range of accommodation in the immediate vicinity (see accommodation tab).
Simple questions such as Location, Timings, What to bring etc are dealt with at the beginning, information on Quality, Accreditation and Feedback are provided towards the end of this section.
Where are the courses held? The courses are held at our Training Centre at Ty Mawr Farm, Llangasty near Brecon in mid Wales (LD3 7PJ) (See 'Training Facilities' tab above)
How can I find the Training Centre? Directions to Ty Mawr Farm can be found on 'ABOUT US' on main menu, select 'Directions' in left hand menu, and then select 'Ty Mawr Farm' option in left hand menu.
What time does it start? The courses start at 9.30am with tea / coffee / introductions.
When will it finish? We aim to finish by 5pm (but it depends how many questions people are asking!)
Will food be provided? Yes, we provide a good, home cooked lunch in the middle of the day and refreshments (tea / coffee / cakes) throughout the day just to keep you going. When you book you will be asked if you have any particular dietary requirements.
What accommodation is available? We have a small campsite that course attendees are welcome to use, and there is a good range of accommodation within the surrounding area. (See 'Accommodation' tab above)
What should I wear? You should wear suitable workclothes and footwear as there is a large practical element to the course. Protective equipment such as safety spectacles and gloves will be provided.
Do I need to bring anything else? All tools and protective equipment are provided but some craftsmen like to bring their own tools. You may also want to bring samples of mortar / photos of your own projects if you want to discuss specific issues.
How many people will be on the course? We usually have up to 20 people on Introduction to Lime courses but have a maximum ratio of 10 participants to 1 tutor. On each course there will be a stonemason (building and pointing tutor) and a plastering tutor as well as Ty Mawr staff.
What experience do I need? We have people with a wide range of experience on these courses from homeowners with very little practical knowledge to tradesmen with many years of experience to architects. Over the years we've found that everyone, no matter what level they're starting from, found the course to be relevant to them.
What will I have learnt by the end of the day? The course aims to raise awareness and understanding of lime based materials, and to promote confidence in their use. We're obviously not going to turn you into stonemason or plasterer if you haven't already got the tool skills, but you will get a feel for the materials, an understanding of how and where they should be used, and the confidence to start using them.
Is any written information supplied to take away? Yes, as part of the course you will be given a copy of the recently produced 'Ty Mawr Lime Handbook', a 92-page practical guide that normally retails at £15. It covers types of lime and their applications as well as lists of useful tools, related organisations, product safety data sheets etc.
Is the course accredited? The introductory talk at the start of the day has been accredited by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) as part of their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme.
Will I get a certificate? The course is not assessed but we do provide an attendance certificate. Many architectural and building firms have sent staff on the course over the years and the content is widely recognised as being relevant to professionals, trades and homeowners.
Is the course linked to the new Heritage Skills CSCS card? Not directly but a lot of the material is relevant and provides good, underpinning knowledge and understanding for elements of the NVQ in Heritage Skills.
Why are the courses more expensive than some other providers? We know that our courses are more expensive than some other providers but we make no apologies for this as we feel that the content and quality are second to none. Many of the reasons for this have been given above such as the RIBA accreditation, the use of very experienced tutors drawn from across England and Wales, the provision of the Ty Mawr Lime Handbook (RRP £15), not to mention the location and the food! This is supported by the feedback received in 2009.
Feedback and Review
As part of our ISO9001:2000 Quality Management Certification, we carry out a regular review of the feedback we receive. Return rates of feedback forms are about 90%. When asked to rate various aspects of the Introduction to Lime courses held in 2009 as 'good', 'adequate' or 'poor':
93% felt the time available to talk to tutors was 'good'
94% felt the written information was 'good'
98% described the facilities as 'good'
100% described the catering as 'good' (with 14% adding 'excellent'!)
Some of the specific comments received are given below:
Course was very well structured and informative. It was also great to have the opportunity to get some hands-on practical experience. Everyone was very friendly and helpful and lunch was lovely! The best course that we have had. Thank you very much. Student on Conservation of Historic Buildings MSc Course, Bath University
Excellent, friendly, relaxed course. Knowledgeable and informative instructors. Many thanks. March 09
Fantastic weekend, lots of information and about the right level of practical activity. The campsite was great as was the food. I'm a convert! 2-day course, August 09
Has considerably increased our knowledge and understanding together with practical skills. Provided invaluable help with making building specifications. 2-day course, August 09
Very impressed with the tutors attitude and knowledge. Also very good people skills. September 09
Thank you for a very enjoyable and informative day. Relaxed and full of useful information for our ongoing projects. November 09
This section is under development, please email
tymawr@lime.org.uk for systems builds and NBS clauses.
WITHIN 2 MILES OF TY-MAWR
The Old Ford Inn
Llanhamlach. On the A40
01874 665220 www.theoldfordinn.co.uk
Brynderwen Bed & Breakfast
Talyllyn, Brecon, LD3 7SY
01874 658247 www.brynderwen-brecon.co.uk
Peterstone Court
Llanhamlach. Luxurious hotel with leisure facilities.
01874 665387 www.peterstone-court.com
WITHIN 4 MILES
Dalton House Bed & Breakfast
Llangors, LD3 7UG
01874 658378 www.dalton-house.com
WITHIN 10 MILES
Brecon is about 5 miles away and has a range of hotels and guesthouses. Others recommended by previous course attendees include:
Ty Gwyn Bed & Breakfast - Sue and Pete
Brecon Road, Crickhowell, NP8 1DG
01873811625 www.tygwyn.com
Trefecca Farm House Bed & Breakfast - Helen Jones
Farmhouse B&B about 6 miles away.
01874 711306
The Griffin Inn
Felinfach. Restaurant and Pub
01874 620111 www.eatdrinksleep.ltd.uk
The Old Mill Bed & Breakfast - Pam & Hadyn Boxhall
Felinfach. Farmhouse bed and breakfast about 7 miles away.
01874 625385
CAMPING
There is a basic campsite at Ty-Mawr Lime with toilets and cold running water. Please call 01874 658000 for further information.
LARGER GROUPS
The Star - Bwlch Bunkhouse
A self-catering bunkhouse about 5 minutes drive.
01874 730080/730 215 (leave a message)
www.starbunkhouse.com info@starbunkhouse.com
Gilfach Bunkhouse
Llangors
01874 658272. www.activityuk.com/accommodation-in-llangorse.php
Penpont
Nr Sennybridge - Self catering facilities for up to 14 people in 6 bedrooms, suitable for large groups and conferences.
01874 636202 www.penpont.com
Ty Mawr is based in a farmstead in the heart of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It is on the site of a medieval manor house overlooking Llangors Lake, the largest natural lake in South Wales. The area is rich in wildlife and history.
There are a variety of walks from Ty Mawr; stroll along the edge of the lake through meadows and woodland or climb to the summit of one of the surrounding hills giving stunning panoramic views of the Brecon Beacons and Black Mountains.
There are also plenty of opportunities for other outdoor activities in the area including birdwatching, fishing and sailing on the lake, ponytrekking and a climbing activity centre.
Ty-Mawr itself operates a small campsite which provides a perfect location to explore the area - email tymawr@lime.org.uk to check availability!
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