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 40 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 and a rain water harvesting system) .
Practical training sessions take place outside or in one of the old barns or farm out buildings. Food is locally sourced as far as possible (some as local as the kitchen garden) and is provided by a local caterer. There is a small camp site on site 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? On lime plastering days we try to keep a maximum of 6 participants to 1 tutor. This is the reason why our Lime Plastering Courses are more expensive than the Introduction to Lime Courses. We use a variety of tutors, all of whom are working lime plasterers running their own contracting businesses.
What will I have learnt by the end of the day? The course aims to give you a full understanding of how lime plaster works and an introduction to application procedures. We have people with a wide range of skills on the course from homeowners with limited practical knowledge to tradesmen with many years experience. We're obviously not going to turn you into a craftsman if you haven't already got the tool skills, but you will get a feel for the materials and an understanding of how and where they should be used.
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 and limewash and other 'breathable' paints 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:
'This course is run brilliantly and I will recommend it to other people' - JW, builder, Devizes
'I found this course very useful, both practical and theory side. Very pleased.' - HB, plasterer, Bridgend
'We learnt everything we wanted. Thank you very much.' - RM, architect and homeowner, Oswestry
'A very good course with right mix of theory and practice.' - JM, homeowner, Buckinghamshire
'A day well spent with lots to go away and think about.' - WS, self-build, Shrewsbury
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
Pen-y-Bryn Bed & Breakfast - Anne Thomas
Llangors
01874 658606 www.activityuk.com/penybryn.php
WITHIN 10 MILES
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.
Aglaia Interior Lacquer
Aglaia Resin Wall Paint
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