Another heritage course with no uptake.

[johnandrew]

Some of you may remember that I posted a while back about a heritage evening class in Skipton, North Yorkshire that was postponed/cancelled due to lack of demand.

Well, it seems the same thing is happening again with a 'heritage plastering course' at Leeds College of Building. It's a three day course http://www.lcb.ac.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=303&Itemid=20. Having just phoned them I was told the course has not run as yet and probably won't run for quite a while as there is little interest. I think they need- 6-8 people to run the course.

Now, I'm not sure whether there is a real lack of demand or whether their marketing is just not reaching those people who would be interested.

I am beginning to think that I might have to make the journey down to Brecon to attend a two day course at Ty-mawr

John

 

[Pford75]

Im not saying it's right, but I would suggest that many people would look at the course cost (£290 + travel, time off etc.) and take the view that they would rather put that money towards hiring an expert. If you include the 'value' of holidays/time off at £200/day, the 'cost' of the course is nearly £1000

 

[johnandrew]

I see your point, Pford75. I have been considering attending the 2-day Ty-Mawr lime course, which is about £250 and being a long distance from West Yorkshire would mean 3 nights accomodation + travel expenses. Unfortunately, I don't get holiday pay but can take 2/3 days off with permission from the boss lady.

I suppose I am rueful that such courses don't get much more interest given the recent-ish push to raise the profile of so-called heritage crafts via such bodies as the NHTG and the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Maybe I'm guilty of thinking that everyone should get excited by the same things that excite me.

John

 

[Pford75]

I understand, but with national median gross salary at £20,80 (leaving net salary at somewhere around £12-£15k), a course like this for the average UK person would cost a month's salary.

In the middle of a major economic downturn and consumer uncertainty, i'm not surprised that people hesitate before enrolling. If you only have a small plastering job to do, then you might as well use the money to employ a professional....if it's a much larger job, then the question of time comes into the equation. Even if I had the skills to plaster my house (and I don't), I could never justify the cost of my time to do it.

I would imagine that one of the sad consequences of the downturn is that many people will be looking for quick/cheap repairs to their homes (unable to move because of falling property prices) and there will be more than the normal number of inappropriate repairs/alterations.

 

[skier-hughes]

It may also be the time of year, people aren't quite ready to undertake their lime work, in a month's time there may well be more interest?

 

[JoceAndChris]

I'd like to do the course, could make an effort to afford it, and could stay for free at Zoe's, or Paul's, or Janice's, or Jane' s- which would be fun. The thing that freaks me out about it are the entry requirements: "You should be working within the plastering industry or have an interest in plastering or maintenance of historical buildings." Does that mean complete beginners will be out of their depth?

 

[johnandrew]

Joce, I too wondered about the level of plastering experience they expect but am choosing to believe they will accommodate lime-aware non=plasterers.

 

[LadyArowana]

I'd like to do the course, could make an effort to afford it, and could stay for free at Zoe's, or Paul's, or Janice's, or Jane' s- which would be fun. The thing that freaks me out about it are the entry requirements: "You should be working within the plastering industry or have an interest in plastering or maintenance of historical buildings." Does that mean complete beginners will be out of their depth?

I am sure you would be fine Joce, the only one not applicable to you is the first. I bet they would rather run the course with beginners than not at all.

 

[johnandrew]

I'd like to do the course, could make an effort to afford it, and could stay for free at Zoe's, or Paul's, or Janice's, or Jane' s- which would be fun. The thing that freaks me out about it are the entry requirements: "You should be working within the plastering industry or have an interest in plastering or maintenance of historical buildings." Does that mean complete beginners will be out of their depth?

Better still, Joce, you could bring them all along to the course.

Maybe others on here might be interested in attending. I might even consider offering our spare rooms to those living too far away to commute (maybe a bad idea given the dodgy lot on this forum).

John

 

[hoppy]

call me old-fashined, but i fail to see what they can teach you in 2 days. I had to serve a 5 year apprenticeship in solid/fibrous plastering. I know some of you will say "They will teach me the basics" to be going on with, but in reality all they will do is lead you into trouble., but heyho good luck to anyone that tries

 

[JoceAndChris]

in reality all they will do is lead you into trouble

Hmm. Which is best?
1)Continue watching damp and decay in your property by putting up with cement plaster
2) Do a less than perfect job with lime plaster but get walls breathing again

I don't mean to denigrate your craft hoppy, or lead anyone to think that it takes less than 5 years to achieve some of the lovely things I've seen on your website. I'm sure many of us would prefer to employ fine craftsmen for all the jobs that need doing, but it's not always possible.

My wine cellar and scullery desperately need limeplastering, they're dark, damp, not very visible areas - andI think I'd do a better job with a course than without.

And that's not even going into the whole fun/learning element that would be involved, plus the fact that the more these kinds of courses are advertised, or talked about, or attended, the more people will hear about lime and the necessity of using it in the repair of old houses.

 

[Alex]

Jose and Chris, if you can afford it, go and do the limeplastering course. I did the day one at Ty Mawr 2 years ago this month. No, you won't learn everything in one or two days but at least you can have a go and ask questions at the same time.
I was the only woman on the course, imagine the faces when I walked into the room with handbag, makeup and a French Manicure. This was only surpassed when the tutor walked in and yes you guessed it, a woman. Seriously though, I would recommend it to anyone, it was good to have someone to show you how to do it and within 5 minutes you are having a go rather than waiting until you get home.
Alex.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

I was the only woman on the course, imagine the faces when I walked into the room with handbag, makeup and a French Manicure. This was only surpassed when the tutor walked in and yes you guessed it, a woman.

Alex - I think you're going to get on very well with Joce. She loves to dress up too!

 

[JoceAndChris]

I'd love to do the lime plastering course, not least for the fun of choosing the right outfit.

Maybe this one? And Alex, I do so approve of your French manicure!

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Ooh no, Joce.

Surely this one:



:wink: :wink: :wink: :wink: :wink:

 

[JoceAndChris]

:shock: Is there no end to your naughtiness? :lol:

Oh, that dress- I hired it from Angel's in Covent Garden, after a whole day of trying on medieval princess outfits. It hurt to give it back.

The occasion was my hen party, I made all my friends dress as medieval princesses and waft round Coombe Abbey.

Why, oh why, have we swapped all that for boring modern dress?

 

[Moo]

Er... 'scuse my ignorance, but what is a French Manicure?

 

[LadyArowana]

Why, oh why, have we swapped all that for boring modern dress?

Joce, you are just not trying hard enough, I think any of these outfits would be just the thing for a lime plastering course, they even come with protective eyewear and a nice practical hat!

Moo, the French Manicure is the one with the pale tips.

 

[JoceAndChris]

My recent French manicure was annihilated by sanding unfortunately, but I LOVE long, fake nails, even though you lose a bit of precision with them on.

And that yellow dress in the middle is perfection.

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Joce - I'm going to push my luck one more time:

My recent French manicure was annihilated by sanding unfortunately, but I LOVE long, fake nails, even though you lose a bit of precision with them on.

You mean like this?

View attachment 1

Oh, ok, so I'm pushing my luck twice more!

And that yellow dress in the middle is perfection.

Yellow does seem to be one of your favourite colours!!



Ok - no more. I promise. 8) 8) 8)