Historic Brick Masonry Repair Masterclass, Elvaston Castle and Gardens

Event details

Friday 4 and Saturday 5 July, 9am - 5pm

Join us at Elvaston Castle for this hands-on two-day course. You will learn the essentials of historic brickwork repair from Terrence Lee, one of the UK’s leading authorities on historic brickwork and author of Traditional Brickwork: Construction, Repair and Maintenance.

Through a combination of live demonstrations and practical sessions, you will learn how to assess, prepare, and repair traditional brick walls. You will come away with the ability to identify and repair damage to historic brickwork to retain the beauty and structural integrity of your masonry, while staving off further decay. 

Working on sections of wall in and around the stable yards will give you plenty of opportunities to try out your new skills on real historic masonry, under Terrence Lee’s expert guidance and supervision. Although this is an introductory course, you should come away from it with the confidence to identify and remediate defects and failures typically found in historic brick masonry, and to carry out good, honest brickwork repairs using traditional lime mortar. 

Who is this course for?

This is an introductory/intermediate level course aimed at building professionals and craftspeople seeking to work with or better understand traditional brick masonry. It is also suitable for building owners and caretakers keen to learn more about how to maintain and repair historic brickwork. 

You will learn 

By the end of the course, you will know/understand/be able to:

• Understand and identify the characteristics (age, type, colour, texture) of bricks used in historic brick structures.
• Assess historic brick walls to determine what, if any, interventions are needed.
• Identify defects commonly found in historic brickwork.
• Understand the various materials, tools and techniques used in the repair and conservation of historic brick masonry.
• Prepare a repair specification for remedial works.
• Select and mix appropriate lime mortar.
• Remove decayed or defective bricks and replace with new like-for-like substitutes.
• Select appropriate brick replacements, matching colour, texture and type.
• Carry out remedial work to brick masonry, including pointing, jointing and joint finishes.
• Understand the methods used to identify & understand bricks used in historic structures.

Programme

Please note that these timings are subject to minor changes depending on factors like work progress on the course days. 

Day One

Day Two

You will need 

• Please wear overalls or working clothes that you don't mind getting dirty, and flat, enclosed footwear, ideally steel toe-capped boots. All other PPE is provided.
• The work will involve kneeling so you may wish to wear knee pads or bring a suitable kneeler cushion.
• We will mostly be outside, so we recommend you wear warm layers and bring waterproofs in case of rain.

Practical information

• Parking is available at the main car park, where we will meet at the start of each day (tbc). 
• There is a toilet and handwashing facilities on site. 
• A light lunch will be provided. Please indicate any dietary requirements in the booking form. 

Terrence Lee, lead tutor

Terrence has worked on a diverse range of traditional buildings during his 15-year career, from  small vernacular cottages and garden walls to Georgian and Victorian townhouses and terraces.  Alongside his practical building conservation projects, Terrence also teaches and lectures on historic brickwork. He has provided practical and theoretical training for organisations including the National Trust, RIBA, Canals and Rivers Trust, Townscape Heritage Initiative, Harper Adams University, University of Singapore, University of Birmingham, Birmingham City University and the Tywi Centre.  His students have included apprentices, craftspeople, postgraduate researchers and architects.  

Following careers in the military and in civil and construction engineering, Terrence qualified with City and Guilds Advanced Craft certificate in Brickwork, before completing first a history degree and then a Masters in Historic Environment Conservation. He is a strong believer in Continued Professional Development and attends craft and theoretical CPD sessions, as well as delivering CPD training to others himself.  Further sharing his passion and knowledge on the subject, Terrence recently published a book (Traditional Brickwork: Construction, Repair and Maintenance) which was described in a SPAB Magazine review as “highly practical as well as informative … with excellent illustrations throughout”. 

Ellie Jae Dobson, assistant tutor

Ellie Jae is a bricklayer and stonemason based in Yorkshire.  She began her career as a brickwork apprentice with Dobson Construction (no relation) before honing her skills further at construction college, where she developed a passion for decorative techniques.  Ellie Jae’s love of history together with a growing admiration of traditional craftsmanship drew her towards conservation.  While working on repairs to Calverley Old Hall she heard about the SPAB’s Fellowship programme, which she successfully applied for and completed in 2024.

Accessibility

Please note that you will be learning at an area of the Elvaston estate where:

• The ground will be uneven in places.
• The wall and surrounding area are muddy in places.
• Work to the lower parts of the wall will involve kneeling or crouching.
• There is no seating available, but you are welcome to being a camp chair or stool.

Anything we can do to make this event more accessible for you? Please email education@spab.org.uk

Partner

This event brought to you in association with Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust

About Elvaston Castle and Gardens

Elvaston is a Grade II* listed estate just outside Derby.  The 'castle' was originally a manor house built for Sir John Stanhope in 1633, before being partially rebuilt and extended the Gothic Revival style in 1817.  It remained in the Stanhope family until the 1960s and was eventually acquired by Derbyshire County Council, which opened it to the public in 1970 when it became England's first Country Park.  It is now run in partnership with Elvaston Castle and Gardens, who are working with Derbyshire County Council to safeguard Elvaston's future while providing opportunities for education, community engagement and volunteering for the people of Derbyshire and beyond.

About SPAB Masterclasses

Combining lectures, site visits, practical demonstrations and hands-on workshops, these masterclasses are designed for those who are professionally involved with buildings (e.g. architects, surveyors, engineers, planners, builders, contractors, craftsmen and women). The masterclasses are recognised for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) by the Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC). Certificates of attendance are available for delegates.

Accreditation

This course is recognised by the IHBC for Continuing Professional Development (CPD).   

Photography

We may take photos or videos at this event to be used in future promotion, including in print and online. 

All bookings are subject to our Terms and Conditions. 

Image credits: Boxley Abbey © Rachel Stoplar, SPAB; Elvaston Castle © Elvaston Castle and Gardens Trust