This course is aimed at beginners and those with some experience looking to refresh their skills working with historic flint. The three-day practical course will provide attendees with an understanding of the conservation and repair of traditional flint masonry and provide the opportunity to work hands-on with flint to undertake repairs to a live site at the Hatfield House estate in Hertfordshire.

The course will start with a brief introduction in a seminar style to cover working with flint, as well as the history and characteristics of the material. This will also provide an overview of key approaches and methods of repair, as well as how to spot typical defects. Students should gain confidence in their knowledge on flint as well as develop the skills necessary to carry out remedial work to masonry.

Students will then have the opportunity practice these techniques before moving to restore a section of the stunning flint Vineyard walls in situ guided by our tutor, Lynn Mathias. Key skills that the course will cover will be:

–          Flint masonry methods and materials

–          Survey/identification

–          Laying flints

–          Flint facework

–          Flint knapping

–          Introduction to working with lime

The tutor for this course will be Lynn Mathias. Lynn is the Principal of Mathias Restoration Ltd and has over 30 years’ experience working with brick and flint in the conservation sector. Much of his foundation skillset was learned from his father, and he has also gained specialist techniques while gaining a City and Guilds qualification.

Lynn has experience working at Hatfield House restoring a flint gable and boundary walls within the estate. We are delighted to be holding the course within the Park of Hatfield House; the house is the home of the 7th Marquess and Marchioness of Salisbury and their family, which has been in the Cecil family for 400 years. The house and park are steeped in history, with fine examples of Jacobean craftsmanship throughout.

The course will be held on a live site within the estate, the vineyard walls and pavilions. These walls are contemporary with house and set within a tranquil garden.