Wednesday 29 May, 9am – 4.30pm

Come and spend a day with Owlsworth IJP’s Joinery Manager, Callum McCaffrey, learning the essentials of joinery and sash window maintenance and repair at their busy conservation workshop.

As contractors at the SPAB’s Old House Project in Kent, Owlsworth IJP have carried out essential timber repairs on this medieval building, including the oak windows, doors and timber frame.

On the day, you’ll tour a busy conservation joinery workshop, see timber repairs currently underway, and learn about the joinery works Owlsworth IJP have been undertaking at the SPAB’s Old House Project.

In the practical session, it’s your turn to pick up the saw and chisel! You’ll be guided through the essentials of sash window maintenance and repairs, including an in-depth look into the workings of a box sash window.

Who is this course for?

• Carpenters, builders and other tradespeople who want to learn more about how to carry out repairs to traditional joinery and sash windows
• Building owners and caretakers who would like to be able to carry out essential repairs and maintenance to their own sash windows

You will learn

How to identify and understand the various properties of different types of timber:

• Species
• Characteristics
• Strengths and weaknesses
• Suitability for different timber repairs
• Availability and sustainability

How to carry out typical maintenance jobs:

• Identify common areas of decay
• Learn how to re-cord your sash window
• Splice repair techniques

Programme Overview

You will need

• Please wear overalls or working clothes and sturdy (flat, enclosed) footwear, ideally steel toe-capped boots. All other PPE is provided
• We will be outside or working in partially-covered barns, so we recommend you wear warm layers and bring waterproofs in case of rain

Practical information

•    Parking is available on site
•    The nearest station is Reading West, which is a 13-minute taxi ride from Owlsworth IJP’s workshops
•    A light lunch will be provided. Please indicate any dietary requirements in the booking form

Tutors

Callum McCaffrey, Joinery Manager at Owlsworth IJP

Having been apprenticed to the National Trust as a Carpenter/Joiner, Callum joined Owlsworth IJP five years ago and has worked on projects such as Woburn Abbey, St John’s College, Winchester Cathedral, and East St Helen St in Abingdon, as well as other manor houses and mansions. He has taught on behalf of the SPAB on a windows and joinery repair course and was a specialist tutor at our 2023 Working Party.

Jonny Garlick, SPAB

Special Operations Manager and 1996 SPAB Scholar, Jonathan Garlick, is a chartered building surveyor who project manages the SPAB’s repair projects and leads on the Old House Project.

Accreditation

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

Accessibility

• The ground in the yard can be muddy during wet weather but should be firmer by May. It is relatively flat hard packed stone
• Seating will be available
• There is a toilet in the workshop, which is reached via a small step
• There will be machinery in use in workshops across the yard. Ear defenders won’t be required but those with heightened sensitivity to noise may wish to bring earplugs

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

Photography

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