Saturday 8 June 2024, 9am – 5pm

Join us, in association with the National Trust, for a unique opportunity to learn the endangered craft of pargeting from one of the country’s highest regarded pargeters, Bill Sargent, at the Heritage and Rural Skills Centre, Coleshill.

Pargeting (also spelled ‘pargetting’) is a decorative render applied to the facade of a building, believed to have been introduced to England in the 16th century by Italian craftspeople. Patterns are scratched or stamped into wet plaster, while more skilled craftspeople make their own relief designs modelled directly on to the wall.

Once you’ve learned about the history and skill of pargeting from Bill Sargent, it’ll be your turn to get creative! Under the supervision of our friendly tutors, you’ll design and create your own pargeted panel to take home.

In the UK, Pargeting is considered an endangered craft due to lack of awareness of it outside the built heritage sector and a decline in traditional plastering skills.* Join us to learn the basics of this fascinating craft and help to keep this skill alive.

You may also be interested in our other courses at the National Trust’s Heritage and Rural Skills Centre:

An Introduction to Plain Lime Plastering, 26 – 27 April 2024.

An Introduction to Ornamental Lime Plastering, 20 – 21 September 2024

Who is it for?

This introductory workshop is for anyone interested in learning pargeting skills for work, general interest or leisure. We welcome old buildings enthusiasts, craftspeople, homeowners, building conservation professionals and students. No prior experience is required.

You will learn:

• A brief history of pargeting in the UK.
• Plaster preparation requirements.
• Pargeting pattern-making using an assortment of tools and techniques.
• Pargeting freehand design inspiration and basic techniques.
• Advice on tending and painting the plaster.

Programme

Subject to minor changes

You will need:

• This is a practical course. Please arrive wearing warm, comfortable clothing that you don’t mind getting dirty or damaged. We recommend you bring overalls or coveralls to wear if you can.
• You will need to wear sturdy (flat and closed) footwear.
• We will provide all necessary protective equipment, but if you would prefer to wear your own gloves and goggles, please bring them.
• All tools and materials will be provided. You are welcome to bring any pargetting design ideas or inspiration with you.

Tutors

Bill Sargent, pargeter and traditional plasterer

Bill is one of the highest regarded pargeters in the UK. After college, Bill worked with his father, continuing the tradition of conservation plasterwork and pargeting begun by his grandfather almost 100 years ago. Bill’s work varies from claylump and brick to timber framed period properties, using materials such as clay plasters, chalk lime and sand lime putty plasters to produce a traditional finish.

Andrew Fawcett, artist and craftsman

Andrew worked as an art lecturer, taught watercolour painting in Florence and has exhibited his work at galleries. Andrew started working with Bill Sargent several decades ago, using his artistic skills to create pargetting pieces as well as sgraffito and fresco designs.

Sean Wheatley, traditional plasterer

Sean is a Master Plasterer of the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers and has four decades’ experience as a plasterer. Has has concentrated on traditional methods, materials and decorative plasterwork for the last 30 years. He has also been involved in the preparation of reports, surveys and methodologies regarding the conservation and restoration of historic plasterwork in listed and historic buildings. Sean is a SPAB Guardian on our Education and Training Committee.

Michal Wolf, plasterer and conservator in lime

Michal is a Master Plasterer of the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers and a founder of All Things Lime, a company which helps people look after their historic buildings. He is interested in traditional methods of working and keeping the craft alive by researching and using different lime plasters, such as chalk lime and hot lime.

Assessment / Accreditation

The SPAB is an IHBC recognised CPD provider and attendance certificates for CPD are available on request.

Accessibility

This is a practical course held in a workshop environment, which can be dusty, cold and noisy. There are some uneven surfaces, such as cobbles, due to the historic nature of the building.

Please bear in mind that the workshop demonstrations and activities will require standing.

Accessible parking spaces are marked in the car park. Accessible toilets are available.

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.