Training in Historic Building Conservation
Training in Historic Building Conservation
West Suffolk College BTEC and T level Courses
‘The first Historic Building Conservation Training Course of its type in England’
West Suffolk College BTEC and T level Courses
‘The first Historic Building Conservation Training Course of its type in England’
Construction and Conservation in the Built Environment Course
Since 2012 Bury St Edmunds Town Trust (BTT) has been working with West Suffolk College on historic building conservation training for construction students at the College. For some years the Trust provided a free lecture course covering the main historic building trades for selected students at BTEC 2 & 3 levels. In 2018 it decided to change from lectures to practical training for construction students as this was found to be of more use and interest to them. The Trust arranges and part sponsors each year‘s programme. For the first time this year, 2024-25, the course comprises two elements.
Practical Trade Training and the Construction of a Prototype of Design (PoD – a compete miniature neo-medieval timber framed structure)
Practical Trade Training
The course is being taken by Levels 1 & 2 Brickwork, Carpentry & Joinery, Painting & Decorating, Construction Crafts Year 1 students, and T Level Construction Design & Planning at the College. Selected trade groups of students will attend Tours of Bury St Edmunds and Lavenham, and the Holkham visit. The remaining training days will be confined to students to whom the trade training directly relates, e.g. bricklayers to bricklaying.
The course includes the following elements (sponsoring organisations and individuals giving their time voluntarily identified in red).
Tour of Bury St Edmunds – Led by Chris Rand
An introduction to the historical development of building types in East Anglia.
Tour of Lavenham – Led by David Mizon
A tour concentrating on the development of timber framed buildings in East Anglia.
Visit to Greggs, Bury St Edmunds – Led by Emmerson Critchley
Visit to 8 Angel Hill & BCR Infinity Architects Office – National Trust & BCR Infinity Architects.
Tour of house and converted stable buildings that now house an architect’s office.
Tree to Timber at Orchard Barn – BTT funded
Two training days of traditional carpentry with heritage hand tools, and assembly of historic timber frames.
Wattle & daub and lime plastering – Emmerson Critchley
Training day at West Suffolk College.
Stone and flint – Led by Andy Cunningham
Work in the Abbey Gardens.
Brickwork – Visit to Bulmer Brick & Tile Co
Training in bricklaying with lime mortar.
Conserving sliding sash and other window types – Training provided by Ventrolla
Holkham Estate, Norfolk – Led by estate Learning and Sustainability Manager.
Tour of estate repair workshop, Holkham Hall, and current conservation project. Fee and coach funded by BTT
Construction of Prototype of Design - neo-medieval timber framed building
Laying of limecrete foundation bases at Milburn Centre – sponsored by The Limecrete Company
PoD Practical work on site involving
| Bricklayers | Brick plinth with lime mortar and a natural DPC | 1 day |
| Oak Frame | Building traditional timber frame using green oak | 3-4 days |
| Build roof | Installing a pegged ridge with green oak rafters | 2-3 days |
| Joinery | Mullion windows and ornate barge boards | 2 days |
| Wattle & Daub | Installing daub mix, lime plaster and pargetting | 3 days |
Sponsors
Supply of lime Products: Anglia Lime
Lime plastering: assistance from Tom Hayes
Pargetting: assistance from Anna Kettle
Prizes for Best Student in each trade: D J Evans
Sponsorship
BTT wishes to thank its sponsors (as noted above in red), and additionally the Lund Trust, that are generously supporting the course either by voluntarily providing training or materials. We would be unable to run the course without their help, particularly in relation to the work on the PoDs.
Why the course is important
Why is the course of such significance? It is the first of its type in England. No other similar level course provides mandatory conservation training as part of its standard trade teaching – normally students have to opt for the specialisation. In Bury St Edmunds, for example there are more than 6,000 (pre-1919) historic buildings. At a time when so many tradespeople with traditional skills have retired it is essential to ensure continuity if these important buildings are to be properly maintained. They will also shortly be required to be retro-fitted to reduce their carbon footprint – work that will need an understanding of how it should be carried out in these structures. Not least, the specialist training provided will help to give young people joining the building trade an excellent opportunity for employment at the start of their careers.
