Word from the Editor
Welcome to another edition of Lath and Plaster
The magazine created by Plasterers, for Plasterers.
First, I’d like to extend my sincere thanks to the amazing Lath and Plaster team. Without their hard work and passion, this magazine simply wouldn’t be possible. In this month’s edition, we’re delighted to welcome Master Plasterer Mr. Colin Morris. Colin has had an incredible journey through the plastering industry, working across various roles and levels. Notably, he completed the third year of his apprenticeship under the guidance of Mr. Jim Taylor at Bolton Metropolitan College — a milestone that helped shape his impressive career.
Be sure to visit Rachel Tanith’s feature page to see some of her stunning Venetian plasterwork — truly inspiring craftsmanship. Also, Mary recently took a break from work to participate in a sand sculpture competition for the BBC. We’re all eagerly anticipating the program’s broadcast!
We hope you enjoy this edition. Don’t forget to subscribe — it’s free — so you never miss an issue.
If you’d like to be featured in a future edition, we’d love to hear from you.
Warm regards,
David Winchester
Editor
Meet the Team
Lath and Plaster is run by a friendly team of skilled plasterers. Each person on the team has experience in different aspects of the plastering trade. They work hard and know a lot about both old and new plastering methods. The team is happy to share their knowledge and teach others.
Introducing Master Plasterer Mr Colin Morris
Colin had the chance to study plastering at Bolton Metropolitan College at the Advanced Craft Level. During his final year, he was fortunate to learn from Jim Taylor, who was teaching for the last time. Jim Taylor is the author of Plastering by J.B. Taylor, a highly regarded manual in the industry.
Mick’ Hargreaves Silicone Render
Silicone Render: The Smarter, Longer-Lasting Solution
Silicone render offers significant advantages over traditional sand and cement render, with one of the most important being its superior flexibility. This flexibility helps prevent cracking over time, making it a more durable and reliable choice for long-term performance.
Mary-Havana Little Fibrous Plasterwork
Mary takes a break from sculpting plaster for a week to work with sand instead, joining a BBC-run competition called Race Against the Tide.
Rachel Tanith Venetian Plasterwork
“Crafting Exquisite Venetian Marble Finishes – by Rachel Tanith. This photo showcases a custom pink Venetian marble board I created for a client.”
Master Plasterers and Freemen
The Master Plasterer Certificate honours individuals who have attained the highest level of skill in the plastering industry, demonstrating exceptional expertise, craftsmanship, and mastery developed over many years of dedicated practice.
Who are the NAPL?
NAPL, or National Association of Plastering Lecturers, was founded through the vision of the late Mr. Denis Cook, a dedicated plastering lecturer at Accrington College.
James Collier Pargetting
Well…..it’s been a busy last few weeks, I had the privilege to be asked to create two coat of arms designed specifically for the clients, whom were very particular and knew exactly what they wanted…..no pressure…..🤪🤦♂
“If You Can’t Do It, Teach It” By David Winchester
It was 2003, and I had been working as a plasterer for three decades. Over the years, I had spread countless tons of plaster across walls and ceilings. Most of the time, I used traditional mixes like sand, lime, and cement, though I often worked with lighter plasters too, such as Carlite Browning.
Plastering Books and E-Books
This series of plastering books is specially designed for plastering students, offering a comprehensive learning path from beginner to advanced levels. Available in both paperback and digital formats, the collection starts with Basic Plastering Skills, moves on to Plasterwork Decorative Mouldings, and culminates with Columns, Cornices, and Curves for more advanced learners. Paperback copies are printed on demand by the publisher, while e-books can be downloaded instantly.
Heatons Plasterers Internal Plasterwork
Sifted through this today with a breeze!! Couple of nice steady mixes this Friday for me and Our Jude — lounge made good and skimmed out for the property developers we work alongside.
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Ryan Swart Fibrous workshop
Large Georgian cornice (coving) restoration in Filey, North Yorkshire
Over the Pond with Olde World Walls & Ceilings
Driven by a passion to return to his plastering roots, Randy Clark founded Olde World Walls & Ceilings. He assembled a team of the most skilled, knowledgeable, and respected plasterers he knew, taking on some of the most challenging and distinctive projects available. Every project is approached as a unique opportunity to showcase craftsmanship and excellence
From Vision to Reality: The Shark Bag Success Story
My journey into plastering started around 12 years ago when we purchased our first home—a true fixer-upper. With a tight budget, hiring professionals wasn’t always an option, so I had to quickly pick up new skills, plastering included. Thankfully, I was already fairly handy, and I took to it quickly. Before long, I was achieving finishes that matched, if not rivaled, those of seasoned professionals.
Learn Plastering: Skills for Beginners
Tips of the trade what is suction
Contact us
We’re always on the lookout for inspiring stories and the remarkable work of skilled craftspeople . If you have a unique journey, project, or craft you’d like to share, we want to hear from you. Tell us your story—you could be our next featured creator. Let’s celebrate creativity, one craft at a time.
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