by James Collier
Over the past few weeks, I’ve returned to a job I left at the end of last autumn—resuming the removal of cement render and applying lime plaster to a lovely old cottage. June brought its fair share of challenges, not least of which was the scorching heat. Trying to keep the plaster from drying out too quickly, while covered in sweat and working under the relentless sun, definitely tested my patience and stamina!
In early July, I finally took my first proper holiday in five and a half years—a long-awaited motorcycle tour through Europe with a good mate. We rode all the way down to Romania, clocking up thousands of miles, with plenty of scenic detours and unforgettable moments. One of the highlights of the trip was visiting a beautiful school dedicated to teaching traditional building skills—many of which have sadly faded into obscurity over the years. The people running it were incredibly welcoming, and to my surprise, they invited me back to teach a one-week course in August.
So, for the first time ever, I’ll be stepping into the role of teacher—sharing my knowledge of stucco work, or Pargetting, as we call it in the UK. I’ve never really seen myself as “experienced enough” to teach, but after being asked several times, I’ve decided to embrace the challenge. It’s an amazing opportunity to connect with passionate students, stay in a beautifully rustic, earth-built place, and pass on skills I’ve picked up over years of hands-on work.
Now that I’m back from the trip, I’m back on-site at the cottage, continuing the lime plastering. There’s also some brickwork and leadwork on the go—so there’s no chance of getting bored anytime soon! 😎
Lath and Plaster 