James is a bricklayer by trade and a self-taught builder with expertise in various aspects of construction, including plastering—though he would never call himself a plasterer. His journey into plastering began in his 30s when he was running his own one-man building business, taking on a wide range of projects.
He completed a traditional five-year bricklaying apprenticeship with RG Carter of Drayton, Norwich, where he honed his skills under the guidance of experienced tradesmen. As an apprentice, he competed in bricklaying competitions, further refining his craftsmanship. He attended Norwich City College, earning both City & Guilds Craft and Advanced Craft qualifications in bricklaying. At the end of his Advanced Craft year in 1989, he was honoured with the prestigious Silver Trowel award, an accolade given to only one student annually.
In 1991, James took the leap into self-employment and, by 2000, had established his own small building company. While renovating his own clay lump property, he discovered the traditional art of pargetting—decorative relief work in lime plaster—and was instantly captivated by the skill and artistry involved. This passion led him to shift away from general construction and dedicate himself fully to pargetting, sculpting (bas-relief), and creating artworks.
With 40 years in the building trade, James has developed a diverse skill set. While his strongest passion lies in pargetting, he is also highly competent in bricklaying, oak framing, carpentry, roofing, groundwork, and hard landscaping. Despite his ability in plastering, he maintains deep respect for the craft and does not claim the title of a plasterer.
Today, James focuses entirely on pargetting, decorative interior relief work, clay sculpting for plaster casting, and creating artworks, some of which are available in local art galleries. A skilled clay sculptor, he hopes to transition fully into this creative field—ideally, never having to pick up a bricklaying trowel again. His work is more than a profession; it is a true passion, and he takes immense pride in keeping the tradition of pargetting alive.
Lath and Plaster 