New Forest Building Skills - Homeowners courses

Saturday 18th November and Saturday 2nd December

A series of courses aimed at the owners and guardians of historic homes situated in the New Forest, and ranging in date from Medieval to Edwardian. The day courses will cover the following general themes:

An overview of Course Content

* History and change: interpreting the historic development of a house and its fixtures and fittings

* Materials and structure: what materials the house is built of; how was it put together; how the structure works

* Everyday maintenance needs: what problems to look out for; what are the warning signs; dos and don’ts of simple maintenance; looking after the fixtures and fittings and the historic setting

* Limitations of DIY work: sources of advice and training; sourcing the right materials

* An examination of a selection of historic buildings to look at these issues in context

Specific Topics Covered

* General introduction to our heritage of historic buildings and structures and Agencies involved in their care

* Understanding timber framed structures including the infill panels

* Understanding historic roof structures

* Roof coverings including: Thatch; tile; slate and lead

* Identifying problems of decay including damp and insect attack

* Understanding masonry structures including: brick; stone and flint

* Cob structures and their care and repair

* Joinery including: windows; doors; staircases; fixtures and fittings

* Historic lime mortars, renders and plasters and historic paint and finishes

Venue: The traditional building skills course will be held at Beaulieu Abbey Church Hall over two Saturdays.

Address: Beaulieu Abbey Church Hall, Palace Lane, Beaulieu, SO42 7YG

Directions: From Beaulieu (from west): Turn into Beaulieu. Pass the village street and Montagu Arms on your right, the road bends left, crosses the river and then bends right. In about 100 metres turn left through the white gates and turn right into the church meadow to park (sign posted church parking). You will see the church set well back from the road. The church hall is to the left of the church.

From Hythe (from east): Follow the signs for Beaulieu, along the A326, turning right onto the B3054 at the Dibden Purlieu roundabout. Follow this road across the heathland, passing the Royal Oak pub and continue on the B3054 down the hill. As you come to the Beaulieu River on your left, you will see the church on your right, standing well back from the road. Turn in through the white gates and turn right into the church meadow to park (sign posted church parking). The church hall is to the left of the church.

Parking: The Beaulieu Abbey Church Hall does have a car park. Please follow the directions above and drive through the white pained gates and turn right onto a gravel area which is marked out for users of the church and church hall. The Beaulieu Abbey Church Hall is a short walk away and is to the left of the Beaulieu Abbey Church. Alternatively, parking is available within the main village car park (pay at machine) or along the High Street.

Bus: There is a limited bus service between Hythe and Lymington which stops at Beaulieu. It drops visitors in Beaulieu village depending upon the route. Please visit morebus.co.uk for further information.

Train: The London to Weymouth train passes regularly through Brockenhurst, which is the closest main line station to Beaulieu. There is a taxi rank at the station and the cost of a journey to Beaulieu by taxi is approx £20.

Map: Please find map of location attached.

Time: The course will start at 9.30am until 4.30pm in order to cover the general themes sufficiently and allow plenty of time for questions if you have any about your historic property.

Cost: There will be a fee of £20 to cover the cost of all refreshments for both day courses.

Lunch: Lunch and refreshments will be available on the day with a lunchbreak scheduled.

Dietary and Mobility Requirements: Please kindly provide us with any dietary or mobility requirements.

Clothes to bring for site visit: If the weather is acceptable a short walking tour of Beaulieu is proposed. This will help bring the talk to life with a more up close look at some of the issues discussed in the session. Please bring appropriate footwear and clothes for less than favourable weather.

Areas of Interest: If you have any particular area of interest or a particular question relating to your historic property which you would like discussed on the course please let Lisa Crouch know and the query shall be passed on to the Tutor in advance.

Cancellation Policy

If it is necessary for you to cancel your booking for whatever reason, please inform us as soon as possible. Cancellation charges are applied in all cases as it is difficult to fill spaces made vacant by late cancellations. A full refund is given only if more than 3 weeks’ notice is given. See below for refund rates:

• Over 3 weeks’ cancellation notice: Full refund
• 2 -3 weeks cancellation notice: 50 % refund*
• Less than 14 days cancellation notice: No refund*

*Unless we are able to fill your place at short notice, in which case a full refund will be given

Alternatively, a place may be held until the following year if the delegate wishes to attend the course in the following year. No refund will be given for non-attendance or if no prior cancellation is given.

The New Forest National Park Authority reserves the right to cancel or postpone any course up to the course date if insufficient bookings have been received. Places may also be held on these courses until an alternative date has been finalised.