Heritage Action Zone: upcoming events and workshops
Repointing with Lime Mortar
Date and time
Wednesday 23 September 2026
- Session 1 – 10am to 12.30pm
- Session 2 – 1.30pm to 4pm
Location
Darley Street Market Courtyard (Address: 16, 24 Darley St, Bradford BD1 3AW)
About the workshop
Learn traditional repointing skills at a free lime mortar workshop in Bradford.
The team behind the Bradford’s Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) is inviting builders, building owners, conservation professionals, and homeowners to take part in a hands-on workshop to learn about traditional lime mortar repointing this September.
Delivered by local lime mortar specialists Womersley's Ltd, the practical training sessions are free. The workshops will provide participants with the opportunity to learn traditional building conservation skills, while gaining practical experience working with a range of lime mortars used in historic buildings.
Participants can choose either a morning or an afternoon session. The 2.5hour workshop has been designed for anyone who wants to develop their understanding of lime mortars and how to use them in maintaining and repairing heritage buildings.
As the training takes place outdoors, attendees are advised to wear appropriate clothing and footwear for practical construction work. Long sleeves, full-length trousers, and sturdy footwear are recommended. Safety glasses, gloves and face masks will be provided. Due to the practical nature of the workshop, attendance is restricted to adults aged 18 and over.
How to book
Please email us at BradfordHAZ@bradford.gov.uk to book a place.
Places on the workshop sessions are limited and advanced booking is essential.
About the course trainer
The session will be delivered by Womersley’s LTD, who are a small, family run-company. They are a local supplier of lime products, building materials and paints for the care, restoration, and insulation of older buildings.
They deliver sessions locally at their workshop for people develop their skills using traditional building materials, offering practical sessions such as plastering courses, and repointing with lime mortar.
Past events
Caring for Old Buildings
Date and time
Tuesday, 24 March, 10am to 4.30pm.
Location
The Mechanics Institute
About the workshop
The Bradford Heritage Action Zone hosted The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) to deliver an introductory course to help old building owners, custodians and users develop a better understanding of their building. The course explained the value of traditional buildings, how they are constructed and differ from new buildings, how they can decay, and how to spot and tackle common problems.
The course included a walking/observation exercise to look at local building types and will give practical advice for maintenance, dealing with damp and improving your old building for energy efficiency.
This session was free to attend and open to anyone.
About the course trainer
James Innerdale is an accredited architect and historic buildings consultant specialising in the repair, conservation, and adaptation of historic buildings. James was awarded the SPAB Scholarship in 1996 and has worked for the SPAB in various technical advice and training roles. James continues to deliver training for the SPAB on a freelance basis, including church maintenance courses and most recently historic building maintenance courses for building users, caretakers and contractors in the London boroughs of Tower Hamlets and Croydon as part of their High Street Heritage Action Zone projects. James has also worked with Historic England, to develop and deliver courses aimed at planners and conservation officers as part of their HELM training programme, as well as providing heritage skills training for a variety of other organisations and audiences around the UK.
Agenda for the day
10am Welcome Introductions and refreshments
10.05am An Introduction to Old Buildings and Conservation What is conservation? Putting conservation ideas into practice - care and repair.
10.50am Questions
10.55am The Construction and Performance of Old Buildings Typical forms of construction and materials - why old buildings are different to new. The need for old buildings to 'breathe'. Spotting and tackling common issues and problems.
11.55am Questions
12 noon Lunch
12.30pm Maintenance Matters! What is maintenance and why is it important? Planning for maintenance and good practice.
1.15pm Questions
1.20pm Walking/Observation Exercise - Practical exercise looking at local building types and potential maintenance issues.
2.45pm Refreshments
3pm Energy Efficiency Upgrading older buildings for energy efficiency without compromising the character and integrity of the building (45 minutes).
3.45pm Working with Professionals - Working with your local conservation planning officer, contractors, architects and specialists. - SPAB tutor (30 minutes).
4.15pm Final Q&A - Questions and discussion session
4.30pm Close