Thursday 29 March 2012, 9.30am - 5pm

The course

An introduction to the techniques of repair of traditional timber-framed buildings. The exhibit buildings around the Museum will be used as examples.

The day will start with a lecture by Richard Harris, giving an overview of repair principles and methods.

Following this, Roger Champion will give a presentation using samples to illustrate timber species, conversion methods, patterns of decay and basic methods of repair.

In the afternoon participants will view and discuss exhibit buildings around the Museum, tracing the development of our repair methods over the last 30 years.

The tutors

Richard Harris was the Director of the Weald & Downland Open Air Museum from 2001 to 2010, having started as Research Director in 1975.   He leads a number of courses in the Historic Building Conservation course programme, as well as leading the MSc in Timber Building Conservation and contributing to the MSc in Building Conservation, both run at the Museum. He is the author of Discovering Timber-Framed Buildings, a Shire publication that has sold well over 100,000 copies, and ‘Recording Timber-Framed Buildings’ in Buildings Archaeology: Applications in Practice.

Roger Champion is the Museum’s semi-retired Carpenter.  He has worked at the Museum since its very early days and has been instrumental in developing innovative timber repair techniques over more than 30 years.

Participant information

No special clothing equipment is required but please wear sturdy footwear and bring warm outdoor clothing for the site tours.

Fee

£99 per person, to include all tuition, teas, coffees and a light lunch.

The Museum

The Weald & Downland Open Air Museum has over 45 historic building exhibits.  It is also home to the award winning and innovative Downland Gridshell, which houses a conservation workshop and artefact store, and is also used for many practical courses.  The Museum runs a full programme of courses in historic building conservation and traditional rural trades and crafts, along with MSc programmes in Building Conservation and Timber Building Conservation. Please telephone for further details.

To book, download a form here.  Alternatively, fill in the booking request below.

Make a Booking Request

 
This is an initial booking request form, and does not guarantee a place on the course. The Adult Learning Team will check the availability of the course, and reply to you as soon as possible - usually within one working day.