Welcome to the Building Limes Forum

The Building Limes Forum exists to encourage expertise and understanding in the appropriate use of building limes and education in the standards of production, preparation, application and after-care. It is a charitable organisation with no commercial ties and has about 400 members in the UK and overseas, the majority being actively concerned with the repair of historic buildings or in the use of lime in new build.

There are independent Building Limes Forums in Ireland (Building Limes Forum Ireland), Scandinavia (Nordisk Forum for Bygningskalk) and Italy (Forum Italiano Calce).

Build and Burn a Lime Rick

A rare opportunity to participate in the building and burning of a rick planned as part of open days at traditional brickmakers H G Matthews, Chesham, Buckinghamshire. See events for more details.

Lime Works by Pat McAfee **Special Offer for BLF members**

Lime Works, commissioned by the Building Limes Forum Ireland, is an easy-to-read, easy-to-understand and easy-to-use guide to the many uses of lime in building, including repairs of historic structures and new buildings. Aimed at building owners, practitioners and specifiers, Lime Works is highly illustrated with many contemporary images and line drawings, with numerous cross-references which offer the reader easy access to all sections. Normal price: €30, price to BLF and BLFI Members: €25. See the Bookstall for more details.

BLF New-Build Seminar for Designers and Specifiers
Friday 23 April 2010, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, by Edinburgh

This one-day seminar demystifies the uses of lime and lime-based products for conservation and new build and provides access to clear information to enable knowledgeable use and specification of these materials. The seminar is aimed at clients, developers and professionals (architects, engineers, surveyors) and follows the same format as the successful events held in Greenwich in September 2007 and Dublin in March 2008. The event will be held in the School of the Built Environment, Edwin Chadwick Building, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, near Edinburgh on Friday 23 April 2010. Click here for more details and a booking form.

BLF Annual Conference

An annual conference and gathering is held each year. This three-day event consists of the presentation of papers on the use of lime from users, specifiers, academics and historians and practical demonstrations in the use of lime. Gatherings are informal and friendly with plenty of time for the exchange of views and even to demonstrate skills. Each year a different venue is chosen, both within and outside the UK. Costs are kept to a minimum and include meals and visits to places of interest. Accommodation at preferential rates is also usually arranged.

The 2010 conference and gathering will be held at Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh from Friday 10 to Sunday 12 September. The theme will be 'Make-do and Mend'. Watch this space for further details!

BLF Study Tour of Sicily, 17-21 April 2010 - Postponed

We regret that the study tour of Sicily planned for April 2010 has been postponed. It is hoped that this event, to be held in collaboration with the Universities of Catania and Bristol and Forum Italiano Calce, can take place at a future date.

2nd Historic mortars Conference, 22nd to 24th September 2010, Prague.

This conference will bring together scientists, technicians and professionals involved in research and studies of historic mortars. The main theme of the conference is the conservation of historic buildings and works of art. Click here for more information.

The Building Limes Forum is registered as a charity in Scotland with Scottish Charity No SC033659.

Site last updated: 07/01/10 by RM