Building Limes News

Recycle Week – reasons to use lime mortar

The 21st – 27th September 2020 is ‘Recycle Week’ which is a celebration of recycling. This year, the theme thanks the nation for continuing to recycle despite the challenges that COVID-19 has presented, under the banner ‘Together – We Recycle’. Using lime mortars in new building projects as a replacement for cement mortars could make […]

New Member Spotlight

This month we are delighted to be welcoming new member John Egerton to The Building Limes Forum. We asked John a few questions about his interest in building limes and to find out more about his exciting renovation project. How did you hear about the Building Limes Forum? I recently purchased a 17th century Grade […]

The Journal of the Building Limes Forum

Exciting news, The Journal of the Building Limes Forum has landed on members doormats. Alison Henry, committee member of the Building Limes Forum, talks about her experience as editor of The Journal and why this publication is a timeless repository of research, knowledge and case studies for anyone interested in lime. My copy of The […]

Lime and Traditional Building

It is now fairly well known that cement is not good for old buildings and that lime mortar should be used. Why? What are the advantages and what are the disadvantages? James Simpson OBE Hon.DSc FRIAS, Chairman of the Building Limes Forum, discusses… In order to begin to answer these questions, it is necessary to […]

BLF Gathering, Exeter

With the news that the Olympics and many other summer events have been postponed or cancelled, the BLF has, with regret, taken the decision to postpone the Gathering. Even if restrictions on travel and gatherings are lifted over the summer, many members will need to catch up with work and would not be able to […]

Isle of Man 2020

Traditional Buildings Weekend Isle of Man POSTPONED This three-day CPD event originally scheduled for the end of April, has been postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The new date will be 22-24 April 2021, so reserve this slot in your diaries. Our thanks go to Ashley Pettit for setting up the event, sponsored by Culture […]

Review of Stirling 2019 Conference & Gathering

The 2019 Gathering of the Building Limes Forum was held in Stirling, with 190 delegates from many backgrounds and countries sharing their knowledge, ideas and perspectives of all things lime. The Gathering was generously supported by Historic Environment Scotland, who provided The Engine Shed for plenary sessions, use of the Great Hall of Stirling Castle […]

Building Limes conference to be held at The Engine Shed, Stirling

The Building Limes Forum 2019 Conference and Gathering, supported by Historic Environment Scotland, takes place at The Engine Shed, Stirling, Friday 20 – Sunday 22 September. The theme for this year’s annual conference is Lime Finishes and Lime in Extreme Climates with papers on these topics interspersed with contributions from members. Tim Meek, an award-winning […]

Review of Traditional Mortars Symposium, York, June 2019

Masons and conservators across the UK and beyond are rediscovering traditional mortars through research, use and experience. They are moving away from the default specification of Natural Hydraulic Limes for conservation works and are determined to practice like-for-like repair. Conservation industry professionals including masons, conservators, architects, surveyors and engineers, assembled in York in June for […]

Symposium to give latest insight into traditional mortars

The Building Limes Forum ‘Traditional Mortars Symposium’ supported by Historic England and Historic Environment Scotland, is taking place in St Anthony’s Hall, York on 10 and 11 June and York Minster Stoneyard on 12 June 2019. The Traditional Mortars Symposium aims to bring together current thinking and knowledge about traditional mortars, presenting recent research outcomes, […]