Next Course/s

Bricklaying 

Learn the skill of laying bricks and make your mark on the world! (Or Burngreave for starters!)

​The class is aimed at beginners to learn step by step, so don't worry if you haven't laid bricks before. You will have chance to practice first before building your mini-wall.

On the course you will learn how to:

• Mix mortar by hand and also use a cement mixer
• Use the brick trowel to lay bricks.
• Build a wall and make it vertical, level and straight.  
• Cut bricks safely and with confidence
• Work out quantities for a small project


We will also look at different types of walling, for example a simple garden planter or a structural garden walls.  We will also look at the different types of bricks used for different purposes.

Some courses will include mixing and laying concrete foundations, depending if we are doing a real project.

The basic skills you will learn can be applied to small projects, so if you are working on something at home, please do bring in any photos if you want to discuss it with the tutor.

Health and safety precautions for this course will be explained and followed.  Safety boots must be worn for bricklaying.  If you haven't got your own we have some available to borrow - just let us know in advance what size you need.  We also have safety goggles and gloves if you need to borrow those and we can provide dust masks when needed.

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Pointing

Re-pointing is an essential part of building maintenance to keep the weather and prevent masonry and structural decay.  On this course you will learn:

• How to prepare the wall for re-pointing.
• The different types of mortar used and how to mix them.
• Appropriate choice of tools and how to use them.
• How to apply the mortar effectively and cleanly.
• 2 different joint finishes
• Q&A

The session will be mainly practical with lots of time for practicing the techniques. We will also spend some time talking through the considerations before you start a pointing job for example identifying mortar decay and how much of the area needs re-pointing - if at any.  

This course will teach you the basic skills of pointing that can be applied to your own building.  Each building/wall has different factors in its location and the materials used, so do bring in any photos if you want to discuss your project with the tutor.