Historic Bath is setting for ironwork CPD course

[THE NEXT CPD COURSE being run by the National Heritage Ironwork Group (NHIG) takes place over two days in April, in Bath. Conservation of Architectural Ironwork is aimed at both craft practitioners and consultative professionals and is being held on 20-21 April at the Museum of Bath at Work.

The museum is located on Julian Road in the centre of the World Heritage City of Bath, seen pictured to the left of Christ Church in the photograph taken from a balloon by Roger Beale.

Lectures cover the historical context, the metallurgy of wrought iron and steels, traditional tools and techniques, materials, design and manufacture. The focus will be on the processes of restoration, surface preparation and treatments, specification, and standards for heritage ironwork contracts – including a procurement and pricing exercise.

They will be complemented by a walking tour and site visit to survey historic ironwork and develop a strategy for its conservation.

The IHBC recognises the course as contributing to mandatory CPD requirements for its members. The course fee, including lunches and course materials, is £250.

The NHIG describes the aims of the course thus: “Course tutors Geoff Wallis and Bethan Griffiths will guide you through the basic principles of assessing historic ironwork and making decisions about its care. Tender procedures often require the commissioner of the work to have knowledge of the medium in order to procure the best value. We aim to equip those wishing to commission work on listed ironwork with information they will find essential in the writing of specifications.” q

Decorative panels are brought back into use

DOROTHEA RESTORATIONS have shared the story of their restoration of decorative hand-made panels, which are ‘simple in design but showcase the skills of the blacksmith’ who made them.

According to the firm’s blog: “The origins of the panels are unknown but we believe they were commissioned for the property and removed for storage during renovation works. The panels were stored on the premises but not in use or maintained.

“The decorative panels were fully restored, removing all debris and surface rust with minimal abrasion, while ensuring that the surface is correctly prepared before applying a protective paint system. The panels were secured within the external frame without the need for fixings or welding, ensuring that the panels remain in their original condition. The mild-steel frame was constructed around the frame as part of our trial work before being blast cleaned and a protective paint system applied (pictured right).”

Once fully painted the gates were installed on site at the property (left). q