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Ty-Mawr ˆ Caring for buildings…Caring for the environment…Caring for health… Manufacturers & Suppliers of traditional & ecological building materials Manwerthwyr a chyflenwyr deunydd adeiladu traddodiadol ac ecolegol
Products Manufacturers of: • Traditional Fat Lime Mortars and Plasters. • Limewashes and Pigments. • glaster® - eco-plasters and mortars. • Limecrete (concrete alternative) floors. • Ty-Mawr ˆ Thermafleece® Insulation - made with 75% Welsh wool.
Welsh Distributor of: • Singleton Birch Hydraulic Lincolnshire Lime - the ONLY British Hydraulic Lime. • HEMPIRE™ Building Plaster - a British, ready mixed plaster made from the hemp fibres, lime and a pozzolan. • Aglaia Plant-based Paints - including: Natural Emulsions (internal wall paints). Paints, glazes, oils and waxes for wood. Paints for metalwork and radiators. • Beeck’s Pure Mineral Paints. • Building boards/plaster carriers including reed mats, reed boards, wood wool boards and woodfibre boards.
Services • site visits or meetings with one of our Product Specialists team to help advise on appropriate materials and techniques, troubleshooting etc.
The Duchy Chooses Local Products! Nigel and Joyce Gervis, founders and directors of T y-Mawr, ˆ are thrilled to be supplying materials to the Duchy's latest restoration project in Wales just 30 minutes from their base near Brecon. They were then invited to meet His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales on his recent visit to Llwynywermod, near Llandovery, to discuss the products. The Prince was particularly interested in the lime plasters supplied; he fully understands the importance of using a 'traditional' breathable, lime plaster in restoring old buildings, but he was intrigued to know more about the contemporary, environmental 'twist' to some of the products manufactured by Ty-Mawr. ˆ In particular, the glaster® caught the Princes' imagination, he could see the merits in using recycled bottle glass instead of sand to avoid quarrying and marine sand extraction, as well as developing a use for a waste product. Chris Bond, lime plasterer for John Weaver Contractors said that he thoroughly enjoyed using the glaster®. He had used it extensively in other projects, such as Elliott Colliery, and told the Prince that he enjoyed the quality of the finish that the glaster® afforded him. The Prince then asked about the work Ty-Mawr ˆ is doing with Hempire™. This Irish manufactured product, which is new onto the market, is an exclusively British, ready made lime plaster with hemp fibres. Nigel explained that having met with Craig Hamilton Architects to discuss the restoration of Llwynywermod, they decided to use Hempire™ for the internal surfaces of some of the external walls as they were in need of a breathable plaster but one which also offered some insulation. The Duchy is keen on using traditional products that work with the building and they feel strongly about using sustainable products where at all possible. The Prince was delighted that they had been able to source high quality, local products that fulfilled these criteria.
• product support via email (including NBS clauses) or telephone.
limecrete
• established courses.
for St John's Church, Cirencester
• product information days and CPD seminars. • visits to Ty-Mawr ˆ for interested groups (by prior arrangement). • hire of the training centre.
Ty-Mawr ˆ is delighted to be working with Ward and Co on this prestigious project. It has taken ten years to get from the drawing board to commencement on site because of the importance of the church and the technical considerations – this work has been done by a design team led by Antony Feltham-King of Michael Drury Architects working with the specialist team at Ty-Mawr. ˆ John Ward, Ward and Co said “The baton passes now to us to bring the proposals to life. The last time the floor was relaid was by George Gilbert Scott in the nineteenth century – this work is of major importance to the Parish of Cirencester and
the use of a limecrete system is at the heart of the changes now being introduced. When the work is complete parishioners, and visitors to the church, will step onto a 650 sq.m Lincolnshire limestone pavement laid with Lincolnshire lime mortar. For candlelight services in winter, they will benefit from underfloor heating laid in a breathable system of insulation, limecrete and lime screed. Now, all we have to do, is start the process of shifting the hundreds of tonnes of material of this 16 month contract!” This is the biggest floor we have been involved with to date but early floors in Worcester Cathedral and St Teilo's Church have all proved to be hugely successful and the word is spreading fast. Ty-Mawr ˆ has designed 54 floors in the first 5 weeks of this year, and this is our quiet time! For more information see www.limecrete.org.uk
T yˆ -Mawr, Llangasty, Brecon, Powys LD3 7PJ Tel: 01874 658000 Fax: 01874 658502 www.lime.org.uk www.limecrete.org.uk www.glaster.org.uk
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A Warm Welcome in the Hills The energy saving plight has a new supporter in the form of our woolly friends who roam the beautiful Welsh mountains. Sheep's wool is now a well established insulation material and it is fast replacing the more usual fibres used in home insulation. Ty-Mawr, ˆ in a unique partnership with Second Nature UK Ltd, has launched it's own branded product, Ty-Mawr ˆ Thermafleece®, made with a minimum of 75% Welsh wool. The news announced at the start of National Construction Week has been welcomed by Ieuan Wyn Jones, Minister for the Economy and Transport, who described it as an important boost for the rural economy, providing a potentially new market for Welsh sheep farmers. “Ty-Mawr ˆ has been campaigning for some time to ensure that wool from Wales was used in their products and I congratulate the company on the successful outcome and the opportunities this can provide for the farming community. Ty-Mawr ˆ is a highly innovative company and has played a key role in raising awareness of the need to promote a sustainable construction industry and I am particularly pleased the Assembly Government is supporting their expansion plans.”
Joyce Gervis, who runs Ty-Mawr ˆ with her husband Nigel, explained they had previously been unable to obtain wool specifically from Wales because almost all of the wool produced in the UK is sold to the Wool Marketing Board which has traditionally never segregated the wool. “But as the largest distributors of wool insulation in the UK, we were able to justify a strong market demand for Welsh wool. The Board has now guaranteed that 75% of the wool bought for our new
Nigel and Joyce Gervis, Ty-Mawr ˆ with Penny Randell, Second Nature UK Ltd. (centre)
Ty-Mawr ˆ Thermafleece® range will come from Wales. We have spent the last decade building up this market to be in this strong position of being able to support the rural economy in which we live and work. This is real sustainability - using local, renewable materials to perform a vitally important job for our homes”. The wool insulation has gained popularity as a natural, safe and healthy alternative to conventional insulation with a huge saving in embodied energy in it’s manufacture.
It has excellent thermal and acoustic properties and can be used for roof, wall and floor insulation. By installing Ty-Mawr ˆ Thermafleece® wool insulation in a typical household, it may reduce heating costs by up to 25% and their CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) emissions by a staggering one tonne per year. The product, has just received its stamp of approval from the Energy Saving Trust and is now Energy Saving Recommended and carries the blue Energy Saving Recommended logo.
Breaking down Barriers! Employment training pilot for prison inmates in South Wales putting something back into the community.
Ty-Mawr ˆ has been working alongside HM Prisons and the Cowbridge Charter Trust to provide training for selected inmates from two prisons in South Wales. By providing training and inspiration to do something constructive and sustainable while in prison, they are less likely to re-offend on release. As part of a pilot project grant-aided by the European Social Risk Fund, five offenders
came to the training centre at Ty-Mawr ˆ for 8 days during January and February and built their own wall. Starting with the principles of dry stone walling they went on to learn about using lime mortar and how to plaster, render and limewash their wall as well as re-pointing and repairing old walls. They have now moved on to the second phase of the project which will involve repairing and re-pointing the historic remains of the town wall at Cowbridge, near Cardiff. This will provide further opportunity for training while
Steve Morgan, Senior ETE Manager at Parc Prison, Bridgend said: “Community Integration is such an important part in the rehabilitation of offenders. To give our offenders something to challenge and inspire them means that they are given the opportunity to make different choices and hopefully not make the wrong choice and come back to jail. The course at Ty-Mawr ˆ has made such a difference already. We work with these guys day in and day out; it’s like having an extended family and, as in all family’s we want to give them the best opportunities we can. With Ty-Mawr’s ˆ help we have achieved this and more!” Mike Scruby, Training Centre Manager at Ty-Mawr ˆ added: “Early reservations about how receptive the offenders would be were quickly dispelled and they proved to be some of the most enthusiastic and motivated trainees to have passed through Ty-Mawr”. ˆ We hope that they will now make constructive use of their new skills and that their time spent building walls will mean they’re not back behind them in future!”
Ty-Mawr ˆ
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glaster® is fast gaining popularity over traditional sand-based lime plasters, as an effective alternative with environmental, technical and aesthetic advantages. Howies, a leading clothing company, chose glaster® for their newly opened Carnaby Street store. The Wales-based company specialises in apparel made from organic and recyclable cotton, and fabrics made with low impact chemicals. Ade Gunn-Wilson, Commercial Director, said; “The decision to switch to glaster® was a natural one for the company to make. As an eco-friendly brand it is important for us to use products like glaster® as it goes hand in hand with the ethos of our company”. As well as being used in renovation projects like that of Howies and the Duchy Estate on the front cover, glaster® is being successfully used in new builds as both a mortar and a
glaster in the Park! ®
plaster. Deri Morgan chose to build his house of recycled glass, see above, he said “I was determined to build a house with minimal environmental impact. Having chosen a timber-frame and Ty-Mawr's ˆ wool insulation
and wood wool board products for the infill, I then had to make a decision about the finish, internally and externally. Being in a National Park, I wasn't going to be the only one with an opinion. When I suggested glaster®, people were interested and rather shocked at the idea being in an area of outstanding natural beauty - traditional stonework or cement renders with a 'neutral' coloured paint are the norm. However, stone-facing new buildings using ‘hard’ cement means the stone will never be able to be reclaimed, this doesn't seem very sustainable to me. Ty-Mawr ˆ submitted samples of a self-coloured glaster® render of yellow ochre, and I am pleased to say that it was all finally approved. The contractors had never used these materials before but have really got on with them very well. I am thrilled with the finish, which is creating a talking point, and hopefully it will inspire others to be different and choose not only from an aesthetic but also from an environmental point of view”.
Quality of Plant-based Paints Acknowledged “We use Ty-Mawr's ˆ Aglaia natural paints on all of our properties because they are better for our buildings and the environment, but even if neither of these were issues for you I recommend them simply on the quality of the materials - they have better coverage and are better quality than you get on the High Street.” Dr Greg Stevenson, Under the Thatch Ltd. www.underthethatch.co.uk
North Wales Update Since setting up the regional office for North Wales in the summer of 2007, ‘T y-Mawr ˆ North’, it has been all systems go. In November, a one-day regional conference was organised to highlight the benefits of using traditional and new environmental building practices. The sell-out number of 120 delegates highlighted the importance of having a regional office for the North in Betws-y-Coed. It is a place where people can come and source materials and get advice on regionally specific matters from people who know the area and the local building styles.
Ty-Mawr ˆ Liberty print We are all extremely delighted to have our own Liberty print! Following a visit to Ty-Mawr ˆ last summer, the design team from Liberty Fabrics worked on four prints inspired by the natural building materials and the natural environment at the farm. I think anyone who knows Ty-Mawr ˆ would easily be able to choose the print, which we are thrilled to hear, has actually been named after us - the Ty-Mawr ˆ Liberty print is to be launched as part of their coming Spring collection!
A fond farewell We bid a fond farewell to one of Ty-Mawr’s ˆ most treasured employees. Corinne Brown is retiring after 6 years of loyal service to the company. Corinne was our resident paint specialist, and has advised thousands of happy customers over the years, as well as making up thousands of litres of paint - she will be greatly missed by us all! Enjoy your retirement Corinne!
The North Wales office is also involved in various research projects specific to the area, and is establishing good working relationships with some of the local authorities and private clients. As well as running various training days for Cadwyn Clwyd Rural Development Agency, including a stone conservation course, we have written a technical lime plastering pamphlet for them. 2008 is already off to an exciting start, as two of the more interesting current projects are using our building boards and glaster®. The new £2.3m rural life centre in Bala will shortly be roughcast in glaster® to compliment the sedum roof and waney edged weather boarding. And perhaps the strangest Ty-Mawr ˆ project to date, a Mongolian Yurt built from our Daub, building boards and rendered in glaster® for a viewing platform over the Cheetah enclosure at Chester Zoo. This year, we aim to increase our capacity to hold further stock and set up a permanent training venue for the traditional building skills, as well as a facility for people to come and view some of the more contemporary ‘green’ building products in action! Contact ned.scharer@lime.org.uk for products, information or advice in North Wales.
Caring for buildings…Caring for the environment…Caring for health…
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Zero Carbon in Wales!
courses at Ty-Mawr ˆ Introduction to Lime Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday
7th March - Full 11th April 13th June 12th September 10th October 14th November
Two day Introduction to Lime and Lime Plastering Thursday / Friday 15th / 16th May Saturday / Sunday 9th / 10th August
Lime Plastering Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday Friday
14th March 18th April 6th June 4th July 5th September 3rd October 7th November
Specifying Lime Friday 4th April Thursday 2nd October
Dry Stone Walling Friday 25th April Thursday / Friday 19th / 20th June Thursday 7th August Saturday / Sunday 13th / 14th September
Traditional and Ecological Paints and Finishes Thursday 3rd July
Other specialist courses; Pargetting Thursday 8th May Decorative Plasterwork Thursday 5th June Gilding – 2 day course Tuesday / Wednesday 23th / 24th September Thatching Thursday 17th July
Jane Davidson, the Welsh Assembly Government Minister, has put climate change and Coed Derwen Fawr, Llanidloes sustainability at the top of her new environmental agenda. She wants all new buildings in Wales from 2011 onwards to be zero carbon. Nigel Gervis, Director of Ty-Mawr, ˆ said “we are very excited at the announcements made in Wales. As a small business that has been developing and manufacturing building products to assist with exactly these aims for the last 15 years, we feel that Wales has come of age. Already we have been involved with some exciting new builds in Wales with the Welsh Assembly Government, (see image above), as well as other large projects like the Bala Rural Life Centre (see page 3), providing practical examples of environmentally-sensitive new builds. Therefore, we feel that we have real working examples under our belt. With the policy to support those working hard on the ground, Wales is well placed to lead the way with sustainable housing development. We hope to continue to play a vital role in producing and supplying Welsh sustainable building materials, paints and associated skills and techniques to help achieve zero carbon housing in Wales”.
New Appointments We have recently appointed Deb Stephens and Edmund Wood as part our Specialist Product Support team based at T yˆ -Mawr Head Office. Their role is primarily to support institutions, specifiers, contractors and homeowners in their specification and use of our wide range of traditional and ecological building materials. Deb has been self-employed as an architectural designer for almost a decade, specialising in eco-design and spending a lot of time trying to raise awareness of and educate clients in the use of sustainable materials and technologies. She studied Building Construction in Pontypridd College before developing her real passion for low energy dwellings by embarking on the MSc Architecture - Advanced Environment and Energy Studies with the University of East London/CAT. Edmund’s enthusiasm for old buildings started when he moved to Wales and purchased a former chapel. Since that time he has been involved in all aspects of caring for old buildings in his working life as well, firstly as an estate warden for the National Park, whilst running a landscape construction
business and later as a builder and roofer. In recent years, he had established an outdoor training company, working with a range of clients from young offenders through to senior managers from various multinational companies. Nigel Gervis, Director of Ty-Mawr ˆ said “we have known both Deb and Edmund through their contact with Ty-Mawr ˆ over the years as clients and/or through attendance on courses at Ty-Mawr. ˆ They have a broad range of design and practical experience of our products and like everyone here, share our passion for caring appropriately for old buildings as well as an excitement about using these materials in innovative ways in new builds. They are specifically supporting the insulated limecrete floor, developed by Ty-Mawr ˆ in 1999, our lime and glaster® products as well as our building boards and Welsh wool insulation (Ty-Mawr ˆ Thermafleece®). Their skills and experience compliment the specialist conservation, practical and site skills already within the team and demonstrate our commitment in striving to ensure that Ty-Mawr ˆ provides one of the best support functions for sustainable materials in the UK”.
Two day Stone Conservation Course – date to be confirmed Email: mike.scruby@lime.org.uk for further information
We have moved! Our new distribution warehouse in Brecon will be fully operational this Spring. This new site was purchased back in November 2007 from the Welsh Assembly Government. The site is an impressive 10,000sqft warehouse situated in the Enterprise Park on the outskirts of Brecon. It will act as the new base for our national distribution of products, as well as providing a trade counter; the sales and accounts team have also relocated to the new site. Please make a note of our new contact details and call before visiting to check you have the right location: Brecon Unit (Sales and Accounts, Collection of Goods, Trade Counter) T : 01874 611350 F : 01874 622774 Head Office (Manufacturing, Specialist Product Support and Training) T : 01874 658000 F : 01874 658502 North Wales Office T : 01690 710117 F : 01690 710201