by Mark Folkes | Oct 31, 2025 | Blog, Historic & Traditional Skills, Stonemasonry
At Heritage Lime, we’re passionate about keeping the timeless art of stonemasonry alive – not only through our daily work when restoring and maintaining heritage buildings, but also through opportunities to skill-share and teach.
Thanks to the generous support of The King’s Foundation, we were recently able to welcome a group of students who had travelled all the way from The Bahamas to join us here in our yard at Perrott’s Brook; they were going to spend three weeks with us for some hands-on training experience and to learn about all things lime.
Learning the Essentials
Over the course of their three-week stay, this handful of Bahamian students were able to immerse themselves in learning all about this heritage craft, beginning with an exploration into the lime cycle and how this remarkable, sustainable natural material is made. They even had the opportunity to produce their own lime, firing raw materials themselves with the use of a kiln.
With this core knowledge, they then moved on to explore more practical skills around stonemasonry; the students were able to gain hands-on experience of lime repointing, as well as the physically intense yet delicate artistry of stone carving. Each student began carving their own section of stone that would later make a collaborative arch, erected by combining all pieces of their work together as their final project.
Creating a Piece of Home
Each student’s section was emblazoned with an emblem that represented their home in the Bahamas – and on speaking to these students, it was clear how important and promising it was for them to be able to take these skills home with them; some of them were planning to use these skills to run their own businesses, or to improve their practice in their existing work at home, somewhere with an abundance of these natural resources and materials. Most of them spoke of how carving into stone was the most valuable and enjoyable skill that they’d learned during their time here at Heritage Lime, and when forming this striking and symbolic arch together, it was clear just how much knowledge they’d acquired to take home with them to the Bahamas.
When assembled together, these stones represented not only a beautiful dedication to their home and heritage thanks to their personal stone carvings; but it was also a culmination of a fortnight of skill-sharing, and a testament to their aptitude to learn all about this traditional skillset. Each student demonstrated infectious enthusiasm and curiosity, and their willingness to learn with these hands-on and challenging materials is exactly why it is so important that teaching opportunities such as these exist.
A Shared Commitment to Craft & Heritage
This project, made possible thanks to The King’s Foundation and their dedication to the teaching of traditional, rural crafts reflects not only the importance of keeping heritage skills alive, but – most importantly – just how vital it is to give enthusiastic students the keys to creating their own sustainable, enduring, and fulfilling career path. This in turn gives them the right tools to keep these traditions alive, and eventually pass their knowledge onto the future generation of stonemasons themselves.
At Heritage Lime, we’re firm believers that passing on the skills that we’ve learned is as vital as the work that we carry out on a day-to-day basis – and we’re incredibly proud to have been hand-selected by The King’s Foundation to pass our expertise and artistry on to a group of such enthusiastic and hard-working students.
The culmination of three weeks of hard work together was a beautiful BBQ that we shared on a sunny afternoon in our yard, before the Bahamian students carried on to Scotland where they’d be learning more hands-on traditional skills. It was an absolute pleasure to host every single one of them – and a huge thanks to all the team here at Heritage Lime for making this three-week journey possible.
by Mark Folkes | Jul 10, 2025 | Blog, Historic & Traditional Skills, Stonemasonry
We were proud to have our stonemasonry team in action at this year’s Cotswold Show, where they demonstrated the timeless craft of traditional stonemasonry – amongst other amazing skills! – to a lovely, enthusiastic audience throughout the weekend! Against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswolds, it felt like the perfect place to celebrate a trade that’s been at the heart of this environment for centuries.
Throughout the weekend, the wonderfully skilled Heritage Lime team gave live demonstrations of hand-carving techniques, tool handling, and the detailed processes involved in shaping and restoring natural stone. We also invited Chris from the wider Heritage Lime family along, who expertly crafted an oak frame pergola to demonstrate his fantastic timber work skills on site with us too. Timber restoration work and oak framing is something that’s integral to our restoration work, and so we were thrilled to have Chris come along to show off his amazing talents.
For many visitors, it was a rare chance to see this craftsmanship up close, and to give stone carving a try for themselves – and a chance to appreciate just how much care and precision goes into every hand movement, every cut, and every chisel mark.
A Hands-On Experience
Whilst the Cotswold Show is a great day out for lovers of all types of rural and traditional skills, the event also highlighted something deeper: the importance of sharing these traditional skills, especially with a younger audience. As fewer young people enter the trade, passing down these techniques is more vital than ever. Events like the Cotswold Show create opportunities not just to showcase heritage skills, but allow us to inspire future generations to learn them.
In the construction industry, skill sharing is essential. Whether it’s through apprenticeships, mentoring, or on-site collaboration, the transfer of knowledge keeps quality high, improves safety, and strengthens the entire trade.
At Heritage Lime, we’re always passionate about sharing our hard-earned knowledge with the people around us – whether you’ve got a keen interest in trying out stone carving for fun, whether you want to learn how to use any of our lime-based products in order to restore your own property, or you’re starting out in the trade yourself and want to know where to start. We believe that sharing our skills is integral to the progression and continuation of the lime traditional crafts industry.
With more to Come…
It’s also why we offer free consultation when buying any of our lime products; because we want you to get the best results out of our products, and because we have the knowledge and know-how to help you get there.
By demonstrating our work and answering questions from the public at the Cotswold Show, our stonemasonry team helped bridge the gap between past and present and reminded us all of the enduring value of skilled hands in shaping the world around us.
Next up, we’re looking forward to showcasing our skills once again at this year’s Frampton Country Fair. If you missed us this time around, then come and say hello in Frampton on Sunday 14th September.
by Mark Folkes | Dec 10, 2024 | Blog, Lime Products, Services, Stonemasonry
As the last leaves are falling off the trees and we begin to settle into the English Winter, many of us get prepared by stocking up on firewood or getting ourselves a few extra blankets to ensure we’re ready for the cold snap. But one often-overlooked element in winter preparation is the preservation and protection of our homes themselves. Preparing the structures that we live in is just as important a practice at this time of year as checking your tyres or servicing your boiler!
Traditional lime products have been used in the construction and maintenance of Cotswold homes for centuries, and they offer a range of benefits that can help ensure your home stays warm, dry, and durable throughout the winter months. Let’s explore why lime-based materials are essential for preparing your Cotswold home for the cold weather ahead.
Regulate Moisture
As we all know, the English Winter is renowned for its cold and damp conditions. Excess moisture in the air can lead to dampness, which, over time, can cause structural issues for buildings and promote the rapid growth of mould and mildew. This is particularly concerning in stone-built homes, where moisture can penetrate the walls and cause damage. Lime products such as lime mortar and lime plaster naturally regulate moisture by absorbing and slowly releasing it. This ability is vital during the winter months when the weather is especially damp, and heating systems can also exacerbate the humidity inside your home as well. By allowing buildings to “breathe,” lime helps to prevent the internal walls from becoming too moist, and therefore protecting your home from the damaging effects of dampness and mould. This is particularly important in older Cotswold cottages that often rely on their original stonework and lime-based finishes for their longevity.
Freeze-Thaw Chaos!
Like any other natural material, Cotswold stone can be vulnerable to freeze-thaw cycles during the harsh winter; when water infiltrates stone walls and then freezes in low temperatures, it expands, potentially causing the stone to crack or crumble. This cycle can be especially damaging to buildings during the winter, when it can repeatedly freeze and thaw. However, lime mortar is an excellent solution for preserving the integrity of stone walls. Unlike cement, which can trap moisture within the stone and exacerbate freeze-thaw damage, lime mortar is breathable and allows moisture to escape. This makes lime an ideal material for both repairs and new applications on stone buildings, helping to ensure that your Cotswold home withstands the rigours of winter without suffering from cracking, erosion, or structural damage.
Keep your surroundings beautiful…
Lime-based finishes are not only beautiful but incredibly durable, providing long-lasting protection for your home. They can help to maintain the warm and elegant aesthetic that Cotswold stone provides, and maintain and complement its traditional texture. While modern materials like cement may need frequent repairs due to cracking and moisture damage, lime-based products can continue to protect your home for decades with minimal upkeep. This longevity is essential in historic homes across the Cotswolds, where preserving the character and beauty of a property is often as important as its functionality.
…and keep them safe!
Winter can sometimes bring an increased risk of fires due to the use of heating systems and open fires. Lime is naturally fire-resistant, making it an ideal choice for both internal and external applications.
Back in the 1200s, after a large fire had taken place in London, King John declared that all properties in which brewing or baking were done must be plastered both inside and out so that they were safe from fire! Lime plaster is highly resistant to combustion, providing an additional layer of protection against fire hazards in your home during the winter months.
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Once you’ve got the outside of our home ready to tackle the elements, then you can be too. Remove the stress that Winter weather can bring by getting ahead of the game, and making sure that your home is as breathable, efficient, and safe as it can be! Then all that’s left to do is get yourself under a blanket, make a hot chocolate, and stay cosy until the Spring…
by Mark Folkes | Aug 8, 2024 | Blog, Historic & Traditional Skills, Stonemasonry
The ancient walls of a cathedral, the intricate stonework of a medieval castle, or the enduring facades of historic homes; these buildings are truly a part of our cultural heritage. They can tell us stories of a time gone by, encapsulate the talent and craftsmanship of generations past, and weave a tapestry of thousands of years of untold history. Preserving these heritage sites is not just about maintaining physical structures – it’s about sustaining the traditions and techniques that have also helped to build them. And among these, the use of lime products in these craft techniques stands out as crucial.
Traditional craft techniques are time-honoured methods passed down through generations, tailored to the materials and technologies of their time. Continuing to use them today ensures that heritage sites maintain their authenticity, their treasured aesthetic, and their structural integrity.
Lime, particularly in the forms of lime mortar and lime plaster, has been a cornerstone of construction for millennia, and even now, lime products offer several advantages that modern materials often cannot match. This tends to mean that these lime products are indispensable for the conservation and preservation of many English heritage sites.
Despite the clear advantages, the use of traditional stonemasonry and lime products faces several challenges. Modern construction often favours speed and cost-effectiveness, leading to the widespread use of cement and synthetic materials. And sometimes, unfortunately, we uncover work carried out in the past hundred years or so that has attempted to adopt these more modern materials and techniques – only to the detriment of the historic building and its structure. That’s why we consider it so important to continue the traditional work that we carry out, and share the knowledge of its importance.
There is also a dwindling number of artisans skilled in these ancient methods, making it imperative to invest in training and education for a new generation of craftspeople to take these challenges on. When we preserve these methods of craft, we are preserving a treasured part of our culture and its history, and that’s why we believe it’s so important to share our skills.
Heritage Lime’s very own Nick, for example, has been involved with teaching courses and exhibitions at the highly esteemed Highgrove Estate. Passing on the principles of conservation and stonemasonry with his extensive experience and knowledge, the Highgrove Estate is the perfect setting to emphasise the importance of passing these crafts on to the next generation. He was also recently able to share his skills at the wonderful Cotswold Show, and inspire the young and curious to try their hand at this traditional craft with a hands-on demonstration!
We believe that the challenges that traditional craft face in fact present us with opportunity. There’s a growing recognition of the value of heritage conservation, both culturally and economically. Historic sites can attract tourism, foster community pride, and provide a tangible link to our past. By promoting the use of traditional techniques and lime products, we can ensure these structures remain vibrant and enduring symbols of our heritage for many more years to come.
So when we preserve these methods of traditional craft, not only is it favourable for the preservation of these beautiful buildings, it is also essential for passing down knowledge and experience that has been gifted to us by generations past, as well as preserving the integrity of this history that is all around us. And it’s not just a matter of maintaining old sites; it is about honouring and perpetuating the craftsmanship and wisdom of our ancestors, inspiring new generations to pass this wisdom along, and keeping it alive for centuries to come. As stewards of our cultural heritage, we are proud to embrace the past, preserve this living legacy, and ensure that we are passing it on to the future.
