Get a taste of traditional skills

Two upcoming heritage skills taster days could be your first step towards a historic new career!

The first event takes place on Monday 8 July at the Heritage Skills Centre at Lincoln Castle and focuses on conservation and construction.

It is an opportunity to learn more about an upcoming traineeship in historic building conservation with the Historic Environment Skills project and try your hand at some of the crafts involved.

There are two sessions during the day. The first runs from 10am to 12pm and the second is from 1pm to 3pm. Places are free but must be booked in advance by emailingHES@lincolnshire.gov.uk

The second taster day takes place on Friday 12 July at Collyweston Heritage Centre and is run by Messenger BCR Group, a specialist construction and conservation company working with clients including Historic England, the National Trust and Natural England.

The morning session runs from 8.45am to 12.30pm and focuses on slating and roofing. The afternoon session lasts from 1.15pm to 5pm and is on heritage plastering.

Again, places are free, but must be booked in advance via HES@lincolnshire.gov.uk

Lizzie Whittington, Historic Environment Skills Project Coordinator, said: “The taster days are a great opportunity to learn about traineeships with the HES project and get your hands dirty trying out some of the skills!

“Our upcoming traineeships in heritage building conservation, slate and roofing, and heritage plastering are a unique opportunity to work with a skilled crafts person and learn traditional skills that are desperately needed to ensure the future of our historic buildings.

“The taster days will give you a good idea of what to expect if you’re thinking of applying, and you can also meet the training provider and ask them as many questions as you like!”

Run by the county council, Lincoln Cathedral and Heritage Lincolnshire, and funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, the HES project aims to encourage more young people to pursue careers in the traditional built heritage sector.

For more on the project and available traineeships, visit www.lincolncastle.com/hes-traineeships