A local college is working alongside Wheal Martyn Clay Works to help improve the skills of staff and volunteers.
Cornwall College St Austell construction lecturers have provided hands on courses to look at restoration techniques including timber repairs and lime mortar repointing of stone walls.
Head of Construction at Cornwall College St Austell, Jamie Rowley, explained that the College has been working with Wheal Martyn Clay Works for the last three years.
“This project came off the back of the restoration of a railway signal box our students undertook for them,” he said.
“Some of the participants on the courses were volunteers at Wheal Martyn and it is hoped it will encourage more to become involved.”
Mark Robertson, who took part in the lime course, said the most important things he learnt were mixing the lime mortar, applying mortar and wetting down.
“The trainer from Cornwall College St Austell was excellent, very knowledgeable and was able to clearly explain each step,” he added.
Sarah Robertson, who also took part on the lime course, said she decided to take part on the course to “grow my experience and knowledge of lime pointing and to apply this to our home project”.
“I really enjoyed the whole course, especially applying the lime mortar, practising ‘beating back’ and mixing,” she said.
Roger Smith, who also attended one of the heritage restoration courses to gain new skills, said it was “great to learn how to use a chisel, saw properly and how to thoroughly prepare for a job”.
The courses run by Cornwall College St Austell were delivered as part of Heritage Skills project funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Historic England, at Wheal Martyn Clay Works.
Project Manager at Wheal Martyn Clay Works, Julia Orchard, said they are “delighted to have worked with Cornwall College St Austell.”
“It is fantastic to be able to provide heritage building skills training opportunities and we are excited to see the skills gained by our staff and volunteers put into practice as we carry our essential preservation to the historic buildings at Wheal Martyn over the coming years.”
There is a Course & Careers Advice event at Cornwall College St Austell on Saturday 18th January 2020 10am until Midday where visitors can tour the campus and find out more about the various courses available.
For more information on the range of courses available across The Cornwall College Group visit www.cornwall.ac.uk or call 0330 123 2523.
