A hands-on building course tackling wattle and daub is taking place near Braintree.

Students on the one-day course, on Saturday, have the opportunity to help reconstruct a listed medieval farmhouse while learning traditional building methods.

Course tutors Lydia Bucknell and Peter Roe, of Essex County Council's heritage conservation team, will teach students the wattle and daub technique of creating building panels using interwoven strips of wood filled in by earth straw and grass. They will also go through the process of preparation, aftercare and colouring.

The course will take place at Onchors Farm, Great Saling. Participants will have the opportunity to work on a medieval timber-framed farmhouse, Parkes Hall.

The course costs £80 for the day. For further information, contact Pauline Hudspith, of the heritage conservation department, at Essex County Council on 01245 437672 or pauline.hudspith@essex cc.gov.uk

Published Friday, April 25, 2003

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