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Practical Course: Clay Plastering with Simon Lovatt - Week 2

Mon 7 Sep 2026 8:45 AM - Fri 11 Sep 2026 5:00 PM Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9

Practical Course: Clay Plastering with Simon Lovatt - Week 2

Mon 7 Sep 2026 8:45 AM - Fri 11 Sep 2026 5:00 PM Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9

Join us for a 5-day practical course where you'll be learning all the essential skills of clay plastering onto hempcrete walls. This course welcomes folks of all building abilities, and our build sites are renowned for attracting wonderful, welcoming people, so you'll feel at home on this course no matter whether you're a beginner or an experienced craftsperson.

This is the second clay plastering course at this site, the first is running 24th - 28th August, is those dates work better for you

LOCATION:

Herefordshire

ABOUT THE COURSE:

We will be plastering a 1 storey hempcrete bungalow for a couple based on Permaculture and Regenerative Architecture principles! Our clay plastering course covers the practical aspects of clay plastering onto hempcrete (applicable to other surface types) and by the end of the course, participants will have gained both knowledge and hands-on construction experience which includes:

  • The differences between key coat, body coat and finish coat
  • How to determine mixes for each type of coat
  • A basic understanding of how to process fresh clay into plaster
  • The differences between using products and using your own clay
  • The benefits of clay plasters & how they can help to combat climate change
  • Use of different types of plastering tools
  • Creating reveals around windows and doors
  • Practical application of body coat
  • Finishing techniques
  • and much more!

ABOUT THE LIVE BUILD:

Learning with us on this project will give you experience with plastering a hempcrete building, with a focus on using low-impact, natural and recycled materials. The build is quite innovative in that it has a waterless toilet and an integrated drainage system where all the grey and surface water will feed the garden. Participants will receive a Clay Plastering certificate from the School of Natural Building.

ABOUT SIMON LOVATT
Simon is a heritage builder, craftsperson and founder of Calch a Chlai Cymru, a Welsh-based organisation working with traditional lime, clay building materials and regenerative building practices. He is committed to low-impact construction, vernacular craft, and restoring the cultural knowledge of land-based materials.

PRICING:
We endeavour to make our courses and events affordable to all. We have a limited number of subsidised places available on every course and a rate for participants being sponsored through their work or higher earners. Subsidised places are limited and are intended for those who truly cannot afford the standard rate. We don't ask for any proof, but ask that you use your judgement when purchasing.

£400 - Sponsored / income over 30k rate

£300 - Individual rate

£150 - Subsidised rate

See full Terms and Conditions here.

REPRESENTATION:

The School of Natural Building is a not-for-profit BenCom, set up to benefit communities, and doesn't receive external funding. However, we believe in driving representation within the construction and building industry, and price our courses as fairly as we can to ensure that they remain accessible. Our prices include tuition, all materials, tools and equipment, and daily refreshments (bring your own packed lunch). 

ACCOMMODATION:
It is up to participants to organise their own accommodation, and there are no camping facilities on-site. The clients will suggest some accommodation options when dates are confirmed. 

TRANSPORTATION:
The School of Natural Building believes in the urgency of the climate challenge, and our work is fundamentally about supporting a low-carbon future where people live in ways which bring us closer to the earth, back into community with our ecosystem and back to ourselves. For this reason, we urge participants to travel to our course locations via public or shared transport where possible. We'll connect course participants via a WhatsApp group in advance of the course, to facilitate ride-sharing (which might also help with aligning accommodation options).

ACCESS:

Practical courses take place on construction sites, which often means participants will be walking on rough terrain or through spaces which pose accessibility issues. Those with reduced mobility or in wheelchairs should reach out to us for more information regarding the accessibility of the specific course site you'd like to join, and we can assess the options together.

BOOKING:
There are limited places on this course, and booking is essential. Please sign-up with your email to express interest in a place. As soon as the firm dates are known, you will be the first to know and able to purchase your spot. Please note that for insurance reasons, all participants must be 16 or over. We look forward to meeting you on site, but if you have any questions ahead of attending, please email hello@schoolofnaturalbuilding.co.uk.

Location

Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, HR9