A Gorslas plasterer has joined a new hands-on scheme which will strengthen the standard of the service provided by his business.

Paul Walters, who owns Just Lime Limited, has become one of the four newest recruits to a unique and prestigious educational scheme designed to nature and develop skills needed to care for historic structures.

Since 1987, the SPAB (Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings) has organised the Fellowship to foster a new generation of outstanding craftspeople with the knowledge and expertise to pass on essential skills for working with historic materials. The prestigious scheme runs in parallel to the SPAB’s Scholarship programme for architectural / building professionals.

The aim is for the Fellows to gain broad, practical experience and knowledge to enable them to bring a strong awareness of craft diversity to their future professional roles. The Fellowship also equips them with the skills necessary to lead and manage historic building contracts, while deepening their understanding of the importance of gentle repair - the keystone of the SPAB approach.

The 34-year-old said: “The Fellowship is an amazing opportunity to develop both knowledge and skills through being exposed to an immense array of conservation building sites, craftsmen and women, and conservation professionals alike. “The notion of spending nine months viewing some of the most prestigious historic sites, whilst being shown how and why such repairs are being carried out is hugely exciting.

“I strongly believe that experiencing such a broad spectrum of works can only serve to strengthen the standard of services offered by Just Lime whilst working on the fantastic build heritage we have in Wales”

In March, Paul and the other scholars began their six-month itinerary of site, workshop and studio visits.

Starting with a week in the south east of England the SPAB Fellows have visited projects at Canterbury Cathedral, the atmospheric Abney Park Cemetery in London and Hampton Court Palace.

The group will move further afield over the next nine months visiting castles in the Inner Hebrides, thatching in the West Country and repairing ruined mills in Derbyshire.

They will visit significant conservation projects, workshops and studios in all parts of the country where they will learn about traditional building techniques from skilled craftsmen and women who have already established careers in the field.