Speaker Richard Groom

Friday 20th April 2018

President Stewart Wilson welcomed guests to our Friday meeting, Richard Groom our speaker, Eamon Quinn and Stuart Heaney guests of Tom Thomson, and Lilian McGeoch guest of Faye McPherson.
We were pleased to hear that our team has once again reached the final of the Gavel competition, when they will play Inverness on neutral ground!  Our next fund-raising activity will be at Kippen street fair on 9th June. Sandy Leven reported on a successful start to the Spring planting at the station, to be continued next week.
Our speaker Richard Groom, originally a stone carver and mason, now works with Stirling Heritage Trust, one of a number of groups throughout Scotland, set up by central government in 2002 with the aim of securing the proper repair and maintenance of traditional buildings, generally built before 1919. Prior to that date buildings were generally constructed of local materials, solid stone and slate, giving each area a local style and character. It had become evident that there was very little ongoing training in traditional building methods, consequently inappropriate and often damaging repairs were being carried out, for instance the use of cement rather than lime mortar for pointing. As stonework ages the softer lime mortar breaks down rather than the stone and can be easily replaced. The Heritage Trust aim to provide an independent assessment of buildings, advise on required maintenance and repair using appropriate materials and methods, and provide a report. It does not recommend on specific contractors. Richard's talk was clearly of interest, particularly those who own traditional buildings, and several interesting questions were raised and answered.  The vote of thanks was given by Mike Quinn.
At next week’s meeting Speaker's host Alan Rankin, Visitor's host Alan Prentice.
Ian Richardson