Talking Conservation
by Stephen Boniface and Rich Alesbury
Latest episode
Worried About Woodworm? The Complete Guide Before You Spray
Worried About Woodworm? The Complete Guide Before You Spray
About this podcast
Welcome to Talking Conservation, where we talk about all things related to our built heritage. Whether you own an historic building, are responsible for a heritage site, or are a professional consultant, contractor, or simply interested - this is the place to find out more.
We discuss various matters and conduct interviews with a wide range of people involved with our heritage in some way. This includes architects, surveyors, archaeologists, conservation officers, contractors, conservators, historians ... the list goes on.
We are interested in and talk about any aspect of heritage; not only listed buildings, but all older and traditionally constructed buildings and anything that could be considered a heritage site.
Stephen's Heritage Conservation Community information can be found here: https://beconservation.com/heritage-conservation-community
Rich's platform putting owners in touch with consultants can be found here: https://expertible.com/
Episodes
The newest 20 of 27 episodes
- Worried About Woodworm? The Complete Guide Before You Spray · 45 minFound woodworm holes in your floorboards, roof timbers or old furniture? Before you pay for chemical treatment, this in-depth guide explains how to tell whether the infestation…
- Worried about Dry Rot? Understand it first · 46 minIn this episode of Talking Conservation, Rich and Stephen unpack one of the most feared problems in old buildings: Dry Rot. We look at what dry rot actually is, why the name is…
- Why Timber Rots in Old Buildings (and how to stop it) · 59 minWhy does timber rot, and what actually causes wood to decay in old buildings?In this second episode of our Talking Conservation timber series, Rich and Stephen dig into the real…
- How Timber works in Old Buildings · 55 minWhat actually is timber, and why is it such an important material in old buildings?In this first episode of our new Talking Conservation timber series, Rich and Stephen go right…
- Listed Building Myths that can get you into serious trouble | Part 2 · 59 minWhat happens if you rely on a builder’s advice, skip consent, or try to “fix it later” on a listed building?In this second myth-busting episode, we unpack the real legal risks of…
- What CAN you do to a Listed Building? Part 1 · 43 minWhat can you actually do to a listed building? In this episode of Talking Conservation, we cut through the confusion, myths, and half-truths that surround listed buildings and…
- Talking Conservation Turns One – What We’ve Learned & What’s Next · 28 minIt’s been one year of Talking Conservation — and in this special anniversary episode, Rich and Stephen step back to reflect on the journey so far. From favourite episodes to…
- Lime Plaster Ceiling Repair for Old Homes | Decorative Cornice & Moulding Restoration Tips · 50 minIn this final episode of our Lime Series, we’re joined once again by master plasterer Sean Wheatley to explore the finer details of working with lime plaster on ceilings…
- How to Fix Ceilings in Older Homes – Lath, Plaster & Lime Advice with Master Plasterer Sean Wheatley · 60 minIn this episode of Talking Conservation, we’re joined by expert heritage plasterer Sean Wheatley, who brings decades of hands-on experience in the restoration of traditional…
- Up High: How Rope Access Protects Historic Buildings – Talking Conservation with Steve Hogarth · 29 minIn this follow-up episode of Talking Conservation, we’re back with Steve Hogarth – SPAB Fellow, heritage mason, and rope access conservator with Highlife Rope Access – to dive…
- Lime Mortar Details That Matter – Drip Detailing, Exposure & High-Level Repairs · 36 minWhat’s the biggest threat to your historic building? Water. In this special episode of Talking Conservation, we’re joined by Steve Hogarth — SPAB Fellow, heritage mason, and rope…
- Understanding Substrates in Older Homes – Lime Mortar Series Bonus Episode · 1 h 0 minBefore choosing your lime mortar or plaster, you need to understand your substrate. In this bonus episode of Talking Conservation, Stephen and Rich explore the importance of…
- Which Lime Mortar to Use? Part 3 – Floors, Chimneys & Exposured Areas · 22 minNot sure which lime to use for a chimney, solid floor, or coping stone? In this episode of Talking Conservation, we explain how to choose and apply the right lime mix for floor…
- Which Lime Mortar to Use? Part 2 – Plasters & Renders for Traditional Homes · 21 minLime Plaster & Render Uses Explained — How to choose the right mix for old buildingsIn this episode of Talking Conservation, Stephen and Rich continue their deep dive into lime…
- Which Lime Mortar to Use? Part 1 – Building & Pointing Old Brick and Stone · 20 minLime Mortar Uses Explained — How to apply the correct mix for your historic homeIn this episode of Talking Conservation, Stephen and Rich explain how different types of lime…
- Lime Mortar Types Explained – Essential Knowledge for Older UK Buildings · 27 minIn this episode of Talking Conservation, we explain the different types of lime used in building and restoration work. If you have ever wondered what the difference is between…
- Lime Mortar for Old Homes – Chemistry, Conservation & Why It Still Works · 7 minRich finds a lime kiln. Stephen nerds out on chemistry. Somehow, it all makes sense. In this episode of Talking Conservation, we walk through the full lime cycle — from burnt…
- The Old Sun Inn - Past, Present, & Future · 53 minDouglas Kent is the Technical Secretary ofSPAB, but in his private capacity purchased The Old Sun Inn, Saffron Walden, afew years ago, having previously acquired the neighbouring…
- The Highs and Lows of an Aviation Museum - with Ian Flint · 56 minIan is the CEO of Stow Maries Great War Aerodrome (museum). We talk about his past and how he came to be at Stow Maries, as well as describing the site and its buildings. Some…
- Heritage home insurance: What every owner must know · 1 h 33 min · Season 1 Episode 8Buildings Insurance for Historic Homes: Everything You Need to Know In this episode, we sit down with Steve Moores, Client Director for Howden Insurance, to discuss the ins and…
