There is a lot of interest in hydraulic lime mortars and renders, which should ensure a good turnout at Birmingham University on 10 April for the second major conference resulting from the three-year, Government-sponsored research programme into the subject.

The research has been based at Bristol University and examines the performance of hydraulic limes and aims to classify them in ways that make them easy to specify and use.

The first such conference was held at the BRE, Watford, last year (see NSS, October 2001).

The next, at Edgbaston Campus of Birmingham University, will follow the same format of explaining the research and giving some case histories of the use of hydraulic lime mortars on contemporary projects. There will also be a demonstration area showing how to mix and use hydraulic lime mortar.

For details and to book a place at the conference contact the conference secretary at: