Mark Womersley was pleased to work with the PROHEDEV programme funded by the European Union , ARCCH and Amhara Culture and Tourism Bureau to help deliver the ‘lime conservation plasters and finishes conference 25th-26th March 2019’ at the Ethiopian Heritage Conservation Training Centre at Gondar.

Mark Womersley was pleased to work with the PROHEDEV programme funded by the European Union , ARCCH and Amhara Culture and Tourism Bureau to help deliver the ‘lime conservation plasters and finishes conference 25th-26th March 2019’ at the Ethiopian Heritage Conservation Training Centre at Gondar.

On the first day we worked with specifiers and crafts people to develop their skills and understanding of the use of Historic plasters

On day two David Mitchelmore and Mark Womersley presented three lectures putting Ethiopian medieval gypsum plasters, 6^th and 16th century lime plasters and clay/mud daub in the context of local vernacular skills, influences from Egypt and the rest of the world, as well as from the Portuguese settlers out of India. The third presentation focussed on the similarities and influences of Indian Craftsmen on the early 17^th century plasters of Northern Ethiopia.

The afternoon session was again a practical demonstration including basic fresco work on to lime plaster and sculptural clay plaster. All the particpants enjoyed the two days and the organisers where pleased to complete the second event at the Ethiopian Conservation Training Centre in the Royal Enclosure at Gondar.

Special thanks to Endris Abdu Ahmed, Mayor Dr. Aschalew, Leul Yohannes, Hailu Zeleke and Kibrewosen Negash Bayu for their support.