I've just completed a weekend DIY plastering course with a company down in Dartford call Able Skills. I completed the course over 2 weekends and now have the skills necessary to carry out basic plastering tasks around my home (which I'm currently renovating) which will save me a fortune! They have a very informative website: [link]
i read ur post about plastering and i am seriously thinking about it... the course that is am hoping to find somewhere a bit closer ti home though as that is some 300miles away :-( .
we recently had builders into plaster our ceilings and the end result was well what can i say, looked like they had there eyes shut and what with a house to renovate like urself this could come in handy.