April News
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 28th April 2021
After one of the sunniest and driest Aprils on record, we were somewhat taken aback to arrive at Rosemoor today in dull, overcast conditions. Thankfully, we had to endure nothing more than intermittent light drizzle which did not hamper progress on site. It was good to welcome navvy Colin back to the team which brings us nearly up to full strength.
After one of the sunniest and driest Aprils on record, we were somewhat taken aback to arrive at Rosemoor today in dull, overcast conditions. Thankfully, we had to endure nothing more than intermittent light drizzle which did not hamper progress on site. It was good to welcome navvy Colin back to the team which brings us nearly up to full strength.
Working on the arch
|
The repairs to the west wall of the lime kiln wall are now pretty much complete so our masons were able to turn their attention to the huge arch at the northern end of the wall. The masonry here is in very poor condition and the base will need to be buttressed before we can commence further repairs. The work is vital, however, as without it, the arch is liable to collapse and this would cause substantial damage to the entire structure. |
General view of the upper basin
In the upper basin we continued to dig away at the tree stump in the centre of the wall and made good progress removing material at the base of the stump which should enable us to cut away most of this annoying obstacle. We can then commence the re-build of the wall itself.
Partially excavated stump
|
Exposed wall of tucking mill
|
The tucking mill is gradually revealing more of its secrets. As noted in previous reports, the site is definitely much larger than we originally thought. We have exposed more of the wall of the third(?) chamber which runs due south from the second flight of steps. In the mill leat itself, we have started to reconstruct the base of the channel. The photo shows repairs to the stonework at what we believe would have been the level at which it fed the water wheel. We think the wheel was 8 – 10 feet in diameter so the base of the channel below the wheel would perhaps have been some 5 feet deeper. As ever, we proceed on the basis of informed guesswork!
Excavations at the tucking mill
Base of mill channel
Generally, working parties are held every Wednesday morning, meeting in the main car park at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington at 9.30am. (NB. Arrangements may vary during Covid restrictions). Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 21st April 2021
We assembled at Rosemoor on another fine day and were pleased to welcome back navvie Adrian after a long absence bringing the team up to seven – nearly back to full strength. After several weeks of fine weather, the site is bone dry which makes working conditions very pleasant (unless of course you are sloshing around in the bottom of the basin!). Wild garlic and dandelions are coming into flower which adds a welcome splash of colour to the site.
We assembled at Rosemoor on another fine day and were pleased to welcome back navvie Adrian after a long absence bringing the team up to seven – nearly back to full strength. After several weeks of fine weather, the site is bone dry which makes working conditions very pleasant (unless of course you are sloshing around in the bottom of the basin!). Wild garlic and dandelions are coming into flower which adds a welcome splash of colour to the site.
Work on re-building the lime kiln wall continues apace and, as can be seen from the photos, we are only a few courses away from the top of the wall. There is a certain amount of infilling to be done behind the new stonework before this is capped off with a final layer of stone. The appearance and structural integrity of the wall has been hugely improved as a result of the work that has been undertaken. From the top of the scaffolding one has a fine view of the entire canal basin.
Repaired wall near internal arch
|
Repairing lime kiln wall
|
In the upper basin, we concentrated on trying to remove the troublesome tree stump which sits in the middle of the eastern wall. We have managed to sever most of the roots embedded in the stonework but digging out the stump itself will be a considerable challenge.
The remaining navvies continued to work on the tucking mill. At the bottom of the internal steps there are signs of a red brick floor but, as usual, tree roots are hampering progress here. Further repairs were also carried out to the foundations of the corner of the building adjacent to the mill leat.
|
|
Generally, working parties are held every Wednesday morning, meeting in the main car park at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington at 9.30am. (NB. Arrangements may vary during Covid restrictions). Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
SEA LOCK REPORT by Michael Elliott - 20th April 2021
While there was no Sea Lock working party last week, Adrian had made good progress rebuilding the back of the wharf wall since the last report. The team set to, digging out earth and dismantling loose stones from the wall somewhat faster than Adrian could rebuild it. Still, good progress was made on a lovely sunny morning.
While there was no Sea Lock working party last week, Adrian had made good progress rebuilding the back of the wharf wall since the last report. The team set to, digging out earth and dismantling loose stones from the wall somewhat faster than Adrian could rebuild it. Still, good progress was made on a lovely sunny morning.
|
|
SPRING CLEANING by Mike Harper - 18th April 2021
If you are a regular user of the Tarka Trail, you'll be familiar with the Rolle Canal information boards. You may have noticed that some of them were looking a bit grotty. Our small work party have given all eleven of them a spring clean ready for the summer visitors. Can you see the difference?
If you are a regular user of the Tarka Trail, you'll be familiar with the Rolle Canal information boards. You may have noticed that some of them were looking a bit grotty. Our small work party have given all eleven of them a spring clean ready for the summer visitors. Can you see the difference?
|
|
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 14th April 2021
We were fortunate to have another fine day for our ongoing efforts at Rosemoor where work continues on three separate areas of the site.
We were fortunate to have another fine day for our ongoing efforts at Rosemoor where work continues on three separate areas of the site.
|
|
We made good progress with further repairs to the west wall of the lime kiln. We have now reached the topmost course of the stonework and we estimate that this work should be completed in another two to three weeks, weather permitting.
General view of the upper basin
In the upper basin, we stripped back the earth from above the east wall and removed more loose stones. These have been stacked on the bank as can be seen in the photos prior to commencing the re-build.
|
|
Further excavations have been carried out on the tucking mill site revealing what seems to be a flagged floor at the foot of the second flight of steps. We have also removed more earth from around the foundations of the wall which will enable us to start repairing the corner of the building. This is quite precarious and in need of urgent stabilisation.
Steps in tucking mill
|
Corner of tucking mill
|
Generally, working parties are held every Wednesday morning, meeting in the main car park at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington at 9.30am. (NB. Arrangements may vary during Covid restrictions). Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 7th April 2021
Arriving on site at Rosemoor, we were pleased to see that the contractors had raised the scaffolding platform to enable us to carry out repairs to the very top level of stonework on the lime kiln. Our masons were consequently fired with enthusiasm and soon got to work on this final leg of the restoration of the western wall (apart from the minor matter of the arch!). Much of the stonework at the top of the wall is surprisingly solid so the amount of stone to be removed prior to re-building should not be too great.
Arriving on site at Rosemoor, we were pleased to see that the contractors had raised the scaffolding platform to enable us to carry out repairs to the very top level of stonework on the lime kiln. Our masons were consequently fired with enthusiasm and soon got to work on this final leg of the restoration of the western wall (apart from the minor matter of the arch!). Much of the stonework at the top of the wall is surprisingly solid so the amount of stone to be removed prior to re-building should not be too great.
Repairing the top of the lime kiln wall
|
View of west wall of the lime kiln
|
Elsewhere, work continued on repairing the foundation walls of the tucking mill. We have also partly revealed what seems to be a cobbled floor in the lower chamber. There is still a huge amount of work to be done here but we feel it is worthwhile in view of the mill's historical significance.
With the canal drained, we have also started to excavate the ground above the eastern wall of the upper basin. The wall has been badly deformed by the weight of the earth bank above with the result that many of the stones have been pushed out of alignment. We will need to remove the top two or three courses to get down to a solid foundation before we start to re-build. With luck and some decent weather we hope to complete this task during the summer.
Generally, working parties are held every Wednesday morning, meeting in the main car park at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington at 9.30am. (NB. Arrangements may vary during Covid restrictions). Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.