August News
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT FROM TONY NICHOLLS - 21st August 2019
A good turn-out this week meant that we were able to work in various areas of the site.
Further clearing of vegetation in the canal basin below the access bund was carried out and the troublesome tree stump in the basin wall attacked. Unfortunately, the stump is well established and will require much effort to remove.
A good turn-out this week meant that we were able to work in various areas of the site.
Further clearing of vegetation in the canal basin below the access bund was carried out and the troublesome tree stump in the basin wall attacked. Unfortunately, the stump is well established and will require much effort to remove.
|
|
Further restoration of the basin wall was undertaken and this work is progressing steadily. In addition, we continue to excavate the former tucking mill. Each week we succeed in exposing a little more of the internal walls and bringing more of this intriguing structure to light.
Generally, working parties are held every Wednesday morning, meeting in the main car park at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington at 9.30am. New volunteers are always welcome. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT FROM TONY NICHOLLS - 14th August 2019
Our first priority this week was to dig out some of the weeds which have started to establish themselves in the canal basin. With the fall in the water level over recent weeks, these were growing vigorously and starting to spread. Two brave volunteers equipped with waders took on this task (with the rest of the team operating in shallower waters!). Unfortunately, there is little water feeding into the canal basin at present so, unless we have some significant rainfall, there is little prospect of seeing the water level rise.
Our first priority this week was to dig out some of the weeds which have started to establish themselves in the canal basin. With the fall in the water level over recent weeks, these were growing vigorously and starting to spread. Two brave volunteers equipped with waders took on this task (with the rest of the team operating in shallower waters!). Unfortunately, there is little water feeding into the canal basin at present so, unless we have some significant rainfall, there is little prospect of seeing the water level rise.
|
|
After completing this task, we turned our attention to the ongoing work of rebuilding the basin wall above the bund and the excavation of the tucking mill. We have dug out about three quarters of the old wall but have now come up against the obstacle of a large tree stump which will have to be removed. Although we injected this with poison about a year ago, sadly it shows no signs of withering away.
Further excavation of the tucking mill has revealed an interesting series of stepped holes or channels in one of the walls. We think the purpose of these may have been to facilitate drainage of water from (or ingress into?) one of the fulling rooms but, as ever, this is pure speculation at present.
|
|
(Photos courtesy of Michael Elliott)
Generally, working parties are held every Wednesday morning, meeting in the main car park at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington at 9.30am. New volunteers are always welcome. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
Generally, working parties are held every Wednesday morning, meeting in the main car park at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington at 9.30am. New volunteers are always welcome. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
SEALOCK GUIDED WALK - Sunday 18th August
A great chance to see what's been happening recently at Sealock, together with the opportunity to have a cream tea. What's not to like about that?
To make sure that you get a cream tea it will be a good idea to let Hilary know in advance - 01237 477705 - [email protected]
Meeting by 2:30pm at Annery Kiln, which is beside the Torridge on the Weare Giffard road, turning off the A386 about 3 miles south of Bideford. It is also only a quarter of a mile off the Tarka Trail at the same junction for keen walkers or cyclists.
In all it should be barely a mile to walk, on level ground, taking a little over two hours, and even if you've been there before and bought the t.shirt, the chances are you'll learn a bit more of the local history. All are welcome and a donation of £2 will be appreciated to help with the costs of the restoration. For any further information email [email protected] or phone 01237 477705
A great chance to see what's been happening recently at Sealock, together with the opportunity to have a cream tea. What's not to like about that?
To make sure that you get a cream tea it will be a good idea to let Hilary know in advance - 01237 477705 - [email protected]
Meeting by 2:30pm at Annery Kiln, which is beside the Torridge on the Weare Giffard road, turning off the A386 about 3 miles south of Bideford. It is also only a quarter of a mile off the Tarka Trail at the same junction for keen walkers or cyclists.
In all it should be barely a mile to walk, on level ground, taking a little over two hours, and even if you've been there before and bought the t.shirt, the chances are you'll learn a bit more of the local history. All are welcome and a donation of £2 will be appreciated to help with the costs of the restoration. For any further information email [email protected] or phone 01237 477705
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT FROM TONY NICHOLLS - 7th August 2019
On arrival at site this week, it was good to see that the grass seed sown last week had taken. No doubt helped by the recent warm weather and some rain, a covering of young green shoots has started to appear so in a few weeks' time a decent lawn should be established.
We have continued to work on the restoration of the basin wall above the bund which involves digging out the top layers of stone to enable us to get down to a solid foundation. The removed stones are then re-laid with mortar. This work is progressing well and a 10 metre section of wall has now been partially rebuilt.
On arrival at site this week, it was good to see that the grass seed sown last week had taken. No doubt helped by the recent warm weather and some rain, a covering of young green shoots has started to appear so in a few weeks' time a decent lawn should be established.
We have continued to work on the restoration of the basin wall above the bund which involves digging out the top layers of stone to enable us to get down to a solid foundation. The removed stones are then re-laid with mortar. This work is progressing well and a 10 metre section of wall has now been partially rebuilt.
|
|
A puzzling structure has been revealed at the junction of the basin wall and the tucking mill where the stonework appears to curve back on itself. The purpose of this is not clear but we speculate that it may have been some sort of duct or channel to feed water into the tucking mill (in addition to the main mill leat) as copious quantities of water would have been required to wash the wool hides. Further excavation of the tucking mill itself was carried out with more of the central wall being exposed. This entire area is throwing up many interesting questions which we hope to shed light on as work advances.
Generally, working parties are held every Wednesday morning, meeting in the main car park at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington at 9.30am. New volunteers are always welcome. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
