News
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT FROM TONY NICHOLLS - 22nd January 2020
Following two very cold nights with sub-zero temperatures, we found the canal basin covered by a thick film of ice when we arrived on site this morning, At this time of year, the sun rarely reaches the bottom of the Rosemoor valley so the ice melts very slowly. The water level in the basin was about 2 to 3 inches below the lip of the lower spillway which confirms our suspicion that water is being lost through leakage.
After the preparatory work undertaken last week, we were able to start repairs to the southern wall of the lime kiln in earnest and our masons succeeded in laying a couple of courses of stone by the end of the morning. As noted in last week's report, we have been fortunate to find a significant deposit of stone near the bottom of the mill race which we are using for the repairs. This stone is of excellent quality and much of it is dressed on at least one face. Given the size of some of the stones we have unearthed, we now believe that most of this came from the tucking mill rather than the old bridge which crossed the mill race here. It is certainly a valuable resource and any surplus stone from the re-build of the lime kiln will be used for restoration work on the tucking mill.
Following two very cold nights with sub-zero temperatures, we found the canal basin covered by a thick film of ice when we arrived on site this morning, At this time of year, the sun rarely reaches the bottom of the Rosemoor valley so the ice melts very slowly. The water level in the basin was about 2 to 3 inches below the lip of the lower spillway which confirms our suspicion that water is being lost through leakage.
After the preparatory work undertaken last week, we were able to start repairs to the southern wall of the lime kiln in earnest and our masons succeeded in laying a couple of courses of stone by the end of the morning. As noted in last week's report, we have been fortunate to find a significant deposit of stone near the bottom of the mill race which we are using for the repairs. This stone is of excellent quality and much of it is dressed on at least one face. Given the size of some of the stones we have unearthed, we now believe that most of this came from the tucking mill rather than the old bridge which crossed the mill race here. It is certainly a valuable resource and any surplus stone from the re-build of the lime kiln will be used for restoration work on the tucking mill.
With regard to the tucking mill, our excavations are gradually revealing more of the original layout. The foundations appear to extend further to the south indicating that there may be another set of rooms here. If this is the case, the building may possibly be twice the size we initially thought. Much of the original stonework is still in excellent condition having been buried under several metres of earth. We continue to find many interesting artefacts throughout the site.
Much of the original stonework is still in excellent condition having been buried under several metres of earth. We continue to find many interesting artefacts throughout the site.
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.
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Footnote: At the end of the session, we were able to have a very civilised lunch thanks to Navvy Crowhurst who provided a tablecloth and sunshade for our outside dining area. Unfortunately, he omitted to bring the Pimms but has promised to rectify this next time...)
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT FROM TONY NICHOLLS - 15th January 2020
We have been concerned for some time that water is leaking from the canal in the section above the basin so, given that ground is now thoroughly saturated, we thought that this would be an opportune time to try to locate the source of any leakage. Two members of the team walked up the valley towards Darkham Weir and - not without difficulty - were able to identify two points at which water appeared to be leaking from the canal. One was just a small trickle of water seeping from the base of the canal bed; the second, however, was a substantial pond of water which seems to feed a small stream which issues into the Torridge just below the former tucking mill. A significant amount of water is currently flowing through this stream which, if it could be re-directed into the canal, would provide a valuable source of water in the drier months.
Scaffolding has now been erected around the southern end of the lime kiln to enable us to undertake the repair and re-build of the stonework above the arch. Several members of the team made a start clearing the vegetation growing around the top of the kiln and preparing the area for the first course of stone which we hope to lay next week.
We have been fortunate to discover – by accident – a substantial pile of stone in the copse near the bottom of the mill leat. This may be stone from the tucking mill or from an old bridge which crossed the leat itself a few metres from the river Torridge. Whatever the source, this will provide valuable material for the re-build of the lime kiln.
Elsewhere, work continued on the excavation of the tucking mill and mowing the grassed area in front of the lime kiln.
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.
TUCKING MILL
With all the exciting work being carried out at the Tucking Mill at Rosemoor, we thought it would be good to tell you what a tucking mill is all about.
Click HERE to find out more
With all the exciting work being carried out at the Tucking Mill at Rosemoor, we thought it would be good to tell you what a tucking mill is all about.
Click HERE to find out more
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT FROM TONY NICHOLLS - 8th January 2020
For our first working party of 2020, we had a full complement of volunteers – no doubt keen to burn off a few Christmas calories. Consequently, we were able to work on several different areas of the site.
Work continues on the excavation of the tucking mill. We have now exposed a substantial section of the original structure revealing different floor levels and areas of brickwork. There is still much debate within the team on the precise layout of the mill and its machinery but we hope this will be resolved with further excavation.
For our first working party of 2020, we had a full complement of volunteers – no doubt keen to burn off a few Christmas calories. Consequently, we were able to work on several different areas of the site.
Work continues on the excavation of the tucking mill. We have now exposed a substantial section of the original structure revealing different floor levels and areas of brickwork. There is still much debate within the team on the precise layout of the mill and its machinery but we hope this will be resolved with further excavation.
Just before Christmas, the team cleared all the undergrowth from beneath the arch of the well-preserved fourth pot of the lime kiln and, by removing a layer of earth, revealed the outline of the foundation walls of the fifth pot. Sadly, this has completely vanished, the stone no doubt being removed for use in buildings elsewhere. A considerable part of the morning was spent exposing these foundations. The layout appears to be a mirror image of the fourth pot – in the bottom right corner of the photograph (behind the foot of the volunteer in the green fleece), the cornerstone marking the return of the arch is clearly visible.
Elsewhere, we spent some time clearing vegetation from the eastern bank of the canal basin above the bund which was getting badly overgrown.
Contractors are due on site next Monday to erect scaffolding on the south face of the kiln to enable us to stabilise and repair the top of the kiln wall. This is badly degraded and needs remedial work done as a matter of some urgency.
Contractors are due on site next Monday to erect scaffolding on the south face of the kiln to enable us to stabilise and repair the top of the kiln wall. This is badly degraded and needs remedial work done as a matter of some urgency.
(Footnote: our resident robin appeared at coffee break looking decidedly leaner after our Christmas break. He has clearly missed his weekly ration of bread and cake!)
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.