February News
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MECHANICAL MISCHIEF
Sea Lock report by Adrian Wills - 27th February 2022 Just recently my Kawasaki Kubota 3010 off-road vehicle decided it didn’t want to play anymore and I couldn‘t get it started. Its battery had gone flat. I subsequently put the battery on charge and after a couple of days charging tried to start the machine again. Still no luck! I tried charging it once more, but after several hours and still no change to the battery’s readings, it was obvious that it had finally died. This was not entirely surprising since this was the same battery that was on the machine when I bought it probably about 10 years ago, so it hadn’t done badly. On Thursday (24.02.22) Trevor arrived at my house. We had intended to get on with some building, but despite the fact that the weather was reasonably bright at that time, there were some rather ominous, almost purple clouds blowing over our way. We debated what to do and eventually decided that we could at least connect the new battery to the Kubota. This proved to be less than straight forward since the only replacement nearest in size to the original I could source was very slightly taller. Eventually Trevor persuaded it to slot into place and the engine then started easily. While this was going on we were almost deafened by the noise of very large hail stones suddenly crashing down onto the tin of the roof above us. The temperature had dropped dramatically and we were very grateful to be working under shelter and had not started building outside. |
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Residing in this same shed is the old dumper truck which was donated to me many years ago (2010). Like my Kubota, this dumper (Thwaites?) has proved to be an invaluable asset to the site, but it is probably more than 30 years old, has a diesel, single cylinder engine, rear-wheel steering and crank-handle start, hence it becoming redundant to the company which previously owned it. Unfortunately cranking over the engine has never been easy even when the weather and machine is hot. A neighbour, who is mechanically minded, suggested that there might be a way of connecting a battery and starter motor or Dyna Start to the crank shaft, so Trevor and I decided to investigate this possibility. An electrical starter would be some much more convenient and human energy saving. We set about removing the cowling over the flywheel. This proved to be far more difficult than we first thought. |
Eventually the cowling was removed and the next task was to remove the connector at the end of the shaft which locks into the crank handle. After a ridiculous amount of time, effort, application of heat and brute strength we finally got it off. By now we were both knackered, to put it politely, and not entirely sure that we would ultimately be able to make the conversion work. We will just have to hope and see.
Friday (25.02.22) started much more promisingly and as a result Trevor and I were able to resume building. By the end of the day we had extended the back wall significantly and raised, and back-filled, quite a bit of the front. It was a very satisfying days progress.
Friday (25.02.22) started much more promisingly and as a result Trevor and I were able to resume building. By the end of the day we had extended the back wall significantly and raised, and back-filled, quite a bit of the front. It was a very satisfying days progress.
SPENDING TIME PADDLING
Sea Lock report by Adrian Wills - 23rd February 2022
Only 50 percent of the morning shift were on site on Tuesday (22.02.22) but never-the-less Tony valiantly soldiered on with the task of removing debris from the top of the wharf wall. Unfortunately he was only able to stay for a while due to other commitments later in the day, or at least that was his excuse. When he joined Steve, Nick and me at Sea Lock the tide was high and so the lower lift of the scaffold was under a foot of water. However the tide was beginning to fall and within a short space of time the boards were high and nearly dry.
Sea Lock report by Adrian Wills - 23rd February 2022
Only 50 percent of the morning shift were on site on Tuesday (22.02.22) but never-the-less Tony valiantly soldiered on with the task of removing debris from the top of the wharf wall. Unfortunately he was only able to stay for a while due to other commitments later in the day, or at least that was his excuse. When he joined Steve, Nick and me at Sea Lock the tide was high and so the lower lift of the scaffold was under a foot of water. However the tide was beginning to fall and within a short space of time the boards were high and nearly dry.
Just before this though it was decided that the higher lift of scaffold needed moving because it was hampering the rebuild underneath. With water nearly to the top of my wellies, I stood on the lower lift releasing the clips from the higher. Needless to say, one of the loosened clips got dropped into the water and it wasn’t by me! By the time we had reassembled the higher lift further along Nick had already mixed a load of mortar while this was going on, which he later supplied Steve with, who then continued working on the rebuild. Nick got very professional and set up a line to work from when laying concrete blocks along the back of the wall. All this use of spirit levels and builders’ lines is a little worrying.
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I gave my attention to the kind of tasks that I am proficient at. I spent much of the day smashing up broken concrete blocks which were of no use for rebuilding but made for good hard core, as well as chipping off mortar from blocks which could and will be used again. These cleaned up blocks then had to be stacked further along the top of the wall where they will eventually be laid. As is always the case, where-ever something is temporarily placed within a short time it will be in the way and will; have to be moved to somewhere else.
The day started off a bit grey but dry. Unfortunately half way through the morning it began to rain quite heavily causing much of the mortar Steve had used on the wall to run out which he was not happy about. Fortunately the rain didn’t last long and the weather cheered up considerably. By the end of the day the sun was shining and we had made good progress once again. 
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ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 16th February 2022
Our luck ran out this week and we found ourselves working in wet and squally conditions for most of the morning - the early signs of Storm Dudley.
The contractor, whose scaffolding we have had in place on the lime kiln for many months, has unfortunately decided to remove this which presented us with an immediate problem. Without the scaffolding, there is a risk that the formwork supporting the arch and the new stonework might collapse so it was necessary to install some timber props prior to its removal. We managed to get these in place by the end of the morning. Fortunately, RHS Rosemoor have agreed to replace the scaffolding and this should be done this week so work should continue without too much of an interruption.
Our luck ran out this week and we found ourselves working in wet and squally conditions for most of the morning - the early signs of Storm Dudley.
The contractor, whose scaffolding we have had in place on the lime kiln for many months, has unfortunately decided to remove this which presented us with an immediate problem. Without the scaffolding, there is a risk that the formwork supporting the arch and the new stonework might collapse so it was necessary to install some timber props prior to its removal. We managed to get these in place by the end of the morning. Fortunately, RHS Rosemoor have agreed to replace the scaffolding and this should be done this week so work should continue without too much of an interruption.
Wooden supports in place
While our carpenters undertook this task, the rest of the team concentrated on further excavation of the tucking mill. For some time we have wanted to investigate the north side of the mill race to see if there is any evidence of a wall here. After much digging in fairly soggy conditions, we uncovered part of a wall or buttress opposite the lip of the race and, at the bottom of the channel, the remains of a low wall where the race joins the small stream flowing into the River Torridge. This suggests that there was a retaining wall running the length of the race although, given the amount of loose stone in the bank, we suspect that much of the wall may have collapsed or been damaged by tree roots.
General view of the mill race
Stonework opposite lip of mill race
Wall at bottom of mill race
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.
ON THE HOME STRAIGHT?
Sea Lock report by Adrian Wills - 18th February 2022
Work at Sea Lock has been somewhat interrupted this week due to due inclement weather. Last week however, considerable progress was made. On Tuesday (08.02.22) the usual morning shift, i.e. Michael and Tony continued clearing debris from the top of the middle wharf wall. Hopefully another couple of sessions at it will bring them finally to the end at the causeway.
Steve continued rebuilding the face of the wall while Nick supplied him with mortar in between laying concrete blocks along the back of the wall.
Sea Lock report by Adrian Wills - 18th February 2022
Work at Sea Lock has been somewhat interrupted this week due to due inclement weather. Last week however, considerable progress was made. On Tuesday (08.02.22) the usual morning shift, i.e. Michael and Tony continued clearing debris from the top of the middle wharf wall. Hopefully another couple of sessions at it will bring them finally to the end at the causeway.
Steve continued rebuilding the face of the wall while Nick supplied him with mortar in between laying concrete blocks along the back of the wall.
Steve rebuilding the face of the wall
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Initially I spent time sorting good facing stones and cutting some to length using the big diamond-bladed angle grinder. I then carried on laying stone on the wall. On Thursday (10./02.22) I was joined by Trevor and the first task of the day was to purchase a load of grit-sand since I had exhausted the previous supply. On our return to the site, Trevor starting mixing mortar while I set up the shuttering for yet another coping stone. Once the mould was filled we continued working on the face of the wall. On Friday (11.02.22) I removed the shuttering from the most recently cast block, distressed its top and outside facing surfaces, rebuilt the mould and cast another block. On Saturday (12.02.22) I repeated this process and cast a third block. The start of the following Tuesday (15.02.22) was very wet and dismal. It had been raining steadily for most of the previous night and didn’t look like abating so I cancelled the working party for that day. On Wednesday afternoon (13.02.22) the weather was not too bad so I decided to go to the site and do a bit of ‘Johnny No Mates ’work there. No sooner than I had arrived it started to rain quite heavily but thankfully didn’t last very long. I started up the Priestman crane, drove it to where the blocks were cast, attached lifting strops to the oldest and then transported it to the wall and lowered it into place. On Thursday I levelled it up and mortared it in place, laying a small amount of more facing stone afterwards. The repaired section of the middle wharf wall is now more than half its total length. Hooray! |
Nick laying concrete blocks along the back of the wall
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ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 9th February 2022
We were fortunate to have a fine, dry day for our working party this week with a light drizzle setting in just at the end of the session.
We succeeded in laying a few more stones in the arch of the lime kiln. As noted in previous reports, this is painstaking work as the stones have to be cut to size. However, the arch is beginning to take shape with the base rebuilt at both ends. The scaffolding has been raised to allow us to continue the reconstruction of the lime kiln wall and this work is progressing steadily. We also managed to carry out some much-needed pointing to badly degraded stone work.
We were fortunate to have a fine, dry day for our working party this week with a light drizzle setting in just at the end of the session.
We succeeded in laying a few more stones in the arch of the lime kiln. As noted in previous reports, this is painstaking work as the stones have to be cut to size. However, the arch is beginning to take shape with the base rebuilt at both ends. The scaffolding has been raised to allow us to continue the reconstruction of the lime kiln wall and this work is progressing steadily. We also managed to carry out some much-needed pointing to badly degraded stone work.
Lime kiln arch - left side
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Lime kiln arch - right side
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Repairs to lime kiln wall
Repointing lime kiln wall
We are making further inroads into the body of the tucking mill and we have exposed what we believe is the boundary wall of the third chamber where it returns. There is a large tree stump in the middle of the floor which we are gradually nibbling away at and hope to remove in the coming weeks. We have virtually completed the re-build of the outer wall of the tucking mill alongside the mill race which clearly defines this side of the structure. When one considers that this entire area was hidden under tons of earth just a few years ago, progress has been remarkable – and very rewarding.
General view of the tucking mill
Rebuilding tucking mill wall
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Return wall of third chamber
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As we finished for lunch, our resident robin appeared and perched on a reconstructed buttress of the lime kiln’ It was not clear if he was admiring the quality of the masonry or was more interested in the contents of various lunch boxes!
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.
ROLLE CANAL SOCIETY GUIDED WALKS PROGRAMME 2022
Here is a summary of our Summer Walks Programme. For more details please see our Guided Walks section.
Sunday 15th May 2.30pm. Annery Kiln to Ridd Inclined Plane. Walk Leader: Tony Nicholls
Sunday 19th June 2.30pm. Rosemoor: The Dark Weir, Canal Basin and Limekilns. Walk Leader: Mike Elliott.
Sunday 10th July 2.30pm. Torrington Station to Beam Aqueduct. Walk Leader: Ian Harrison.
Sunday 14th August 2.30pm. Taddiport/Torrington Common. Walk Leader: Tony Barnes.
Saturday 3rd September 2.30pm. Sea Lock and Canal Museum. Walk Leader: Adrian Wills.
Here is a summary of our Summer Walks Programme. For more details please see our Guided Walks section.
Sunday 15th May 2.30pm. Annery Kiln to Ridd Inclined Plane. Walk Leader: Tony Nicholls
Sunday 19th June 2.30pm. Rosemoor: The Dark Weir, Canal Basin and Limekilns. Walk Leader: Mike Elliott.
Sunday 10th July 2.30pm. Torrington Station to Beam Aqueduct. Walk Leader: Ian Harrison.
Sunday 14th August 2.30pm. Taddiport/Torrington Common. Walk Leader: Tony Barnes.
Saturday 3rd September 2.30pm. Sea Lock and Canal Museum. Walk Leader: Adrian Wills.
GOING UP AND COMING DOWN!
Sea Lock report by Adrian Wills - 2nd February 2022
Last Tuesday (01.02.22) I was once again joined by Steve, Nick, Michael and Tony for a working party at Sea Lock. By way of a change the weather was quite pleasant and allowed us to get on. Initially Michael and Tony continued removing subsoil and debris from the top of the wall while Steve, Nick and I began dismantling the scaffold lift along the most recently completed section of wall.
Sea Lock report by Adrian Wills - 2nd February 2022
Last Tuesday (01.02.22) I was once again joined by Steve, Nick, Michael and Tony for a working party at Sea Lock. By way of a change the weather was quite pleasant and allowed us to get on. Initially Michael and Tony continued removing subsoil and debris from the top of the wall while Steve, Nick and I began dismantling the scaffold lift along the most recently completed section of wall.
Over the weekend I had managed to level and mortar into place the 2 coping blocks mentioned in my last report and that brought us to the end of that section of scaffolding. So while taking the scaffolding down at one end, we began re-erecting it at the other, yet again slathering around in the mud. At this point Michael had to cut short his stay due to unforeseen circumstances.
Temporarily leaving the debris clearing, Tony was asked to remove rusting, broken and potentially harmful metal bands from the ends of some of the scaffolding planks and replace them with new metal strapping. Having completed this task he resumed debris clearing until lunchtime when he also had to leave.
Shortly after lunch the new scaffold lift was complete so Steve, Nick and I concentrated on scraping the accumulated mud and vegetation from the damaged face of the wall in preparation for rebuilding. Over the weekend a friend delivered a load of stone from a demolition site. What with the stone we had left from that collected from the quarry recently and that just arrived we will be able to keep going from quite some time. |
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