April News
SEA LOCK RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 29th April 2025
The restoration of the middle wharf at Sea Lock is nearing completion. In ideal working conditions we laid another two copers today which leaves just two more to be inserted to complete the capping. The top of the wall has been prepared and, if all goes according to plan the last copers will be laid next week. Some final pointing will be required to make the wall watertight. It is only when you look back along the entire length of the wharf wall that you realise how much effort has gone into the restoration. It really is a remarkable achievement and, when the pound is full of water, will look very impressive.
The restoration of the middle wharf at Sea Lock is nearing completion. In ideal working conditions we laid another two copers today which leaves just two more to be inserted to complete the capping. The top of the wall has been prepared and, if all goes according to plan the last copers will be laid next week. Some final pointing will be required to make the wall watertight. It is only when you look back along the entire length of the wharf wall that you realise how much effort has gone into the restoration. It really is a remarkable achievement and, when the pound is full of water, will look very impressive.
Full extent of restored wall
Capping nearing completion
Pointing in the wall
SEA LOCK RESTORATION REPORT by Michael Elliott - 22nd April 2025
TEN FEET TO GO!
Good progress was evident at Sea Lock since the last report, despite a week off due to pouring rain, with four copers already in place at the difficult to access, far end of the wharf wall. One of the first jobs was to remove the surplus stone from the scaffolding board. These were tossed onto the bank and the heavier rocks moved with the help of the Kubota. Unusually for sandstone, one rock was full of fossils. Working from the easier end, the stock of five coping stones was laid, and much re-pointing carried out. The usual two coping stones were cast, and by lunchtime the remaining gap was measured at ten feet, about four coping stones. Next week a section of scaffolding can be taken down. The end is now very near.
TEN FEET TO GO!
Good progress was evident at Sea Lock since the last report, despite a week off due to pouring rain, with four copers already in place at the difficult to access, far end of the wharf wall. One of the first jobs was to remove the surplus stone from the scaffolding board. These were tossed onto the bank and the heavier rocks moved with the help of the Kubota. Unusually for sandstone, one rock was full of fossils. Working from the easier end, the stock of five coping stones was laid, and much re-pointing carried out. The usual two coping stones were cast, and by lunchtime the remaining gap was measured at ten feet, about four coping stones. Next week a section of scaffolding can be taken down. The end is now very near.
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SEA LOCK RESTORATION REPORT by Michael Elliott - 1st & 8th April 2025
Last Tuesday was a very high tide, too high for any re-pointing, and the Kubota was still out for repair. There was not much that could be done except admire the scene and cast another two coping stones. Fortunately this week the Kubota was back in action. The first problem to be tackled was creating access to the far end of the wharf wall, so the track above the wall was extended with the digger past the tree. Then it was possible to lower coping stones onto the top of the wall where they could be rolled along planks to the far end using scaffold poles as rollers. The copers were then crow-barred up so mortar could be packed beneath, a rather slow process. The planks were then shifted back ready for the next coper. A total of four coping stones were laid in place and two more cast. A further five copers will be waiting to be laid next week. Once the line of copers at the far end reach level with the tree, it will be then possible to lower the coping stones directly onto a prepared bed of mortar as before, a much speedier process.
Last Tuesday was a very high tide, too high for any re-pointing, and the Kubota was still out for repair. There was not much that could be done except admire the scene and cast another two coping stones. Fortunately this week the Kubota was back in action. The first problem to be tackled was creating access to the far end of the wharf wall, so the track above the wall was extended with the digger past the tree. Then it was possible to lower coping stones onto the top of the wall where they could be rolled along planks to the far end using scaffold poles as rollers. The copers were then crow-barred up so mortar could be packed beneath, a rather slow process. The planks were then shifted back ready for the next coper. A total of four coping stones were laid in place and two more cast. A further five copers will be waiting to be laid next week. Once the line of copers at the far end reach level with the tree, it will be then possible to lower the coping stones directly onto a prepared bed of mortar as before, a much speedier process.
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ROLLE CANAL & NORTHERN DEVON WATERWAYS SOCIETY
Registered at HMRC Charities reference number ZD09423
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
To be held in the Learning Centre, RHS Rosemoor Gardens
Sunday 6th April 2025 at 2.00pm.
Registered at HMRC Charities reference number ZD09423
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
To be held in the Learning Centre, RHS Rosemoor Gardens
Sunday 6th April 2025 at 2.00pm.
1. To receive the Society's accounts and the reports of the Committee for the period ended 31st December 2024.
2. To elect the members of the Committee.
The following is a list of officers of the committee who have served during 2024:
Chairman: Ian Harrison
Vice-Chair: Tony Barnes
Treasurer & Gift Aid Secretary Michael Elliott
Secretary: Tony Nicholls
Membership Secretary: Hilary Wills
Publicity Officer: Mike Harper
Members: Chris Hassall, Margaret Shambrook, Chris Jewell, Mike Chambers & Michael Reynolds
3. Other Business
The agenda will be circulated nearer the time of the meeting. If any member would like to include an item on the agenda, please contact the Secretary by e-mail at [email protected] no later than Friday 22nd March 2025.
2. To elect the members of the Committee.
The following is a list of officers of the committee who have served during 2024:
Chairman: Ian Harrison
Vice-Chair: Tony Barnes
Treasurer & Gift Aid Secretary Michael Elliott
Secretary: Tony Nicholls
Membership Secretary: Hilary Wills
Publicity Officer: Mike Harper
Members: Chris Hassall, Margaret Shambrook, Chris Jewell, Mike Chambers & Michael Reynolds
3. Other Business
The agenda will be circulated nearer the time of the meeting. If any member would like to include an item on the agenda, please contact the Secretary by e-mail at [email protected] no later than Friday 22nd March 2025.
INVITATION FOR NOMINATIONS TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Nominations are invited from fully paid-up members of the Society to serve on the Executive Committee. If you are interested, please write to The Secretary at: Valderia, Torrington Lane, Bideford. EX39 4BT
Nominations must be received no later than Friday 22nd March 2025 and must be accompanied by the written agreement of the nominee and the names of proposer and seconder who should also be members of the Society.
Nominations are invited from fully paid-up members of the Society to serve on the Executive Committee. If you are interested, please write to The Secretary at: Valderia, Torrington Lane, Bideford. EX39 4BT
Nominations must be received no later than Friday 22nd March 2025 and must be accompanied by the written agreement of the nominee and the names of proposer and seconder who should also be members of the Society.
RIDD RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 2nd April 2025
We were treated to yet another superb Spring day as we reconvened at Ridd this week. This sustained spell of fine weather has enabled us to make good progress with our restoration project.
Our first priority was to take down a dying ash tree growing out the wall of the former Hunters Inn. We have been concerned about this tree for some time as it was threatening to bring down the wall because of its weight. We positioned two banksmen either side of the site to prevent access while our lumberjacks proceeded to fell the tree. This came down with surprising ease and was swiftly cut up and removed by the rest of the team. The task was completed in about twenty minutes although burning the resultant brash took considerably longer!
We were treated to yet another superb Spring day as we reconvened at Ridd this week. This sustained spell of fine weather has enabled us to make good progress with our restoration project.
Our first priority was to take down a dying ash tree growing out the wall of the former Hunters Inn. We have been concerned about this tree for some time as it was threatening to bring down the wall because of its weight. We positioned two banksmen either side of the site to prevent access while our lumberjacks proceeded to fell the tree. This came down with surprising ease and was swiftly cut up and removed by the rest of the team. The task was completed in about twenty minutes although burning the resultant brash took considerably longer!
Timber!
Clearing remains of the tree
Hunters Inn with the tree removed
We then turned our attention to doing some further clearance work around the old bridge which we discovered last week. We cleared decades’ worth of ivy which has unfortunately done considerable damage to the parapet although it may be possible to repair this. We also carried out some exploratory work at the base of the bridge adjacent to the Tarka Trail and succeeded in finding some original stonework. It has been very rewarding to find the remains of this structure which all forms part of the canal’s fascinating heritage.
Tackling overgrowth on the bridge
Bridge parapet cleared of ivy
Exposed stonework at base of bridge
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.07557 478371) for more information.