March News
RIDD RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 27th March 2024
Another productive session of scrub-bashing at Ridd this week. Despite the odd, thankfully short-lived hail shower, we were able to carry out further clearance of the site, removing much of the vegetation around the stable block and tackling the last remaining thicket of bramble and ivy at the bottom corner of the incline. Although the site was pretty damp following the previous night’s heavy rain, we managed to get a good fire going to burn up the waste. (In the absence of ‘Two Matches’ Michael, we had to rely on the skills of ‘Four Firelighters’ Harrison who soon had a good blaze going).
Another productive session of scrub-bashing at Ridd this week. Despite the odd, thankfully short-lived hail shower, we were able to carry out further clearance of the site, removing much of the vegetation around the stable block and tackling the last remaining thicket of bramble and ivy at the bottom corner of the incline. Although the site was pretty damp following the previous night’s heavy rain, we managed to get a good fire going to burn up the waste. (In the absence of ‘Two Matches’ Michael, we had to rely on the skills of ‘Four Firelighters’ Harrison who soon had a good blaze going).
Work starts on the final corner of the incline
We have now cut all the invasive growth on the incline right back to the perimeter fence which marks the boundary between Environment Agency-owned land and that owned by Devon County Council. For the first time in many years, the full impressive width of the incline can be seen. During the course of the clearance work, we came across two interesting features. The first was possible evidence of the western boundary wall of the incline near its base. There are a few stones here which appear to be in line with other deposits of stone close to the stable block and at the top of the incline where the remains of a high wall are clearly visible. The second discovery was accidental – when scraping off some of the growth at the bottom of the incline we exposed an area of rough, loosely packed stones. Probing with a fork showed that this extends further across the incline. We are not sure whether this could be some sort of original substrate for the incline or whether it is more recent work done by the Environment Agency. Further investigation required!
(NB. Every effort has been made to check scrub before clearing to ensure that we avoided disturbing any nesting birds. No nests were discovered during the course of the work).
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday morning at Ridd and at Rosemoor. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
(NB. Every effort has been made to check scrub before clearing to ensure that we avoided disturbing any nesting birds. No nests were discovered during the course of the work).
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday morning at Ridd and at Rosemoor. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
The team inspecting their handiwork
The burn begins!
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Upper section of incline after clearing
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Incline after clearing
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Exposed stone on incline
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General view of site
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - 24th March at R.H.S. Rosemoor
The Rolle Canal & Northern Devon Waterways Society Annual General Meeting was held on Sunday 24th March at R.H.S Rosemoor.
The meeting began with a presentation by Sandy Wright from the IWA West Country Branch on the canals of Somerset and Mid Devon.
The Rolle Canal & Northern Devon Waterways Society Annual General Meeting was held on Sunday 24th March at R.H.S Rosemoor.
The meeting began with a presentation by Sandy Wright from the IWA West Country Branch on the canals of Somerset and Mid Devon.
ONWARDS AND UPWARDS - Sea Lock report by Adrian Wills - 21st March 2024
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Having been playing around with damaged gates at Sea Lock recently, Tuesday 19th March, saw the usual gang of volunteers back on the upper wharf wall again. Efforts were spread between moving and laying coping blocks, removing debris and rearranging scaffolding.
It was raining quite heavily when Steve and Nick arrived but fortunately, it had stopped by the time Michael and Tony joined us slightly later. Steve and Nick got on with block-laying, Tony enjoyed himself removing loose masonry and soil from the top of the wall whilst inadvertently dropping quantities of it into the canal, while Michael and I played in the mud below. |
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Despite all the practice we have had in the past at transferring scaffold tubes and boards from one end of the lift to the other whilst wading in the gloop, it has not got any quicker or easier. Never-the-less the scaffolding continues to crawl its way along the foot of the wall.
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Whilst we were having a good time enjoying these various activities, another supply of cement arrived. By way of a change, we now have a fair stock of stone, grit sand, cement and hydraulic lime. We should now be in a position to really push on with rebuilding. However, life is never simple! As usual, we are somewhat thwarted by obstacles. Piles of stone and spoil heaps need to be moved from where they are to further along the wall where we next intend to work.
It was decided that it would be a good idea to load the dumper truck with stone so that it could be made easier to shift it to where it was required but otherwise keep it out of the way. The dumper wouldn’t start! Having not used it for quite some time the battery had lost its charge and was flat. Jump-starting it from the Kubota’ battery proved unsuccessful as well, so that idea was abandoned. The piles are still in the way!
In true British style, we carried on regardless. Steve and Nick laid three of the five coping blocks I had cast earlier; more wall was cleared of over-burden and another section of scaffolding was nearly ready for working on. It was another successful day’s progress and we retired, well satisfied with what had been achieved.
In true British style, we carried on regardless. Steve and Nick laid three of the five coping blocks I had cast earlier; more wall was cleared of over-burden and another section of scaffolding was nearly ready for working on. It was another successful day’s progress and we retired, well satisfied with what had been achieved.
RIDD RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 20th March 2024
After a productive session last week, we split our team into two working parties this week – one to return to Rosemoor to carry on with work on the lime kiln while the other continued with the clearance of the Ridd site. This will probably remain the pattern for the next few weeks until we complete the important repairs to the lime kiln buttress.
At Ridd, we made further excellent progress clearing the site of vegetation and burning the resultant waste. A mass of brambles has been removed from the perimeter fence behind the old stable building which has significantly improved the access to the site. We also removed a couple of dead trees overhanging the incline which has revealed the boundary fence on the west side of the plane and opened up area nicely. There is now just a small patch of brambles to be removed in the bottom corner which will expose the full width of the lower incline – something not seen for many years!
After a productive session last week, we split our team into two working parties this week – one to return to Rosemoor to carry on with work on the lime kiln while the other continued with the clearance of the Ridd site. This will probably remain the pattern for the next few weeks until we complete the important repairs to the lime kiln buttress.
At Ridd, we made further excellent progress clearing the site of vegetation and burning the resultant waste. A mass of brambles has been removed from the perimeter fence behind the old stable building which has significantly improved the access to the site. We also removed a couple of dead trees overhanging the incline which has revealed the boundary fence on the west side of the plane and opened up area nicely. There is now just a small patch of brambles to be removed in the bottom corner which will expose the full width of the lower incline – something not seen for many years!
Site prior to clearance work
Clearing fence behind stable block
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Cutting up felled tree
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Another good bonfire!
Lower incline partially cleared
Partially cleared site
It is amazing how much has been achieved after just two working parties and the site is already looking much tidier. All in all, a really solid start to the project.
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday morning at Ridd and at Rosemoor. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday morning at Ridd and at Rosemoor. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT by Mickey Reynolds - 20th March 2024
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This week we split our group in 2, with 3 of us attending Rosemoor and the rest attacking more brambles at Ridd. At Rosemoor we removed the last of the form work and tidied up the coping that had been cast a few weeks ago. We had more trouble removing the dividers due to the amount of rain we have had causing the wood to swell a huge amount, we managed to remove 5 or 6 with the help of a hammer but decided to leave the rest until the weather improves. A batch of mortar was mixed in the wheel barrow for the purpose of filling the gaps giving the impression of laid stones. After tea break some facing stone was lifted on to the scaffolding ready for work to continue on the lime kiln next week. |
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BACK TO THE BEGINNING (ALMOST!) - Sea Lock report by Adrian Wills - 20th March 2024
Over the past few days, a considerable change has taken place at Sea Lock. Last Tuesday (5th March 2024) Steve, Nick and Tony were left to their own devices at the restoration site since I had an appointment in Barnstaple, which I did not want to miss. I was hoping that it would not take long but by the time I managed to get back to Sea Lock. They were sitting outside in the nearly sunshine enjoying a lunch break. How long they had been sitting there I do not know but in fairness, more progress in rebuilding and wall preparation was clear to see.
In the afternoon I joined them in actually doing some work and by the time we packed up for the day the most recently cast coper had been laid and mortared into place, quite a long section had been built up to coper level and much loose masonry and debris had been removed.
The following Thursday I was joined by my good friend Trevor. Having been temporarily relieved of granddaughter entertainment duties, he was glad of the change to help me out. We first put together some shuttering and cast two more copers before turning our attention to the failed lock gates. I had been told that they would have to be lifted out in order that they and the gate recesses could be carefully measured so that engineering drawings could be produced. Once accurate drawings were available, research could begin on costing replacement modular steel gates.
In the afternoon I joined them in actually doing some work and by the time we packed up for the day the most recently cast coper had been laid and mortared into place, quite a long section had been built up to coper level and much loose masonry and debris had been removed.
The following Thursday I was joined by my good friend Trevor. Having been temporarily relieved of granddaughter entertainment duties, he was glad of the change to help me out. We first put together some shuttering and cast two more copers before turning our attention to the failed lock gates. I had been told that they would have to be lifted out in order that they and the gate recesses could be carefully measured so that engineering drawings could be produced. Once accurate drawings were available, research could begin on costing replacement modular steel gates.
I had already arranged for a friend, with crane operating expertise, to lift the gates but it was important to reduce their weight as much as possible before hand. Trevor and I set about unbolting and lifting off the ‘catwalks’. By the end of the day, one was completely removed and the other was still in situ but no longer held tight.
Over the next couple of days, I cast another three coping ‘stones’.
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This Tuesday (12th March 2024) Steve, Nick, Michael and my crane driver friend, Alistair, joined me. It was Alistair, who sourced the gates for me from British Waterways way back in 2008 and lowered them into place in 2010!
Steve and Nick set about undoing bolts holding various bits and pieces together, whilst Alistair started up the RB22 crane and checked that all was working properly. Within a very short time, a pair of brothers (lifting chains) were attached to the crane and nearest gate, and lifting began. The gate came out very easily and it was soon laid flat on the lock side. Attention was then turned to the other gate. This was slightly more problematic since it was on the other side of the lock chamber, a longer reach for the crane and it was the one with the broken (head) hinge post.
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The catwalk was soon removed and chains attached to the gate. It put up a bit of a fight but soon lifted clear and remained in one piece. It too was soon laid flat on the lock side. Job done! No catastrophes and no drama.
Inspection of the removed gates has shown however, just how much damage and rot they have suffered. Their days of operation are truly over.
Sadly, it is likely to be a long time passing before new gates are installed, if ever!
Inspection of the removed gates has shown however, just how much damage and rot they have suffered. Their days of operation are truly over.
Sadly, it is likely to be a long time passing before new gates are installed, if ever!
RIDD RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 13th March 2024
This week marked another milestone in the Rolle Canal Society’s ongoing programme of conservation and maintenance of the canal – the start of an exciting project to restore the inclined plane at Ridd. It has for a long time been the ambition of the Society to do some work on this important and interesting feature. With our work at Rosemoor drawing to a close, we are now able to devote resources to this next challenge.
The Environment Agency and Devon County Council own much of the land around the incline and officers of the Society have spent many months in negotiations to obtain the necessary permissions to carry out the proposed works. Both authorities have been extremely supportive of the project and recognise the heritage benefits it will provide. The Society has been awarded a generous grant of £12,000 by the south west branch of the Inland Waterways Authority towards the cost of the project. We have also been fortunate to have our scheme chosen for inclusion in the Co-op’s Community Fund which will generate further funding for the project.
This week marked another milestone in the Rolle Canal Society’s ongoing programme of conservation and maintenance of the canal – the start of an exciting project to restore the inclined plane at Ridd. It has for a long time been the ambition of the Society to do some work on this important and interesting feature. With our work at Rosemoor drawing to a close, we are now able to devote resources to this next challenge.
The Environment Agency and Devon County Council own much of the land around the incline and officers of the Society have spent many months in negotiations to obtain the necessary permissions to carry out the proposed works. Both authorities have been extremely supportive of the project and recognise the heritage benefits it will provide. The Society has been awarded a generous grant of £12,000 by the south west branch of the Inland Waterways Authority towards the cost of the project. We have also been fortunate to have our scheme chosen for inclusion in the Co-op’s Community Fund which will generate further funding for the project.
Site before clearing
Against this backdrop, an enthusiastic team of volunteers assembled at Ridd armed with various tools and equipment for a serious session of scrub-bashing. The site had become very overgrown during the winter but fortunately the team was large enough to tackle a number of different areas: the access path to the site from the Tarka Trail, the area around the old stable building, the base of the incline and the incline itself. There was also a huge amount of brash left over from previous clearances to be disposed of but our resident pyrotechnician, ‘Two Matches’ Michael, soon had a good bonfire going and made short work of this. By the end of the session, we had made a significant impact on the site which is already looking much better. A huge thanks to all the volunteers for getting the project off to such a great start.
The site before clearing - looking towards Weare Giffard
Old stable building
Work in progress
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Working parties are currently being held every Wednesday morning at Ridd and at Rosemoor. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 6th March 2024
We assembled at Rosemoor in glorious sunshine this week – a welcome contrast to successive days of rain which have turned the site into something of a quagmire.
With a good crew of volunteers in place, we made a determined attempt to finish the capping on the east wall of the upper basin. Despite a few setbacks with an unexpected frost and some difficulties removing the wooden dividers, we have made good progress with this important task. By the end of the morning, after some sterling work by our concrete mixing team, we were ready for the final pour into the last mould. Sadly, we did not have any champagne on site to mark the occasion but we derived great satisfaction from seeing a job well done. Aesthetically, the overall appearance of the basin has been greatly improved by the coping which will also help to protect the underlying masonry. Work on the upper basin is now largely complete so we can turn our attention to the re-build of the north west corner of the lime kiln – our last major task on the Rosemoor site.
We assembled at Rosemoor in glorious sunshine this week – a welcome contrast to successive days of rain which have turned the site into something of a quagmire.
With a good crew of volunteers in place, we made a determined attempt to finish the capping on the east wall of the upper basin. Despite a few setbacks with an unexpected frost and some difficulties removing the wooden dividers, we have made good progress with this important task. By the end of the morning, after some sterling work by our concrete mixing team, we were ready for the final pour into the last mould. Sadly, we did not have any champagne on site to mark the occasion but we derived great satisfaction from seeing a job well done. Aesthetically, the overall appearance of the basin has been greatly improved by the coping which will also help to protect the underlying masonry. Work on the upper basin is now largely complete so we can turn our attention to the re-build of the north west corner of the lime kiln – our last major task on the Rosemoor site.
Next week we are going to make a start on our next exciting project – restoration work on the inclined plane at Ridd.
