October News
FURZEBEAM RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 30th October 2024
We assembled at Furzebeam this week to carry out some much needed maintenance. We split the team into two groups – one to tackle the damage to the embankment caused by a fallen tree, the other to do some scrub bashing around the roving bridge. As it was half term week, we were greatly assisted by three trainee navvies from the Reynolds family who got stuck in with their customary enthusiasm.
The breach in the embankment, although substantial, wall was not as serious as we first thought. Working conditions were not easy given the steep slope below the embankment and the size of the displaced stones. Thankfully, most of the stones were recoverable which enabled us to make an effective repair to the damaged section and keep the path safe for walkers. All that remains is to build up the top of the towpath with chippings – a task we will complete next week.
We assembled at Furzebeam this week to carry out some much needed maintenance. We split the team into two groups – one to tackle the damage to the embankment caused by a fallen tree, the other to do some scrub bashing around the roving bridge. As it was half term week, we were greatly assisted by three trainee navvies from the Reynolds family who got stuck in with their customary enthusiasm.
The breach in the embankment, although substantial, wall was not as serious as we first thought. Working conditions were not easy given the steep slope below the embankment and the size of the displaced stones. Thankfully, most of the stones were recoverable which enabled us to make an effective repair to the damaged section and keep the path safe for walkers. All that remains is to build up the top of the towpath with chippings – a task we will complete next week.
Commencing rebuild
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Repaired wall
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Full extent of the repair
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Repaired wall from above
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The remaining volunteers concentrated on cutting back the overgrowth around the roving bridge and digging out vegetation in the canal bed. As ever, Mother Nature had made a determined effort to reclaim the area over the summer. By the end of the morning we had cleared the western side of the bank either side of the bridge. The eastern side – which is much steeper and more of a challenge – we will tackle next week.
Removing vegetation from canal wall
Cleared canal bed
Removing ivy from the parapet
North side of roving bridge
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237-475707) for more information.
RIDD RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 23rd October 2024
Our main task this week was to replace the gatepost at the bottom of the footpath from the Tarka Trail to the old stable building. During a recent storm a tree fell on the post and demolished it. Fortunately, the gate itself – although partially broken – was reasonably intact. Digging out the stump of the old post was no easy task but with a certain amount of brute force it eventually yielded. We then inserted the new post in the socket and concreted it in. Once this has fully set, we intend to rehang the re-assembled gate.
Our main task this week was to replace the gatepost at the bottom of the footpath from the Tarka Trail to the old stable building. During a recent storm a tree fell on the post and demolished it. Fortunately, the gate itself – although partially broken – was reasonably intact. Digging out the stump of the old post was no easy task but with a certain amount of brute force it eventually yielded. We then inserted the new post in the socket and concreted it in. Once this has fully set, we intend to rehang the re-assembled gate.
Digging out the old gatepost
New gatepost in place
Cementing in the post
While this work was taking place, the rest of the team carried on working at the top of the incline where further excavation has revealed that the boundary wall of the upper pound seems to continue southwards along the line of the canal. This was unexpected as we thought that there was just an earth bank along this section. It remains to be seen how far this extends.
Continuation of boundary wall
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237-475707) for more information.
SEA LOCK (MIDDDLE WHARF) RESTORATION REPORT by Michael Elliott - 22nd October 2024
The team have recently restarted Tuesday work parties at the Sea Lock site following the sudden passing of Adrian Wills on 6 August. The section of the middle wharf reached by that date has been marked by a poignant slab of slate inserted between the coping stones. This can be seen by the ladder. A further two coping stones had been laid before today.
The team have recently restarted Tuesday work parties at the Sea Lock site following the sudden passing of Adrian Wills on 6 August. The section of the middle wharf reached by that date has been marked by a poignant slab of slate inserted between the coping stones. This can be seen by the ladder. A further two coping stones had been laid before today.
As usual, one of the first jobs for Tony and I was to move a pile of rock from one place to another. The scaffolding was also moved along by Jeremy and his team, bringing the new scaffold planks into use for the first time. It seemed a shame to walk on them! Another length of wall was built up and two more coping stones laid in place by Steve, while Nick moved copers and mortar with the Kubota and mixed prodigious quantities of mortar. He also found time to cast two more coping stones for use next week.
RIDD RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 16th October 2024
Dramatic progress has been made on the Ridd restoration programme over the last two weeks. As part of the overall project plan, the Society recently awarded a contract to a local firm of tree surgeons to remove a number of trees growing in the inclined plane. These were predominantly diseased ash trees and permission for their felling was granted by Devon County Council. The objective is to open up the upper incline to something close to its original width (currently only about a third is visible) and to remove two trees overhanging and obscuring the lower incline.
It was fascinating watching the tree surgeons at work. The first step is to use a giant catapult to fire a thin weighted line into the top of the tree to be felled. A sturdy climbing rope is then attached to this and pulled up into the tree. This enables the surgeon, equipped with special spiked climbing boots to climb up to the very top of the tree and to start removing the upper limbs. Once the bole has been reduced to a height of about 20 – 30 feet, it is then felled from the base. It is definitely a job for a fit young person as the photos indicate! The remaining stumps will be poisoned and eventually dug up which will allow us to scrape the surface of the incline to a uniform slope.
Elsewhere, work continued on the rebuild of the boundary wall which is now virtually complete and clearly defines
Dramatic progress has been made on the Ridd restoration programme over the last two weeks. As part of the overall project plan, the Society recently awarded a contract to a local firm of tree surgeons to remove a number of trees growing in the inclined plane. These were predominantly diseased ash trees and permission for their felling was granted by Devon County Council. The objective is to open up the upper incline to something close to its original width (currently only about a third is visible) and to remove two trees overhanging and obscuring the lower incline.
It was fascinating watching the tree surgeons at work. The first step is to use a giant catapult to fire a thin weighted line into the top of the tree to be felled. A sturdy climbing rope is then attached to this and pulled up into the tree. This enables the surgeon, equipped with special spiked climbing boots to climb up to the very top of the tree and to start removing the upper limbs. Once the bole has been reduced to a height of about 20 – 30 feet, it is then felled from the base. It is definitely a job for a fit young person as the photos indicate! The remaining stumps will be poisoned and eventually dug up which will allow us to scrape the surface of the incline to a uniform slope.
Elsewhere, work continued on the rebuild of the boundary wall which is now virtually complete and clearly defines
Firing the line
Ascending the tree
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Felling the top section
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Felling the bottom section
Final tree felled
Elsewhere, work continued on the rebuild of the boundary wall which is now virtually complete and clearly defines the line of the canal as it emerged from the upper pound. We are now starting to see tangible results of the team’s sterling efforts over recent months. There is still a lot of work to be done but the project is progressing well.
Top of the incline
Looking down upper incline
Spreading chipped waste
Lower incline
Rebuilt boundary wall
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday morning at Ridd. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237-475707) for more information.