April News
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 27th April 2022
Arriving on site this week, we were amazed at the profusion of wild garlic which is now in bloom. This has invaded almost every corner of the site and looks (and smells!) most impressive. We were low in number again this week but were able to make further progress in two areas.
Arriving on site this week, we were amazed at the profusion of wild garlic which is now in bloom. This has invaded almost every corner of the site and looks (and smells!) most impressive. We were low in number again this week but were able to make further progress in two areas.
Ramsons on towpath
RHS Rosemoor have re-positioned the scaffolding on the lime kiln and this enabled work to resume on the reconstruction of the main arch. This is coming on well with a further four stones laid during the course of the morning. As noted in previous reports, this is painstaking work as each stone has to be cut to size. We also continued with the repair to the adjacent wall of the lime kiln and managed to lay another course of stones here.
The rest of the team concentrated on the tucking mill where we exposed more of the cobbled floor by the south wall of the building. There are slate flagstones surrounding the cobbles and we think that this may have originally been the base for a cast iron range. We found a rusty grille and other pieces of ironwork here which support this theory and suggest that this room may well have been the kitchen. Elsewhere, we started to re-build parts of the foundation walls. Fortunately, as can be seen in the photos, we have plenty of building material for this purpose.
Work in progress on tucking mill
Cobbled floor and slate flagstone
Remains of cast iron range
Repairing the internal wall
Finally, it was good to see the return of our resident robin who has been absent for a while – probably engaged in the important task of finding a mate. Today, however, the lure of some tasty banana loaf clearly proved too much!
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 OVER BEETHOVEN?
Sea Lock report by Adrian Wills - 27th April 2022
What with a reduced work force of only three on Tuesday (26.04.22) and almost a completely exhausted supply of good facing stone, Nick, Michael and I paid our attention to permanently setting into the ground the name of the Rolle Canal Company. Last week Nick dug a trench for a base to be laid on which the naming bricks were to be placed. I then made a frame in which mortar was to be spread for the bricks to be set on top.
Sea Lock report by Adrian Wills - 27th April 2022
What with a reduced work force of only three on Tuesday (26.04.22) and almost a completely exhausted supply of good facing stone, Nick, Michael and I paid our attention to permanently setting into the ground the name of the Rolle Canal Company. Last week Nick dug a trench for a base to be laid on which the naming bricks were to be placed. I then made a frame in which mortar was to be spread for the bricks to be set on top.
Unfortunately the trench was dug deeper than was necessary (my fault!) so we had to lay a sub base of mortar and recycled blocks to bring the level up. While Michael sorted out the blocks and Nick mixed mortar I set about the process of placing the cut bricks in place.
It was a lovely day, warm and sunny, and as a result the mortar was ‘going off’ very quickly. The only problem for me though was that laying these bricks meant a lot of bending and stooping over which makes my back ache like mad but by the end of the day we had made good progress. More bricks have to be laid and the spaces between the ‘letters’ infilled with coloured mortar but I think when finished it will look well.
GOING UP AND GOING DOWN! Sea Lock report by Adrian Wills - 21st April 2022 It was a very bright and sunny day when I was joined by Steve, Nick and Tony at Sea Lock on Tuesday (19.04.22) but initially a little bit chilly. Once again there had been a very high tide just before we arrived, but it was falling and had left a nice wet and slippery surface on the lower scaffold lift. While Steve scavenged around in our rapidly disappearing stock for some good facing stone, Nick and I cast another coping block. Tony joined Steve and began repointing gaps in the wall where original stonework was still in place while Steve continued rebuilding. I had spent some time a day or two before removing loose mortar and silt from this section, but this left a very ragged and uneven surface to rebuild on. Being short of a good selection of stone did not help as this obviously restricted our choice and I spent quite some time cutting pieces to the required size using the big petrol driven angle-driver. Despite the dust it creates when cutting, the diamond blade slices through stone with consummate ease. |
Nick, operating the Kubota tractor and back-hoe, turned his attention to digging a trench where I want to lay the bricks spelling out the Rolle Canal Company that I had previously cut to shape. I will later cast a concrete base here to set them on.
Despite having limited stones and a very difficult place to lay them on, by the time we decided to pack up for the day Steve had managed to rebuild a considerable amount of facing and Nick had completed digging the trench and back-filling along the side of the wall which had been finished. Apart from the need for more stone, everything is coming along nicely.
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls
20th April 2022 A rather depleted band of volunteers arrived at Rosemoor this week. However, the glorious weather made for ideal working conditions. We decided at the outset to continue our long-standing attack on The Beast. We decided at the outset to continue our long-standing attack on The Beast. Last week a lot of progress was made cutting through the roots under the stump but we were still confronted with the huge problem of a massive radial root some 12 inches thick. With great effort, we cut a ‘V’ about three quarters of the way through the root. From this point we were able to use a variety of saws to successfully sever the root completely. Encouragingly, the stump started to show a little movement but stubbornly refused to budge. We then discovered a further tap root under the centre of the stump. This was difficult to access but eventually we managed to cut through this as well. Then, using an iron bar for leverage and with a great deal of brute force, we were able to rock the stump back and forth until, with a highly satisfying crack, it toppled over. The Beast had finally surrendered – the culmination of over a month’s hard work by the entire team. |
Surrender of "The Beast"
We spent the rest of the session removing some of the remaining roots, clearing the floor of the tucking mill and doing some further excavation around the southern wall, now accessible with the removal of The Beast. This exposed some more cobbled floor although much of this has been overlaid with concrete. The remains of an old cast iron grate and hearth uncovered here suggest that this room was living accommodation for the mill owner.
Cleaning the tucking mill floor
Exposed cobbled floor
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.
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT by Michael Elliott - 13th April 2022
A full team on Wednesday at Rosemoor was joined mid-morning by Martin Watts to take further measurements at the tucking mill.
A full team on Wednesday at Rosemoor was joined mid-morning by Martin Watts to take further measurements at the tucking mill.
Meanwhile, slow progress continued on ’the beast’, which seems to have several tap roots disappearing into the floor. This work uncovered a hinged metal grill, possibly from an old range. The floor here seems to have suffered subsidence, as it rises towards the wall the other side to the canal. There are also several shallow channels in the floor, probably the foundations of internal walls constructed of a single layer of brick. Several more entangled tree roots were also removed from the side opposite ’the beast’.
The scaffolding was still incomplete, so stones were selected and trimmed for completing the arch on another day. However, timber had arrived for casting the coping stones so levels were re-taken in preparation, only to reveal another layer of stonework was needed on the top of the wall first! Fortunately we now have plenty of stone.
Finally, Rosemoor’s plans for an extension to the woodland walk alongside the mill leat / canal have taken a step forward with its announcement to visitors to the gardens.
Finally, Rosemoor’s plans for an extension to the woodland walk alongside the mill leat / canal have taken a step forward with its announcement to visitors to the gardens.
MUD, MUD (not so) GLORIOUS MUD - Sea Lock report by Adrian Wills - 13th April 2022
Whilst it may be just the ticket for ‘Cooling the Blood’ or even cosmetic facials, trying to extricate wellie boots from it while manhandling heavy scaffold tubes or paving slabs is trying and tiresome.
Whilst it may be just the ticket for ‘Cooling the Blood’ or even cosmetic facials, trying to extricate wellie boots from it while manhandling heavy scaffold tubes or paving slabs is trying and tiresome.
On Tuesday (12.04.22) at Sea Lock Steve and I spent a great deal of time and energy on dismantling scaffolding from one end of the lift we had finished working on and re-erecting it at the other where the next stage of wall rebuilding will continue. The paving slabs are required to stand the standards (vertical poles) on to give the scaffolding a firm base. Trying to remove those slabs which were supporting the dismantled end was in itself quite a task. They were well ‘glued’ down and very slippery. It took us virtually all day to rearrange the scaffolding but by then we had completed a considerable length which will ease the rebuild process dramatically. While Steve and I were playing mud-pies, Nick was laying a second and last course of concrete blocks along the back of the wall, to which Steve later lent a hand. Michael was also down in the gloop but repointing one of the gabion baskets. This is not a necessary task but will just help disguise them. He later turned his attention to removing the last remaining weeds from the wall. |
For reference the title of this report, minus ‘not so’, comes from a song about a hippopotamus written by Donald Swann who performed on the radio and later the television, with Michael Flanders. The comic duo Flanders and Swann were very popular, performing between 1956 and 1967
The chorus to this particular song is quite appropriate for some of the activities undertaken at Sea Lock. It goes like this -
‘Mud, mud, glorious mud,
There’s nothing quite like it for cooling the blood.
So follow me, follow,
Down to the hollow and there we may wallow
In glorious mud’.
The chorus to this particular song is quite appropriate for some of the activities undertaken at Sea Lock. It goes like this -
‘Mud, mud, glorious mud,
There’s nothing quite like it for cooling the blood.
So follow me, follow,
Down to the hollow and there we may wallow
In glorious mud’.
HEADING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION - Sea Lock report by Adrian Wills - 11th April 2022
This week has seen the completion of another 3 metres of wharf wall. With Trevor’s help on Thursday and Friday (07/08.04.22) we cast another coping stone, moved some scaffolding and built up more wall facing. By the end of Friday we had exhausted our stock of cement and hydraulic lime and the recently acquired pile of clean stone bought from the nearby quarry was looking considerably smaller.
This week has seen the completion of another 3 metres of wharf wall. With Trevor’s help on Thursday and Friday (07/08.04.22) we cast another coping stone, moved some scaffolding and built up more wall facing. By the end of Friday we had exhausted our stock of cement and hydraulic lime and the recently acquired pile of clean stone bought from the nearby quarry was looking considerably smaller.
This week has seen the completion of another 3 metres of wharf wall. With Trevor’s help on Thursday and Friday (07/08.04.22) we cast another coping stone, moved some scaffolding and built up more wall facing. By the end of Friday we had exhausted our stock of cement and hydraulic lime and the recently acquired pile of clean stone bought from the nearby quarry was looking considerably smaller.
A LITTLE BIT OF THIS AND A LITTLE BIT OF THAT - Sea Lock report by Adrian Wills - 8th April 2022
Joined at Sea Lock by the usual Tuesday gang on 05.04.22. We set about a variety of tasks. Michael and Nick mixed a load of concrete in order to finish off laying concrete blocks along the top and back of the wharf wall. Steve sorted a load of facing stones to lay on the front of it whilst Tony and I rearranged the scaffolding (again!).
Joined at Sea Lock by the usual Tuesday gang on 05.04.22. We set about a variety of tasks. Michael and Nick mixed a load of concrete in order to finish off laying concrete blocks along the top and back of the wharf wall. Steve sorted a load of facing stones to lay on the front of it whilst Tony and I rearranged the scaffolding (again!).
The tide was falling when we arrived on site, but soon it had drained out of the wharf enabling Michael to return to standing down in the gloop, to remove more loose masonry and failing mortar from the wall further along. Having completed altering the scaffolding I joined him and together we attempted to put back in place a very large stone which had become displaced from the foot of the wall. A new concrete pad had previously been cast here and I had already reinstated 2 other large stones on it which were waiting to be mortared into place. The stone which Michael and I were trying to lift was not cooperating at all. Weighing the best part of 60kg, it was an awkward shape and covered in wet clay which was making it extremely difficult to grasp. We eventually gave up this approach and later I brought over the Kubota tractor to the top of the wall above it. With Steve operating its back-hoe we managed to get a strop around the offending stone and then easily lift it onto the concrete pad. I then levered it into the required position and back-filled it, and the others, with more concrete. There is still a substantial hole to fill here but we’ve made a good start. By the time we had had enough, Steve had managed to build a considerable amount of facing and Nick had finished rebuilding the back of the wall. It was a very satisfying day’s work and once again progress is plain to see. Thanks to Tony for some of the images. |
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 6th April 2022
The replacement scaffolding for the lime kiln has not yet appeared so this week it was a case of all hands on deck – or, more appropriately, on digging duties – in the tucking mill.
The replacement scaffolding for the lime kiln has not yet appeared so this week it was a case of all hands on deck – or, more appropriately, on digging duties – in the tucking mill.
'The Beast'
We are still removing earth and stone from around ‘The Beast’ and exposing more of the roots to ascertain exactly what we are dealing with. The answer is: rather a lot! Progress is being measured in inches rather than feet as we nibble away at the outer roots in order to access the roots lower down. Behind the lower side of the stump, we have found the continuation of the rear wall of the building. The stump has unfortunately demolished a large section of this wall which we will need to re-build. Another tree stump growing out of the dividing wall between the second and third chambers is proving equally troublesome. However, we have now exposed most of the floor of the third chamber which we think may have been used as living accommodation. We are basing this theory on the discovery of what looks like part of a cast iron hearth and an old griddle which suggests the room may have had a domestic function. Interestingly, we have also found further traces of a cobbled floor near the lower (riverside) wall. The full extent of the building is now clear and, when the foundations of the boundary walls have been rebuilt, will look very impressive.
View of third chamber from the towpath
View of third chamber from the leat
Continuation of back wall
Exposing the cobbled floor
Lip of mill race
ROLLE CANAL SOCIETY A.G.M. - 3rd April at R.H.S. Rosemoor
The Rolle Canal and Northern Devon Waterways Society Annual General Meeting was held on Sunday 3rd April at R.H.S. Rosemoor.
The meeting started with a fascinating presentation by John Puddy, Chairman of the Steamship Freshspring Trust.
All the committee were re-elected, with Ian Harrison and Tony Barnes re-elected as Chairman and Vice Chairman/Treasurer respectively. Tony Nicholls was voted in as Secretary.
After the meeting there was an opportunity to inspect the restoration works at the canal basin, lime kiln and tucking mill.
The Rolle Canal and Northern Devon Waterways Society Annual General Meeting was held on Sunday 3rd April at R.H.S. Rosemoor.
The meeting started with a fascinating presentation by John Puddy, Chairman of the Steamship Freshspring Trust.
All the committee were re-elected, with Ian Harrison and Tony Barnes re-elected as Chairman and Vice Chairman/Treasurer respectively. Tony Nicholls was voted in as Secretary.
After the meeting there was an opportunity to inspect the restoration works at the canal basin, lime kiln and tucking mill.