October News
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 25th October 2023
A small but hardy band of volunteers continued the clearance of vegetation overgrowing the north west corner of the lime kiln which we started last week. A determined assault was made to remove the laurel bushes which have grown up over recent years. This task was complicated by the profusion of creeper and bramble which had formed a huge canopy intertwined with the laurel bushes. Trying to remove this was rather like hacking our way through a tropical rainforest but eventually we succeeded in revealing the north wall of the lime kiln which had not seen the light of day for many years. The ramp to the top of the kilns was situated here but sadly disappeared many years ago, the stone probably robbed for other local building projects. We need to clear the vegetation in this area to create sufficient space for the scaffolding which – once the re-build of the lime kiln wall is complete - will be moved to enable us to reconstruct the corner of the building. The photo shows the massive pyramid of vegetation still remaining which we will need to deal with at some point.
Deep in the jungle
View of corner of lime kiln
After coffee we got a mix of concrete under way and continued with the re-build of the lime kiln wall. This work is progressing well and should be completed in the next 3-4 weeks (weather permitting!)
Working parties are generally held every Wednesday morning, meeting in the main car park at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington at 9.30am. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
Working parties are generally held every Wednesday morning, meeting in the main car park at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington at 9.30am. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
Rebuilding lime kiln wall
North end of lower basin
View of basin complex from scaffolding
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 12th October 2023
After the excitement of the great Rolle Ramble on Sunday, it was back to business as usual at Rosemoor this week and further rebuilding of the lime kiln wall. Good progress was made and we are now getting very close to the top of the wall. Another three courses of stone should finish the job.
After the excitement of the great Rolle Ramble on Sunday, it was back to business as usual at Rosemoor this week and further rebuilding of the lime kiln wall. Good progress was made and we are now getting very close to the top of the wall. Another three courses of stone should finish the job.
Repairs to the lime kiln wall
View of the kiln from towpath
The final section of repair is now so high above the scaffold platform that we are having difficulty seeing what we are doing! Having taken advice from the wildlife officer at RHS Rosemoor, we have created some bespoke nest holes within the wall which we hope may attract spotted flycatchers or other avian residents.
Nest hole
As a result of the benign weather conditions over recent months, the canal itself has grown a vivid green layer of pondweed which looks quite striking. Unfortunately, reeds and grass are encroaching on the basin once more. About half of the lower basin has disappeared under this vegetative assault and some serious clearance work will be required to get it back into shape – all part of our never-ending battle with Mother Nature.
Upper basin
Lower basin
Working parties are held every Wednesday morning, meeting in the main car park at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington at 9.30am. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
ROLLE 200 RAMBLE - Report by Tony Nicholls - 10th October 2023
On Saturday 7th October, in glorious sunshine, an intrepid band of some 50 people in sturdy walking attire assembled at RHS Rosemoor. The reason? To take part in the great Rolle 200 Ramble – a special, one-off event organised by the Rolle Canal Society to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the start of work on the Rolle Canal in 1823. The aim of the Ramble was to walk the entire length of the canal from the Darkham Weir to the Sea Lock at Weare Giffard – a distance of some 7½ miles over some difficult terrain. One of the key attractions of the Ramble was the fact that, thanks to the generous co-operation of private landowners, we were able to walk sections of the canal not normally accessible to the public.
On Saturday 7th October, in glorious sunshine, an intrepid band of some 50 people in sturdy walking attire assembled at RHS Rosemoor. The reason? To take part in the great Rolle 200 Ramble – a special, one-off event organised by the Rolle Canal Society to celebrate the 200th anniversary of the start of work on the Rolle Canal in 1823. The aim of the Ramble was to walk the entire length of the canal from the Darkham Weir to the Sea Lock at Weare Giffard – a distance of some 7½ miles over some difficult terrain. One of the key attractions of the Ramble was the fact that, thanks to the generous co-operation of private landowners, we were able to walk sections of the canal not normally accessible to the public.
The walkers assemble at R.H.S. Rosemoor at the start of the Rolle 200 Ramble
At 10.30 am, we set off through Rosemoor woods down to the weir at Darkham where the river Torridge – the original water source for the canal – was pouring turbulently over the weir making a dramatic start to the walk. From here, the group trekked along a woodland track at the bottom of the river valley which afforded frequent glimpses of the Torridge flowing swiftly on the left. This stretch of the walk was particularly wet and muddy, so stout footwear was essential. A mile and a half further on the Rosemoor lime kilns loomed into sight and we stopped here to view the restoration work carried out by the Society’s volunteers on the canal basin, the lime kilns and the old tucking mill. We then continued to Town Mills where, thanks to kind permission from owners Jonathan and Jackie Gilbrook, we were able to follow the course of the canal around the mill (with a fine view of the restored water wheel) and under the final, dark archway of the road bridge which now carries the A386 over the Torridge. This was a real highlight of the walk. The next challenge was a scramble up a steep bank before the group emerged onto the Rolle Road. After squelching through the mud of Rosemoor woods, the firm, dry walking conditions on the old toll road were a welcome change! Just over 2 hours later, the group reached the Puffing Billy for a refreshment stop where our lady volunteers dispensed welcome cups of hot tea and coffee.
Following the line of the canal around Town Mills
From here, the canal originally took a sweeping westward curve through Staple Vale. This is now a private farm and there is no public access, but we were given special permission by John Reed, the present owner, to walk through his land. John gave us a brief but very interesting talk on the history of his farm and the area around Staple Vale. The drive to John’s farm was built over the canal bed. The canal then follows the hedge line of the adjacent fields to a point at which the railway cut across the course of the canal making further progress impossible.
Walk leader Tony Nicholls and Ramblers on the towpath by the roving bridge
Here we had to make a slight diversion via an accommodation bridge over the Tarka Trail onto the Commons and down to the point where the Tarka Trail crosses the line of the canal. From here, we walked along the tow path around Furzebeam to the well-preserved roving bridge and then up onto the aqueduct at Beam. This superb piece of engineering is an instantly recognisable feature of the canal and the group spent some time here taking in the lovely views of the river Torridge flowing underneath. (NB. The aqueduct now forms the entrance to Beam House and this stretch of the canal is not open to the public, but we were kindly given permission by the owners for access). At the end of the aqueduct, the canal took a sharp right hand turn and ran parallel with the present A386.
On Beam Aqueduct
Sadly, we decided that, on safety grounds, we could not take the group along this busy road, so we retraced our steps and clambered down onto the Tarka Trail not far from Beam weir. From here, the railway pretty much obliterated the canal and there are only faint traces of its existence until reaching Ridd. We paused here to inspect the remains of the incline before leaving the Tarka Trail and descending to look at the old stable block. We then followed the faintly discernible line of the canal across the water meadow to Annery Kiln. After assembling the group in the car park, it was then a short walk down to Sea Lock where a weary (but happy!) group of Ramblers were plied with drinks and delicious hot pasties provided by the Pannier Pantry in Bideford.
Ramblers reaching the end of their journey at Sea Lock
It was really pleasing to see that everyone in the group – including some young children – completed the Ramble without problems (apart, possibly, from some rather sore feet!). The wonderful weather was, of course, a real bonus and from the feedback we have received it seems that everyone enjoyed this unique experience. Our thanks to everyone who took part and to all the volunteers who worked so hard to make it such a successful event.
If you want to find out more about the history of the canal, please come along on our guided walks which take place every summer between May and September.
If you want to find out more about the history of the canal, please come along on our guided walks which take place every summer between May and September.
Waiting for a pasty and a cuppa
The walk organisers would like to say a big thank you to all the Ramblers that took part. We would also like to thank everyone who helped make the day such a big success:
R.H.S. Rosemoor for letting us use their car park and allowing us to walk on their land.
The lovely people at Town Mills for allowing us to pass through their property. Passing through the canal arch of Town Mills bridge was something that most of our walkers had never had the chance to do before.
The Puffing Billy for kindly letting walkers use their facilities.
John Reed for letting the walk pass through his property (and for coming on the walk with us).
PGL Beam House for letting the walkers onto the iconic Beam Aqueduct.
Adrian and Hilary Wills for letting us finish the walk at Sea Lock and allowing us to use all their facilities.
Carol from Pannier Pantry in Bideford for supplying the delicious pasties.
Our willing volunteers: Jeanette, Ali, Gaylena, Mick, John and Andy, who helped with organisation, marshalling and refreshments.
Last, but by no means least, the hard-working committee members, led by our Chairman, Ian Harrison and our Secretary, walk leader and principal Rolle Ramble organiser, Tony Nicholls, together with our Treasurer, Tony Barnes, Margaret Shambrook, Michael Elliott and Mike Harper.
R.H.S. Rosemoor for letting us use their car park and allowing us to walk on their land.
The lovely people at Town Mills for allowing us to pass through their property. Passing through the canal arch of Town Mills bridge was something that most of our walkers had never had the chance to do before.
The Puffing Billy for kindly letting walkers use their facilities.
John Reed for letting the walk pass through his property (and for coming on the walk with us).
PGL Beam House for letting the walkers onto the iconic Beam Aqueduct.
Adrian and Hilary Wills for letting us finish the walk at Sea Lock and allowing us to use all their facilities.
Carol from Pannier Pantry in Bideford for supplying the delicious pasties.
Our willing volunteers: Jeanette, Ali, Gaylena, Mick, John and Andy, who helped with organisation, marshalling and refreshments.
Last, but by no means least, the hard-working committee members, led by our Chairman, Ian Harrison and our Secretary, walk leader and principal Rolle Ramble organiser, Tony Nicholls, together with our Treasurer, Tony Barnes, Margaret Shambrook, Michael Elliott and Mike Harper.
Pasty time!