July News
RIDD RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 30th July 2025
A slightly depleted team assembled at Ridd this week to continue work on the incline. Inevitably, weeds are starting to sprout vigorously so our first priority was to strim the area and give it a good ‘haircut’. After several hours’ work the incline was once again looking in good shape. We also spent a lot of time tackling a huge tree stump at the top of the incline This is the remains of one of the trees we had felled last year which, unfortunately, our contractor was unable to remove. The root system is massive. We are gradually working our way around the base severing roots as we go but it is a serious challenge and we may require mechanical assistance to deal with this monster. We really want to remove it as it intrudes on the perspective of the incline when viewed from the Tarka Trail.
A slightly depleted team assembled at Ridd this week to continue work on the incline. Inevitably, weeds are starting to sprout vigorously so our first priority was to strim the area and give it a good ‘haircut’. After several hours’ work the incline was once again looking in good shape. We also spent a lot of time tackling a huge tree stump at the top of the incline This is the remains of one of the trees we had felled last year which, unfortunately, our contractor was unable to remove. The root system is massive. We are gradually working our way around the base severing roots as we go but it is a serious challenge and we may require mechanical assistance to deal with this monster. We really want to remove it as it intrudes on the perspective of the incline when viewed from the Tarka Trail.
Tackling the tree stump
Elsewhere on the site we have carried out further excavation of the earth bank south of the boundary wall. We have come across a number of stones laid roughly in the bank which indicates the wall continued southwards beyond the section we have rebuilt. We chopped out a further 10 metres of the bank to provide a foundation for further reconstruction. The spoil is being used to infill the culvert adjacent to the wheel pit. Once this has been built up to the same level as the canal base we will then be in a position to cast the concrete base on which to reconstruct the central pier of the upper docking bays.
Groundwork for boundary wall
Starting work on the incline
Incline after clearing
Next week we will be at Furzebeam to tidy up the site in preparation for the next guided walk on 10th August.
RIDD RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 23rd July 2025
Almost a full team of navvies (including a young apprentice!) gathered at Ridd this week to continue work on our restoration project.
One of our objectives is to locate and reconstruct the foundations of the central pier of the upper docking bays. Following a site visit with Chris Hassall, we are confident we have found the remains of the pier and some of the team have started to excavate the ground around it as can be seen from the photo. You can just about make out the outline of the pier which would have been about 7 to 8 feet wide with a rounded or bevelled face to guide the tub boats into the docking bay and onto the endless chain running along the incline. When we have fully exposed the foundations we will cast a concrete base and then start to rebuild the central pier in stone.
Almost a full team of navvies (including a young apprentice!) gathered at Ridd this week to continue work on our restoration project.
One of our objectives is to locate and reconstruct the foundations of the central pier of the upper docking bays. Following a site visit with Chris Hassall, we are confident we have found the remains of the pier and some of the team have started to excavate the ground around it as can be seen from the photo. You can just about make out the outline of the pier which would have been about 7 to 8 feet wide with a rounded or bevelled face to guide the tub boats into the docking bay and onto the endless chain running along the incline. When we have fully exposed the foundations we will cast a concrete base and then start to rebuild the central pier in stone.
Excavating the upper docking bays
Outline of central piers
At the top of the incline itself, part of the team set about the gargantuan task of trying to dig up a huge tree stump which our excavator operator was unfortunately unable to remove because of a technical problem with the machine. This is a job which could take several weeks as there are substantial roots radiating in all directions. An interesting find during the dig was a huge rusted spanner which we believe was a relic of the railway and probably used to tighten the nuts on fishplates joining lengths of track.
We also spent some time strimming the access path from the Tarka Trail down to the old stable block. We are keen to keep this open so the public can safely walk down to the area around the lower incline although the depressing news is that this is once again becoming overgrown. We have been here before!
We also spent some time strimming the access path from the Tarka Trail down to the old stable block. We are keen to keep this open so the public can safely walk down to the area around the lower incline although the depressing news is that this is once again becoming overgrown. We have been here before!
Tackling the huge tree stump
Railway spanner
RIDD RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Barnes - 16th July 2025
Photos by Tony Barnes and Mickey Reynolds
Our volunteers were at Ridd today, with several projects requiring action.
The pipe to extend the ditch between the Tarka trail and the canal bed was delivered at the foot of the inclined plane and carried up to its position alongside the Trail by several members including Becky Reynolds, who came with Mickey, and proved a massive asset to the gang. Earth was flying everywhere as the ditch was dug to take the pipe which slotted in very smoothly.
Photos by Tony Barnes and Mickey Reynolds
Our volunteers were at Ridd today, with several projects requiring action.
The pipe to extend the ditch between the Tarka trail and the canal bed was delivered at the foot of the inclined plane and carried up to its position alongside the Trail by several members including Becky Reynolds, who came with Mickey, and proved a massive asset to the gang. Earth was flying everywhere as the ditch was dug to take the pipe which slotted in very smoothly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Meanwhile two of us explored the area of the original jetty and found firm evidence of the original structure. Yet another was trimming the approach to Lower Ridd to keep it looking inviting. Next week we should be able to start reconstructing the central jetty at the top of the plane.
All in all an extremely successful morning, and a pleasure to see Mickey back with us.
All in all an extremely successful morning, and a pleasure to see Mickey back with us.
FURZEBEAM REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 9th July 2025
A small team assembled at Furzebeam this week with the aim of tackling the remains of a fallen tree which was blocking the towpath south of the diversion bridge. When we arrived at the site, we found that Clinton Devon Estates had arranged for contractors to cut up the tree and clear the path which saved us a lot of work. We therefore turned our attention to clearing a further section of the canal bed. The stretch beyond the diversion is badly overgrown and we discovered hundreds of small oak saplings all of which had to be painstakingly uprooted. We also came across a number of log sections which had been left in the canal bed from previous fellings. Some of these were substantial and had to be hauled out with a rope and much brute force before being laid along the edge of the towpath. This was strenuous work and hampered our progress but by the end of the session we managed to clear another 50 metres of the canal bed. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the wall of the canal in many places was still in good condition, testament to the quality of the original workmanship.
A small team assembled at Furzebeam this week with the aim of tackling the remains of a fallen tree which was blocking the towpath south of the diversion bridge. When we arrived at the site, we found that Clinton Devon Estates had arranged for contractors to cut up the tree and clear the path which saved us a lot of work. We therefore turned our attention to clearing a further section of the canal bed. The stretch beyond the diversion is badly overgrown and we discovered hundreds of small oak saplings all of which had to be painstakingly uprooted. We also came across a number of log sections which had been left in the canal bed from previous fellings. Some of these were substantial and had to be hauled out with a rope and much brute force before being laid along the edge of the towpath. This was strenuous work and hampered our progress but by the end of the session we managed to clear another 50 metres of the canal bed. We were pleasantly surprised to find that the wall of the canal in many places was still in good condition, testament to the quality of the original workmanship.
Canal before clearing
Canal after clearing
Canal looking south
Canal wall