July News
MOVING ON STEADILY (Mostly) - Sea Lock report from Adrian Wills - 27th July 2023
Just the hard-core crew of three working at Sea Lock on Tuesday (25.07.23) but within a very short time, one of two copers was moved over to the upper basin wall and lowered into place. Nick supplied Steve with a mortar mix, followed by a barrow full of concrete. Between them, they soon had the coper levelled and mortared into place. This one and another had been cast several days before. The second quickly followed the first over to the wall and was treated in the same manner.
Just the hard-core crew of three working at Sea Lock on Tuesday (25.07.23) but within a very short time, one of two copers was moved over to the upper basin wall and lowered into place. Nick supplied Steve with a mortar mix, followed by a barrow full of concrete. Between them, they soon had the coper levelled and mortared into place. This one and another had been cast several days before. The second quickly followed the first over to the wall and was treated in the same manner.
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While all this was going on, I was assembling another section of scaffolding. This was not entirely straight forward, literally and metaphorically since the wall follows a distinct curve. Not being able to connect the new section to the existing lift, I had to erect the new lift at an angle to it. Eventually the new section was finished but there was an awkward gap between the old and new as well as a slight discrepancy in levels.
What we were all unaware of, is that later in the afternoon, after we had left the site, the contractor arrived, removed the flail mower head from the boom of his excavator, replaced it with a grading bucket and managed to excavate a considerable amount of silt from one side of the basin, moving it to the other where he will eventually be able to dig it completely and load it into a trailer for disposal elsewhere.
The following day, I wire-brushed the pointing and stone work from the previous day. Trevor later joined me. While he got down on his knees and began scraping out soil and loose stone from the wall, I started up the Kubota tractor with the intention of filling in the depression behind the wall where the new copers had been laid. All was going well until I realised the bucket on the backhoe wasn’t working properly. A locking-pin had somehow managed to work itself loose and fall off the machine, allowing a much larger pin to slip out which left the bucket swinging. Fortunately, I managed to find the larger pin but not the locking one. Having just moved a considerable amount of soil and rubble about it was probably well buried. I then spent a considerable amount of time in attempting to fabricate a substitute locking-pin, without success. My wife kindly offered to go into town and get a new one for me. She eventually arrived with the replacement pin but had had to go all the way into Barnstaple for it, a twenty mile round trip. The pin cost an exorbitant 29p!
The following day, I wire-brushed the pointing and stone work from the previous day. Trevor later joined me. While he got down on his knees and began scraping out soil and loose stone from the wall, I started up the Kubota tractor with the intention of filling in the depression behind the wall where the new copers had been laid. All was going well until I realised the bucket on the backhoe wasn’t working properly. A locking-pin had somehow managed to work itself loose and fall off the machine, allowing a much larger pin to slip out which left the bucket swinging. Fortunately, I managed to find the larger pin but not the locking one. Having just moved a considerable amount of soil and rubble about it was probably well buried. I then spent a considerable amount of time in attempting to fabricate a substitute locking-pin, without success. My wife kindly offered to go into town and get a new one for me. She eventually arrived with the replacement pin but had had to go all the way into Barnstaple for it, a twenty mile round trip. The pin cost an exorbitant 29p!
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Whilst I was ‘faffing about’ with the Kubota, Trevor had resolutely continued clearing the wall and had unearthed a very damaged white-clay drainage pipe. Usually made of terracotta clay, these drainage pipes are little more than short cylinders, about 12 inches (30cms) long and about 5 inches (12.5cm) in external diameter. They are usually laid in a trench and butted up against each other, not actually interlocked. The pipe that Trevor had discovered was at a peculiar angle to the wall but then, due to the method of laying such pipes, they are very subject to earth settlement and root growth. When considering the size of tree boll that had earlier been removed from on top of this position, it is hardly surprising that the drain was strangely aligned.
By now, it was beginning to rain with a vengeance, so Trevor and I decided pack up early for the day. I had achieved very little, but he had managed to clean up a considerable gap in the wall. I was surprised that he was able to stand upright having spent so much time on his knees!
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 19th July 2023
At Rosemoor, with the scaffolding now raised, we are concentrating on the re-build of the lime kiln wall. A few weeks ago we spent some time preparing the raw stonework by removing ivy and loose masonry. Once this had been done, the scale of the re-build became clear. A lot of stone will be required! The stone we have is not the best quality walling material which means that we are having to spend a lot of time sorting suitable pieces. Fortunately RHS Rosemoor have kindly offered to purchase some better stone and we look forward to this being delivered. We did succeed, however, in laying a couple of courses of stone during the morning session.
At Rosemoor, with the scaffolding now raised, we are concentrating on the re-build of the lime kiln wall. A few weeks ago we spent some time preparing the raw stonework by removing ivy and loose masonry. Once this had been done, the scale of the re-build became clear. A lot of stone will be required! The stone we have is not the best quality walling material which means that we are having to spend a lot of time sorting suitable pieces. Fortunately RHS Rosemoor have kindly offered to purchase some better stone and we look forward to this being delivered. We did succeed, however, in laying a couple of courses of stone during the morning session.
Damaged wall of lime kiln
Removing ivy and loose stone
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The wall cleaned and ready for re-build
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We were very pleased to welcome Martin Watts to the site once again. Martin has a wealth of knowledge about industrial archaeology and we have been keen to get his insight on the tucking mill and its operation. Martin spent a large part of the morning viewing the mill following recent restoration work and inspected the trove of artefacts recovered from the mill including the various parts of the old waterwheel which we tried to assemble into something resembling its original form. As usual, a lot of educated guesswork was required!
Rebuilding lime kiln wall
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We were very pleased to welcome Martin Watts to the site once again. Martin has a wealth of knowledge about industrial archaeology and we have been keen to get his insight on the tucking mill and its operation. Martin spent a large part of the morning viewing the mill following recent restoration work and inspected the trove of artefacts recovered from the mill including the various parts of the old waterwheel which we tried to assemble into something resembling its original form. As usual, a lot of educated guesswork was required!
Assembling the water wheel parts
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.
TO POINT OR NOT TO POINT? That is the question. (With apologies to W.Shakespeare) - Sea Lock report from Adrian Wills - 19th July 2023
Considerable time has been spent in debating whether to completely fill the gaps between the stonework on the upper wharf wall at Sea Lock. Initially it was thought that it had not been pointed but on closer examination of the recently exposed lower face of the wall, it is evident that the masonry was fully grouted. This would certainly help keep the wall waterproof and be of a similar construction to the middle and lower wharf walls.
Considerable time has been spent in debating whether to completely fill the gaps between the stonework on the upper wharf wall at Sea Lock. Initially it was thought that it had not been pointed but on closer examination of the recently exposed lower face of the wall, it is evident that the masonry was fully grouted. This would certainly help keep the wall waterproof and be of a similar construction to the middle and lower wharf walls.
Despite the weather forecast for the day, on Tuesday (18.07.23) being somewhat ‘iffy,’ good progress was made at Sea Lock. Steve, Nick and I started by laying three small copers that I had cast a few days earlier. I had already moved one over and onto the wall and Nick brought over the other two during the course of the morning. Tony joined us and spent a great deal of time and effort lugging scaffold tubes from their storage shed over to where we wanted to extend the lift that we were working on. It was these same tubes that Tony had spent a great deal of time and effort in lugging them in the opposite direction not so long ago!
Having levelled and cemented the copers into place we then turned our attention to lowering the end of the scaffolding. We had cleared the section of wall in front of it of loose stones and general debris but the scaffold platform here was too high to enable us to comfortably rebuild it. Back into the gloop!
Fortunately, the bed of the basin had been previously levelled by the contractor, using his excavator so although the surface is wet, it is not too sticky. We eventually completed lowering the scaffold and Steve managed to fill one quite large and awkwardly shaped hole before we stopped for the day.
Fortunately, the bed of the basin had been previously levelled by the contractor, using his excavator so although the surface is wet, it is not too sticky. We eventually completed lowering the scaffold and Steve managed to fill one quite large and awkwardly shaped hole before we stopped for the day.
Towards the middle of the afternoon, the contractor arrived and continued using the flail mower attached to his machine, to clear invasive vegetation from inside the basin and along the sides of the towpath. He has made a wonderful job of it and saved us an enormous amount of time.
The weather forecast, surprisingly, did not live up to its prediction. We were pleased with our progress and we finally came to the conclusion that we ought to fully point the stone work but the start of that was for another day.
ALL QUIET ON THE UPPER WHARF FRONT - Sea Lock report from Adrian Wills - 12th July 2023
It was not an auspicious start to Tuesday (11.07.23), being overcast and damp. Never-the-less Nick duly arrived at my house, raring to go and we were shortly joined by Michael and Tony. Steve had commitments elsewhere, so we were deprived of his dulcet tones for the day, strangely quiet! The previous day I had put together a new mould for a smaller than usual coping ‘stone’. Where we are now working it is very difficult to get the Priestman Cub crane close enough to manoeuvre the larger sized copers into place so we will have to rely on the Kubota tractor which would struggle to lift their weight.
It was not an auspicious start to Tuesday (11.07.23), being overcast and damp. Never-the-less Nick duly arrived at my house, raring to go and we were shortly joined by Michael and Tony. Steve had commitments elsewhere, so we were deprived of his dulcet tones for the day, strangely quiet! The previous day I had put together a new mould for a smaller than usual coping ‘stone’. Where we are now working it is very difficult to get the Priestman Cub crane close enough to manoeuvre the larger sized copers into place so we will have to rely on the Kubota tractor which would struggle to lift their weight.
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Within a very short time, we had filled the mould with mortar and then turned our attention to repairing the wall. Michael and Tony spent a lot of time and energy removing a mass of soil and loose stone from where a large tree boll had been pulled out of the wall and a lot of work to rebuild the resultant huge hole is now necessary.
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Whilst I concentrated on laying stones along the stretch we had already prepared, Nick kept me supplied with mortar and cut stones to size using the large diamond bladed disc cutter when required. He also patiently worked his way through a pile of stones, sorting good ‘facers’ from those suitable only for back-filling.
Despite heavy rain falling occasionally, bringing a temporary halt to the proceedings, we managed to get a lot done and once again, progress is clear to see. While we were involved in all this, the excavator driver arrived and continued strimming bank using the flail-mower he had attached to his machine until running out of diesel. All is looking very good!
Production of more copers is now required.
Despite heavy rain falling occasionally, bringing a temporary halt to the proceedings, we managed to get a lot done and once again, progress is clear to see. While we were involved in all this, the excavator driver arrived and continued strimming bank using the flail-mower he had attached to his machine until running out of diesel. All is looking very good!
Production of more copers is now required.
GUIDED WALK – TORRINGTON STATION TO BEAM AQUEDUCT – Sunday 9th July 2023
Starting from the Puffing Billy (old Railway Station) and following the Tarka Trail (old railway line) to where the Rolle Canal skirts Furzebeam Hill. Here the towpath leads to the Roving Bridge behind Beam House and on to the iconic Aqueduct over the River Torridge. The Tarka Trail then leads back via Beam Weir to the start point.
The length is a little over 2 miles. Meet at 2.30 pm on Sunday 9th July at the Puffing Billy car park. The walk will be led by the Chairman of the Rolle Canal Society, Ian Harrison.
No booking is required – all are welcome. A donation of £2 per person will be requested towards the work of the Rolle Canal Society.
Starting from the Puffing Billy (old Railway Station) and following the Tarka Trail (old railway line) to where the Rolle Canal skirts Furzebeam Hill. Here the towpath leads to the Roving Bridge behind Beam House and on to the iconic Aqueduct over the River Torridge. The Tarka Trail then leads back via Beam Weir to the start point.
The length is a little over 2 miles. Meet at 2.30 pm on Sunday 9th July at the Puffing Billy car park. The walk will be led by the Chairman of the Rolle Canal Society, Ian Harrison.
No booking is required – all are welcome. A donation of £2 per person will be requested towards the work of the Rolle Canal Society.
LIVING DANGEROUSLY - Sea Lock report from Adrian Wills - 7th July 2023
A few days ago, the sound of an approaching helicopter brought my wife and me to our upstairs sitting room windows. From here, we were somewhat surprised to see the helicopter flying lower and lower over our house, heading downstream towards the salt marsh adjacent to the site of Sea Lock. It was flying very slowly and came to hover over the marsh for quite some time, enabling me to rush downstairs, grab my camera and go out onto the flood bank in front of our house to take pictures.
A few days ago, the sound of an approaching helicopter brought my wife and me to our upstairs sitting room windows. From here, we were somewhat surprised to see the helicopter flying lower and lower over our house, heading downstream towards the salt marsh adjacent to the site of Sea Lock. It was flying very slowly and came to hover over the marsh for quite some time, enabling me to rush downstairs, grab my camera and go out onto the flood bank in front of our house to take pictures.
The helicopter was very low by this time and was whipping up water from the marsh. It had its rear ramp lowered and in an open right-hand-side doorway, a person could clearly be seen standing, looking out.
Helicopters regularly fly over the site of Sea Lock when inspections of the high-powered electricity cables strung from pylons stretch across the river Torridge are undertaken.
This one, however, was not a utilities company aircraft but a ‘Merlin’, as used by the military and bearing no identification markings.
This one, however, was not a utilities company aircraft but a ‘Merlin’, as used by the military and bearing no identification markings.
After several minutes, the aircraft started flying forwards and flew UNDERNEATH the electricity cables and then gained height before finally disappearing over the treetops heading, at a guess, towards Chivenor.
This is not the first time that a helicopter has been seen flying underneath these cables at the same place. A few years ago, a much larger one, a Chinook, did the same thing! Scary!
MOVING ON AND TIDYING UP - Sea Lock report from Adrian Wills - 7th July 2023
Tuesday (04.07.23). Steve, Nick, Tony and I worked on the upper wharf wall. While Steve concentrated on rebuilding masonry, Tony spent time clearing debris and loose stonework from the top of the wall. Nick alternated between mixing and delivering mortar, and assisting Tony, whilst I started up the Priestman Cub and craned a coping stone previously cast, over to where it was to be laid. The Cub was having a sulk in that it had not been run for a while and although it lifted and lowered the block easily, it proved very stubborn to steer. Eventually it was laid in place and we mortared it in.
Tuesday (04.07.23). Steve, Nick, Tony and I worked on the upper wharf wall. While Steve concentrated on rebuilding masonry, Tony spent time clearing debris and loose stonework from the top of the wall. Nick alternated between mixing and delivering mortar, and assisting Tony, whilst I started up the Priestman Cub and craned a coping stone previously cast, over to where it was to be laid. The Cub was having a sulk in that it had not been run for a while and although it lifted and lowered the block easily, it proved very stubborn to steer. Eventually it was laid in place and we mortared it in.
This day had started out damp and drizzly. The forecast was for heavy rain to fall mid-afternoon. Whilst at times it got a little wet and made the mortar very soft for laying stones on. Never-the-less Steve managed to rebuilt quite a bit. When we finally knocked off around 3.30, the weather had generally not been too bad. Having covered over the fresh stonework with plastic sheeting, we cleaned up our tools and retired for the day.
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The following day, I was joined by Trevor and we spent time making and painting some display boards in preparation for the ‘Rolle 200 Open Day’ at Sea Lock on August 12th starting at 2.30. These boards, with pictures attached, will be situated in specific places to help visitors understand what they are looking at.
On Thursday I was joined once again by Trevor but also Norman. They initially spent time trying to sort out some machinery, but it required a heavy-duty jack, which Trevor had at home so that task was temporarily postponed. They then spent time clearing and moving a load of firewood, transporting it on a small trailer, pulled by the old grey Fergie Tractor to a place where it will be stored until used in the winter. While they were doing this, I set up the cement mixer, mixed a load of mortar and barrowed it over to where the wall is being rebuilt and laid a few stones.
On Thursday I was joined once again by Trevor but also Norman. They initially spent time trying to sort out some machinery, but it required a heavy-duty jack, which Trevor had at home so that task was temporarily postponed. They then spent time clearing and moving a load of firewood, transporting it on a small trailer, pulled by the old grey Fergie Tractor to a place where it will be stored until used in the winter. While they were doing this, I set up the cement mixer, mixed a load of mortar and barrowed it over to where the wall is being rebuilt and laid a few stones.
Last Friday I had collected 3 tons of grit sand from my local supplier and on Monday had collected 6 bags of hydraulic lime. On Tuesday, I had a delivery of 10 bags of cement, so all-in-all, we had plenty of building materials to be getting on with, other than a rapidly diminishing stock of facing stone. Yet again!
GOING ROUND THE BEND - Sea Lock report from Adrian Wills - 3rd July 2023
Fortunately not in the sense of mental health issues! Having made great progress on rebuilding the upper wharf wall at Sea Lock last week, Trevor and I continued to laborious task of removing loose debris from it. Some thought had gone into how to top the rebuilt section. The underlying masonry was sound so it was decided to cast a block on top rather than disturb it any more than we absolutely had to. (Nice to have Trevor back working long side me!)
Fortunately not in the sense of mental health issues! Having made great progress on rebuilding the upper wharf wall at Sea Lock last week, Trevor and I continued to laborious task of removing loose debris from it. Some thought had gone into how to top the rebuilt section. The underlying masonry was sound so it was decided to cast a block on top rather than disturb it any more than we absolutely had to. (Nice to have Trevor back working long side me!)
Yesterday ( Sunday, 02.07.23) I began constructing some shuttering on top of this bit of wall and 5½ barrow-fulls of concrete later, had filled and levelled it. This morning I removed the shuttering and scuffed up the exposed surfaces while the concrete was still very ‘green’ and soft to give it a more natural stone-like appearance.
We are on our way!
We are on our way!
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