April News
2026 AGM at R.H.S. Rosemoor
This year we had 2 speakers from the Torrington Commons Conservators.
The first video shows Al Mitchell, the Head Ranger and the second video is the Chair - Andrew Giles
This year we had 2 speakers from the Torrington Commons Conservators.
The first video shows Al Mitchell, the Head Ranger and the second video is the Chair - Andrew Giles
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Al Mitchell - Head Ranger
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Andrew Giles - Chair
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RIDD RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 15th April 2026
A small (but perfectly formed) team returned to Ridd this week to continue with the rebuild of the boundary wall and further tidying up of the site.
Despite occasional drizzle, our masons succeeded in laying another couple of courses of stone which has brought the wall almost up to its finished height – a final course of upright stones will be laid to top it off. Some repair work is still required on the Ridd side of the wall but it is now close to completion.
A small (but perfectly formed) team returned to Ridd this week to continue with the rebuild of the boundary wall and further tidying up of the site.
Despite occasional drizzle, our masons succeeded in laying another couple of courses of stone which has brought the wall almost up to its finished height – a final course of upright stones will be laid to top it off. Some repair work is still required on the Ridd side of the wall but it is now close to completion.
Wall close to completion
We also carried out some much needed strimming of the upper incline. This had become very overgrown in recent weeks and needed some serious attention. With this task complete, we were also able to start a trial capping of the central pier of the upper docking bays. The ‘paving’ stones are dry-laid at present to get a feel of what the structure will look like when finished. Finding enough suitable stone is, as ever, a challenge!
Incline before clearing
Incline after clearing 1
Incline after clearing 2
Central pier partly paved
Central pier with paving
As part of the restoration project, we are keen to find the exact position of the lower docking bays before we attempt to recreate them. For many years, we have left a clump of reeds growing where we believe the bays were located but we would like to verify this. Today, one member of the team dug an exploratory trench adjacent to the reed bed to see if he could find any evidence of the original masonry. Sadly, this proved fruitless but we will continue with our exploration.
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.07557 478371) for more information.
RIDD RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 8th April 2026
We were low on numbers this week so focussed on two main tasks – continuing the repair of the boundary wall and burning the remaining brash from last week’s scrub bashing.
Our masons have made excellent progress on the wall and laid another two courses during the session. We hope to lay a top course next week but it looks as if we may not have enough stone to finish the job. This is odd as, theoretically, all the fallen stone came from the wall in the first place but some may have ‘disappeared’. The repair is looking good and once the stone has ‘weathered’ it should blend in well with the original masonry.
We were low on numbers this week so focussed on two main tasks – continuing the repair of the boundary wall and burning the remaining brash from last week’s scrub bashing.
Our masons have made excellent progress on the wall and laid another two courses during the session. We hope to lay a top course next week but it looks as if we may not have enough stone to finish the job. This is odd as, theoretically, all the fallen stone came from the wall in the first place but some may have ‘disappeared’. The repair is looking good and once the stone has ‘weathered’ it should blend in well with the original masonry.
Rebuilding the wall
Another two courses laid
The remaining members of the team spent the morning burning the last of the scrub waste. In the absence of ‘Two Matches’ Michael, ‘Ten Twigs’ Clive soon got a good blaze going and we were able to dispose of all the brash plus most of the dead wood from the tree which fell across the incline last year. This has really tidied up the incline which is now in good shape.
Burning remaining brash
The incline cleared of debris
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.07557 478371) for more information.
RIDD RESTORATION REPORT by Tony Nicholls - 1st April 2026
Another productive session at Ridd this week. Given the recent dry weather, we were keen to burn the huge pile of waste generated in previous weeks. ‘Two Matches’ Michael soon had a good blaze going which kept the team warm on a chilly morning. We were also able to burn a lot of brash from the fallen tree which we tackled last year. This had been piled up at the edge of the incline for many months so it was pleasing to finally dispose of this.
Another productive session at Ridd this week. Given the recent dry weather, we were keen to burn the huge pile of waste generated in previous weeks. ‘Two Matches’ Michael soon had a good blaze going which kept the team warm on a chilly morning. We were also able to burn a lot of brash from the fallen tree which we tackled last year. This had been piled up at the edge of the incline for many months so it was pleasing to finally dispose of this.
The burn begins
While this work was taking place, our masons continued to repair the damaged boundary wall below the incline and laid further courses of stone. The repair is progressing well and we hope to complete this in another 2 – 3 weeks.
Continuing rebuild of wall
Further scrub bashing was done along the line of the towpath opposite the stable block to clear the area of invasive brambles. All in all, the site is in better condition now than it has been for many months.
Cleared area around towpath
Click here to Clearing boundary wall of incline
Incline after clearing
Working parties are currently being held at 9.30am every Wednesday. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.07557 478371) for more information.