September News
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT FROM TONY NICHOLLS - 18th September 2019
A very satisfying week with the removal of two large tree stumps from the wall of the upper basin. It was essential for these to be removed in order to enable the rebuild of the wall to continue. Work on this can now progress unimpeded. There is one large stump remaining but as this is set back from the line of the wall, it will be easier to simply cut this off at the base and inject poison to prevent any regrowth. (This will probably be a job for RHS Rosemoor). The remaining section of the wall either side of this stump is in much better repair which is another good reason for the leaving the stump in situ as digging it out will inevitably cause damage to the stonework and the retaining bank. We have now rebuilt a good 40 metres of the wall of the upper basin.
A very satisfying week with the removal of two large tree stumps from the wall of the upper basin. It was essential for these to be removed in order to enable the rebuild of the wall to continue. Work on this can now progress unimpeded. There is one large stump remaining but as this is set back from the line of the wall, it will be easier to simply cut this off at the base and inject poison to prevent any regrowth. (This will probably be a job for RHS Rosemoor). The remaining section of the wall either side of this stump is in much better repair which is another good reason for the leaving the stump in situ as digging it out will inevitably cause damage to the stonework and the retaining bank. We have now rebuilt a good 40 metres of the wall of the upper basin.
Our amateur archaeologists continued with their excavation of the former tucking mill and have almost reached the base of the floor of the upper chamber. An iron bracket has been exposed at the south west corner of the chamber. The purpose of this (as ever!) is not entirely clear but it may have formed part of the frame of a wooden door or partition. We have unearthed quite a collection of old iron artefacts which, when cleaned, may furnish us with further clues as to the way in which the building operated.
It was also good to see the reappearance of our robin at coffee break although his companion seems to have disappeared. It seems the basin is clearly not big enough for both of them….
Generally, working parties are held every Wednesday morning, meeting in the main car park at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington at 9.30am. New volunteers are always welcome. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT FROM TONY NICHOLLS - 11th September 2019
The lack of any water movement in the canal basin has resulted in the proliferation of a mass of pond weed which has formed a green carpet over much of the surface.
The lack of any water movement in the canal basin has resulted in the proliferation of a mass of pond weed which has formed a green carpet over much of the surface.
At present, further work on the restoration of the basin wall is being impeded by the presence of a number of troublesome tree stumps which have grown in and around the old wall. Some of these are substantial and well-established. A task force was therefore assembled to remove the stumps which remain between the end of the reconstructed wall and the bund. After several hours of seriously heavy labour, two stumps were eventually dug out. A third is under attack and we hope may yield to our efforts next week.
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Two members of the team continued with the excavation of the former tucking mill. Significant amounts of earth have now been removed from what we think was one of the main fulling rooms, a corner of which is now well exposed. Our excavations have also produced a number of interesting iron artefacts which, when cleaned up, may tell us more about this fascinating building.
Generally, working parties are held every Wednesday morning, meeting in the main car park at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington at 9.30am. New volunteers are always welcome. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information.
ROSEMOOR RESTORATION REPORT FROM MICHAEL ELLIOTT - 4th September 2019
Work this week continued on the site of the tucking mill: restoring the basin wall, investigating the mill layout, and tackling the tree stumps in the basin wall. Good progress was made on rebuilding the basin wall. Traces of original mortar are now missing, so this part was probably built as a dry-stone wall, as it is further from the mill and so subject to less scour when the mill was drawing water from its leat, (later the canal.) For stability, we will have to continue using mortar.
Work this week continued on the site of the tucking mill: restoring the basin wall, investigating the mill layout, and tackling the tree stumps in the basin wall. Good progress was made on rebuilding the basin wall. Traces of original mortar are now missing, so this part was probably built as a dry-stone wall, as it is further from the mill and so subject to less scour when the mill was drawing water from its leat, (later the canal.) For stability, we will have to continue using mortar.
Excavating the mill itself continues slowly, and one tree stump was successfully removed after a lot of effort. There are several more stumps to go before the rebuilt basin wall can reach the intact dry-stone section.
Generally, working parties are held every Wednesday morning, meeting in the main car park at RHS Rosemoor, Torrington at 9.30am. New volunteers are always welcome. Please contact Project Manager, Ian Harrison (tel.01237- 475707) for more information