Wednesday 31 May 2017

3 go to Markenfield

Lovely day at Markenfield, sun but no midges.  Trio of Graham, Roderick and Catriona  topped out last weeks wall, got almost to topping stage on the next section and did two courses on the foundations.


Before Lunch


 Also before Lunch


 After Lunch

 Also after Lunch

At close of play 
 

Graham
No. Wallers: 3.

Wednesday 24 May 2017

The Dacre Quakers

After some time tracking down and talking with the landowner, Barry & I started work. The walls enclose the Quaker burial ground - the arch of the entrance doorway is inscribed 1682 so we believe the walls to be of this vintage.  As hopefully can be seen from the photos the walls have an unusual construction - c. 20 ins wide with vertical sides and large flat heavy capstones. Placing these at the end of task will be an interesting challenge. The wall stones are also large and heavy which gives rise to much lateral laying and little fill. Indeed at times it is difficult not to wall the other side out as we go up.  It is a pleasure to work and the views across the dale are wonderful.

Another week should hopefully see this done. The farmer identified another gap near to this one that could do with repair - perhaps we could do that as well.

The state of the wall before work inside and out.

After a cleanup (outside)

An unusually straight wall

One course added

At the end of the day - From the outside

 At the end of the day - From the inside.

Paul M.
No. Wallers: 2
Grid Ref: SE 18763 60604.

Hot Day at Markenfield

A team of five keep in the shade from the hot sun.  Catriona, Roderick and Tony set about adding courses to the partially built section from last week, whilst Graham and Richard take down the next section of collapsed wall.



Graham branches out into tree root removal work

Progress just after lunch time

The next section of wall cleared down to foundation level
 
At close of play a further section of the wall is now ready to receive the top stones

The view from the back 

A return to the car park through the barley field


Tony H
No of wallers 5

Wednesday 17 May 2017

Short Day

Matthew Graham and I turned up Markenfield today  expecting to get a good shower, however despite the promise of a good deluge by mid morning we managed to wall until 1 o'clock with not a drop of rain. Thankfully our decision to stop at one was a good one since the clouds let their cargo go not long after.

We managed another course and topped out the current section.

We took a different path on or return round the back of the Hall to avoid a, quite friendly looking (but you never know), bull who was guarding our usual approach to the carpark.


 Some Markenfield cows


A single course was added (front) 

That same course from the back

Then the top stones were added - front

 and back

 Friendly looking Bull

Richard H
No of wallers: 3



Wednesday 10 May 2017

Oil Seed welcome

A blaze of yellow approaching Markenfield Hall on a beautiful sunny morning. Matthew & Barry made an early start, soon to be joined by Rod & Catriona sauntering along the bone dry track. Matthew tackled the heavier task of bigger stones in the gap between retained sections of wall, while Rod, Catriona & Barry laid more courses on last week's stint. The unaccustomed warmth sapped our energies so we called it a day at 2.30 rather than start another course.

The blaze of yellow

The wall at Lunch time

More shots of the wall at Lunch time

A shot of the wall post lunch

The Back of the wall at the end of the day

The front of the wall at the end of the day

Barry S.
No of Wallers: 4

Thursday 4 May 2017

Windy Markenfield

Barry, Roderick and I battled with the wind and tussled with the crowds at Markenfield as it opened it's door to the public once more. Despite the skeleton crew we managed to put 4 courses on a 6m stretch. This was mainly down to the fact that due to the noise of the wind we were hardly able to communicate with each other. It's amazing what that extra energy does for you.

As a consequence of the wind Roderick was able to pick up the, to him, rather overpowering smell of a fox, although I can't be sure if it wasn't a subtle hint to improve my grooming habits.


The state of play at the end of last week


A course added before break time



Another course added in time for lunch



Two more course up by end of play


Richard H.
No. Wallers: 3



In other News


We've had word from the stone shifter and cope chisler in chief himself Mr. Richard P.:-

The East Midlands branch of your worthy organisation opened for business today with a grand total of four volunteers. It was an interesting start clearing a very derilict wall so the tree surgeon could get in to remove to sycamore roots. The start is gentle 30 metres of wall approx 1 metre high at the inside and 1.30 at the road side.

All the best

No that is not me.....

Richard

--
I do hope you are observing the two Richards rule in the new branch. When are we due to come and help out?
Richard the Younger.




In yet more News


It seems the Cows didn't like our wall up at Eastwoods farm - the Cup and Ring site. They've made a bit of a mess of our fine work up there . You live and learn; cows have the turning circle of a barge and the spacial awareness of a toddler in a bumper car, you must give them plenty of room.