Walls we've seen

Just a quick one!

Chris found this wall in progress in the Cotswolds on a recent break.  Pretty spectacular!

Em

Walling North Stainley 13th April 2011

Well, I'm pleased to say I made a speedy recovery from the lurgy but the dreaded school hols are here which means I must take a break from walling and become a Mummy again for a couple of weeks!

I was however, not idle and spent the day at a Forest Schools taster event run by the AONB with my offspring.  I am pleased to report we had a thoroughly excellent day, running about and hiding in the woods, building shelters and drinking hot chocolate.  I can definitely recommend it to those with young children/grandchildren and I'll be booking onto the August taster as well.

Well it seems that the holidays and the change in the weather dampened the teams spirit this week and we had a smaller turnout than we've been used to on this project.

Big thanks to Chris, Catriona, Philip, Graham and Young Richard for braving the damp and putting in a days work to keep the project moving!

Photos are below, Em

Catriona walking the plank (I think you had to be there)

Walling at North Stainley 6th April 2011

Cough, Cough, Sniff

I have been struck down by the lurgy this week so unfortunately I cannot give accurate details of how the team fared, only to say that I was peeping enviously out the window at the glorious spring day that had sprung up to greet this weeks team.

Another sterling turnout this week with 11 bods on site:

Thanks to Chris, David, Graham B, Graham D, Richard, Richard (the younger!), Catriona, Elaine, Tony, Paul and Barry.

Chris is happy to report that we have created a seat for Camilla to grace, started the foundations of the second wall and generally raised the height of the wall throughout! 

Thanks to Tony for the photos below

Em

Walling at North Stainley 30th March

Wednesday bought the residents of North Stainley another delivery of 30 tonnes of sandstone along with rain and cloudy skies.  Never to be daunted by bad weather we had another splendid turnout this week, probably driven as much by the promise of cake as the promise of walling.

A rousing 8am alarm call!

Precision delivery of 30 tonnes of sand stone

This week we were graced by the presence of:
Chris
David
Catriona
Graham B
Graham D
Emma W
Paul
Philip
Emma WP
Richard
Barry

The new stone meant we could make a go of finishing the foundations at the far and of the wall and improve sections where we had been improvising a couple of weeks ago.

The team split up to tackle the first curve (Emma, Emma & Graham) and the rest threw themselves into the remaining foundations and after a days hard slog we had achieved good results and definitely improved on a few of the wobblier foundations.

 We were also graced with a royal visit this week.  Camilla (not Hermione as I had been inaccurately told!) dropped by to be measured for her seat, she fits nicely with what will become her new surroundings and was looking splendid in a hazy sunlight.

Looking forward to what challenges next week throws our way, Em

Walling at North Stainley 23rd March

Week 3 at North Stainley.

Another week with a bumper turnout in glorious weather, everyone put in a lot of hard work under the blazing sun and cake was provided to reward effort and celebrate the return of Tony to active walling.

This weeks motley crew were:
Emma W
Richard
Richard
Catriona
Robert
Barry
Martin
Emma WP
Philip
Graham D
Tony

We quickly took an executive decision to leave the rest of the foundations for this week and work on building up a couple of courses along the completed sections.  We split into 3 teams and got on with the job!

Graham & Emma ponder the curve

Hastily improvised curve lines

lovely bit of straight wall!

Progress at the wall end

Progress was slow in the heat but end result was worth it.  About 2 to 3 courses completed by each team, thanks to Tony for the pictures below!

Back to work again next week, hopefully we get more of the same weather.

Cheers, Em

Walling at North Stainley 16th March

Well week two at North Stainley proved to have many firsts for all or some of us!

Firstly we had two new mu.... ur volunteers join us.  Welcome to Emma and Richard - both too good for first time wallers!

Next we had an unprecedented turnout, 13 on site!  The intrepid band this week were:

Emma W(new)
Richard (new)
Graham B
Graham D
Ian K
Philip
Paul
Barry
Catriona
Richard
Emma WP
Chris
Robert

Thanks to all of you for turning out and slogging away at a full days foundations, it may be my favourite part of walling but it isn't for everyone!



Catriona shifting stone

Looking at it won't improve it!

Plenty of room for Hermione

Prepared for the unexpected we tackled our 'raised' foundations (not as easy as they look) and after a few false starts ended with a stunning cheekend and fabulous sinuous curved wall, with ready prepared recess to house Hermione and two Lunkies!



Not bad for a days work

Looking forward to laying the first course next week, Em

Dry Stone Walling Courses at Craven College

For anyone looking to improve their skills or to learn some more about the wider aspects of walling Craven College are running Dry Stone walling Association (DSWA) accredited courses.

I have attended the DSWA Initial course at Craven College and can recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fast paced and thorough introduction to walling. 

In addition to the standard walling qualifications they are offering three interesting sounding courses at Winksill Farm in Settle, they start from 12th April with "Introduction to the Ecology of Dry Stone Walls"  and cost £25 per session.  See the link below for the full list of the courses available.

Cheers, Emma

http://www.craven-college.ac.uk/index.php/professional/dry-stone-walling/