|
The June
Workparty was held in weather that was better suited to
sitting on a beach than building walls. Despite this
progress was excellent – so good in fact that the view of
Redwith Bridge from the working area at the start of the
weekend was replaced, at the end of work on Sunday, by a
view (albeit somewhat distant) of Pryces Bridge. The
attendance of thirty-six over the two days helped. Also the
experience gained so far has permitted working methods to be
refined to reduce physical effort whilst improving both
quality of the finished product and speed of working.
Previous
Redwith reports have concentrated on the actual building of
the walls. This activity could not take place without stone,
mortar and limecrete being available adjacent to the working
area. Mortar and limecrete is produced continuously through
the weekend using our faithful old Liner mixer. This is
probably the hardest physical job on the site. For their
pains the ‘mortar platoon’ are the recipients of a barrage
of good natured complaints about the timing of delivery and
consistency of the mix, dust, and even that the noise of
‘their’ mixer disturbs conversation at tea breaks. Such is
gratitude. Moving stone and mortar around the site is
another full time occupation which because of the size and
condition of the site must be done using a tracked mini-
dumper.
Several
volunteers have become skilled drivers of this beast whose
use becomes more and more important as work progresses
beyond the area of the site compound. The wall building?
Some 33 metres of battered wall were finished and 21 metres
started over the weekend. This completes about a quarter of
the total length.
Being
adjacent to the start of the Dingy Dawdle we had a more than
usual number of welcome visitors. It was very good to see
Gwyneth and Ray Buss, and many of the SUCS contingent from
the Dawdle came over the road to say hello.
There are a
number of plans for the Society’s volunteer effort over the
next year or so but all have one common thread – the need to
complete the work on the Redwith to Pryces Bridge as quickly
as possible. The limiting factor at the moment is mortar
and limecrete production, and an additional mixer is being
sought. This will enable both to be produced simultaneously
and allow more volunteers to build the actual walls. Thus if
any lapsed, occasional or potential volunteers feel they
wish to make a telling contribution to the restoration, here
is the chance. Your canal needs you! |
