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Painting the Weaving House

Today the plastering crew turned into painters and decorators to complete the painting of the lime render inside and out with a special breathable emulsion. The building looks fantastic now and seems much brighter inside.

So a big thanks to the team who have been working on the house over the summer.

Next week we will be having a big clean up of the wood which should not have been plastered or painted and it will be ready for use in September. The large loom can then be re-installed on the wall.

We still have shutters to manufacture and fit to the windows which will happen during the autumn.

I am told that the build project began in 2017 so it is great to see the building nearly complete. It is really a fabulous facility on the site.  Thanks to everyone who has worked on the project over the years. 

By Jonathan, ago

Weaving House – interior enhancements progress report.

The latest work on the Weaving House has been aided by the young carers who came on site over the summer. They turned their hand to making decorated hazel spindles that would guard the edge of the mezzanine floor. This also includes a door for access.

Next the ladder that was originally made to access the mezzanine floor in the granary has been strengthened and re-purposed to provide the access to the weaving house mezzanine. It is fastened to the main beam at the edge of the floor by pin hinges and cannot easily be removed or detached. A lifting mechanism has been provided to enable storage of the ladder at ceiling height so that all of the ground floor space is totally useable. A rope and pulley system has been installed to enable raising and lowering of the ladder. A temporary fastening has been provided for the rope loop to be hooked onto whilst we source and appropriate hand made iron hook and tethering ring to provide the final fixing.

The outer walls of the building continue to have plaster applied to the laths but I think it will be early 2024 before they are complete.

Anyone who fancies learning master plastering skills is very welcome to join us on Tuesday work days as we continue to fill in the walls of the weaving house.

By Jonathan, ago

The Forge – repair and improvement

The maintenance team have done a great job in renovating the forge and adding an extension to the front. The pitch of the roof has been increased and the hazel screens around the side have been replaced with new wood. The front extension has been created to help protect the users. With the uncertainty of this summer’s weather it has been a great help.

The cooking hearth in the main shelter has been leveled and re pointed.

The teams continue to work on the weaving house using their skills in daubing with lime plaster and attaching barge boards.

Thanks to Donald for these pictures.

By Jonathan, ago

Meanwhile – back at the Weaving House and Forge

John hones his rendering skills on the Weaving House walls.

The fall of sunshine through the laths creates a lovely pattern.

…… and Beryl still has many looms to prepare before the next school day.

New hazel wall being expertly crafted by the Tuesday maintenance team.

The finished wall – making the Forge look very neat

In all the excitement of the Kiln project don’t forget we are still on site every Tuesday doing regular maintenance jobs, preparing for school days and, of course, drinking tea.

By Jonathan, ago

Anglo-Saxon kiln project progress

This week saw lots of participation in producing pots to be fired in the kiln.

Part of the Rendlesham Revealed project the volunteers joined the Anglian Potters on a chilly day in the forest.

Using London clay they are making pots to help understand the origins and styles of Ipswich ware a mass produced pottery dating from about AD 680-870.

This exciting work is all part of the wider work being done to explore what is happening in the exploration of the Rendlesham Palace site and surrounding areas.

It is great to share our site with such enthusiasts.

If you would like to know more have a look at this link Being Anglo Saxon

By Jonathan, ago

The Forge gets refurbished

The volunteers have known for some time that the Forge cover was coming to the end of its life with the uprights starting to rot. The roof still had some life in it so the plan was to replace the uprights in rotation so as not to disturb the roof. Some thought this a little too ambitious but , as ever, the talents and experience of the volunteers knows no bounds and the team pitched in to do just that.

John wielding the auger
Roy makes a ‘point’ to John. I think we should enter this picture for a caption competition!
The offering up of the new posts on site means they can be tailor made. John on auger, Tony and Roy give their opinion on the right angle to drill.
An interesting balancing act
Using a serious size chock on the back edge.
Tony carefully removes the back central post.
The team at the end of the day
The team at the end of the day – 2 including Gemma the team mascot.

Excellent work everyone, it should be good for the next few years now.

By Jonathan, ago

A lovely winter’s day on site

Tom took some time one sunny day after Christmas to just wander round the site and take some pictures. It is always good to take a minute to step back and take a look at the things we have done or are doing. Also assess the things that need to put on the list for the maintenance team to have a look at.

The roundhouse entrance
Bundles of thatch waiting to be fixed and trimmed
Roundhouse new daub ‘glowing’ in the sun

The roundhouse build is now reaching completion, a lot has been learned about the consistency of the daub.

Wash stand area
The weaving house

The weaving house is now being daubed. the paneling on the end gables is already starting to weather in nicely

The kitchen hearth.

One of the up coming projects is to repair and repoint the kitchen hearth.

By Jonathan, ago