General information
The Weaving House now has some panels daubed with a lime mortar mix which will add much to its character
The new larch covered gable ends that have been finished by the maintenance team.
During Winter 2022/23 the intention is to make sufficient progress on the building to make it water tight so that it can be fitted out inside. A double layer of waney edged larch is being used to infill the gable ends of the building. Lime mortar mixed with horse hair is being used to screed the laths. The few panels which have already been daubed will be skimmed with lime mortar to provide a uniform finish. Additional volunteers are needed to help with the lime mortar mixing and application. Doors have been made out of reclaimed oak and will be fitted with appropriate hinges and a ‘Roman’ lock.
Forge Roof
The forge roof is leaking and some of the support posts are rotted. We are hoping to salvage the existing roof structure and replace each failing support post in turn. Finally a new waterproof membrane will be fastened to the roof. Work is planned to start early in 2023 and needs to be completed before the school visits begin again in March.
Roman Villa Excavation Area
After storm Eunice destroyed the tented roof structure earlier in 2022 a temporary repair was effected. The supports have been extended and additional rafters provided greater support for the tarpaulin cover. In October this work was completed and a new tarpaulin fitted. This new structure provides a larger area of protected useable space around the excavation area.
March 2022 saw us celebrating the fixing of the final shingles and boards to the Weaving House roof.
The volunteers have spent many hours making shingles, fixing them, recovering them from the fire and refixing them, it was a great thing to celebrate.
Everyone put their time and effort in to see the job done. Simon and John were especially diligent in the preparation and fixing of the shingles. But it was a real team effort. Thanks to everyone.
Stephen wrote and performed a celebratory piece which I reproduce here.
‘Seeouroof’
(Plundered by Stephen Worrall from ‘Beowulf’)
The fortunes favoured Hands on Heritage. Friends and
kinsmen flocked to it’s support; young followers, a force
to grow, future kinsmen.
So their mind turned to hall-building: they handed down
orders for men to work on a great weaving-hall meant to
be a wonder of the eastern shore for ever;
it would be their weaving-room, there to dispense
wisdom and skill to young and old.
Orders for work to adorn that wallstead and roof were
sent to many peoples. Some renowned in the art of
shingling, powerful counsellors, journeying far, would
lend advice, doubting the skills of the followers, too hard
an ordeal.
But the comrades rallied, skilled in the use of ancestral
blades, brave in their quest.
They proved their mastery in hall-building.
Then a Dragon, on the prowl from the steep vaults of a
stone-roofed barrow where he guarded a hoard writhed
with anger when he found the hall within his lands. The
vile sky-winger, belched out flames and burnt bright
homesteads, lashing shingle and thatch, everywhere the
havoc he wrought was in evidence. Back to the hoard he
would dart before daybreak, to hide in his den.
Then the Custodians were given bad news, a hard truth.
Deep anguish. The darkened mood gave way to a great
determination among the kinsmen, to see the fire dragon
thwarted. Then the order was given for all hands to help
to refurbish the Weaving Hall immediately. Men used
honed iron to cleave fine timbers, gifted craftsmen,
labour of love.
For three winters they toiled until soon it stood there,
finished and ready, in full view, the hall of halls. The hall
towered, its gables wide and high. Many did praise its
symmetry and craftsmanship.
The Custodians called for a great feasting, round upon
round of mead was passed. They sang then and played,
harp tunes and tales of adventure. There were high
times on the hall benches.
The world did hear tell of this wondrous wallstead. They
were a right people.
With apologies to Seamus Heaney
Thanks to everyone for the pictures – and, of course, for their hard work. It was a serious milestone for us all.
Following the exchange of eucalyptus logs and spoons we received another. thank you note.
This time it it is a beautifully hand drawn one from Angela’s grand-daughter. It is wonderful to exchange art and craft items between enthusiasts. I have photographed this note on some spoons carved from the offcuts from our sweet chestnut shingle work.
Following the destruction of storm Eunice the cover over the Roman dig was looking in a sorry state.
Within days the team were back on site and began building a replacement.
Yesterday, only eleven days after the storm, the structure had been rebuilt and the cover was back on.
Well done everyone for putting in a tremendous effort. The new cover has had a few improvements made to it and it looks great.
Thanks to Ben, Stephen, Donald and John for the images
Yesterday’s storm resulted in some damage on site, as you can see from the pictures. Hopefully, once we have assessed the breakages, we will be able to re assemble the cover over the Roman dig withou too much trouble.
Thanks to Ben for dropping in on the site, taking these pictures and letting us know what has happened.
Neil and Jee found some shelter in the round house construction site. A chance to sit on the smart new benches built by Pete.
We received a lovely thank you note for the spoons I made for the delivery of eucalyptus wood.
Thank you Angela, and please use the spoons – that’s what they are meant for!!
We were lucky enough to be donated some eucalyptus logs from a local garden. Tony organised the delivery of the logs. They were lovely and green and split into spoon blank rectangles beautifully.
I decided to try some different patterns of spoon. The first two are meant to be the same but I got carried away in the carving and everything is quite thin with the result that the bowls and handles started to twist as they dried out. However they look ok and the small ball finial sets them off nicely.
For the cooking spoons I kept the handles and bowls thicker. The handles are finished in two colors of milk paint and gently ‘rubbed’ to give the distressed look. All have then been finished with tung oil.
If the team approve I hope we can give these to the donor of the wood as a gift to say thank you.
Tuesday saw the team working on more varied projects whilst others beavered away at the shingles. Judy tidied up the garden and John and Tony took down the old wash area and started on the new one. Lots of tidying up needed after the last few windy days. Thanks to all who came out.
