Glamping at Bivouac

This week saw the intrepid wallers of Nidderdale try out a spot of glamping up near the heaving metropolis of Ilton, not far from the Druids Temple.

Not put off by Genghis Khan and his Mongol hoards setting up camp in fetching green yurts in the adjacent field, the wallers attempted a spot of dis-assembly followed closely by a spot of re-assembly. Not even the threat of a good soaking put dent in their purpose.

The promised deluge did not materialise, (though there was a snow flake or two)  and it was with stout heart and weary arms that a whole halfdays walling was completed by at least six sevenths of the work force; Barry having to retire shortly after eating his lunch.

Progress was rapid and two breaches in the wall leading to the Mongol encampment were repaired by the end of play.

The smaller of the two breaches was assigned to the B-team; Graham the only, Richard the Elder, and Richard the Younger.

Richard the Elder wishes it to be noted that Richard the Younger was heard to show admiration for one particular stone that R.T.E (No not the Irish television station) selected and placed on the wall. 

 

Richard the Younger wishes it to be noted that he would like to apologise for this and promises that it will never happen again.

 Graham and the two Dicks finished their smaller section of wall in time to help the A-team finish of their stint.

The second section was tackled by Catroina, Roger, Roderick, and Barry

who breezed through the work and only had to repeat their calls for break and lunch twice.

 
All the photo's of the days activity can be seen here :- Link

Thanks all you wallers for all your walling
Richard The Younger

Location:-Bivouac at Druid’s Temple, Masham, Ripon, North Yorkshire HG4 4JZ
Grid Ref- (SE 18036 78701)

Fewston Cemetery, Meagill Lane – 19 March 2014

A change of venue as we tackle a series of gaps in the boundary wall at the Meagill Lane Cemetery.  The repairs are required to stop livestock from the adjoining field  entering the cemetery grounds.  The team this week is  Barry, Catriona, Chris, Graham, Richard H, Richard P, Roderick, and Tony.

  When burials ceased in the churchyard at Fewston a new cemetery was opened here in 1911.

 The team begins to arrive

 A warning sign of what to expect

 A first look at what needs to be done. It was decided to split the team into two groups of four to tackle the first two (of many) gaps

 The first gap

and the second gap

 A familiar landmark can be seen in the distance.

 
 

 After clearing down to the foundations the rebuilding can now start.

 Time for a break

Chris inspects the finished section of the first gap.

A few more stones are needed to complete the second gap next week.

 

 Chris checks out the next gap for repair.

Tony

Park Pale Markenfield Hall – 12 March 2014

We returned to the Pale wall to complete the 12 metre (or 40 feet in old money) stint before moving on to our next project.  With a team of 10  (Barry, Catriona, Chris, Graham, Paul, Richard H, Richard P, Roderick, Roger and Tony) expectations were high that the task would be completed today.

A misty start but it is all systems go.

Paul and Roderick on their rest break, debating where they should place the pile of spare stones. 

 

The sun finally came out by lunch time.

 

The top course is put in place and the tidy up begins.

 

The next stretch of wall - a future task perhaps ?

        

A last look back before heading home.

Tony

The Park Pale at Markenfield Hall - 5 March 2014

Back to the Pale wall with a team of eight  (Catriona, Chris, Graham, Paul, Richard H, Richard P, Roger and Tony).

At our mid-morning break we received a visit from Ian Curteis. He explained that the field behind us was used to create bunkers to train soldiers from the Ripon camp, before they headed out to fight on the front line in the First World War. 

With regard to progress on the wall, Chris explained that the aim was to finish rebuilding this current stretch and then move on to the group’s next project. A further return to the pale wall would be planned for in the future.  Ian thanked everyone for all the work they had done so far.

So come on everyone lets get started

  

      The view over to the "trench" field



      

 A "cheek end" is built to mark the finish of the current phase

Back next week to complete

The Park Pale at Markenfield Hall - 26 February 2014

Before commencing our outdoor duty, the morning started with the NAWG AGM held in the Undercroft of Markenfield Hall with 13 members attending.  After the meeting we were treated to a brief history talk by the owner Ian Curteis and a guided tour of the Great Hall and Chapel.

More information about the Hall can be found here http://www.markenfield.com/

Around midday, eight volunteers revisited the Pale wall to tackle a new stint.  

  

Everyone putting their backs into the task.

Richard has his eye on just the right stone.



Another stretch stripped out and partially rebuilt.