News

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.

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.

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.

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.