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Roundhouse

Building and using the roundhouse

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

A tale of two roofs

The latest maintenance day saw further progress on the Weaving House roof. A new delivery of sweet chestnut logs meant the team could swing into ‘full factory production’ mode to help keep the roofers supplied.

South face of the Weaving House showing latest shingle additions

The Thursday team have been working hard on the thatching of the Roundhouse roof.

Thatching the Roundhouse progresses nicely.

Last Tuesday we had a good team working on the shingles. It was the first day that we felt it was really Autumn and although the sun was shining it was distinctly chilly in the shade. In between throwing the ball for Gemma, everyone applied themselves to the preparation and fixing of the shingles. Thanks to everyone and we look forward to seeing you again on site next week.

Shingle shaping
By Jonathan, ago

Thatching and Daubing

Getting the thatching underway

The team of volunteers have been working hard on the roundhouse during July and the thatching and daubing of the walls are the two main projects at the moment.

Using Norfolk reed the first bundles are prepared and fixed on the’porch’ of the roundhouse.

Daubing is very much ‘hands on’.

Whilst the thatching is going on other members prepare and fix the daub to the walls.

By Jonathan, ago

Roundhouse build – roof poles up

Last week saw the roof poles being put into position, here are the day’s team showing off their hard work.

Each week as we arrive on the Tuesday workday it is wonderful to see the progress being made.

The circles of the structure are very pleasing to the eye.

Thanks to Tony for the images

By Jonathan, ago

Roundhouse – latest progress

Another Thursday in the forest saw more progress in the construction of the roundhouse.

Technical discussions ‘over the wall’.
A man happy in his work

More materials were converted into the structure this week.

Up go the roof poles

Thanks to Duncan and Helen for the images

By Jonathan, ago

Roundhouse building in the sunshine

Offering up the door lintel

The roundhouse is progressing and the team had a lovely day, weather wise, in the forest. The main structure is taking shape nicely.

Preparing the ash poles

The team stripping bark from the ash poles

More hazel weaving for the entrance walls

Thanks to Tony and Jill for the pictures.

By Jonathan, ago

Roundhouse – wattling complete

Adding to the wall

Another lovely day on site with the trees providing some shelter from a bitter easterly wind but sun all afternoon. The muck spreader that started work around 3.00pm was a bit of a challenge!

Auguring the posts

The wattle on the main roundhouse is completed – amazing progress and we had to have an emergency trip to collect some extra hazel from our stock at Rendlesham.

Working in the sunshine

We’ve also augered  the holes for the wall plate that will support the roof. Next job is the porch and the frame for the children’s seating.

Walls up to height required

Many thanks to the team that worked on the day. Also thanks to Duncan and Helen for the pictures.

By Jonathan, ago

Typical April workday in the forest

Simon and Tom shingling along

This time the weather was kind and we were able to crack on with roof without the biting wind.

Jill and Roy looking into a hole

The table top has been repaired and the legs set in place.

Maggie oversees the hard work

It is great to see the progress on the roundhouse, although it does take quite a bit of effort to get the hazel in place. These ‘young’ lads make it look easy!

At the end of the day

Thanks to all who came along and helped out. It wasn’t all hard work, we managed to drink the odd cup of tea too.

By Jonathan, ago

New Roundhouse build underway

Laying out

The team led by Duncan arrived on site on Thursday ready to start the building of the new roundhouse which you may remember was burnt down last year. An appeal to volunteers, supporters and friends was wonderfully supported and £2000 was raised through a Just Giving page on Facebook. This allowed us to purchase the necessary materials for the new building.

What poles go where

The pictures show the preparation and first stages of construction. We are all excited that we have been able to go ahead. At the moment we only have a small team on site due to Covid 19 restrictions.

Digging the holes

We hope to have more volunteers on site to help with various stages as the restriction on numbers is lifted.

Poles in position

Luckily the team had decent weather compared to the Tuesday – see last news post!

End of the first day

Well done everyone – let’s hope we have a decent summer so that we can enjoy using the new addition to the site.

We will follow the build and keep you posted with regular updates.

By Jonathan, ago