A key British landscape feature visible around the Pennines and the reserve are dry stone walls. From time to time we carry out this ancient craft repairing sections that have fallen away. The first thing involves carefully dismantling the collapsed stones to create a safer working condition and if space allows, sorting into piles of foundation stones, infills, throughs and coping stones.
The foundations are set to create a line of stones either side of eachother forming the front /back wall upon which the subsequent upward stones are placed just as a brick wall with the stones level and the joins bridged by the stone above and below.
The gap running in the middle are filled with infill stones. Rocky and unsettled stones are chocked for stabilty throughout the process. The height is built to an estimate before adding the through stones which cover the entire width of the wall to provide extra support.
Construction continues as before to the required height until the mightiest of all stones, the coping stones, are laid atop the finished wall.
The geology of stones and building methods vary between the regions and here the majority used is gritstone. Though we are no experts in the field it's definately a rewarding team effort when a wall is finally completed! At the next walling event on RSPB Geltsdale (some time in 2014!), be sure to have a go. You will have learnt a new skill about British heritage and had fun in the process.
Love nature? The walling was carried out on our Wednesday Work Party day, where we're all a diverse friendly bunch, mucking in together on varied tasks on and around the reserve, so come and give it a go. To find out more call Belinda Lloyd, Farmland Warden Assistant on 01697 746717, or email Geltsdale@rspb.org.uk
Vandana Lake
Residential Volunteer
RSPB Geltsdale, Cumbria