Fireplace at the Canadian Festival

Many interesting things were happening in Rockport. This fireplace was designed by John Scott and built by him, his students and several other helpers. It was a real centre of attraction. The fire burned well with a fine updraught.

More from the festival in 4 days time.To find out more details about this feature and about dry stone walling in Canada go to http://www.dswa.ca/

Rocktober Festival 2010

This years festival (the 7th) was held in Rockport in Ontario Canada. I was involved with one of the three training courses and mentioned that the traditional way to test a wall in Scotland was to run a wheelbarrow along the top. Kurt Wegner took up the challenge and here is the result . Thanks to Ryan Lemieux ( http://www.ryanlemieux/ ) for the black and white photo of the fine wall built by the students.Thanks to Medina,Stewart,Ray,Guy,Jim, to some others who lent a hand and especially to Kurt and his family encouraging his victory run.

The next few entries will show some of the wonderfully  varied events that took place during the four days. More on 29th September

Irish Clochan in USA

This magnificent building was completed in 5days under the guidance of Patrick McAfee and Bobby Watt. The finished project using 30 students was 13' wide, 12' tall and required 55 tons of  rock. For more information go to  http://www.borrowedground.com/  to read about Russ Beardsly who provided the photos and to http://www.stonefest.org/ for Marenakos that host the annual event.

The Kitchen Wall

This very interesting build was created by artist  Kate Gilman Brundett. The idea is to place everyday items in unusual settings to stir peoples imagination and artistic awareness. Part of the Cumbrian Arts festival. Brilliant.

To see more of Kates work go to http://www.kateb.co.uk/

Next entry on 21st October is a modern version of an ancient Irish clochan.

The Veg Wedge comes to fruition

A couple of years ago I was involved with the construction of this dry stone feature put together by the students at Niagara Botanic Gardens under the guidance of that Master of Creative Design, John Shaw-Rimmington. Recently I received this view of the structure in action. It is now resplendent in its coat of Luffa Vine. This feature was a follow up to another of John's pieces in the same garden The cheese wedge shown first.
The entry in four days time shows a wall the like of which I have never seen before!

First attempt goes well

I had these photos recently from Pete Panagiotatos who lives in Rochester USA. He had had only a couple of days training under Scott George and went home to try out his new skill. What a fine job he did! Great credit to Pete and his instructor.
Next entry is an update on a feature built a couple of years ago close to Niagara Falls.

Sand Sculpture

So it is very small stones (sand) and it is not quite dry but this was built during the recent Competition on the beach at Cannon Bridge Oregon. To see more of these amazing creations sculpted before the arrival of the next tide contact Olga Ridley at olgaridley@msn.com

Next entry is from a newcomer to the joys of dry stone walling. (11th October)

Congress Outing

One of the excursions from the Congress was to Lower Winskill farm near Settle high up in the Yorkshire Dales. The ground had been farmed by Cistercian Monks in the middle ages before the dissolution (that strange double meaning which sounds so close to disillusion) of the monasteries by Henry Vlll . What was different about these walls built of limestone on bedrock in the 14th and 15th century was that they had no batter , they also had overhanging cope stones which may have been to prevent wolves reaching their sheep. The farm was bordered by extensive native woodland at the time.

The present farmer and archaeologist, Tom Lord, told us that for the lay monks work was a pleasure and a duty where time and material were not important factors. Changed days.
(Thanks to Tracey Blackwell for giving me some sound advice on this entry.)

The next Photos (27th September)were taken inside a disused slate quarry close to the Congress site.

12th International Dry Stone Walling Congress

I attended this event at the University of Cumbria in Ambleside. It was a great success. The talks were mostly fascinating and well chosen to cover the Craft (or is it Art ) of walling. There was a fine collection of enthusiasts including a good mix of "hands on" wallers and academics from many countries.

While most of us were listening to the lectures a stone seat was being constructed under the direction of Andy Loudon. This is shown here with some of the builders from across the world.

The next entry has photos of medieval walls visited during one of the outings. The style was quite a surprise for the guests.

Thistle at the Scottish Garden Show

This was the exhibit organised by the West of Scotland branch of the DSWA. Several other branches helped in the construction. Normally features at these shows are dismantled however in this case the Thistle is to be rebuilt at Erskine home.

Regimental Walls of Scotland,

Erskine Home sponsored the walls built in different types of stone to represent Scottish Regiments. Galloway boulders for the Royal Scots Borderers,Skye marble the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders,granite the Highlanders, sandstone for the Black Watch and whinstone for the Royal Highland Fusiliers.

What a fine result with a lovely combination of rocks and flowers.

Entry on 24th September tells about the recent Dry Stone Congress held in the Lake District.