News

Stones
by Malcolm Corps, Wensleydale

Upon this land so lovely, and plain for us to see, are walls that have been built by man, over many a century. Not only do they do a job to hold the farmers stock, but I find a natural beauty in every single rock.

Broad bottoms with a narrow top and “Capping Stones” to boot, and some with styles within their length, to help walkers on their route. They are a thing of natural forms, put together just by man, working at one with nature in every way he can.

I think that’s why they look so good, they are from where they came, they’ve just been moved about a bit, to make an enclosure or a lane.
I wish I’d been a Waller when I left those days of school, with work a plenty everywhere, and you don’t need many tools!

I’ve always wanted to have a go, at building dry stone walls, and not to work within constraints, but just where nature calls.
I’ve built a wall in my garden and built a large pond too, I have to say they don’t look bad, cos I didn’t have a clue.

A friend once said “just bang em on” but for me that just won’t do, there’s a place for every single stone, especially the “Through”
Without that stone so nicely placed you’ll come to realise, it won’t look as good or last as long, and meet with its demise.

Don’t forget your “Grunders” the most important stones, the base for you to build upon, and yes!  they’ll make you groan.
To get them just, in the right place, is really quite a task, but will they hold your wall up?
You need not really ask!

Oh! Don’t forget those “Fillers” that hold the wall within, get rid of all those “Dogheads”, whether fat or thin.
Those stones that have no clear shape, the really awkward bits, they’ll all go in there somewhere and everyone will fit.

“Risers” are above the base, the ones you build up on, to gain some height and keep it tight help moving things along.
And don’t forget each stone of course, yes it has a “Face”, you must use this for a pleasing look, which can, slow down your pace.

But when you’re finished and you stand back and see what you’ve just done, you can take a sense of pride in it, and  “When it’s done, it’s DONE!!”  

Guild member Dave Purvis will be providing a workshop on dry stone walling at the Meadow Connections event on 14th July 2018. More information on the weekend-long event can be found on the attached flyer or on the event website www.meadowconnections.co.uk

Meadow Connections 2018 flyer

28th April - 2nd May 2018

This is the fourth year of the charity build project at Gearstones Lodge outdoor activity centre (a charity near Ribblehead, North Yorkshire www.gearstones.com). The project this year involves building a completely new wall on the opposite side to last year's rebuild, running parallel to the neighbours fencing. Walled from one side. Stone of some 50 tons or more of limestone from the quarry at Horton in Ribblesdale.

Gearstones extend their usual hospitality of free accommodation and free meals throughout the day.  Attendees are welcome after 5pm on the Friday evening, unfortunately the Gearstones team will not be able to provide food for the evening.Day time we start at 9.30am, so arrive early and have breakfast if you wish. If you're only able attend for a day you are most welcome to stay for an evening meal or perhaps stay over and depart the following day.

If you wish to attend please fill in the attached form below and return by email or post to the address on the form

Gearstones Form 2018.doc

Due to popular demand, we have added an additional training course to our 2018 programme. This additional course will be held at Cropper Fold Farm, Bingley on the weekend of 6-7 October

For more information on our training courses, visit this page or click this link to book your place online