The worst thing in walling is...

People often comment that a cold winter must be the worst thing in walling....Not so, and until recently I'd have said that actually it was driving rain.
However over the last few weeks Trevor and I have been working on the beautiful Staffordshire moorlands and have discovered something far worse...
Midges!!!

and no, even this didn't work, even with every inch of skin showing, slathered in repellant....

Chatsworth

Just returned from a lovely weekend at Chatsworth Show with our local branch of the DSWA (Dry Stone Walling Association) DDSWA

It's a great meeting of Derbyshire wallers of all abilities from beginners to master craftsmen, professionals to amateurs and hobby wallers.

We always build a new feature which stays in situ for a year. This year we built a straight wall of around 7-8m with a wheel, cantilevered seats, hog holes or sheep creeps and other small niches.

It's also a great opportunity to promote walling and the beginners courses that we run throughout the year.

Walling withTrevor

For the last 18 months or so I have been very fortunate to have worked alongside Trevor Wragg, one of Derbyshire and the UK's Master Craftsmen.

Trevor has been walling for most of his life and has a wealth of knowledge , not only about walls but about Derbyshire rural life and our local countryside. He also has a good few tales of local life too making a working day enjoyable and interesting.
Through Trevor I have experienced different walls, stone and techniques which has been a great boost to my overall experience as a waller.
Trevor is in the process of retiring and I shall miss him enormously but know that he will continue walling as long as he can lift a stone!
Trevor has appeared on TV and is also known as Trevor the weather!

The weather with Trevor

Trevor with Ade Edmunson

A little help

A job made so much easier with toys!!!

Lifting a huge 2.8m top step

You tube review

Thank you Graham for this review of Copestone Walling!

you tube clip

Traditions in Walling

Whilst dismantling a wall in Birchover recently we found the remains of a small leather shoe/boot. 

I learnt that it was considered good luck to place the shoe of the youngest child in a wall to bring good luck.

So not wanting to break tradition we continued it, replacing the original little show and adding a modern one from a child in the village. I wonder if it will last as long?

Wildlife in the wall

Wow! An Eyed Hawk moth I think but not flashing it's eyes! Landed on the new built wall at the end of the day
Beautiful...