Pictures by David Miller
units, and with no Scaff spanner to create an opening, or any other kind of spanner, (all of them being in the trailer) we headed off down to where the digger and dumper training had taken place to look for the end of the fence. Trailer located, it was back to the accommodation for a bite to eat. Volunteers began arriving, the first of which being Alan Lines who was with us for one day and brought the meat (of little concern for me being the only veggie, or vegetable as Alan preferred to call me, on camp). Another WRGie regular to arrive early on Saturday was David Smith who promptly set about installing a cold water feed on the downstairs tap. A job that everybody who works on the Inglesham site should appreciate as it means water containers no longer have to be lugged up and down stairs for filling. David continued in the role of ‘Mr Fixit’ throughout the week and when I left the following Saturday was busy re-installing the female shower base as this had developed a leak worse than the men’s. Kit checks done and now with all the volunteers arrived and settled in we sat down for the first of many great meals by Anne (jacket potato with quiche and salad) before watching the Health and Safety video and issuing PPE. Sunday dawned bright and early (which is more than can be said of some of the volunteers); it was going to be a hot day. And so, fed and watered and with a packed lunch we headed off to site, one van going via Alex Farm to fetch lime and the other taking the trailer. (Another first for me, having done my trailer ticket the week before and receiving my tacho card on Friday). After a slow start getting everything set up, the lock pumped out and the scaffold inspected by John Hawkins we set about the task of laying bricks, Alan Lines continuing with the 1000 brick challenge as he was only with us for the one day, and Robert Brotherston beavering away in the lock ladder recess to try and catch up with the level of the recent brickwork. Credit at this point to Mick Lilliman who did a splendid job of demonstrating how to mix lime mortar and expressing the importance of maintaining the correct ratios to ensure a consistent mix
Progress on the chamber wall rebuilding
every time. Something that the mix crew of Michael Jay, Sue March and Josh Brooks did throughout the week with no complaints from the brickies. With the site secured at the end of the day it was all back to BP where there were a few tasks to do before showering and sitting down for an evening meal of roast pork and crackling (one veggie alternative) and my first post-workday briefing. With no evening entertainment arranged for Sunday (and The Ship being closed) most people opted for an early night. The work continued in the same vein during the week, with tasks being mixed around to prevent people becoming bored, Jason Kerr joined the mix crew and Joshua Gratton spent some time sorting the bricks from the stone at the far end of the lock. Mick L continued on the 1000 brick challenge assisted by William Horne and James Ayres, and Rob B continued in the ladder recess, occasionally surfacing for air and food. With the ladder recess now on the same level as the wall, John H was able to string a full length line for each new course that we went up. Charles Jenkins worked steadily on the facing bricks as did the Americans Laurie Gunn and Chris Butler, who also had a hand in the concrete blocks (Laurie was even impressed with the Portaloo, proclaiming it much better than anything they have back home). Whilst this went on there was all the usual moving of bricks and blocks, mortar and water and I’m pleased to say everybody helped to the best of their abilities. The sun continued beating down and
page 11