Dry Stone Walling Association
Otley and Yorkshire Dales Branch Meeting - Otley Social Club 7th May 2013.
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Present: Wendy Oldham (Chairman), Colin Alexander, Patrick Wallace, Richard Kitchen, Martyn Smith, Bill Davis,
John Hulbert, David Barrass, Alan Smith, John Downie, Roger Parker, Allen Pearson, Steve Charlesworth, Keith Willis,
Colin Pack, Mick Pearson, Don Bradley, Keith Sturdy, Stephanie Burton, Terry Bollen, Diane Bollen, John Butler,
John Oldfield, Tracey Blackwell, John Heslegrave, Joanne Haines, Crawford Smith, Michael Wilson, Nic Alderson,
Tanya Gregson, Chris Hill, Trevor Womack .
Apologies: Stephanie Rowan, Neil Beasley, John Bradshaw, Nick Ferguson, David Griffiths, Derek Henderson, John
McLeod, Bill Horner.
Guests/Visitors: Steve Yates.
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Previous Minutes (2nd April): Accepted as a true record on a proposal from Keith Sturdy, seconded by Terry Bollen.
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Matters arising from previous minutes: None.
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Chairman’s remarks (Chairman, Wendy Oldham)
1. The Certification Day (this coming weekend) has been cancelled due to lack of numbers. Next one is scheduled for
October.
2. Insurance cover – we are reminded that, in order to be covered by DSWA insurance on one of our official events it
is essential that you are a current member of the Association.
3. The Shibden project has now reached the height requiring scaffolding to be erected. It is pleasing to be able to
announce that Calderdale Council are to pick up half the cost & that a private sponsor has a greed to cover the rest. Thanks all
round!
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Treasurer’s report (John Hulbert): John presented Income & Expenditure figures for the month – Income: £170,
Expenditure: £259.20. As of 19th April we had £7,753.86 in our funds & with anticipated expenses of £650, it leaves us with a
balance of £7,103.86.
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Secretary’s report (Richard Kitchen):
1. A member of the public has requested a professional waller. Richard to provide appropriate information.
2. We have a new member, Paul Kettlewell, who as joined following the Bellerby Training Course.
3. Contact been made by an Association Trustee, asking “what we do as a Branch”? Seems to be mainly interested in
projects “for the good of the community”, such as our National Trust activities.
4. Richard has decided to step down from his role as Secretary earlier than expected, after the next meeting, in fact.
He will continue as the Branch Representative with the Association. Attached is a brief job description for those who
maybe interested in taking up this position. Also included is a copy of the statement Richard added to the agenda, in
which he makes a plea for younger blood to start taking responsibility for running the Branch, as the older, founding
fathers of the Branch step back from their various duties.
Wendy gave her personal thanks to Richard for all the help he has given during her years of office. She also took the
opportunity to remind us that she herself will be stepping down at the AGM & that a successor has still to be
identified.
Branch Activity Reports:
7.1
Shibden III – Now just 4” off top of walls. Another 2 courses of 2” stone will bring the project to roof height.
A lintel has to be raised above the door, possibly requiring a block & tackle approach. As noted earlier, funding is in place to pay
for the essential scaffolding for work on the roof section.
7.2
Leyburn Group – John Heslegrave reported a particularly busy month “up North”. The practice day at Bellerby
(run alongside the training course) completed 50m of wall, including a T & two cheek ends. Braithwaite Hall is well underway on
Wednesdays, with Bill & Steve. The NT Ranger is most impressed! DF&DF discussions featured at the evening meeting whilst
Elaine led a very popular visit to Ribblehead, followed by picnic & a trip underground to White Scar Cave. The pinnacle of
activities was reached this last weekend at the DFFD, with super weather & great crowds supporting the activities of 23
members & 5 spouses. The Bill Frith designed exhibit was considered by many to be our best one yet. Thanks to Bill D for
preparing the trailer & all the gear & to Richard for generating the many leaflets needed. Many enquiries made re-membership
& training courses.
7.3
Thursday Group – the first of the carved stones have been put in place in the Surprise View wall. Also some
time spent on a curved wall on Keith’s land, joining the last two training walls.
7.4
Training weekend, Bellerby, 6,7 April – Richard reported 6 attendees started, lost one through sickness. OK
otherwise.
7.5
Brimham Rocks – April 13/14 – Richard reported a much better turn-out with 6 people each day. The section
not completed the previous month was finished, together with another 3m.
7.6
Meanwood Valley Urban Farm – 26 April - 8 people from Rosemount Pharmaceuticals (4 in morning, 4 after
lunch) made good progress. The intention is that all 200 employees will be exposed to walling. Currently 50 are signed up. This
will take some time & I’m sure that Bill & Richard would welcome help!.
7.7
Chevin Training weekend – 27/28 April – in spite of horrendous weather on the Sunday all ten trainees stuck at
it, with 3 or 4 expressing great interest in joining the Branch.
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Short-term programme:
Sat/Sun 11/12 May
National Trust weekend, Kettlewell. Still a place in the NT barn at Buckden Let Martyn
know, – 01943 876950; martyn.h-smith@tiscali.co.uk
Sat 18 May
Otley Show – Bill D looking for help. No joy as yet regarding use of on-site stone.
17/18, 24/25 May
Shibden
Sat 25 May
Grass Wood, Limestone, 9.30am, furthest car park. Patrick will contact those on his list.
Anyone wanting to join the “club”?– patrickw@uwclub.net Tel: 01535 601 636.
Sat 25 May
Chevin practice – Keith’s plot.
Sat/Sun 1/2 June
Braithwaite Hall practice weekend – steep slope with regular wall-heads. Let Bill Frith know if
you plan being there as NT have to be informed in advance.
Fri/Sat 7/8 June
NT Brimham Rocks. Richard & Wendy
Wed/Thur 11/12 June
Countryside Days – GY Showground – aimed at Primary schools. JMcL seeks names.
Fri 21 June
Meanwood Valley Farm project.
6 July
Practice day, Bellerby – cheek end, curve & T into existing wall.
Most Wednesdays
Practice days – Braithwaite Hall, Coverdale - a new NT site. Contact Bill Frith on 01845
597679 or sbfrith@aol.com . There will be a 2-day event here (1,2 June) to tackle an 8ft
high cheek end.
Occasional Tuesdays
Hampsthwaite –some work still to do. Contact Bill Frith (see above) for actual dates.
Most Thursdays
Practice days – Surprise View Car Park, Chevin, from 9.30am – Bill Davis.
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A.O.B.
9.1
Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has sent a letter giving prolific praise for our work at Grasswood.
9.2
Great Yorkshire Show – John Hulbert had with him the provisional design for this year’s GYS exhibit.
9.3
Walling Competitions a. Emley Open – Sat 3 Aug – attention drawn to this in person by the chairman of West Yorkshire
Branch. Appears to be a problem with “the usual channels” of such information.
b. Wensleydale Show – Sat 24 August – being organised by David Tate.
c. Otley & Yorkshire Dales first annual competition – Sun 29 Sept, application forms available.
9.4
Otley Rocks – the unlikely publication of scurrilous comments in this well-regarded journal led to a brief
debate & decision by members to restrict access to our Branch members only. Nic Alderson to implement. The hoots of derision
when accuracy of articles was raised has been duly noted.
9.5
National Publications – attention of members is drawn to an article on P 19 of latest Waller & Dyker, in which
volunteers are sought to be part of a group developing publications.
9.6
A rare “Ballowfields Bridge” T-shirt went under the hammer & was bought by David Barrass for £5, the money
going to Branch funds, Thanks David, & Tracey for the original donation. The person suggesting possible loss of article if
subjected to the rigours of a washing machine was completely out of order.
9.7
The latest edition of Stonechat, the publication of the North Wales branch, is available at £2.
9.8
Joanne Haines confirmed that the trip to North Wales for the Sean Adcock-baiting weekend will take place
7 – 9 June. There is one spare place. Well worth it – you will learn a lot.
A short break was followed by John Downie giving a solo performance, in the absence of Neil Beasley, in which he
described his participation in the international walling project, based on this occasion in the South of France (close to the
Ardesh region). Wallers of at least Intermediate grade, from France, Italy Spain & the UK were introduced to walling &
training the French way. Handling workable limestone & un-workable schist they constructed retaining walls. Superb photos
showed these to be characteristic of the area. The project was led by 6 French mastercraftmen & two from England – Bill
Noble & Phillip Dolphin. In spite of (or, maybe, because of), lengthy French lunch breaks, much was learnt. The French appear to
have a very formalised training system for potential professional wallers, but with plenty of money to support it. Thanks, John,
for an interesting insight into how walling operates elsewhere.
Next meeting: Tuesday 4th June 2013
Speaker:
Linda Clarkson, DSWA Training Officer.
Reminder: If you have not given your email address to Martyn Smith (or have recently changed it) please contact him at
martyn.h-smith@tiscali.co.uk.
E-mail helps the Branch to reduce the cost of sending out minutes, etc.