Dry Stone Walling Association
Otley and Yorkshire Dales Branch Meeting - Otley Social Club 1st Nov 2011.
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Present: Don Bradley, John Bradshaw, Richard Kitchen, John King, Crawford Smith, Bill Davis, Keith Willis,
Martyn Smith, Tracey Blackwell, Keith Sturdy, Stephanie Burton, John Butler, Joanne Haines, Mick Pearson, Terry Bollen,
Alan Smith, David Barrass, Michael Wilson, John Hulbert, Allen Pearson, Colin Pack, David Griffiths, Neil Beasley,
John Oldfield, David Hicks, John Downie, Sarah Clowes, Roger Parker, Derek Henderson (Vice Chairman), Gordon Simpson,
James Garrett, Simon Lumb, Lesley Will, Patrick Wallace, Liz Jackson, Rona Dailey, Colin Alexander, John Billington,
Jonathon Lester.
Apologies: Wendy Oldham (Chairman), John Heslegrave, Andrew Keane, John McLeod, Trevor Womack,
Stephanie Rowan, Adrian Tod, Brian Hartley.
Guests/Visitors: Keith Chapman, E S Will, Anne Creen, Vivien Hornsby Smith, Jennifer Kirkby, Cathy Billington.
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Previous Minutes (6th Sept): Accepted as true record - Proposed by J. King, Seconded C.Alexander.
(Non-AGM 4th October 2011): Accepted as true record – Proposed by J. Haines, Seconded J Hulbert.
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Matters arising from previous minutes: None, apart from a lack of knowledge of Latin, displayed in the Non-AGM
section of the October minutes..
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Chairman’s remarks (Derek Henderson, Vice Chairman)
4.1
Skills Workshop, Otley Chevin - Sat. 15th October. 9 attendees, plus 3 Instructors. Basic skills module:
rods and line setting, stone cutting, construction of lunkies, walling obstacles etc. Advanced module: retaining wall, under
direction of Tracey Blackwell. Very useful and informative excercise in building skills. Thanks to Wendy, Richard and
Tracey for a successful day, with good weather thrown in.
4.2
Voting Forms for National Committee Trustees – collection of completed forms submitted for mass
mailing. Still not too late for others to submit competed forms direct. Please do so.
4.3
Autumn Glory Days, Harewood House - 14 people over 7 days, construction of basic wall (up and back down
several times over the week) and entertaining hordes of eager future wallers. Well attended, extremely busy on both
children’s walls, with interest from parents for Training Courses.
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Treasurer’s report (John Bradshaw):
A balance of £6885.34 was reported, after allowing for anticipated expenses of £3013.78, the major one being
the provision of a new equipment trailer.
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Secretary’s report (Richard Kitchen):
6.1
A list of Officers/Committee Members sent to Crooklands for their records. Draft Walling Programme
2012 sent for inclusion in the next issue of Waller and Dyker.
6.2
Expanded on the Skills Workshop activity and Autumn Glory Days.
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Branch Activity Reports:
7.1
Brimham Rocks: John King reported just the one visit in the month, with a 7 metre section coped and
linking up to a good section of existing wall.
7.2
Leyburn: (a) From John Heselgrave’s written October submission – 7 members completed a new cobbled
ford at Arkleside Gill, Coverdale, over two days. Strong water flow! Pictures on the web site. 13 members took part in a
skills workshop on 1st October, run by Wendy & Brian. A variety of tasks were experimented with, covering a range from
pins & lines to setting out a circle arc. (b) From JH’s November written submission - 23 members at the quarterly meeting
on 18th October to enjoy a lively & entertaining session from Dr Helen Bainbridge of the Swaledale Museum, “Reading
History through Objects”. Bill & Steve continue at Hampthwaite every Tuesday.
7.3
Shipden Phase II: Another 4 sessions planned to complete this Phase. Two panels remaining to complete,
Limestone copes held in place by lime mortar. Flat copes on Boulder wall now in place thanks to Simon Lumb. Meeting took
place with Shipden Exhibition Officials regarding planning permission for proposed Shepherds Hut complete with Corbled
roof and a 2012 opening ceremony for Phase II. See below for future meet dates.
7.3
Countryside Careers Day: John Butler gave an account of the days activities. 5 youth-friendly volunteers
in attendance. Much interest from keen parents.
7.4
Kettlewell/Buckden Prep Days 12/13 Oct: Martyn gave details of the prep work carried out prior to the
weekend, stressing the importance of this work to facilitate a successful continuation of the building project. Attendees
showed an enthusiasm in their search for stone of a challenging nature, (especially those of around one tonne). Heavy rains
left impressive flood scenes of raging torrents, impassable routes, cascading rivulets and flood plains. Fortunately, water
levels rapidly subsided on the second day. 7 washed out Wednesday wallers and 6 rather drier ones Thursday.
7.5
Kettlewell/Buckden Weekend – 22/23 Oct: An account given of the Weekends antics. Gourmet Chefs Colin
“Patak” Pack and Mick “Madhur” (madder than mad) Pearson subjected the panel from Masterchef to their newfound cuisine
skills (is there no end to their talent?). Ladies supplied Saturday’s evening meal. 15 wallers each day with 9 occupying barn
Friday and 10 Saturday (one walling waif detained for his innocence – new member James Garrett). Pleasant walling weather
experienced with much completed.
7.6
Thursday Group: No report available in the absence of John McCleod, deputising for Bill Davis (whose
presence was noted and to whom wishes for a speedy recovery extended)
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Short-term programme:
3/5/12 Nov
Shibden – the end is nigh!
5 Nov/3 Dec
Leyburn Group – Practice day - Bellerby
11/25 Nov/9 Dec
Practice Day – Brimham Rocks National Trust
Sun 13 Nov
Practice Day – Colin Pack’s – Steep Slope – LAST CHANCE!!
26 Nov
DSWA National AGM, Holker Hall, Cumbria
26 Nov
Shibden – THIS COULD BE YOUR LAST CHANCE!
17 December
Branch Christmas Ceilidh, Otley Social Club – tickets available NOW, from Mick Pearson.
Please let him know your needs, ASAP, to help Steph organise the catering.
Most Tuesdays
Practice Days – Hampthwaite – Bill Frith - 01845 597 679
Most Thursdays
Practice Days – Chevin vicinity – contact John McLeod for time being.
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AOB
9.1
Grasswoods - 26th December cancelled due to other commitments.
9.2
Terry produced a Christmas card (specially sought for snow, walls, and sheep scenes) destined for down
under (John Cox our Australian Member)
9.3
A set of John Butler’s miniature walls prints were displayed courtesy of Mick Pearson. Limited edition
prints kindly donated by John with proceeds to Branch funds. Christmas cards also available of said prints supplied by Mick
Pearson at a cost of £1.50 each. John gave his thanks to Mick for his hard work in the reproduction of prints and cards.
The meeting having closed, DG introduced our speaker by describing the backgound to the “Skills for Life Project” & their
first meeting, some years ago, at Askham Brian. We were then given an excellent presentation by Keith Chapman, a young,
mature, inspiring member of “Skills for Life Project” team which exhibited at this year’s RHS Show at Hampton Court. He
had been a winner biennial assessment by the Project, the prize being to represent Great Britain abroad. That the Hampton
Court display won the Visitors Award came as no surprise, having seen the amazing change made to the site from flat,
empty grounds to a stunning mass of colour (with walls – did I recognise the limestone?) in a mature landscape. Thank you,
Keith. A wonderful future should be there for you.
Next meeting: Tuesday 6th December. Decision taken to go ahead with meeting in absence of Chairman (again) and, this
time, the Vice Chairman. Richard to Chair.
There’s a change to our speaker programme. At the next meeting we are to be entertained & shown what can be done by
two of our own, Neil Beasley & John Hulbert, who will describe the intricacies of the “Wandering Wall of Burn Bridge”.
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.