Part 2 of our portfolio.
Takes the story to the end of the first year, in December 2006..
August 2006: Initial efforts focused on clearing the waterwheel pit and tailrace, filled with debris like bricks, bottles, and sacks. A borrowed JCB expedited digging but proved too small for the final depth. Manual labour and a bucket chain removed 1.5 tons of wet clay, exposing a crumbling culvert wall.
September 2006: Work stalled due to concerns over the unstable brick culvert’s vaulted structure. A rusted steel lintel was deemed unsafe, prompting plans to reinforce the walls with concrete blocks while deliberating how to breach the culvert without collapse.
October 2006: Using scaffold poles (“needles”) and trench jacks, the team stabilized the culvert, broke through its side, and installed a concrete lintel. By month’s end, the tailrace was fully connected to the culvert.
November - December 2006 Cold weather slowed progress, but lintels, steel mesh, and concrete reinforced the race. A brick arch and retaining wall (using reclaimed bricks over concrete blocks) were completed. Backfilling the site in December finalized the tailrace, ensuring proper water drainage for the future waterwheel.
And this was only the beginning!.
Though visually unchanged, the restored tailrace represented months of labour, critical to reviving the mill’s functionality. With water flow secured, attention turned to the waterwheel itself.
Credits:
Thanks to all who contributed.