South stones lowered

The south pair of stones

The south pair of stones were in fairly good condition, with plenty of thickness left on the bedstone and runner. The plan was to lower the stones to the ground floor level, taking weight off the poor old beams and freeing up space for renewal of the stone floor.

Years of rust and pigeon deposits had resulted in the runner stone and its drive mechanism seizing together. After the application of chain blocks, scaffold tubes, rope, sweat and some cursing, the stone was finally freed and lowered, quickly (cough!) followed by the bed stone.

"ground floor - haberdashery, mens fashion and stones...."