Hurst frame splices going in...

This is the south-western splice being lowered into place - the recess in the wall has already been cleaned up and a bed of brick/slate set in place.

Hurst frame reconstruction

The Hurst frame which supports the stone floor is being partially reconstructed. The original eastern beam is laying on top of the replacment, which will be morticed to match.  In the foreground are other new members which will be shaped to form the Hurst frame.

Rotten beam ends

Started work on the Hurst frame beams. The ends of the main transverse beams are set directly into the stone tower. The southern ends of both beams have virtually disappeared under the combined action of damp and boring insects. These are to be replaced; the rotten beam ends will be cut off and new pieces 'spliced' into place. This also involves a lot of stone work - raking out of the old cavity in the wall, creating a firm 'bed' for the new splice then making good.

The beam end, a lot of death watch beetle damage...

Preparing the beam for the splice joint

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...."

And so it begins.......

The 'before' shot! Hopefully in a few years there will be an 'after' shot with quite dramatic improvements.

Work has started on the restoration of Great Haseley windmill. The first job is not very pleasant - clearing out the masses of accumulated pigeon poo and the timber which is too far gone for preservation. Some of the more intact parts of the gearing will be recovered back to our workshop for attention.