| Dry stone walls are
called 'dry' because no cement is used in them. Stones
used are made of either Sandstone , Gritstone or Limestone.
First, pegs are lined up in the ground so that the wall
will be straight. Then the stonewaller digs away the
top soil. This can vary from two to nine inches in depth.
A template, or 'A' frame (two pieces of wood and some
cross pieces to hold it together, in the shape of an
A) is made enabling the waller to keep the shape of
his wall true. Depending on the size of the wall you
want, the wall should be ....for a 5' 6" to 6 foot
high wall, you should start with 29 inches across the
bottom, and then work it back up to 13 inches at the
tops.
The 'A' Frame
Base or foundation stones are laid. These are large
stones which will carry the weight of the wall. Courses
of the wall are then built up. Stones are laid with
the long side going into the wall. The gap in the middle
of the wall is filled with small stones called 'fillings'
or 'middles'. Approximately one third of the way up
the wall 'throughs' are placed across the wall. These
stones run through the wall. The side on which they
protrude is the owner's side. Throughs strengthen the
wall. The next to the top course is called a Coverhand.
This strengthens the wall and keeps the weather out.
They are large stones running across the wall. They
protrude slightly and prevent sheep from climbing over
the wall. The top course of stone are called capstones,
capes or topstones. They give added protection to the
wall, but are not always used.
They are usually ' Yorkshire Tops' or 'Bucks and Does'.
A stone wall tapers inwards from the base. This taper
is called 'The Batter'. A good waller can build about
six or seven running yards of wall a day. This means
he moves about six or more tonnes of stone a day. Holes
near the top of a wall are called 'Smoots'. They allow
a person to observe game without being seen. Small holes
near the base of a wall to allow rabbits through are
called 'Bolt Holes'.
A gap is left in a wall to allow sheep through is called
a Cripple Hole. Stiles vary from area to area. Step-through
stiles allow people through a wall but not livestock.
Clay pipes, pottery and the like, may be found in a
stone wall. Some stone-wallers mark the wall or leave
their name in a bottle inside the wall.
Advantages of Stone Walls
1. Because of the way they are built, dry stone walls
are very strong. Many stone walls are two hundred years
old, some older. Most stone walls were built between
1750 and 1850.
2. They not only prevent stock from getting in or out
of a field but also provide shelter.
3. Dry stone walls do not require the maintenance of
a hedge or fence, and take no nutrients from the soil.
4. Stone walls provide shelter for wild life; mice,
lizards, weasels, stoats, and rabbits use them. Many
insects thrive in stone walls also. Lichen and mosses
grow on them.
Conservation
1. Stone walls are part of our heritage. They are strong
but when they are damaged they deteriorate quickly.
2. Do not climb over stone walls use the stiles provided.
3. If the topstones are removed from a stone wall,
water and frost will destroy it. Leave them be.
.....oOo....
So now you know all about it, I expect everyone to
be out there repairing and building the nearest DSW.
As for me...I'm off for a few days R&R to rebuild
that Hadrian monstrosity up in the far North.
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