Ryeford Weirs
Ryeford Weirs
by: Andy P.
Ryeford weirs Sept 7th
A delayed start to gather tools and metal work produced by the depot, as well as watching the tree being felled. Its a mighty long and tiring walk from the bridge to the locks laden down with everything we had to carry. Just Bob, Maurice and Andy, as Duncan and Matthew were block laying at the depot. As the weir brickwork was not straight or square in any direction, we had to figure out where the stop plank channels had to go. Plumb lines, sting and the channel itself did the trick.
Bob started to cut out the 2 channels and then we took turns to chisel out the grooves. Engineering bricks are really hard, like really hard. The hammer drill was not doing a lot, so hand tools were used. It’s going to be a long day. We decided to lay a course of bricks to level out the base, which we did and then Nick and boat crew arrived wanting to go up through the lock. We couldn’t let them, as the water from top lock flows backwards through the old chamber into the new one, where the bricks are and then into the bypass. They very kindly waited then changed their plans which allowed the bricks to set-thank you. More chiselling and eventually there was enough room for the channels to be screwed and cemented in place.
The dimensions were taken again so that Chris P can make a frame for whatever grid will be fitted. Just need some custom made stop planks.
The 2 original weirs will also need cutting and mini stop planks fitted into the metal frames but that is a job for another day.
Inside the original weir
Inlet which should be the outlet into the top lock, maybe? The vertical stop planks are on the left
We used amenity Bob for lunch and know why it has that name. The generator would not start but the onboard gas boiled our tea water. Peter A drop by and confirmed a flat battery and gave another potty training course.
A long trek back to the bridge and a late finish.
