Today’s task was at Markenfield Hall, a
beautiful 14th Century moated manor house (a very far cry from your
average semi) and a superb place to go to work.
Our job for the day was to clear
an area close to the pale wall which dates from the 1300s and has been declared an Ancient
Monument. We had to ensure that we did not disturb the foundations or
any other part of the wall which was still standing. This would then give the
experts a chance to have a good look at it and to take
photos before the partial dismantling and rebuilding to be done by Chris’s
hard-working team of Wednesday wallers. The section they have already rebuilt is
very impressive (see below).
(A pale is an area enclosed within a boundary
which keeps out unwanted people or stock – hence the phrase “beyond the pale”
referring to unwelcome people or those with unacceptable manners. This doesn’t,
of course, apply to NCVs; we all have beautiful manners).
Eight of us turned up to join estate worker Bob,
complete with his dumper truck. Of course Paul was there to supervise us.
We
spent the morning clearing scrub, ancient tree trunks and old barbed wire near
the wall. The jeep proved invaluable for pulling out roots and wire and gave
Paul some practice in clutch control. Then we had lunch, with Audrey’s
flapjacks, in the under-croft of the manor, without any question the most
remarkable lunchtime site in which we’ve been lucky enough to eat.
The afternoon was a bit more demanding on the
back muscles, digging out the stones that had gone subterranean and sorting
them, and those on the surface, into regimented lines ready for the building
process. A good day’s work.
Next week willow spiling, and already the
mind whimpers at the thought of the appalling puns that are certain to be
introduced by the tortuous brains of members of the group.
Footnote: try to go to the Hall when it opens
its doors to the public – not to be missed!
Tony
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