Rivers Joinery

 Having removed the rotten timber, it's time to use it as a template to make the new pieces.

Time is of the essence. This building houses a school, and it's easier to do the work when the children are not here i.e. at the weekend. 

Transfer the shape of the cruck plate to the new section.

Inserting the new cruck foot.

Inserting the new plate.

A nice tight fit. Bolting through.

A historic chamfer repair had to be removed, before making the cuts to remove the rotten parts. This unfortunately fell into pieces.

So, carefully glued it back together.

Offering it up, so trimming can happen, to fit the new shorter cruck foot.

The boltholes plugged with aged oak, the historic chamfer repair re-fixed over the cruck foot repair, the new architrave and the new oak darkened with it's own juices etc. The first visit from Prides Plastering, to apply a dubbing out coat of lime to the adjacent masonry.

Hara-kiri on this cruck foot. The suspected dry rot is exposed. No problem; it's source of water has been removed and the socket is now dry. Contrary to common belief, dry rot needs a water source to grow. The pillow/corbel/cruck plate was a bit bent!

 Mr lion has his paint on.

 I have been finishing carving this lion, while the exhibition has been on.

He's going to be polychromed. The exhibition finishes tomorrow, so I have given him a coat of gesso, and I'll leave the rest until I am back in the workshop.

Today, I was planing up a panel, so visitors got to see a bit of joiner's work. It hotted up by noon, so I switched to laying out the panel. There were so many visitors, that I spent most of the afternoon talking. A view from behind the bench.

It has worked well, having this cage up. It means people and children have been able to get up close to see what's happening, but still be safe from edge tools. Also, something to hang stuff on.

So the exhibition is going well. There have been lots of appreciative comments. 3-4 "the best exhibition I have ever seen in Totnes". Lots of positive feedback. Lots of interesting conversations. Not one stupid question or negative comments. Happy days!

Lots of explaining about the influences that fed into East Devon carved joined furniture/Exeter strapwork. Talked to people from Totnes Museum and St. Mary's church about getting this knowledge out to the community.

Put on show the furniture, boxes, spoons and carved bowls. My paintings and Bethany's (my daughter's on the mantelpiece. Bethany's reed-woven turned stool and milking stool! All in 16th century Birdwood House.

Sold one of my favourite spoons; it's gone to be a green tea scoop, so I am sure it will be well loved.

The lion I am carving is almost done and ready to start painting tomorrow. Lots more fun to be had before close at 4pm on Saturday, so come on down if you're in the area. But here's a photo dump for those who can't.