Spring Walling Workshop

Last Weekend we had eight participants at our Spring workshop.

I usually spend the first hour discussing safety and how to use various hammers, chisels etc.

Then we set the A frames and lines.

 The build was a continuation of the section built at the Fall 2018 workshop.

With the added difficulty of a cheekend. 

On Sunday they had the confidence to tackle a right angled corner.

 Carefully chosen face stones require little or no hearting. What hearting is required is tightly packed.

Vertical, or as seen here, horizontal capstones complete a wall and give it a finished look.

 A section of wall that a professional would be proud of, let alone complete stone novices. Well done Lady and Gents.

It is worth repeating that while this stone is angular, it is not regular like bricks and careful choice of each stone is needed to keep the joints tight. Once learned, one can build with almost any stone.

Our next workshop is on the 28th and 29th of Sept 2019

contact Andrew Pighills 860-575-0526

andrewpighills@englishgardensandlandscaping.com

Fall Walling Workshop

This year our Fall weekend walling workshop is on the 29th & 30th of Sept.

Before we get to working with the stone, safety is discussed. Footwear, eye protection, correct lifting techniques, etc.

Followed by an explanation of the various tools available and how to use them correctly and safely.

Once we get to the hands on stage, within minutes, complete strangers are discussing the merits of various stones and cooperating like old friends. 

Saturday evening, as with every workshop, is spent discussing the days progress and relaxing with beer, wine and pizza.

Made in our outdoor wood fired oven

One would think that flat square stone would be easy to wall with, but while it is angular, it is not regular like bricks,

and even the slightest deviation in height, makes it difficult for C to contact both A and B.

Whereas with the rounded corners of fieldstone, C makes good contact with A and B, even though A is slightly higher than B and E makes good contact with both C and D, even though D is substantially higher.

In my opinion, the learning curve with angular stone is steeper than with fieldstone, but once learnt, will allow you to wall with most types of stone.

Eye Protection

The stone chip hit the bottom of my safety glasses and ricocheted in to my cheek. A colleague, when I asked why he did not did not wear eye protection replied "It's all in the blink" my response "Let's hope so , or it's all in the eye" I don't think my eyelid would have offered much protection.

When working with stone always wear eye protection.  

Spring Walling Workshop

Saturday was a glorious day to introduce our 9 participants to the craft of Dry Stone Walling.

Once we got to the hands on stage, within minutes, complete strangers are discussing the merits of various stones and cooperating like old friends. 

Saturday evening, as with every workshop, was spent discussing the days progress and relaxing with beer, wine and pizza.

Even the Sunday morning drizzle did not dampen their spirits.

One would think that flat square stone would be easy to wall with, but while it is angular, it is not regular like bricks,

and even the slightest deviation in height, makes it difficult for C to contact both A and B.

Whereas with the rounded corners of fieldstone, C makes good contact with A and B, even though A is slightly higher than B and E makes good contact with both C and D, even though D is substantially higher.

In my opinion, the learning curve with angular stone is steeper than with fieldstone, but once learnt, will allow you to wall with most types of stone.

Our next workshop is Sept 29th & 30th. 

Killingworth Library presentation 9th May 2018 7pm

What do this N. Ireland peninsular

and this J.M.W. Turner painting have in common?

or this Yorkshire Dales museum exhibit

and this circular stone structure

How is this 18th century chimney

related to this 21st century folly

This original cobbled street

and this set of steps have a similar story to tell

All will

 be revealed.

Upcoming Walling Workshop in Connecticut

Dry Stone Wall Building Workshop
Killingworth , Connecticut

Time:   Saturday, April 28th and Sunday, April 29th, beginning at 9:00 am till 4:00 pm
Place:    Stonewell Farm, 39 Beckwith Rd., Killingworth CT 06419
Tuition: $300.00
Registration:
Contact:     Michelle Becker
860-322-0060
e-mail: mb@mbeckerco.com

On April 28th and April 29thth 2012, Andrew Pighills, expert stone mason and North American representative of the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain, will teach a two-day, weekend long workshop on the art of dry stone wall building at Stonewell Farm in Killingworth, CT.

Participants will learn the basic principles of wall building, from establishing foundations, to the methods of dry laid (sometimes called dry-stacked) construction and ‘hearting’ the wall. This hands-on workshop will address not only the structure and principles behind wall building but also the aesthetic considerations of balance and proportion.

As part of Andrew's ongoing commitment to preserve New England’s heritage and promote and cultivate the dry stone wall building skills that will ensure the preservation of our vernacular landscape, the upcoming Dry Stone Walling workshop will be the first in what is planned to be a twice yearly event.

This workshop is open to participants, 18 years of age or older, of all levels of experience, however, the workshop is limited to 16 participants.


ANDREW PIGHILLS
Dry stone wall builder, Andrew Pighills, learned his craft as a young apprentice to master craftsmen in his birthplace, the Yorkshire Dales of his native England.

He has thirty years of experience building with stone, both dry and mortared, although dry laid stonework is his preference. Pighills holds an Advanced Craftsman certification with the Dry Stone Walling Association of Great Britain, of which he is a North American representative, as well as a certificate in Horticulture from the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. His company, English Gardens and Landscaping, specializes in English cottage gardens and natural stonework . In addition to building walls and creating gardens, Andrew’s work includes outdoor kitchens, wine cellars, fire-pits, fireplaces and garden features that include follies and other whimsical structures in stone.

 Andrew's work has been featured in the New York Times, and he has worked with renowned stone artist, Dan Snow, providing assistance with commissioned pieces and co-teaching a number of workshops on the art of dry stone walling throughout New England. Pighills’ work is profiled in the book, “Stone Primer” by Charles McCraven and published by Storey Publishing.
www.englishgardensandlandscaping.com
www.heaveandhoe.blogspot.com

Upcoming Dry Stone Walling Workshop

Saturday-Sunday, April 28-29th
(Two-day Workshop) 8:30 am-4:00 pm
Instructor: Andrew Pighills
Location:   Stonewell Farm, Killingworth, CT

This two-day workshop will provide a hands-on education in the structural techniques and aesthetic considerations involved in building a dry stone wall (a stone wall built without mortar) using the stone native to our region. The outdoor classroom provides the setting for practicing proper dry stone walling methods including safety, batter, hearting, throughs, and coping. Knowledge gained will prepare students for their own projects and help train their eyes to identify proper walling techniques in all walls.
Cost: $300.00
To register: contact Michelle Becker
Tel: 860-322-0060
e-mail: mb@mbeckerco.com

The Daily Norwalk

Following an article in the NY Times, I was contacted by Fenella Pearson who interviewed me for a piece in the Daily Norwalk. Here's the link:
http://www.thedailynorwalk.com/home-garden/dry-stonewaller-creates-living-entities#comment-5282