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In order to build the shed I needed to lift the old boat up into the air and assemble the framework under it. Putting together a pair of 4.5 metre “A” frames with a chain hoist from a beam to lift her about 3 metres into the air... Once done, assembled the wall sections under her, and lowered. A few more ribs, and soon be ready to clad.
The old boat is in the barn.
The idea is to use her as the roof on a shed. I started by running some chalk round her, upturned onto the barn floor. From that I’ve cut and shaped the base and top timbers to resemble the overall shape. Using the steamer to add a curve to 3x2 ash as ribs I filled out the frame to create what will be the shape of the shed. I’ve had this old wooden rowing boat for a while now. In my mind it’s been a possible restoration project for years. In reality I know that most of the boat needs replacing and the skills and knowledge to get it water ready are beyond me. Wanting to give the old boat a life beyond, I thought to use it in an alternate way. Inspired by the boat-sheds on the beach at Lindisfarne and the memory of a family in a Dickens story living in an upturned boat on the beach at Yarmouth, (Great Expectations? David Copperfield?) I though to do something similar. Flip the boat up in the air and build a romantic shed under it. Using a stock of Ash to make a framework of ribs to complement the line of boat, cover that with clinker style cladding, a window or two... who knows.
One of the joys of my job is to work in some beautiful places, and the Gunton Estate Sawmill is one of the most special. An early 19th Century thatched water powered sawmill, it stands alone in the woods on the edge of the lake that powers it. The mill was saved from ruin in the 1980’s and now has regular public open days through the summer. In order to prepare for the season the saw was run this month. The task of heaving a log in and setting up gives a taste of work in the early machine age. Over the years I’ve done remedial and maintenance work on the structure of the building, preserving it and making it a better experience for visitors.
If you want visit, the first open day is on Sunday 23rd April 2pm - 5pm £3 admission for adults, accompanied children free www.guntonparksawmill.co.uk |
Serge PolloniTimber Framer Archives
March 2024
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