Sockburn Hall Project :: Update 42

Hello! 

A wonderful Christmas-y Working Day 
Saturday morning started grey and showery so we were surprised to find we had a good number of enthusiastic volunteers turning up and the day brighten and dry up!  Perfect!  As it is getting so close to Christmas we are very grateful that you gave up your day to come and help and get involved.  Thank you all!

[A fantastic local brass band joined volunteers for carols around the bonfire.]

As it was such a short day, we didn't start any big tasks but did some late autumn clearing and tidying.  Anxious not to lose the crazy paving paths (which took so much hard work to uncover) under a year's leaf fall - that's all that it takes - we got them cleared again, along with the ornamental water way through the once formal garden.  Leaves were also cleared from areas where they would block water reaching drains once the winter weather sets in.  Further clearance of fallen trees was done in the field and a rival bonfire was lit down there to compete with our normal one - such an important feature of Project Days!

Activities also extended beyond the warmth of the bonfire...  Some considerable work was done in the house to support and prevent further collapse of window frames and to continue checking the concealed gutters, renowned for causing us trouble!  Willow cuttings were planted on the river bank to help stop erosion, using twisted, orange stemmed and green stemmed willow slips, which we hope will take and provide stabilisation of the bank itself.  Planting in the church yard last in October was checked, and some re-planting was carried out, along with the inevitable weeding.  We look forward to the spring to see what has taken and survives the winter; under the care of the designated team, the look of the church yard is much improved.

[Young volunteers take a quick break from carefully
supervised work brushing stones and sweeping in the chapel]

The Chair of Friends of Teeside Archives visited and with two - strictly supervised - young helpers (pictured left), this diligent team carefully used soft brushes to brush off the stones in the Chapel and generally do some tidying and sweeping in there.  And much better it looks for their attentions.

We had a real treat on Saturday afternoon - a local brass band came and played carols for us round the bonfire - this added a lovely festive atmosphere to our day, which we always wanted to be a more 'social' than 'hard work' event!

Huge, huge thanks to all our volunteers - we've said it before - you are a wonderful bunch and we would not be where we are today, without your amazing efforts.  The Sockburn Hall Project team is so grateful and feel very strongly that this work is contributing the possibility of the securing of a very interesting and historically significant site.

Feedback on work done previously: after the work done on the roof of the Coach House in the summer and autumn, most of the interior of the building has stayed dry - result! Well done to all those working inside and out earlier in the year.  

A Spring Working Day to start our 2012 Working Weekends

We are giving the worst of the winter time to get out of the way before we have another Working Day!  Please put Sunday 1 April, 2012 in your diaries - we are hoping by then that the daffodils will be out, so it should be quite special.  We'll be on site 9.30am until 5.00pm and look forward to seeing you then.  Please let us know, nearer the time, by phoning Sarah 07933 320242, or emailing sockburn@gmail.com if you expect to come.  If you would like to visit to see us and how we are getting on please come around 11.30am as this will coincide with our coffee/tea break.  If you wish to visit with a group, it is important to let Sarah know so that we can arrange the best time for you to come.  Further dates for 2012 will be confirmed soon.  We'll try to get them up on the blog before too long!

Thank you again to everyone who has helped and supported us, in any way, throughout 2011.  We really appreciate your input and look forward to seeing you in 2012.

All the very best for Christmas, and a happy new year to you all and your families!

Sarah, Laura and Sockburn Hall Project team x