Low Hallgarth

Phill replastering an internal wall after the refurbishment of Low Hallgarth farmhouse using traditional materials, lime mortar and hair.

The property is prone to flooding so in the living room we lifted the existing stone flags and put a drain to the outside culvert to solve this problem. 

Interesting features in this property are the large oak beams supporting the ceilings and the wedding cupboard in the front room dated 1682.

We have just completed the refurbishment of High Loanthwaite, Hawkshead by installation of a new kitchen, central heating, secondary glazing, decoration and a new wood burning stove.  The two pictures below show the fireplace originally and after opening up the original alcove and installation of a multi fuel stove.



High Loanthwaite lounge fire before.....



and after, a bit of a difference.



 Re-furbished bathroom at High Loanthwaite

The builders have been busy too with the re-roof of Tilberthwaite Cottage using second hand slates and fixed with copper nails to ensure a longer lasting job.  Also the loft was insulated to bring the property up to more modern standards.



Adam fixing some slates with copper nails......




applying the bed for the sandstone ridge......




fixing the sandstone ridge and ......



the finished article.






A rather unusual task has been  to clear the void between Underhelm Cottage and the banking that it is built into as this void is blocked with silt causing damp and discolouration into the rear of the property.  A lot of our properties are built into the ground and this does cause a problem with damp and condensation on stone built structures dating from the late 1600s.  As you can see from the photographs, Ricky is demonstrating the use of a shovel specially adapted for the job. This can be rented - complete with operative - by anyone in a similar situation!

                                                       

                                                       

                                                       
                                                       

The finished job should stop the damp and discolouration in the cottage after a period of time.

Another interesting job for the joiners, Bill and Russ, was to remake the five sided seat that fits around the stone cairn on the piece of common land outside the Britannia Inn at Elterwater.  Again, constructed from pitch pine because of it's durability and we have even used some recycled wood from Allan Bank improving our carbon footprint.

The seat starting to take shape in the joiner's shop at Thwaite

                           

Bill adjusting the underneath

                              

Bill and Russ assembling in the joiner's shop before fitting at Elterwater

                              

Russ just testing that it works

                              

Allan Bank

We have just completed some interesting works at Allan Bank in Grasmere as a result of fire damage. We  have repaired the windows, made internal doors and repaired a large skylight all using reclaimed pitch pine.  This property is well worth a visit. Here are some photographs showing before and after.





Ceiling, roof and floor destroyed by fire.



Corner of main skylight showing fire damage.



New internal doors and floor fitted.





Skylight with new pieces manufactured and fitted and special glass to match the original.





The state of the sliding sash windows before repair.  These windows still have the original glass from the 1800s.





Write a blog they said.  It would be good for the yard profile they said.  All well and good but how do you start?  And how do you make it interesting?  Not sure on either count but here goes.

I suppose I need to start by explaining what Thwaite Yard does.  We are the base for the direct labour building team and are involved in the renovation and repair of vernacular buildings in the Lake District working with materials that were used in the original construction of our farmsteads, castles and large manor houses.  At this present time the Trust has 90 farms and associated buildings in the Lakes, around 350 residential properties plus 17 holiday cottages and important properties such as Wordsworth House, Sizergh Castle, Wray Castle, Hill Top.  A lot of these properties have private water supplies that have to be treated to ensure they meet the exacting current legislation.

Thwaite Yard

Over the next few weeks you will get to know us and learn what we do.