Brandy Bottom - Working Party Photos



< Back to Project List Other Brandy Bottom Pages As well as an introductory page, the other Brandy Bottom pages cover the history, and the AIBT's conservation work at the site. The latter is divided into a summary of progress at work parties, plus several pages of photos of the buildings, finds, wildlife. There are also images of the display boards, and a page with a location map, plus directions to the site and the dates of work parties. PHOTOS OF WORK PARTIES (Go to photos taken at work parties in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) 2011 Clearing the vegetation from the outside of the Vertical Engine House, May 2011 Installation of a tie rod inside of the Horizontal Engine House, July 2011 Final installation of a tie rod on the outside of the Horizontal Engine House, July 2011 Clearing spoil from the passage between the Cornish Engine House and the Old Pit heapstead, July 2011 Kitting up with safety harnesses, July 2011. Clearing a hawthorn stump from the top of the Horizontal Engine House roof, August 2011. Getting ready to clear the vegetation growing on the south-west wall of the Vertical Engine House, seen in the background, August 2011. (Go to photos taken at work parties in 2011, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) 2012 Working on the roof of the Horizontal Engine House, March 2012 A pipe was uncovered when clearing the ground outside the north-west wall of the Horizontal Engine House in March 2012. It can be seen in the centre of the photo. Clearance work at end of South Pit heapstead, May 2012 Surveying work on top of Horizontal Engine House, May 2012 Repair work in progress to the wall of the Cornish Engine House, November 2012. Repair work in progress to the wall of the Cornish Engine House, showing the inside of the wall. November 2012 The repaired wall of the Cornish Engine House from the outside ... (An earlier photo shows the wall before rebuilding started.) ... and from the inside. November 2012. (Go to photos taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) 2013 This structure was found in the northern corner of the roof of the Horizontal Engine House in July 2013, and may be an anchorage for a bridge connecting the engine house with the Old Pit heapstead. Another view can be seen in the following photo. The structure is now covered by the waterproof membrane of the roof. Another view of the structure on the roof of the Horizontal Engine House, August 2013. An early stage is uncovering the steps outside Vertical Engine House, July 2013 The fully exposed steps outside Vertical Engine House, August 2013 ... ... and after the adjacent brick plinth had been cleared of spoil, August 2013 Spoil removal to the east of the steps seen in the previous photo uncovered some buried railway lines, September 2013 (1 ft scale) Further work uncovered part of a metal ring, September 2013 ... ... and the volunteers removed more spoil, September 2013 ... ... to fully expose a metal ring on top of a brick foundation, September 2013. (1 ft scales) Further excavation revealed a brick interior, September 2013. This area was covered up again until 2018. Recovering building stones from a mixed clay/stone stockpile at a building site, September 2013 ... ... and the recovered stones are unloaded at Brandy Bottom, October 2013. (Go to photos taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) 2014 Working inside the Old Boiler House, March 2014 The area around the Pumping Shaft after it had been cleared of spoil, May 2014. An later photo shows the area once the base of the capping and the adjacent wall had been rebuilt. Strimming in progress, July 2014 AIBT/SGMRG stand at South Gloucestershire show, August 2014 Mason working on the top of the chimney, September 2014 The top of the chimney in March 2014 before repairs started ... ... the rebuilt top, September 2014 ... ... and the top during the repointing of the outside, February 2015. This photo has been taken from almost the same spot as the two previous ones. The dirt is sent flying out of the winding drum pit, Vertical Engine House, October 2014 Repairing part of the north-east wall of the Old Boiler House, October 2014 Rebuilding the base of the chimney in the Old Boiler House, Vertical Engine House, October 2014 Work underway on installing the waterproof membrane on the roof of the Horizontal Engine House, November 2014 The waterproof membrane in place on the roof of the Horizontal Engine House. There is still some work to be completed on the edges and drainage points, November 2014 The capping stones in place on the rebuilt section of the north-east wall of the Old Boiler House, as some finishing touches are applied. The capping stones have still to be trimmed to size, November 2014 (Go to photos taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) 2015 Mason repointing the outside of the top of the chimney, February 2015 The completed rebuild of the base of the chimney, with the bracing beam in position, May 2105. This can be compared to the earlier photo of the area. The uncovered platform on top of the passage to the New Boiler area, May 2105 Patching of the wall above the Pumping Shaft in progress, July 2105 Repointing the partly rebuilt north-east wall of the Old Boiler House, July 2105 The finished repair to the wall above the Pumping Shaft, August 2105 The rebuilt north-east wall of the Old Boiler House, August 2105 The Cornish Engine House in December 2013, taken from the Old Pit heapstead ... (Go to photos taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) 2016 ... and in January 2016 after the walls were capped. Buttress built at southern end of the bob wall of the Cornish Engine House, February 2016. Eastern corner of Vertical Engine House from the Old Pit heapstead in January 2016, before the rebuild of the south-east wall. A later photo shows the corner after the walls have been rebuilt but before they have been capped. Rebuilding of south-east wall of Vertical Engine House in progress, February 2016. A photo taken in 1982 showed that there was a fireplace in the wall, hence its inclusion into the rebuilt wall. A later photo shows the finished wall. Close-up of the keystone above the fireplace in the Vertical Engine House, February 2016. Supporting buttress built against the south-west wall of the Vertical Engine House, February 2016. Rebuilding of the north-western wall of the Old Pit heapstead in progress, February 2016. Tippler slots at top of north-western wall of Old Pit heapstead, January 2016. A photo taken in May shows this area during rebuilding, while one taken in March the following year shows the rebuilt slots. Clamped ends of cables at southern end of Old Pit heapstead, March, January 2016 The walls in the eastern corner of the Vertical Engine House In March 2016 after rebuilding but before recapping. An earlier photo shows the corner in January 2016 before any reconstruction started. The wall of the Old Pit heapstead ramp after capping, March 2016. The rebuilt northern walls of the Old Boiler House before capping, March 2016. Rebuilding of the walls below capping of the the Pumping Shaft has been finished, March 2016. Rebuilding of both the wall above the capping of the the Pumping Shaft and the brick lining of the adjacent passage in progress, March 2016. Rebuilding of the wall above the capping of the the Pumping Shaft, March 2016. An earlier photo shows the area after it had been cleared of spoil in May 2014. By 26 March 2016 the former supporting the bricks of the arch had been removed and the wall above the Pumping Shaft built up to its final height. The completed wall in April 2016 Capping has been laid on top of the section of the Old Pit heapstead wall above the Old Boiler House, 26 March 2016 ... ... while work continues on the wall above the New Boiler Area, 26 March 2016. The rebuilt section of wall by the fireplace in the Vertical Engine House, 06 April 2016. The earlier photo shows this area being rebuilt. The Old Pit tippler slots during the rebuild, May 2016. An earlier photo shows this area after spoil clearance but before the rebuild started, and a later one shows the completed slots. The finished roof on the fan ducts, July 2016. Working on the shoulder of the chimney, July 2016. Working on the boundary fence, September 2016. Vegetation clearance on the top of the New Pit heapstead, October 2016. Photo by M Taylor Burning vegetation cuttings beside the Horizontal Engine House, November 2016. Photo by M Taylor (Go to photos taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) 2017 The vegetation has been cleared from around the two halves of the mine wheel on either side of the cycle path, January 2017 The vegetation has been cleared from the fence on the cycle path side of the New Pit enclosure, January 2017 Vegetation and rubbish being removed from the area around the seat on the Old Pit side of the site, January 2017 Scaffolding being erected along the north-west wall of the New Pit heapstead, January 2017 Working on the top of the north-west wall of the New Pit heapstead, February 2017 Ivy is stripped from the trunk of a tree in February 2017 before it is felled ... ... a branch is about to be cut off ... ... another branch starts to fall to the ground ... Wood chippings being laid along the line of a path connecting the cycle path, interpretation board, kissing gate, and the path going up the side of the hill, February 2017 Working in the New Pit heapstead's winding ramp, February 2017 Two volunteers prepare the ground where an interpretation board is to be sited in the future, while in the foreground two passers-by study the existing board, March 2017 The finished Old Pit tippler slots, March 2017. The earliest photo shows this area after spoil clearance but before the rebuild started, while one taken in May shows the partially rebuilt slots. View of the Cornish Engine House from the top of the Horizontal Engine House in March 2017. The 2016 rebuild had left a rough vertical edge to the south-west wall, which can be seen in the centre of the photo. A later photo shows that edge after sealing in January 2018. View along the north-west wall of the New Pit heapstead, showing the tippler slot area cleared ready for rebuilding, March 2017. A later photo shows the same area after the slots were rebuilt. Spoil being removed from the eastern corner of the Old Boiler House, May 2017 Spoil being cleared from outside the south-west wall of the Cornish Engine House, May 2017 The north-east (entrance) wall of the Horizontal Engine House in June 2017. A later photo shows the same wall after the brick door and window surrounds were rebuilt in December 2017/January 2018. A coil of wire rope being moved in the Old Boiler House, July 2017. The rope, which had been buried in spoil, is about 7/8" in diameter. The 1900 sale catalogue records the diameter of the New Pit hoisting rope as 7/8". A viewing platform is being built in the Vertical Engine House, July 2017. This will allow visitors to cross the engine pit to look at the flywheel slot and winding drum pit. A later photo shows the completed platform. Newly printed banners bearing the AIBT's and sponsors' logos are given a trial airing, July 2017. These will normally only be used at events such as the South Gloucestershire show and Doors Open Days. Photo by K Kemp. The AIBT's stand at the 2017 South Gloucestershire show, August 2017. The banner acknowledging the help of the sponsors is displayed inside the AIBT's stand at the South Gloucestershire show, August 2017. Spoil clearance continues even in the rain, August 2017. Identification sign on Old Pit heapstead, August 2017. This, and others, were paid for with a grant from Historic England. Identification sign on Old Pit heapstead tippler slots, August 2017. This, and others, were paid for with a grant from Historic England. Clearing-up the area outside the Horizontal Engine House, August 2017. This uncovered some fragments of glazed stoneware. The south-west wall of the Cornish Engine House in August 2017. Part of the wall had been robbed out to ground level, and was rebuilt that December. The completed viewing platform in the Vertical Engine House, September 2017. Steps outside the Cornish Engine House giving visitors access to the inside of the engine house, September 2017. Heritage Open Days banner on New Pit fence, September 2017. The fully exposed inside of the north-west wall of the Old Boiler House, October 2017. (1m red/white scale) The rebuilt eastern corner of the New Pit heapstead, December 2017. The top of the rebuilt eastern corner of the New Pit heapstead, December 2017. Work in progress in rebuilding the northern corner and parts of the north-western wall of the New Pit heapstead on 02 December 2017 ... ... and by the next work party on 13 December 2017. Stacking newly delivered bricks on top of the New Pit heapstead ahead of the rebuild of the tippler slots, December 2017. Rebuilding of the walls of the winding ramp in progress, December 2017. The entrance to the Horizontal Engine House during the rebuilding of the brick surroundings of the window and door openings, December 2017. The partially rebuilt brick surroundings of the window and door openings of the Horizontal Engine House, December 2017. The brick surrounds of the window in the south-east wall of the Horizontal Engine House being rebuilt by a mason, December 2017. The top of the eastern corner of the New Pit heapstead has been finished off with a soldier course of bricks, December 2017. The South-west wall of the Cornish Engine House after the robbed-out section of the wall had been rebuilt in December 2017. An earlier photo shows the wall before in August 2017 before the rebuild. (Go to photos taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) 2018 The completed rebuild of the winding ramp walls of the New Pit heapstead, seen from the south in January 2018. Rebuilding of the tippler slots along the top of the north-west wall of the New Pit heapstead in progress, January 2018. Partially rebuilt northern tippler slot, New Pit heapstead, in January 2018. View along north-west wall of New Pit heapstead, showing the rebuilt tippler slots in mid-January 2018. An earlier photos shows the same area in March 2017 after it was cleared. The eastern corner of the Horizontal Engine House after the weathered bull-nosed bricks were replaced by ones recovered from the under croft, January 2018. Window in north-eastern wall of Horizontal Engine House after the brick surrounds were rebuilt, January 2018. The completed rebuild of the winding ramp walls of the New Pit heapstead, seen from the south in January 2018. Removing old tree stumps from beside the cycle path, January 2018. The rebuilt north-west wall of the New Pit heapstead in January 2018 before the scaffolding was removed. The north-west (bob) wall of the Cornish Engine House in January 2018 after the rough face was sealed. An earlier photo shows the wall in March 2017 before rebuilding. Old bricks have been laid as drainage in the space behind the New Pit tippler slots before the area was backfilled and levelled in February 2018. A strip of ground inside the Old Pit boundary fence has been cleared of vegetation, such as hawthorn, ivy and brambles in February 2018. It is hoped that this will naturally reseed with wild flowers, but these will face strong competition from the returning coarser species. A March 2018 view of the north-east (entrance) wall of the Horizontal Engine House after the brick door and window surrounds were rebuilt. An earlier photo shows the same wall before the rebuild. Three volunteers take a break from clearing vegetation and uprooting stumps on the New Pit heapstead, March 2018. Slabs covering a possible drain outside the entrance to the Old Boiler House, April 2018 ... ... and the area after the slabs were lifted, April 2018 The layout of the drain outside the entrance to the Old Boiler House, April 2018. (This photo was taken from inside the building, at right angles to that of the previous two photos and from a position near the top of both of them) Interpretation board on outside of storage container, April 2018. This board gives a brief overview of the AIBT, some 'before' and 'after' views of conservation work at Brandy Bottom, and lists some of its other past projects. (A close-up can be seen in the next photo) On the right of the board is a smaller one that acknowledges the financial assistance given to the project by the Ibstock Enovert Trust. Close-up of the interpretation board on outside of storage container, April 2018. Close-up of the Ibstock Enovert Trust board, acknowledging their financial assistance to the project, April 2018. Working on the foundations of the interpretation board by the half wheel, April 2018 ... ... and completing the brick path leading up to it, May 2018 ... Close-up of the interpretation board by the half wheel, June 2018. Interpretation board in place outside the Old Pit enclosure, June 2018 ... ... and outside the New Pit enclosure, June 2018. Working on interpretation board outside the New Pit enclosure, June 2018. Close-up of interpretation board outside the Old Pit enclosure, June 2018. Close-up of interpretation board outside the New Pit enclosure, June 2018. Rebuilding the area round the window opening in the south-east wall of the Vertical Engine House, June 2018. Cleaning mortar joints in the south-east wall of the Vertical Engine House ahead of repointing, June 2018. Spoil excavation in progress in the shaft outside the Vertical Engine House, June 2018 ... ... a bit later a ladder was needed to get in and out of the shaft, June 2018. The volunteer has reached the bottom, July 2018. The channel seen behind his hard hat connects the shaft to the well inside the Vertical Engine House. The excavations have reached the water table, July 2018. Building a safety barrier around the new entry point to the under croft, Horizontal Engine House, July 2018. The completed safety barrier around the new entry point to the under croft, Horizontal Engine House, July 2018. Aligning the slot being rebuilt in the wall of the winding drum pit, Vertical Engine House, with an existing slot on the opposite wall, August 2018. The top sign informed passers-by that Brandy Bottom would be open over the 2018 Heritage Open Days weekend. The lower one acknowledges the help given to the project by Historic England, Ibstock, and the Ibstock Enovert Trust, September 2018. The frame of the lower sign was rebuilt that October. Sign welcoming visitors during the Heritage Open Days weekend, September 2018. Visitors in the Cornish Engine House during the Heritage Open Days weekend, September 2018. Visitors in the Horizontal Engine House during the Heritage Open Days weekend, September 2018. Display boards, describing local industrial heritage, were fixed to the walls of the Horizontal Engine House during the Heritage Open Days weekend, September 2018. Working on the scaffolding platform in the winding drum pit, vertical Engine House, September 2018. Starting the task of rebuilding the weather-beaten brickwork at the end of the East Flue, September 2018. Spoil excavated from the under croft of the Horizontal Engine House reaches floor level, October 2018. The south-western end of the undercroft of the Horizontal Engine House after spoil removal, October 2018. Piles of bricks awaiting clearance in the under croft of the Horizontal Engine House, October 2018. Rebuilding the western corner of the Vertical Engine House, October 2018. Rebuilding the dividing wall of the Vertical Engine House, October 2018. Rebuilding part of the East Flue, October 2018. Searching for the route followed by the power cable to the engine beds by the Fan Ducts, October 2018. The engine bed area of the Vertical Engine House, November 2018. The right hand figure is standing on the engine bed, and the newly relaid slab is just to the left of the bed. (Go to photos taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) 2019 Repointing the outside of the south-east wall of the Vertical Engine House, January 2019. The almost completed steps outside the entrance to the Vertical Engine House in January 2019. The slabs have been relaid on the top, and repointing of the brick base is almost finished. The rebuild sill of the window in the south-east wall of the Vertical Engine House, January 2019. Preparing for rebuilding the top of the platform outside the south-west wall of the Cornish Engine House, January 2019. The chute used in the removal of spoil from the inside of the Cornish Engine House, January 2019 ... ... and in use, February 2019 Clearing spoil from the opening in the bob wall of the Cornish Engine House, February 2019 Clearing spoil from below the north-west edge of the engine bed in the Cornish Engine House, February 2019 ... ... This uncovered a semi-circular groove in the bed foundations, seen here to the left of the black/yellow 30 sm scale, February 2019 The damaged edge of the north-east vault in the Cornish Engine House is rebuilt with a double layer of bricks for greater strength, February 2019. A later photo shows the completed rebuild. Some of the volunteers enjoying the unseasonably warm weather at lunchtime, February 2019 The completed repair to the edge of the north-east vault in the Cornish Engine House, March 2019. Clearing spoil from inside the Cornish Engine House, March 2019 Channel in the bottom of the opening in the bob wall of the Cornish Engine House, March 2019 Reverse side of the fragment of lime scale seen in the work party report, March 2019. There are fragments of wood attached to the metal fixing, suggesting that the scale was deposited on a plank that formed one edge of the water channel. (30 cm scale) A start is made on rebuilding the roof of the south-west vault in the Cornish Engine House, March 2019. The first part of the roof of the south-west vault in the Cornish Engine House has been rebuilt, March 2019. This drain hole is at least 4 feet deep, and is at the shaft end of the channel in the opening in the bob wall of the Cornish Engine House, March 2019. Where the water goes to has still to be discovered. New railings being designed for the steps outside the south-west wall of the Cornish Engine House, April 2019. Laying a weak screed mixture on top of the rebuilt roof of the north-east vault of the Cornish Engine House, May 2019. Part of the north-west wall of the Vertical Engine House after spoil had been removed from the outside in May 2019. This will allow conservation work to start on the top of the wall. A start has been made on rebuilding of the top of the north-west wall of the Vertical Engine House, with suitable stones having been selected and laid in place without mortar ... (June 2019) ... And part of the same area after the rebuild, June 2019. Drilling the holes for the retaining bolts at the end of the Old Pit heapstead, June 2019. AIBT stand at Lyde Green Community Association show, July 2019. Screen separating spoil removed from inside the Cornish Engine House into fine and coarse factions, July 2019. Spoil being hoisted from the working surface to the main floor of the Cornish Engine House, July 2019. The fine spoil from the Cornish Engine House is being stored in a bag suspended from a scaffolding frame. It will be used as the filler in the weak screed mixture used as the sub-floor in the building, July 2019. The tour guides get ready for the arrival of visitors on the Sunday of the Heritage Open Days weekend, September 2019. Visitors looking at the 'Local Industrial Heritage' display panels during the Heritage Open Days weekend, September 2019. The model of the Cornish Engine House with the "western" corner nearest the camera, September 2019 ... ... and with the "southern" corner nearest the camera, September 2019. Repointing the wall by the entrance to the Pumping Shaft passage, October 2019. Assembling the safety railings at the south-eastern end of the platform outside the Cornish Engine House, November 2019. The completed safety railings at the south-eastern end of the platform outside the Cornish Engine House, November 2019. A later photo shows the railings running the length of the platform. Two volunteers take a break from moving the bricks recovered from the under croft of the Horizontal Engine House, November 2019. Clearing the rubble from the central aisle of the under croft of the Horizontal Engine House, November 2019. Moving the frame used when filling bags with the fine material excavated from the condenser pit of the Cornish Engine House, November 2019. Hoisting spoil removed from the condenser pit of the Cornish Engine House, December 2019. A bucket of spoil is hoisted up from the condenser pit of the Cornish Engine House, December 2019. Laying a waterproof membrane on the south-east side of the New Pit heapstead winding ramp, December 2019. (Go to photos taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023) 2020 The completed safety railings running the length of the platform outside the south-west wall of the Cornish Engine House, January 2020. Excavating spoil from the base of the condenser pit of the Cornish Engine House, January 2020. (Photo by K Kemp) Pumping out water from the south-west end of the condenser pit of the Cornish Engine House, February 2020. Working at the south-west end of the condenser pit of the Cornish Engine House, February 2020. Water level in the north-east end of the condenser pit of the Cornish Engine House following stormy weather, February 2020. A volunteer takes a moment to have a drink while working at the bottom of the condenser pit of the Cornish Engine House, March 2020. This photo of a volunteer at the bottom of the condenser pit gives an idea of what working conditions are like. His left hand rests on a solid 24" x 16" wooden beam, March 2020. A view of the rebuilt steps at the south-west end of the Old Pit heapstead in June 2020, seen from the platform outside the south-west wall of the Cornish Engine House. Another view of the rebuilt steps at the south-west end of the Old Pit heapstead in June 2020, this time from the top of the heapstead. A later photo shows the wooden treads in place. The rebuild of the north-east wall of the Vertical Engine House is almost complete, June 2020. A later photo shows the area when work was finished. Inside of the chamber under the working floor on the south-east side of the Cornish Engine House in June 2020. The wall at the back is part of the north-east wall of the building. Another view of the inside of the chamber under the working floor on the south-east side of the Cornish Engine House in June 2020. The stonework at the top is part of the south-east wall of the building. The north-east wall of the Vertical Engine House after rebuilding to a height that would have supported the engine beams, June 2020. The south-west wall of the Vertical Engine House after rebuilding to a height that would have supported the engine beams, June 2020. Wooden treads being laid on top of the newly rebuilt steps at the south-west end of the Old Pit heapstead, June 2020. The rebuilt steps seen from the roof of the Horizontal Engine House, June 2020. The south-western wall of the Old Pit heapstead, after the face of the western corner was rebuilt in June 2020. A stone arch was subsequently built to connect the new facing with the existing one, seen on the right, giving support to the brick facing at the top of the wall. The brick arch at the end of the East flue in the process of being rebuilt in June 2020. The brick plinth on the left was the first part to be constructed. The rebuilt brick arch at the end of the East flue, July 2020. Paving stones have been laid on the platform outside the south-west wall of the Cornish Engine House, July 2020. The broken corner of the concrete roof of the fan ducts has been repaired, and the roof extended to the wall of the shaft, July 2020. The apparent difference in height between the top and bottom sections of the roof is an optical illusion, as there are only small step changes in height between the three sections (See next photo). This view of the repaired and extended roof of the fan ducts was taken from a spot at the top left of the previous photo. It shows that there is only a small difference in height difference in height between the various sections, July 2020. The base of the New Pit heapstead winding ramp has been waterproofed by laying concrete over a waterproof membrane, July 2020. The layout of the drains in the New Pit heapstead winding ramp has been have been marked, July 2020. The two beam pivot stones have been raised to the top of the bob wall of the Cornish Engine House and cemented in place. One had broken into several fragments, and has had to be pinned in place, August 2020. An overhead view of the same area as the previous photo, but from the other side, August 2020. Sieving spoil for use in covering up the excavations at the south-western end of the Old Pit heapstead, September 2020. The brick features at the south-western end of the Old Pit heapstead are being covered with seived spoil for their protection, September 2020. The contractors have erected the posts for the new fence at the northern corner of the Old Pit enclosure but have still to add the palisades to this section, September 2020. The same area as the previous photo, but after the palisades were fitted and the fencing running along the edge of the cycle path was finished, September 2020. The Old Pit interpretation board has been relocated to the outside of the new fence, September 2020. The New Pit interpretation board has been relocated to the outside of the new fence, September 2020. The finishing touches are made to the safety railings around the steps at the south-west end of the Old Pit heapstead, September 2020. The grille has been refitted to the window of the Horizontal Engine House after the surrounding brickwork had been rebuilt, October 2020. A low wall has been built around two of the edges of the base of the Fan Engine House, October 2020. This view from the top of the New Pit heapstead shows the area inside the new boundary fence after a JCB had cleared the vegetation and levelled much of the area, November 2020. The old boundary fence has been removed from the area between the fan ducts and the container. The drain at the base of the fan housing, showing how little damage had been caused by the insertion of a fence post when the first boundary fence was built at some time in the early 2000s, November 2020 (30 cm scale). A photo taken in 2016 shows the fence pole in place. This view of an area to the south-east of the New Pit winding ramp shows on the left the cement flaunch used to stop water penetrating between the wall and the edge of the waterproof membrane, December 2020. (Photo by: M Bonson) (Go to photos taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023) 2021 Looking for the foundations of the New Pit headgear by digging test pits around the shaft capping, April 2021. No traces were found. Metal tank in place outside the south-west entrance to the New Pit passage, April 2021. Once it is connected to the drain coming from the winding ramp above the passage, rain water will no longer soak into the floor of the passage. Rebuilding of the wall near the egg-ended boiler continues, June 2021. A seat has been made from stone slabs in the middle of the wall near the egg-ended boiler, June 2021. The pottery stand at Brandy Bottom during the 2021 Heritage Open Days, September 2021. There is a pallet of firebricks at the back of the gazebo which will be used to make his kiln. Brandy Bottom would like to thank a volunteer and his wife for running a refreshment tent during the Heritage Open Days weekend, and for donating the takings to us. The tent was extremely popular with the tour guides during their breaks, September 2021. A tour party inside the Cornish Engine House during the 2021 Heritage Open Days, September 2021. The partially built pottery kiln in early October 2021, with the firing hole in the foreground and the circular kiln chamber at the back. A close-up of the circular kiln chamber in early October 2021. The items to be fired would be placed on the open structured in the base where they would be heated by the hot gases from the fire. The chimney (see photo below) would be built on the top before the fire was lit. At the end of October the potter fired up his kiln with all the items made in the pottery workshop that took place during the 2021 Heritage Open Days weekend. (Photo by M Fletcher) (Go to photos taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023) 2022 A entrance to a flue on the south-east side of the egg-ended boiler foundations. The metal pipe on the ground runs through the brick wall that closes the far end of the flue, January 2022 A later photo was taken after more of the spoil had been removed from around the entrance. This gives a clearer picture of the inside of the flue, and shows that the wall at the end was a later addition, January 2022. Exactly what the structure's function was has still to be determined. A 4 ft 6" mine wheel, given to the project by the South Gloucestershire Mines Research Group, the SGMRG. This originally came from the Hemingfield Colliery in Yorkshire, February 2022. (2 x 30 cm black/yellow scales) The two halves of a 6 ft 6" mine wheel, which were given to the project by the SGMRG. The wheel, and the bearing seen in the following photo, originally came from the Calverton Colliery in Nottinghamshire, February 2022. The bearing for the wheel seen in the previous photo, February 2022. (30 cm black/yellow sacle) A model of a windlass with a balanced chain hoisting a kibble, March 2022. This model has been based on a drawing in Agricola's 'De Re Metallica'. A string has been stretched along the line of a wall on the south-east side of the egg-ended boiler settings, showing that the various fragments were aligned, March 2022. A flashing is added to the top of the wooden bracing beam in the Old Boiler House to help protect the beam from the effects of the weather, April 2022. Spoil removal has started at the outside of the north-eastern end of the Egg-ended boiler settings, April 2022. Spoil removal has started on the south-eastern side of the Egg-ended boiler settings, May 2022. (Photo by M Fletcher) The expanded model of the site was on show during the Heritage Open days weekend in September 2022. The New Pit is in the foreground, with the Old Pit in the background ... ... a close-up of the Cornish Engine House ... ... the Old Pit, with the Cornish Engine House on the right ... ... and the New Pit heapstead, with a representation of what the head gear might have looked like. The interior of the southern fan duct, with the flood-lit chamber leading to the shaft in the background. (HODs weekend, September 2022) A tour party looks into the Vertical Engine House during the HODs weekend, September 2022 A safety railing around a section of fish-bellied rail still buried in the ground during the HODs weekend, September 2022. The rail itself can be seen on the 'finds' page, together with a close up of the broken Dramway railchair seen on the left of the top of the railing. (Go to photos taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022) 2023 Part of the wall at the firebox end of the Egg-ended Boiler settings being rebuilt, February 2023. A view of the cycle path side of the Old Pit enclosure after the old fence has been removed in February 2023. A view of the cycle path side of the New Pit enclosure after the old fence has been removed in February 2023, looking north-east. A view of the cycle path side of the New Pit enclosure after the old fence has been removed in February 2023, looking south-west. (Go to photos taken at work parties in 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023) Unless otherwise stated, the photos are by R Whitworth. Other Brandy Bottom Pages As well as an introductory page, the other Brandy Bottom pages cover the history, and the AIBT's conservation work at the site. The latter is divided into a summary of progress at work parties, plus several pages of photos of the buildings, finds, wildlife. There are also images of the display boards, and a page with a location map, plus directions to the site and the dates of work parties. < Back to Project List Page updated 12 Mar 23
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