Dry Stonewalling - Robert Lee
Dry stonewalls, constructed without the use of mortar, boast a rich history spanning millennia. There exist examples of these walls and structures dating back 5000 years, standing resiliently to this day. Wherever abundant stones of suitable sizes were available, these walls were erected, relying entirely on the careful stacking for their durability and strength.
Utilising local stone, often directly from the nearby ground, dry stonewalls embody an ideal construction method when a readily available stone supply is at hand. Their longevity is remarkable, commonly enduring for 100 to 200 years, surpassing many other forms of fencing and even outlasting mortared masonry constructions. When a dry stonewall eventually succumbs, it can be reconstructed using the same stone.
Traditionally, dry stonewalls were assembled with undressed stone, showcasing various styles that optimized the use of available stones. Essentially, these walls are structures capable of flexing and adapting to movement. As the ground settles or shifts, a well-built dry stonewall seamlessly adjusts. This flexibility minimizes the need for extensive foundation work compared to mortared constructions.
Moreover, the design of dry stonewalls facilitates easy water passage, in stark contrast to mortared walls that trap moisture, leading to potential failure during freezing conditions. In many instances, a meticulously crafted dry stone wall proves to have a longer lifespan than its mortared counterpart. Building without mortar not only ensures practical benefits but also aligns with historical accuracy in numerous cases.
Robert Lee from Castleside has been building and repairing Dry Stone Walls for over 30 years. Robert left school and got a job working with his dad as a Woodman for Wolsingham Park Farms, near Tunstall Reservoir. His jobs included dry stone walling, fence repairs and forestry work. Quite often the work depended on the season. Planting trees Feb-April, helped with lambing April-May, silage work was July-early August, then the hand held hedge cutter came out August-September! It was a very varied but equipped him with a range of skills. We caught up with him at Castleside but he can still be regularly seen all around the County especially in Weardale.
https://www.facebook.com/RobLeeStoneWalling
Utilising local stone, often directly from the nearby ground, dry stonewalls embody an ideal construction method when a readily available stone supply is at hand. Their longevity is remarkable, commonly enduring for 100 to 200 years, surpassing many other forms of fencing and even outlasting mortared masonry constructions. When a dry stonewall eventually succumbs, it can be reconstructed using the same stone.
Traditionally, dry stonewalls were assembled with undressed stone, showcasing various styles that optimized the use of available stones. Essentially, these walls are structures capable of flexing and adapting to movement. As the ground settles or shifts, a well-built dry stonewall seamlessly adjusts. This flexibility minimizes the need for extensive foundation work compared to mortared constructions.
Moreover, the design of dry stonewalls facilitates easy water passage, in stark contrast to mortared walls that trap moisture, leading to potential failure during freezing conditions. In many instances, a meticulously crafted dry stone wall proves to have a longer lifespan than its mortared counterpart. Building without mortar not only ensures practical benefits but also aligns with historical accuracy in numerous cases.
Robert Lee from Castleside has been building and repairing Dry Stone Walls for over 30 years. Robert left school and got a job working with his dad as a Woodman for Wolsingham Park Farms, near Tunstall Reservoir. His jobs included dry stone walling, fence repairs and forestry work. Quite often the work depended on the season. Planting trees Feb-April, helped with lambing April-May, silage work was July-early August, then the hand held hedge cutter came out August-September! It was a very varied but equipped him with a range of skills. We caught up with him at Castleside but he can still be regularly seen all around the County especially in Weardale.
https://www.facebook.com/RobLeeStoneWalling