Metal windows in preparation

This is the west side of the tower, showing the three windows de-glazed, de-scaled and now primed.

This close-up of window number one shows the delicacy of the ironwork - and that of the window on the other side of the tower.

Inside the tower as window work proceeds. The window at the north end is being stripped of old putty and paint. Sunlight floods in from the west.

De-glazing the windows

Former work colleague Peter Bennett, looking like something out of Star Wars is preparing the first of the seven cast iron window frames with the help of Trelawny's splendid needle gun. Peter has travelled from his home in Devon to help with this tedious, dusty but important job.







The centre window on the west side of the tower, de-glazed and awaiting needle-gunning. The slender profile of the window frames can be seen.














Here is the west side of the tower. All windows now without glass and the one on the right almost ready for a coat of primer paint.

Note the levelled ground which will enable us to wheel the scaffolding tower from window to window.

Dig this

The full depth of the east or rear wall of the tower is now exposed to the air with the removal of accumulated topsoil and general debris. Also exposed, bottom left, is a large earthenwear drain - possibly the drain that served the tank's overflow pipe.

On the west side of the tower the foundations of a small building were exposed - possibly a coal merchant's hut or office. Whatever it was, there are no signs of it having been physically connected to the tower itself.

At the south west corner there is another massive drain (behind the iron plate) around which was a very fine cobbled area.

Digger men Ben (left) and Chris. They and their machines removed 200 tonnes of soil and loose material in order to get down to solid ground around the edges of the tower. Up to nine courses of stone had become buried over the years. It has also become evident that the floor inside the tower is about 750mm higher than the original floor. This probably happened in 1939 when stables with a need for drainage, (see an earlier posting) were built inside the tower. The Midland Railway plans dated 1874 show the lower floor.

Some top and bottom images

Here are the east and south ends of the tank, painted and restored to former glory.

This is the base of the east side being dug out to enable us to use a wheeled scaffolding tower to access, prepare and re-glaze the windows. Note the tide-mark where soil had accumulated over the lovely stonework.

The north east corner of the tower, now breathing again.

The south west corner of the tank. Re-painting has turned the final corner - and very fine it looks too.

Buffers mystery solved

Like a scene straight out of Last of the Summer Wine. Big toys, sunshine and Yorkshire-men with flat caps. The photographer and actors prefer to remain anonymous.

Nearly round the bend

The picture shows Gordon the Gondola alongside the last four panels on the south end of the tank. In the morning it will be swung round to the final side - which will be a most welcome milestone. Just 26 panels (out of 72) to go. The fine dry weather has enabled me to make unexpectedly rapid progress.

Mutterin'

Today, I was quietly painting panels 46 and 47 when I became aware of two old men (or so it sounded) having a really good old moan to each other.    They sounded to be somewhere near to the station.   Try as I might I could not make out what they were saying.   Frustrated, I turned towards the sound and there, right alongside Gordon the Gondola on our lofty perch were two jackdaws - having a good old natter.   Probably, they were discussing this alien in a body harness who had invaded their domain.   There are times when life deals you a very good hand.