PASS!!

Ken Tuach now holds a Level 3 Adavanced Dry Stone Wall Certificate from the Dry Stone Wall Association of the Uk.

The test was observed by two Master Craftsmen Dan Snow and Chris Tanguay of the DSWA, additionally certified as examiners. The test was comprised of two parts:

Part A, unlimited time to build 10 square meters with various features.



Part B, seven hours to take apart and rebuild 4.5 square meters or retaining wall.




Details on the features:

The Level 3 Part A feature was built at our stone yard in Pynn's Brook, NL July 2012. It meets the required special features of high wall and curve and is 10 square meters of face on the outside of the curve. It has a sacrament about 11" deep sitting on a solid sand base. From the top of this footing the wall stands 7' tall with a batter of 6:1. It has 3 staggered courses of through stones 1m apart. If i remember correctly its weight was calculated somewhere around 22 tons. The odd looking cope stones are a load-cast feature which was split in half using feathers and wedges. One end of the wall is left open as there are plans to extend the wall this summer.


The Level 3 Part B test was taken at the Stone Trust in Dummerston Vermont, April 20th, 2013. A strip and rebuild of 4.5sq meters of retaining wall in 7 hours, no corners required. This particular wall stands about 4' to the base of the copes with one row of troughs at mid-hight. If you look REALLY closely you might make out the blue chalk lines which delineated the limits of the rebuild; the blue chalk stayed untouched and everyting in-between was removed and rebuilt.

Master Craftsman Chris Tanguay -Workshop

Master Craftsman Chris Tanguay will be leading a dry stone walling workshop in the Corner Brook area.

As a professional member of the Dry Stone Wall Association of Great Britain, Chris will use knoledge and skill to share the artesian craft of dry stone walling -techniques, tools, practices.

Intended for beginners, anyone with interest is welcome. It is hands-on so expect heavy lifting.

Limited space avaiable.
Sat, Oct 20th, and Sunday Oct 21st.
$300 per person per 2 day workshop, student rates available.

Culture Of Outports, Brigus Workshop

We were invited to Brigus, NL to provide a small stone walling clinic.

ERA Architects Inc. from Ontario coordinated a community project in brigus. Part of their annual design/build innitatives. This build was executed by a group of competent Ryerson University students.

As stonework is a defining feature in Brigus, the project was to incoprorate dry stone elements

The clinic coverd some basic technical elements, and a short practical session to help the students make informed decision regarding the feasibility and scope of their project.

To read about the full project visit the Culture of Outports Blog and ERA Architects Inc.

Tippings Pond, Massey Drive

Benches recently Installed at Tippings Pond, Massey Drive. A popular swimming area and hiking trail.

Home and Cabin Magazine

We were recently featured in Home and Cabin magazine. The magazine features "striking, unique and intriguing homes and cabins across the province of Newfoundland and Labrador." Download the .pdf file to read the full article.

Dry Stone Walling Across Canada

This September we attended Roctoberfest in Rockport, Ontario: an annual walling festival with people participating from across North America and beyond.

Several unique features were built (arches, walls, fireplace and a bridge).

We took a certification test and now offer these services to our customers.

Port Au Choix -National Historic Site

  

We built two stone features commissioned by Parks Canada Agency at the Port au Choix National Historic Site.

The Dorset Doorway at Point Riche serves as a gateway for interpretive walks through the fields of an old Dorset settlement. The structure is reminiscent of the traditional style dwelling: a depression lined with stone and covered by a canopy of seal skin and whale bones. Larger stones mark the entrance which leads to a central soapstone fire box.

The metal whale bone sculptures were designed and constructed by a Newfoundland artist.
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The Gathering Circle is in memory of the Maritime Archaic Indians who rest nearby. The site is the oldest known burial ground in Newfoundland (between 4400 and 3300 years B.P.).

The Gathering Circle is reminiscent of healing circles used in modern aboriginal traditions. Maritime Archaic peoples marked graves with three small stones. This is loosely reflected in the large boulders marking the entrance to the circle. White stones were used to symbolize spirit as they round the circle - rebirth, life, death. The top of the circle is waved to mirror the ocean that provided the people with sustenance. Other white stones within are the ocean's whitecaps.

Embedded in the center of the circle is a paved area shaped as a burial spearhead found in some of the graves.

Nearby are three large slabs supported by large boulders and mounted with interpretative plaques. The squarish slabs reflect western-style grave stones and their weight is equally balanced by the three boulders which reflect the Maritime Archaic burial tradition.

Maritime Archaic Indians left their marks which archaeologists use to interpret their way of life. Similarly, the mason left tool marks visible on the stones and invite visitors to appreciate these archaeological techniques.

The Gathering Circle provides a place to contemplate the intersection of the two cultures.