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Nightingale Valley masonry

Project coordinator: Steve Pearce

There are many features of interest in the picturesque setting of Nightingale Valley, and among these is a scatter of large pieces of architectural masonry.

Some of these stones are clearly visible on the left hand side of the path that follows Brislington Brook downstream from the bridge at the Hill Lawn end of the valley. One large block, apparently a section of an octagonal pillar, is embedded in the tar that slowly flows down into the brook. Other examples are less obvious, but no less interesting.

We would like to know where these stones came from and how they came to be where they currently lie. It seems likely that they were rolled down the slope from the buildings to the rear of Wick House, but whether they were once part of a structure there (such as the arbour) or not, is open to debate.

Many of the large blocks contain a Lewis hole - a painstakingly chiselled V-shaped slot that widens inside the stone. Into this hole were inserted two metal wedges that fitted the sloping angles, and these were locked into place by the insertion between them of a third, rectangular metal plate. A rope could be tethered to these simple metal plates, enabling the stone to be hoisted to wherever it was needed. Although the technique has been in use since Roman times, the masonry at this site appears to be modern or perhaps post-medieval in date.

If you know anything about any of these curiosities, or are interested in trying to find out more about them, please get in touch with the project coordinator, above.



Credits
1st photo — A carved slab (© Steve Pearce 2010).
2nd photo — The slab's central detail (© Theresa Driscoll 2010).

Text — Ken Taylor (updated 22.09.10)