Flooding

Due to the recent rain the Somerset Levels has seen large scale flooding not seen in a few years. Although it is expected that certain moors flood during heavy rainfall and that alternative flood zones are available should they fill up, the speed in which these areas flooded was unprecedented. Even at the museum water levels in the Westonzoyland Engine Rhyne are abnormally high even with the 50 tonnes per minute Diesel engine running adjacent to our steam engine. A view below shows the 100 tonne per minute Appold centrifugal pump at the base of the Easton Amos steam drainage machine nearly under water, where this is usually dry.

facilities extension 'the film'

we dont just take still images! our resident film director Alan has made this little snapshot of the past few days work on the groundworks of the new extension... enjoy!

re-filling holes!

Two days spent digging holes for the new Facilities Extension was quickly reversed in 15 minutes by filling them back in with Concrete! On Tuesday a delivery of 6m3 of Gen3 Concrete was delivered by S.Morris of Taunton. Much to our delight the operator managed to make it wet enough for the majority of the concrete to flow around the whole length of the foundation with only about 4/5 barrow loads being needed to be moved by hand.

Metal levelling pegs were inserted in the bottom of the footing before pouring. The left over 0.3m3 was used to pour a base for the path from the level crossing. Due to the rain it was decided to spread this out to allow for a top finish of paving slabs at some point rather than battle to tamp it smooth and level.

another hole!

Whilst the digger was on site this weekend Graham one of our newer members made sure we dug him a hole to build a tank for the deep well pump he has been steadily restoring. Ok its not exactly a perfect straight sided hole but better to get this far with a digger and then finish by hand than to dig the whole thing by hand!

Facilities Extension...The Grand Start!

After 4-5 years of discussions of one sort or another, a successful planning application and a building control submission later we have started building work on the Facilities Extension at the museum! The extension is about 50m2 and will house public toilets including disabled, volunteer toilets and shower room, extension to the Tea Room and a Mess Room for volunteers.

One mini digger later hired from Yeovil Hire Centre for a very reasonable rate and a dumper truck borrowed from a nearby developer the over site and footings were completed this weekend! On Tuesday we will be pouring a Gen3 concrete mix for the foundations amounting to about 6m3 being supplied by S.Morris for another great rate. Watch this space, things should really take off now!

Gravelling

SIAS members kindly came together again today to work on the lock gates. Since the delivery of gravel some of our members spread about 50% of the gravel around but SIAS members have finished spreading the last of it.

What a difference it makes and is a great start to presenting the flood gates and we hope to carry on working with SIAS to complete interpretation boards.