Limekilns in Vallis Vale, Frome, Somerset
A limekiln is an industrial structure of medieval to
Victorian date used for burning limestone, chalk, or even oyster shells
to make quicklime for building and agricultural purposes. Generally comprising
a circular, square or rectangular pit, usually between 1 and 5m in diameter
and up to 3m in depth, in which the lime was fired using timber, charcoal
or coal as fuel. At the base of the pit there are often one or more drawholes
or stokeholes, through which the fire was lit, fed, and the ashes and lime
extracted.
Much of the structure of the 19th C kilns were in generally sound condition
although there were areas which needed to be addressed in order to prevent
more serious decay from creeping in. Once the surrounding tree growth was
cleared we focused on 2 kilns.
Kiln 1, We introduced a water shedding hydraulic lime capping to the top
of the cylinder, all adjacent walls were pointed and the fire brick lining
rebuilt. We superficially packed out a large movement crack to an depth
of 2 inches where we introduced access/exit points for the hibernating
Bats and rebuild areas of the corbeled stonework at the apex of the arch
Kiln 2 Due to funding limitations we proposed to introduce a temporary
water shedding terram (membrane) and turf capping to the top of the cylinder,
although it would be more appropriate to repair and rebuild the top three
courses as above along with all adjacent walls and to point & pack
out the large movement crack in a similar bat friendly fashon, Areas of
the corbeled stonework at the apex of the arch were rebuilt as well as
the small collapsed area to the rear of the kiln.
Repointing & grouting was done using a suitable putty lime mortar guaged
with a pozzolan (to achieve a quicker set) matched to the original & With
Hydraulic lime used for surface capping In general it was recommended that
stonework that has totally failed in a position that affected the weathering
elements of the kilns be replaced. Voids within the mass of the walls for
example were filled with a gravity injected Lime grout.
