SecretLeeds - History, culture and architecture in Leeds

Does anyone have an explanation for these black and white markers I noticed on the walls of Kirkstall Abbey?

Two in tandem

Not sure but are they some sort of mark for surveying,used to monitor the structural safety of the building,and make sure its not collapsing or moving too much.Just a guess

cnosni wrote: Not sure but are they some sort of mark for surveying,used to monitor the structural safety of the building,and make sure its not collapsing or moving too much.Just a guess ...But a good guess.If that's the case then the theodolite would need to be mounted on an exact datum point.I wonder where that could be?

cnosni wrote: Not sure but are they some sort of mark for surveying,used to monitor the structural safety of the building,and make sure its not collapsing or moving too much.Just a guess You're right, Cnosni. I believe they're called "tell-tales" and are used to detect tiny movements in the stonework. Bolton Priory also has/had them.    

Tell-tales are more usually calibrated plates which can move against each other and would be placed over a crack or joint to detect movement. These look more like simple marker plates providing a fixed reference point for site surveying operations.

The markers are ther cos the monks were dabling in radio active fabrics but didn't quite manage to get the symbolism quite right. Jeez, don't you lot know owt?

chameleon wrote: Tell-tales are more usually calibrated plates which can move against each other and would be placed over a crack or joint to detect movement. These look more like simple marker plates providing a fixed reference point for site surveying operations. Hmmm, I've seen near identical widgets on tripods used by surveyors. Not that I've ever understood what they are doing or how they do it. Often you see them out on the road and nothing subsequently happens/changes.As I understand it "Tell Tales" can also be such as a simple 1/4" glass rod (or simpler) fixed in place across a crack in masonry to detect whether or not it's still moving. In one instance I heard of a piece of stamp edging was used across a crack in a granite facade in the foyer of a multi storey office block near a forge that was using a steam hammer which played havoc with nearby buildings.The secretary came in the next morning, and noticing it, said " You don't expect that to stop it do you"

Bramley4woods wrote: chameleon wrote: Tell-tales are more usually calibrated plates which can move against each other and would be placed over a crack or joint to detect movement. These look more like simple marker plates providing a fixed reference point for site surveying operations. Hmmm, I've seen near identical widgets on tripods used by surveyors. Not that I've ever understood what they are doing or how they do it. Often you see them out on the road and nothing subsequently happens/changes.As I understand it "Tell Tales" can also be such as a simple 1/4" glass rod (or simpler) fixed in place across a crack in masonry to detect whether or not it's still moving. In one instance I heard of a piece of stamp edging was used across a crack in a granite facade in the foyer of a multi storey office block near a forge that was using a steam hammer which played havoc with nearby buildings.The secretary came in the next morning, and noticing it, said " You don't expect that to stop it do you" Now you mention it, I think you're right. I think Sean Connerry used a similar idea in a Bond film, when he licked a hair from his head and stuck it across a wardrobe door to see if anyone went in it while he was out. Can't remember why!

simonm wrote: The markers are ther cos the monks were dabling in radio active fabrics but didn't quite manage to get the symbolism quite right. Jeez, don't you lot know owt? And after some of the tales of what those Monks supposedly got up to - I could almost believe it!