Armley Park Arch

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Sun 01 Jun, 2008 10:55 pm

I'd looked at this thing last year and just thought it was stone until I had a closer look last week. You can see the concrete mix is very rough. Large pebble and chipped brick in there if you click the picture twice for the large size.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Sun 01 Jun, 2008 11:09 pm

On closer inspection the arch appears to been constructed from a preformed wooden shutter and poured in situ. The mortar rake lines have been made by using angled bead nailed to the shutter from what I can see.

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Sun 01 Jun, 2008 11:11 pm

The curved arch false mortar bed hasn't come out to clear on the left hand side.

sirjohn · Post by **sirjohn** » Mon 02 Jun, 2008 6:10 pm

again, i don't think it is surprising that this was built from poured concrete & shuttering even in 1893.... but what are the holes on the sides? they look as if they go in a vertical line?

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Mon 02 Jun, 2008 6:18 pm

The holes are a bit puzzling. You get those in large pieces of stone. They used to chisel a hole either side of the block and used a grab like pulley/winch to lift it in place. Maybe they've just made the holes to look authentic??

Phill_d · Post by **Phill_d** » Mon 02 Jun, 2008 6:24 pm

They call the lifting tackle a 'lewis'

Tasa · Post by **Tasa** » Tue 03 Jun, 2008 9:21 am

drapesy wrote: I just think the whole thing doesn't look right for 1893 - the material, the "workmanship", even the style of lettering used for '1893'. It looks more like something built in the 1930s to me! I've just found a Leeds City Council report of September 2007 which mentions "the repair of the Edwardian steps in Armley Park, leading down to the canal".

Si · Post by Si » Tue 03 Jun, 2008 10:41 am

Phill_d wrote: They call the lifting tackle a 'lewis' Yes, Phill, this "scissor" type lifting tackle was used to lift heavy blocks of stone utilising the weight of the stone itself. Many people while renovating their Leeds Victorian terrace houses think the holes either end of the fireplace lintel were made for candle-holders, or the like. However, they are purely there to help in construction. These lintels were never supposed to be visible, having a wood or cast-iron fireplace fitted in front of them.

Chrism · Post by **Chrism** » Tue 03 Jun, 2008 12:40 pm

The scissor type lifting things are called 'dogs'. You can spot the dog holes all over the place. On the wall round the front and west side of the Town Hall for instance.