A Newsletter was started at Christmas 1999 to keep both current volunteers and other society members informed of developments at Wortley Top Forge and also ensure that everybody gets to know of upcoming events and important safety information.
Only edited high lights are published here as some content of the Newsletters is not of any general interest.
Issues No.5 to No.8 (2001)
Issues No.9 to No.12 (2002)
Return to Contents Page
Yes this is late, but for a good reason - to confirm the Model Engineers 'Open Day'. Following the popularity of last year's event, I thought it was important enough to delay this newsletter for (honest).
Thank you to those people who have encouraged me to keep producing the newsletter, in spite of the likelihood of not being fully independent of my duties as Custodian. As no one has objected, I will continue.
At Top Forge we are currently embarking on the 'Big Push' towards the Easter Sunday Opening for the 2003 season. The greatest importance is making a good impression to visitors, especially before they have committed themselves to paying (and a guided tour). There are many small jobs that make a big difference to the appearance of the site. These have priority. Of only a slightly less priority is the task of moving 'unsuitable' items away from our most historic buildings and sensitive areas. A number of long term schemes have been put on hold for a few weeks while this work is done. Before Easter, we should have another consignment of 'scrap' steel removed from the back field, but I suspect an amount of scrap is also going to be generated as some areas are cleaned. Work behind the scenes is continuing to find good homes for some machines that we are not going to use. This is slow work as we must ensure equipment only goes to a good home, and with a suitable agreement over ownership.
Little work has been done here for a number of years, and while it is true that the site is very much 'two ruins in the woodland' even this needs a little maintenance. A working party is scheduled for Saturday 22nd March 2003, starting about 10:30 (weather permitting). The times you actually arrive and leave are completely casual. Park in the lay-by adjacent to the Engine House, or across the road on the Birdwell side (but not blocking any gates please). The Farmer at Rockley will be notified that we are working. A list of jobs has been prepared. These include so far, clearing dead undergrowth, pruning trees, clearing weeds from the furnace, repairing the bridge handrail and last but not least, clearing litter. Anyone wishing to join in can just come along on the day. Come in old (gardening) clothes, boots (wellingtons if its been raining) and gloves. Bring any tools you think might be useful for the works and your lunch! Some (larger) tools will be brought from Top Forge, as will an information board about the furnace for those not too familiar with the site. Note - There is no Drinking water, Electricity or Toilet at Rockley Furnace.
Although we are closed, a small number of visitors have ventured through the open gates and (after parting with money) been shown around a usual. As there are still leaflets giving the old opening dates in circulation, we are not going to stop these visits.
In the Foundry, we are well on track to having two steam engines piped up to the blue compressor ready for Easter. This is an important step as it is quite some time since these engines have been demonstrated. In the Joiners Shop another two small engines have been piped up to the small compressor.
The tractor has received a little attention during the winter months and was back in use by the end of January. Before long the Dumper will be taken out of use for a service and repairs.
The 'Green Shed' is finally complete (except for the bit we haven't attempted yet). Three sides are now fully repaired and repainted. It is now being re-arranged inside to serve as a wood store. We have, over the winter, taken delivery of 4 lorry loads of materials from various parts of West Yorkshire. This includes bricks (for the front of the S.Y.I.W. building), tanks, and a large quantity of timber. It is hoped that the sale of some less useful items will offset the cost of transport. During the spring, the bridge (actually three linked structures), over the tail goit from the hammer wheels, is being rebuilt by the Model Engineers. This was started because of the beams under the mixed gauge track being rotten, but as worked progressed it became clear that much of the timber could not be reused. As a result, the footbridge at the side of the railway is being removed completely and the abutments cut down to match the adjacent ground as well as remove the unsightly concrete blocks around the beams. Handrails will be added in time.
22nd March 2003 - Working day at the grounds of Rockley Furnace - meet at the lay-by at 10:30 ish - see above
Easter Sunday - 20th April 2003 - First day of opening for the 2003 Season.
14th April 2003 (Monday) - First Event (at Kelham Island) for the Society / Forge anniversary celebrations - evening lecture on Thomas Andrews Jnr.
12th July (Saturday) - Society visit open day at Top Forge
30th & 31st August - Elsecar Heritage Weekend
7th September - Model Engineers Event
9th November 2003 - Bonfire & Last day of Opening for 2003
Volunteers - New Volunteers are always welcome at Wortley Top Forge. At the present time there are about fifteen of us regularly working at the Forge and we are making progress in a number of directions. Possible jobs are too numerous to list but there is just about something for everybody and all abilities. Most work is done between 10am & 5pm on a Sunday but a small group (the Retired Club) also works at the Forge on Wednesdays. Actual times are casual, arrive when you can and leave when you have to. If you think you can spare some time to help us or have a friend who might, you can contact the Honorary Custodian for more details or just turn up on a Sunday Morning with Old Clothes and Stout Boots.
* * *
The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Trust, Society or Management Committees.
Closing Date for Issue No. 14 is 27th April 2003
* * * * *
Out with the old and in with the new - the bridge replacement work over the Hammer Tail Goit.
Moved for the first time in years - the Forge's Fordson tractor pulls the privately owned living van across the Back Field. This is part of our mammoth 'Spring Clean'.
We must always remember that our site is clearly visible from the road and footpaths across the river.
Return to Top of Page
The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the Trust, Society or Management Committees.
* * * * * *
Return to Top of Page
Return to Contents Page