Random witterings

There are 3 posts filed in Random witterings.

CPD fun

As well as researching bioreceptivity and biodeterioration I also have an interest in conservation (and restoration) of heritage metals and have been involved in work with the heritage motorsports field for around 6 years now.

I was very excited to get to attend a CPD course on the conservation of architectural metals last weekend with Birmingham City University. On the first day of the course they had arranged a visit to Barr & Grosvenor Limited, a Wolverhampton based family run foundry who carry out a lot of heritage work. The second day was hosted by The Black Country Living Museum which provided a plethora of examples and also provided a hands on blacksmithing experience for the delegates.

A cast iron street lamp at the museum with working gas filaments
Nail and S hook from the blacksmithing experience

I also took the opportunity to visit the award winning Victorian fountain in Dudley marketplace on the Friday evening, well worth a visit and a some nice examples of bioreceptivity towards the top.

Quarry tour!

As part of the Heritage Open Day activities, we were excited to see that Stamford Stone were offering a quarry tour. Philip and I had a really interesting time seeing where some of our stone samples come from.

The size of the quarries seemed so much bigger when we’re on site! We were taken around in one of their site vehicles, and had some stops in safe areas where we could get out and walk around.

One of the most interesting things was to hear how they are actively working to improve their sustainability, and how they are reducing environmental impact of quarrying longer term.

You can find out more about the quarry on their website, https://www.stamfordstone.co.uk/

Inadvertent biocides

We took a family day out to York at the weekend and took a walk along the walls. Here’s a beautiful example of an unplanned biocidal effect. The copper in the plaque has been slowly dissolving in the rain and washing down the wall keeping this section completely clear of biological growth. Unfortunately the strong green colour just below the plaque wouldn’t really be considered acceptable!