Background

Blue, grey and brown sandstone has been quarried in the Forest of Dean since the Bronze age and stone was brought within the Free Miners rights in 1838.

This recording starts with a 1992 visit to Bixhead quarry where the stone is prised from the quarry face and raised by a 10-tonne derrick crane.

At Cannop stoneworks, the large blocks are cut into slabs by the frame saws. The drama of these old saws slowly slicing through the rock was a popular sight for walkers peering through the fence since the works was established in 1902.

The slabs are cut to size with diamond circular saws, then dressed by masons using traditional tools and pneumatic chisels or shaped/bevelled with an stone planing machine.

Bonus feature

The works and quarry were fully modernised in the mid 2000s. This extra compilation, without commentary, shows the modernised quarrying, stone cutting and finishing processes in 2018.

In Barnhill quarry cutting a stone block with a 3.5m long Italian bank chain saw and stitch drilling to split a large block is seen.

In the modernised Cannop Stone Works the stone slabs are now cut to size with diamond wire and circular saws.

The new Banker Mason shop is visited and other processes, such as the flame texturing of stone setts are also seen.

Find out more about Forest of Dean Stone Firms Ltd. On their website fodstone.co.uk

Details

• Main part: Enhanced compilation with a commentary
• Bonus section: Identifying captions, no commentary.
• NGR: SO 6070 0992
• £ 14.40 - DVD
• Running time: 48 mins. Bonus feature: 27 mins.
• Recorded April 1992 & June 2018.
• Price includes worldwide delivery.
• 'PAL' and 'NTSC' versions available.

Please see the 'Sales' page for additional purchasing information.