Craftsmen from the National Trust in Cumbria recreated the traditional method for making lime mortar during a three-day course for heritage experts in 1994.
The event was staged at the trust’s direct works department depot at Thwaite Yard, between Coniston and Hawkshead.
Sir Desmond Pilcher, chairman of North West Water, looking at work completed on the route up Wansfell in 1996, with Oliver Maurice, the National Trust’s North West regional director, and Peter Taylor, the trust’s head warden for Windermere
Lime was brought in from a Cumbrian quarry before being burned, along with charcoal, in a specially-made cylindrical lime kiln.
Water was then poured on to the hot limestone, causing a chemical reaction.
The limestone disintegrates into what is known as lime putty and is mixed with sharp sand to make a traditional building mortar.
Thwaite Yard was also the venue for a unique open day in September 1995.
Around 70 members of the public visited the yard, which was home to experts in restoring and maintaining traditional buildings in the Lake District.
Barrovians Sue Toms (left) and Joyce Nicholson looking around the joinery area at an open day at Thwaite Yard in 1995
It had opened its door as part of Heritage Open Days ‘95, which saw properties not normally open to the public welcome visitors.
A labour force, including skilled masons, travelled throughout the region working on old National Trust properties throughout the year.
At the open day, staff put on displays of woodworking, lime rendering, lime slaking, slate dressing and joinery work.
Eric Parker, assistant building manager, said: “The day was a great success with people from all over the region and far away enjoying themselves.”
Walling work being carried out near Hawkshead in 1985 by National Trust woodmen David Woodburn (left) and Chris Taylforth
In 1996 walkers had an improved route up Wansfell, near Ambleside, across National Trust land, thanks to the work of the trust's Windermere and Troutbeck estate team, with the support of North West Water.
The footpath, from the National Trust's Stagshaw Gardens, had been newly signposted to help visitors reach Jenkin's Crag and beyond to the summit of Wansfell.
The cost of the project came from money donated to the trust by North West Water to mark the trust's centenary the previous year.
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