In this new world-order I don’t know whether to be annoyed, just laugh at it all or bang my head against the nearest wall. However, one silver lining in this crazy world is the staycation and the opportunity to find different building techniques on your travels around the UK.
The main picture is a great example is what appears to be an old sea defence wall at Climping Beech in West Sussex. The foundations appear to be simply large locally sourced stones with the field flints knapped and laid in courses above.
Although there is only a small area left further up the beach the 2m thick sea defence was in terrible condition having been battered by the sea but the fact that it is still there is itself proof of how well these things were originally constructed.
Hand-knapped flint has been used for more than 1,000 years in the construction of buildings and sea defences. It is a great example of a highly specialist and local trade. For more information on how these walls were constructed go to www.spab.org.uk/advice/flint-wall-construction