Seventeen students of the heritage masonry course at Algonquin College in Perth Ontario learned the principles of how to build a dry stone bridge as part of an introductory demonstration workshop. This very successful course was taught by Algonquin College heritage masonry instructor John Scott and DSWAC president, John Shaw-Rimmington. It was very hot the first day and very wet the second day. Despite the weather and a few missing wallers from the partying the night before, we managed to finish most of the 24 foot bridge by 5 pm Sunday afternoon. The double arched bridge replicates in smaller scale the double arch bridge that goes over the Tay River right in downtown Perth.
The footprint of the foundation
The stone and tent arrives
The students arrive
The building begins .
The two wooden arch forms positioned in place and the springers laid.
The vousoirs are built around and over the forms.
The dry stone bridge work continues in the pouring rain.
The bridge is ready for the forms to be removed.
Horay!
Miriam Lefevre gives a celebratory cheer from the bridge immediately after the coping for the one side is completed