MYSTERY OBJECTS

[Gloria]

Not sure, but is that a wheel behind it?

[Stanley]

Yes and that's a good clue to location.

[Gloria]

Doesn’t look at though the wheel is for heavy work, could the object be a pulley of some sort?

[Stanley]

Not warm Gloria. Study that wheel and it will give you a clue to location, than you can pursue the weight!

[Gloria]

Looking at the spoke pieces which the nut and bolt connects, why use two pieces, can it be altered for tension? As you can see I am grabbing at straws.

[Tizer]

The wheel rim seems to be carved out for a rope to run around it. That and the weights suggest to me a clock winding mechanism.

[PanBiker]

Clock mechanism or a counterweight for a well bucket?

[chinatyke]

Something to do with church bells?

[Stanley]

Now then! We're getting somewhere. You're right China, it's in the belfry of a church at Hamer in Rochdale. Now, what's the weight all about. The clue here is the horrible lash up of thick copper wire and it's nothing to do with the bells.

[chinatyke]

Just noticed that you can see part of a bell in the bottom right hand corner! I'm guessing again: the lash-up including the weight is to stop the wheel turning because (maybe) the spoke is broken.

[Stanley]

Sorry no. Higher up than that, the only reason it's there is because it had broken free and fallen. So what is it?

[chinatyke]

Sorry no. Higher up than that, the only reason it's there is because it had broken free and fallen. So what is it?

Ahh, big clue! I've an idea that the cone that covers the very top of a steeple tower was held in place by a weight internally. Could it be this? I mean the (lead?) cone on the apex of the steeple if that explains it any better.

[Stanley]

Well done China, you have got it. The finial on a spire has a weight hung from it inside the structure to put weight on it. If the finial is secure, the masonry below is safe. This weight had fallen and had to be replaced with a new bolt down into the structure. At some time the rod had failed and was replaced by a lash up of copper wire.
Next one?

[chinatyke]

I think we must have had this before and you have stirred the dark recesses of my memory! Finial - that's the word I wanted!

[Stanley]

I have an idea we covered finials on spires in Steeplejack's Corner China.

[Tizer]

Well done,China. Coincidentally I watched a TV programme a few days ago where it showed people in some foreign place making a village hut out of bamboo. It was circular and with a domed roof. They started the roof covering by making a cap which was nailed on top of the frame, then added the bamboo covering on the rest of the roof.

[Stanley]

The inside of the masonry spire at Hamer, you can see the wrought iron rod that failed.

[Stanley]

What are we looking at here?

[chinatyke]

Inside Rhodes chimney?

[Gloria]

Inside a chimney?

[Stanley]

Buggeration! China has gone right to it. Yes it's the inside of the base of Rhodes chimney which was enormous, over 40 feet across.
But notice the question, what are we looking at? There are some interesting features, observation is all!

[chinatyke]

It was the size and octagonal shape that made me suggest Rhodes, more correctly referred to as Schwabes chimney.

[Stanley]

Yes but don't evade your responsibility! You've identified the stack now what are you looking at.? Quite unique in my experience in one respect. However, there is more than one comment you could make.

[chinatyke]

Round base and octagonal walls? Also the lightning conductor strip is mounted internally.

[Stanley]

You clever bugger! That's it, internal lighting conductor strip. Only one I have ever seen. Now set the next one!
[You have a wonderful memory....]