THE final piece of a giant jigsaw is all set to be put in place as work begins on replacing the wheel shaft at the last surviving water-powered forge in England. Work started yesterday (Wednesday) on the installation of a four tonne piece of wood at Finch Foundry in Sticklepath. The new wheel shaft is made from English oak and weighs in at just under the four tonne mark. The piece of wood has already undergone extensive work with three men spending more than eight hours cutting it into shape. The National Trust, which owns and runs the foundry, spent months trying to find a piece of wood large enough for the wheel shaft, eventually sourcing the wood through a timber merchants in Bovey Tracey. Roger Boney, National Trust Custodian for Finch Foundry said: 'The Trust was very aware of the foundry's historical importance when it took the property on in 1994 and began an extensive restoration programme. 'This involved the reconstruction of two waterwheels, the launder and the main shaft replacement, using materials and techniques reflecting, as near as possible, those originally used. 'We spent many months scouring the country to find a piece of wood large enough for the wheel shaft. Now we can finally replace the shaft and ensure that, for another 60 years, our visitors will not be disappointed when repeated repairs to the ageing piece of wood fail.' The existing shaft, around 20ft long and 1ft wide, was installed in 1951 using Ayan, a tropical hardwood. Finding a piece of wood that size more than half a century ago would have been a daunting task. It is not known where this exotic piece of African hardwood came from although it is believed it may have been discovered in Devonport dockyard. The shaft would have been installed by the three men and the boy working at the foundry at the time using rudimentary equipment - a remarkable feat. However, the time has now arrived for the current shaft's replacement to be fitted and in many ways it is the final piece of the jigsaw. Wes Key, National Trust Supervisor for Dartmoor said: 'We have been eager to start work on replacing the shaft but it has taken a lot of planning to ensure everything is in place before we begin the work. 'It's a bit like a giant jigsaw, just a very heavy one! It took around ten days to remove the existing wheel shaft and surrounding equipment and now we can begin the careful and heavy process of slotting a four tonne piece of wood into place.' The National Trust is hoping to put the old wheel shaft to good use at Finch Foundry as a possible seat or sculpture but would welcome any other suggestions people may have for its continued use.
