Seasonal Projects - Summer

As Summer is now looking to be next weekend, we are probably too late to encourage you to do a large landscaping project but you may have time to:

 * Clear some space, ideally with a bit of shade. Find a chair or bench, cover with rugs and cushions and place near a table.
* Find the pots that you planted up earlier in the year, sigh heavily when you notice that you forgot to water / the slugs have dined on them and realise that you need to nip to the garden centre to buy something to replace them with. Return with a suspiciously artificial looking chilli pepper plant - it was the only thing that they had left.
* Level things up so that nothing wobbles - nothing like motion sickness to spoil a lazy sunny afternoon.
* In touch with both of your X chromosomes? Then get some fairy lights, tea lights and scented candles and scatter artfully. Use the pepper plant to inspire a Mexican theme.
* More in touch with your Y chromosome? Then manfully drag across a bucket and fill with ice and scatter beer cans artfully. Use the chillies in the 'man or mouse' competition.
* Take a photo to remind you of Summer 13
If you need help with tables, chairs, benches, troughs or pots; we have some in our yard available for this weekend.

Spring Has Finally Arrived!

Well, after what can only be described as a cold and miserable start to the year, we are now full of the joys of Spring here at Winchcombe Reclamation. The weather has, I feel, hindered some building jobs but everything now seems that little bit more positive and the odd bit of blue sky and warmer weather definately helps!
Along with the finer weather, our yard takes on a new life during the spring time.
The first instalment of this years stock of flowers and shrubs has arrived and adds a great splash of colour to our display of stoneware and garden items.Varieties available include many Japonicas, Carnations and Ceanothus to name but a few, all at reasonable prices.
Plants have been springing up everywhere recently with a number of troughs and  containers blooming again from previous years and new shoots coming to the trees along the river bank.
This natural environment is ideal for attracting wildlife. From the  trout in the stream at the bottom of the yard to the butterflys sunning themselves on the cotswold stone and the numerous birds that join us each spring.
Some of our regular customers will fondly recall our resident robin, 'Bob' who appears year in and  year out - ever present if you move a pallet in case it reveals any worms or insects!Also, I'm pleased to say that our swallows have returned to us for another year. We all get excited when we hear them arrive in the building after that unbelievably long journey.....
This year in particular we have a number of birds here and are discovering new nests pretty much on a daily basis. We try to work alongside our feathered friends so won't disturb any pallets where birds are nesting - this does however result in lost sales, for example the bluetits which nest inside a lamp post means that this won't be available for sale over the next few months!
As you may find hanging on the doors of luxury hotels, our yard is now littered with 'do not disturb' signs, protecting those nesting.

An exciting new addition to the wildlife here is a family of badgers and with our new toy of a trail camera we have been able to set up a 'badgercam' and see them in action. We hope to post updates of any activity here, on our blog...... our very own Springwatch!

Easter Opening:

We will be open as normal Good Friday and Easter Saturday but you will find us closed on Easter Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.We wish all our customers a Happy Easter!

All About......

Reclaimed Paving:
Natural stone has been used as paving for centuries and the finest example of this is Yorkstone. This Yorkshire sandstone is known to have been quarried since the 1400's and by the eighteenth century had become a large industry providing flagstones, masonry and roofing materials. Appreciated for it's high quality and durability, Yorkstone was used throughout the country.

Today, the use of reclaimed York flagstones, with their warm, weathered patina of age, can add instant character to a space and even add value to a property.

At Winchcombe Reclamation, we always carry extensive stocks of reclaimed York with a minimum of 300 Msq available at any one time. Our stock includes high quality rivened Yor for external projects.........Read More...

Online Store

Our online store is up and running now offering our customers the convenience of shopping from home. Our yard stock of reclaimed materials isn't available to purchase here as, being reclaimed, it is recommended that they are seen first hand before buying to ensure happiness with colour, finish, condition etc. but the online store offers a range of new and reproduction items which can be delivered Nationwide.
Great care has been taken over selecting the suppliers of these products as we were mindful to supply the quality our customers expect along with traditional design and competitive pricing.
Our extensive range of ironmongery comprises of classic door and window furniture. These products are, admittedly, imported as many of their kind; but the difference is that they are then checked, hand finished and well packaged locally to be dispatched Nationwide along with a quality check tag. The designs are reassuringly traditional and of hard wearing, high quality and a full range of finishes is avialble from simple beeswax to rich pewter.
A range of specially selected sinks and taps is also available including the trustworthy belfast, various ceramic options, cast iron designs and more. Both conventional and modern taps and fittings can be found here too.
The hardwood flooring is really popular with many options to choose from. There are various widths available and finishes range from simply unfinished to dark, antique oak. Should you have underfloor heating, engineered boards are also offered.
Why not take a peek now? And don't forget to check on a regular basis as new products will be added in time.

Christmas Opening Times

Winchcombe Reclamation will be closing for the Christmas break on Friday December 21st and re-opening on Monday January 7th
During this time we are still contactable by e-mail and, if needed, yard visits can be arranged on an appointment only basis.

We would like to wish all our customers a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!!

Staddlestones

Originating from the Old English word stathol meaning a foundation or support, these were early bases for a variety of buildings. The stone staddle was an improvement from earlier wooden feet and was an effective way of supporting various structures from beehives and game stores through to larger grain stores and barns.

The classic design of these staddlestones consists of a circular top upon a seperate base. The usually flat top allowed stable support for the structure above and the large circular profile worked as an early pest control; preventing rodents from climbing up and into the store. This design has lead to them also being referred to as stone mushrooms or toadstools. With the bases standing at around two foot in height, they were an effective way of raising a grain store out of the way of vermin and water and also allowing air to circulate beneath keeping the harvest within dry.

The production of staddlestones became a relatively significant industry with large numbers being hand carved throughout the country. The stone used would be the stone local to the area so you see many variations available. Nowadays, they are an extremely popular accessory  adding character and charm to many gardens and driveways.

We always aim to have a healthy stock of staddlestones available at Winchcombe Reclamation.
Our current stock includes many local Cotswold stone examples including some matching sets of 2, 4 or 6.
We also have a selection of Sandstone staddlestones originating from the Forest of Dean area and a small number carved from a Blue Lias stone.
A mixed stock of tops and bases is also available which can be sold seperately.