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Every so often, a job comes along that’s a bit more than just digging and installing—it’s a real puzzle. Back in July 2024, I had one of those moments while working on a project at Powis Castle, a National Trust site known for its stunning gardens and deep history. The task? Find a hidden culvert, assess the damage, and get it flowing again. Easier said than done!
The Search Begins
The culvert had been buried for years, its location a bit of a mystery. All we had to go on were old plans and a rough idea of where the water should be flowing. The problem was that the existing outlet wasn’t draining properly, and with every heavy rainfall, water was backing up—a disaster waiting to happen for the castle’s historic grounds.
Armed with excavators and a good bit of patience, we started digging. At first, there was nothing but compacted earth and stone, but after some careful tracking of the natural water flow, we finally hit the old pipe. The relief was short-lived, though, because the culvert had seen better days. A large section was cracked and partially collapsed, restricting the water’s movement.
Repair and Extension
Once we had the full picture, the next step was clear: extend the culvert with new piping to bypass the damaged section. We carefully cut back the old pipe to a stable section, ensuring a solid connection for the new addition.
Using heavy-duty drainage pipe, we laid a fresh section to bridge the gap, making sure it had the right gradient to keep water flowing smoothly. After backfilling and compacting the area, the culvert was as good as new—ready to handle whatever the Welsh weather could throw at it.
The End Result
By the time we wrapped up, the water was flowing freely again, and the hidden culvert was no longer a mystery. It was a satisfying job—a mix of detective work, problem-solving, and hands-on graft. More importantly, it helped preserve the landscape of Powis Castle, ensuring that excess water wouldn’t threaten its stunning gardens or historic structures.
It’s projects like this that remind me why I love the work I do. Not every job is straightforward, but when you’re working in a place with so much history, it’s an honour to play a small part in keeping it intact for future generations.
This job was a joint project alongside
I Gwilliam & Sons LTD of Oswestry
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