Most wallers work alone or in pairs. Keep the following points in mind when working in pairs or groups:
- Walling is one of those territorial activities in which it is easier to work on your own definite section than to work closely with another. It can be very aggravating if too many people crowd onto a section of wall, as inevitably your neighbour will use a stone you had your eye on, or place a stone where you plan to place a different one. Whatever the size of the working group, each person should have at least a yard (1m) to himself or herself, or rather more if working opposite a partner. The more skilled the worker, the greater the length they can work on their own.
- It is best for two people to work opposite each other rather than side by side. This way each can build up one face of the wall using the stones laid out on that side, and can more easily keep out of the other’s way. Paired workers can also help each other with the placing of throughs and other heavy stones. Professional wallers, especially in Scotland, often work this way since it makes for greater efficiency. It’s better to have two working together on any walling project using large stones. With volunteers, experienced wallers should pair up with those of lesser skill, and give advice and help as necessary. When working in pairs, both sides should be built up at the same rate, as otherwise it is difficult to keep the centre of the wall well packed with fillings.
- Where several people are working on adjacent sections of a wall, they should bring their sections up to the same height before placing throughs, coverbands and topstones. This allows the layers to be levelled properly before these bridging stones are placed.
- When walling with other people be very careful not to knock or displace the guideline.
- Extra workers can be employed collecting fillings and placing them between the positioned face stones. Swap around so that everyone has a chance to learn all aspects of wall building. Traditionally, many farm children started their walling tuition by learning how to properly position the filling stones. Extra workers can also help by bringing stones within easy reach of the wallers, although they shouldn’t actually hand them the stones, as it is easier for the wallers to pick out what they want from stones on the ground.
- From an organisational point of view, gapping is the most suitable walling work for groups of about 12 volunteers, especially where the gaps are fairly small and conveniently spaced along a length of wall. Where the task requires rebuilding a considerable length of wall, the leader must co-ordinate the work carefully. This includes ensuring that the layers are laid down at an even rate so that lines of weakness do not appear between sections, keeping the courses level and overseeing the position of throughs and topstones. Where separate lengths are started, the ends of each length must be left rough so they can be ‘knitted together’ when they meet.
- Work rates are difficult to specify, as these will depend on various factors including the skill and experience of the waller, the type of stone, the type of wall and the site and weather conditions. In all situations good quality work is of much greater importance than speed. On average, a professional waller may complete about 9-15′ (2.7-4.6m) per 8 hour day, with the rate likely to be slower in bad weather or poor site conditions. Amateurs and groups of volunteers can expect to complete rather less than half as much in the same time. In grand prix competitions run by the Dry Stone Walling Association, lengths are usually 6-7′ (1.8-2.1m) for professionals, and 5-6′ (1.5-1.8m) for amateurs. Novices in competitions are usually required to build a 3-5′(1-1.5m) length of wall.
