Devon Rural Archive is focussing on the lime kilns of Devon in its next lecture, given by local historian John Risdon.

The distinctive arched shape of lime kilns is a familiar sight on the estuaries of South Devon and occasionally inland too. Although mostly redundant today, they were once an essential part of everyday life in Devon, especially throughout the 18th and 19th centuries.

These vital features of an earlier age are the focus of the Devon Rural Archive’s evening lecture on Thursday, September 7, at 7pm, to be given by local historian John Risdon.

In his illustrated talk ‘The Lime Kilns of South Devon’, John will show how the kilns were built to burn limestone and transform it into quicklime, which was used as a dressing on fields to reduce the acidity of the soil. Quicklime was also used in mortar, plaster and limewash for building.

“John will examine the importance of the lime trade and how it impacted the lives of all members of society, through its integration of science, human geography and industrial archaeology,” explained Abi Gray, Resident Archaeologist at the DRA. “The cargoes of limestone were carried from the quarries by sea and up the estuaries along which the kilns were built.”

A Devonian born and bred, John has spent his life watching and working alongside the people who have helped to make Devon the county it is today. He has been mostly involved in education and local publishing in the South West and as a volunteer for the National Trust at Greenway.

The talk will take place at 7pm in the lecture theatre at the DRA, Shilstone near Modbury, PL21 0TW, and refreshments will be available from 6.30pm. Booking is recommended. To book please call Abi on 01548 830832 or email [email protected]. For further information visit the website: www.devonruralarchive.com.