Salt Making at Saltfleet - Rained Off - 10 August 2014

Our demonstration day at Saltfleet was disappointing. Having built the hearth on a sunny Saturday afternoon in preparation for the demonstration day we were aware of the dreadful weather forecast given for the following day.  The whole country was braced for the aftermath of hurricane Bertha.
On the Sunday clouds were developing and the wind picking up as we lit the fire at 9.30am - the brine heated up and by 10.30 salt crystals were beginning to form. But that was the best of the day and as the wind got stronger the rain began sweeping across the field in torrents..... At 11am the Saltfleet Gala Day was cancelled!
Our salt hearth is built with bricks, but represents a clay hearth which might have supported clay pans found at Ingoldmells, Lincolnshire
Video to follow -

Each salt pan would have been supported in three clay pedistals.

Balls of wet clay allowed each pan to be set horizontally.

The first salt crystals forming in the clay salt pans.