The electrician has been and will provide a formal quote. With a ballpark of circa £3.5K inc VAT we have to find another way. I'll speak to my local contacts and see if there is another way. The quote would include emergency lights, sockets and new lights (the current ones need covers), plus tow cooker outlets.
Skip pitched up and watch the events unfold. He was most amused as I let the sparky refer to me as 'John'. I used the same technique with insurance and estate agents, when they use Kevin (side bar: when unsure, most strangers want to use the name Chris...
Skip left another broom in the hall.
Later today, I will fit ANOTHER sheet of glass on the front door and get the new crockery into the hall.
Last night I bought a 13 to 7 pin connector for my wagon. At least I can now borrow others trailers.... The rabbit is loaning a trailer late tomorrow morning, when we pick up 80 (rather nice) padded, stackable chairs from a local hotel.
The guttering is calling me, but I must resist...
Saturday 31 January 2009
Wednesday 28 January 2009
Mowgli and the decorators
Mowgli expected a day in the hall on his own. With a lot of rain for the bulk of today (what do I know, I have been in meetings all day), the decorating crew pitched up and started work.
The kitchen has been painted and areas of the stage and wings have been painted. I have the worrying feeling that the wings have been glossed without any preparation.
I have just popped over to have a look and I feel low. The place need project management and direction and I cant be there.
New glass was bought today (for the front door window). It didn't make it in the frame.
It could be the to torch light and the fact Ive had a horrible day at work, so I'll stop and consider how we proceed tomorrow.
There is still no news re the lease agreement, not has the electrician called.
The kitchen has been painted and areas of the stage and wings have been painted. I have the worrying feeling that the wings have been glossed without any preparation.
I have just popped over to have a look and I feel low. The place need project management and direction and I cant be there.
New glass was bought today (for the front door window). It didn't make it in the frame.
It could be the to torch light and the fact Ive had a horrible day at work, so I'll stop and consider how we proceed tomorrow.
There is still no news re the lease agreement, not has the electrician called.
Monday 26 January 2009
Monday - Toilet floor, putty and chairs
Mowgli pitched up and worked all day on the gents and ladies toilet floors. A transformation from grime and solid lime scale to a red, clean floor. An impressive performance - especially when I discovered he rejected the use of cleaning agents and used elbow grease! Jan reckons a dose of Cillit Bang for floors will also make a difference. In a weird move, yesterday evening, I took Mowgli to see the clubs gents toilet floor. It gleams and looking at what Mowgli did, ours will too.
I pitched up late in the afternoon and asked Mowgli to move onto dusting, cleaning and painting the rear stage area.
I put on my overalls and made with the putty knife. All of the rear windows that needed putty where sorted and this should mean that the decoration crew can make progress upon their return.
As we locked up and thanked Mowgli for his efforts, I looked again at the guttering, boards and woodwork in the windows. The guttering needs to be cleaned out, but I dont think its a complete remove and replace job. I think we can do this job cheaply too...
One window needs a horizontal bit of wood replacing (OK, its not the approved approach, but it will get the rot removed). The upside down V on the front entrance needs some TLC, so this looks like one of a few places that will require urgent replacement.
During Sunday, a number of visitors showed up. One gentlemen (Andy Frost) offered (as an ex builder) to come and clean the gutters. Lets see if we can make that happen.
I went home to make a start on the GWR-FM grant application and see if my request for access to some padded, stackable chairs from a Swindon hotel had made it to our DC (Pat). The application is under way (deadline 31/01 and payable in April) and Pat came back to me a few minutes ago, - the 80 chairs can be ours (pick up ASAP).
I pitched up late in the afternoon and asked Mowgli to move onto dusting, cleaning and painting the rear stage area.
I put on my overalls and made with the putty knife. All of the rear windows that needed putty where sorted and this should mean that the decoration crew can make progress upon their return.
As we locked up and thanked Mowgli for his efforts, I looked again at the guttering, boards and woodwork in the windows. The guttering needs to be cleaned out, but I dont think its a complete remove and replace job. I think we can do this job cheaply too...
One window needs a horizontal bit of wood replacing (OK, its not the approved approach, but it will get the rot removed). The upside down V on the front entrance needs some TLC, so this looks like one of a few places that will require urgent replacement.
During Sunday, a number of visitors showed up. One gentlemen (Andy Frost) offered (as an ex builder) to come and clean the gutters. Lets see if we can make that happen.
I went home to make a start on the GWR-FM grant application and see if my request for access to some padded, stackable chairs from a Swindon hotel had made it to our DC (Pat). The application is under way (deadline 31/01 and payable in April) and Pat came back to me a few minutes ago, - the 80 chairs can be ours (pick up ASAP).
Sunday update - belated
I pitched up at the the hall on Sunday morning at around 10:20. On my second trot over to the hall (more tools), Adam appeared in sight and the day started. I thought Id be in the hall about two hours. We finished at circa 16:30... (and then did a tip run).
The two murals (both on the west wall) needed to be removed. Plastic vinyl murals take substantial effort to remove. Water does not make the removal easier. Adam and I, then Dan removed the wallpaper border and the murals. A rub down with soapy water, a quick sand and some primer made the framed spaces gleam white.
Whilst we were embracing joys of mural removal, the Veveri appeared. Still aching from the previous days battle with his front hedge. We had beeped him on our way for the kitchen (regretted the prospect of him trying to wave whilst at height, and beeped him on our return). The poor guy was feeling it, but he got on and worked his way around the room, removing nails, staples, batons and curtain rails. Andrew even removed the coat racks from the walls (next to the kitchen). They were too high for kids, in the wrong place and would obstruct cupboards we need to place in that area.
'Skip' arrived and with no preamble succumbed to the joys of building a platform. His objective; to enter the loft and remove junk. An inner roof inspection with a fly lead underlined the professional survey: no leaks, solid structure and the roof board varnish looks like new. The amount of trash and junk wood we removed was significant.
Object two for me, was to paint over the yellow tabs on each side of the stage. This was intended to make it easier for our 'decorator crew' to cover the yellow and provide real evidence that they are not doing this on their own... We cleaned the tabs, rubbed them down and got a coat of base white onto them. The rollers also found their way over the patch that had been covered by the world war plaque.
The Veveri moved on, into the area above the kitchen and gents loo's. A full load of wood was removed from this area. There was lots of British Legion rubbish to dispose of, including two metre long line drawings of the Ark Royal. Our Scouts would love to see this, but I stay strong and the magpies lose out.
Leo pitched up with a KFC refuelling stop. Most welcome. She also brought putty (the decorators requested this) and some pre-mixed filler.
I applied filler to holes in the walls, whilst Skip got on with cutting out the protruding metal lugs that used (we think) to support the large British Legion centre piece for the room. The Veveri spotted that I had filled where the rotary fire bell (the kids love it) lives.
We loaded the wood / burnable trash onto the Rabbits trailer and started closing up. Adam and I took a car load of trash to the 'Civic Amenity Site'. As we locked up, I rashly offered a beer to all in the Social Club... Only Skip and Andy (AKA The Veveri) missed out, so I guess I owe them one.
With no plan to do a full day, we ended up (once more) making a significant impact on the hall. A magic community effort and lots to be proud of!
The two murals (both on the west wall) needed to be removed. Plastic vinyl murals take substantial effort to remove. Water does not make the removal easier. Adam and I, then Dan removed the wallpaper border and the murals. A rub down with soapy water, a quick sand and some primer made the framed spaces gleam white.
Whilst we were embracing joys of mural removal, the Veveri appeared. Still aching from the previous days battle with his front hedge. We had beeped him on our way for the kitchen (regretted the prospect of him trying to wave whilst at height, and beeped him on our return). The poor guy was feeling it, but he got on and worked his way around the room, removing nails, staples, batons and curtain rails. Andrew even removed the coat racks from the walls (next to the kitchen). They were too high for kids, in the wrong place and would obstruct cupboards we need to place in that area.
'Skip' arrived and with no preamble succumbed to the joys of building a platform. His objective; to enter the loft and remove junk. An inner roof inspection with a fly lead underlined the professional survey: no leaks, solid structure and the roof board varnish looks like new. The amount of trash and junk wood we removed was significant.
Object two for me, was to paint over the yellow tabs on each side of the stage. This was intended to make it easier for our 'decorator crew' to cover the yellow and provide real evidence that they are not doing this on their own... We cleaned the tabs, rubbed them down and got a coat of base white onto them. The rollers also found their way over the patch that had been covered by the world war plaque.
The Veveri moved on, into the area above the kitchen and gents loo's. A full load of wood was removed from this area. There was lots of British Legion rubbish to dispose of, including two metre long line drawings of the Ark Royal. Our Scouts would love to see this, but I stay strong and the magpies lose out.
Leo pitched up with a KFC refuelling stop. Most welcome. She also brought putty (the decorators requested this) and some pre-mixed filler.
I applied filler to holes in the walls, whilst Skip got on with cutting out the protruding metal lugs that used (we think) to support the large British Legion centre piece for the room. The Veveri spotted that I had filled where the rotary fire bell (the kids love it) lives.
We loaded the wood / burnable trash onto the Rabbits trailer and started closing up. Adam and I took a car load of trash to the 'Civic Amenity Site'. As we locked up, I rashly offered a beer to all in the Social Club... Only Skip and Andy (AKA The Veveri) missed out, so I guess I owe them one.
With no plan to do a full day, we ended up (once more) making a significant impact on the hall. A magic community effort and lots to be proud of!
Saturday 24 January 2009
Kitchen unts, Tiger stuck and overflows
A long day, but good progress.
A trip to the rubbish dump (civic amenity site) saw a full load of rubbish disposed of. Wood and other detritus that was outstanding from the visit of our decorating chums. It was sitting outside the hall and hand to go.
Heather pitched up and agreed to pursue a grant for us (the disabled toilet and shower will be expensive).
We wanted more paint from the Scrap store, but the unit was closed. Guess we will try again next week
Got in through the door and Greg called on the phone. ' The overflows are running'. On with a coat and over to the Hall. Sure enough, my earlier flushing of the loo's (plus more lime scale remover applied) had started things off. A quick tweak of the float arm and both stopped overflowing.
I applied some two part epoxy to a bowl in the men's toilets. There was a small hole inside the bowl and as a temporary measure, I thought I would see if the leak on the floor would stop if the hole was bunged up... I guess I'll know tomorrow.
Leo won a second hand kitchen on E-bay, so we borrowed Ivor's flat bed trailer and went to Tadley (near Reading) to collect it. One minor issue on the way back; a door from one of the units departed from the cupboard it was attached to. Hope no one was hurt, - because I didn't see it go flying and the first I knew about it, was a bloke gesticulating towards the trailer!
The S-Max factory tow bar was OK, but the electrics were 13 pin, rather than UK standard. We went there and back with a potentially embarrassing lack of rear lights...
We unloaded the kitchen directly into the hall. Lined up they look very nice and will act as additional units to the current ones (we will keep an eye out for more of the same in the coming days).
I thought the days labours were over, when Steph heard my phone ringing. A call back to the number revealed the fact that our Grumman Tiger airplane was stuck in the mud after landing. A call to Ivor to borrow his Land Rover saw us meet on the airstrip and gently drag the Tiger out of the mud. It was 5 inches down in soft mud and Tony (my flying chum) would have failed to extract her on his own... It was a good job Mark and Ivor were to hand. Thanks guys.
A trip to the rubbish dump (civic amenity site) saw a full load of rubbish disposed of. Wood and other detritus that was outstanding from the visit of our decorating chums. It was sitting outside the hall and hand to go.
Heather pitched up and agreed to pursue a grant for us (the disabled toilet and shower will be expensive).
We wanted more paint from the Scrap store, but the unit was closed. Guess we will try again next week
Got in through the door and Greg called on the phone. ' The overflows are running'. On with a coat and over to the Hall. Sure enough, my earlier flushing of the loo's (plus more lime scale remover applied) had started things off. A quick tweak of the float arm and both stopped overflowing.
I applied some two part epoxy to a bowl in the men's toilets. There was a small hole inside the bowl and as a temporary measure, I thought I would see if the leak on the floor would stop if the hole was bunged up... I guess I'll know tomorrow.
Leo won a second hand kitchen on E-bay, so we borrowed Ivor's flat bed trailer and went to Tadley (near Reading) to collect it. One minor issue on the way back; a door from one of the units departed from the cupboard it was attached to. Hope no one was hurt, - because I didn't see it go flying and the first I knew about it, was a bloke gesticulating towards the trailer!
The S-Max factory tow bar was OK, but the electrics were 13 pin, rather than UK standard. We went there and back with a potentially embarrassing lack of rear lights...
We unloaded the kitchen directly into the hall. Lined up they look very nice and will act as additional units to the current ones (we will keep an eye out for more of the same in the coming days).
I thought the days labours were over, when Steph heard my phone ringing. A call back to the number revealed the fact that our Grumman Tiger airplane was stuck in the mud after landing. A call to Ivor to borrow his Land Rover saw us meet on the airstrip and gently drag the Tiger out of the mud. It was 5 inches down in soft mud and Tony (my flying chum) would have failed to extract her on his own... It was a good job Mark and Ivor were to hand. Thanks guys.
Friday 23 January 2009
Google adverts
I have just signed up to the Google AdSense programme. When Google have approved, the Scout Group should see a return on adverts you click into. Sorry to those of you who don't like it, but we need every penny we can get.
Staging
I have just carried two lots of staging (plug together painting platforms) into the hall. David Lydiard came up trumps with free use of the platforms from his scaffolding business. I couldn't leave them outside any longer as they might have grown legs - and that would have been very bad.
Toby the wonder dog helped with the scaffolding. He was in and out with me as each load was moved into the hall. He is getting to be an old boy, but is great company.
Mick (Club Chairman) tapped on the window of the hall as I was about to lock up. I invited him in and gave him a tour of the work that has been done to date. He was very supportive and reiterated the fact that the club is glad to see the hall on the way back to use.
I spoke with the leader of our decoration team and she asked for some putty to be available when they are next in. They are planned for all of w/c 16th Feb, but may be with us next week for a day...
I have a pile of rubbish to dispose of, over the weekend and have an irrational desire to undercoat the yellow and blue wings of the stage (should make it easier for the decoration team when they start the main hall. I plan to be in the hall on Sunday morning. Fancy joining me?
Toby the wonder dog helped with the scaffolding. He was in and out with me as each load was moved into the hall. He is getting to be an old boy, but is great company.
Mick (Club Chairman) tapped on the window of the hall as I was about to lock up. I invited him in and gave him a tour of the work that has been done to date. He was very supportive and reiterated the fact that the club is glad to see the hall on the way back to use.
I spoke with the leader of our decoration team and she asked for some putty to be available when they are next in. They are planned for all of w/c 16th Feb, but may be with us next week for a day...
I have a pile of rubbish to dispose of, over the weekend and have an irrational desire to undercoat the yellow and blue wings of the stage (should make it easier for the decoration team when they start the main hall. I plan to be in the hall on Sunday morning. Fancy joining me?
Wednesday 21 January 2009
Post Cubs thoughts of delegation
This evening (post Cubs), I was reminded that we have a lot of admin to carry out. We need any lease agreement examined by Gillwell, we may need to move the Scout Group to charity status, plus trusts and insurance are also raising their head.
I think its time to form the hall committee and delegate / share some of the load...
Earlier today, I tried to navigate the Swindon Council web site. It was hard work. I was looking for grants for a disabled shower and toilet. I was led on a bit of a wild goose chase when I phoned them and didn't get as far as I would like. Maybe my Scouting chum Heather could take this on?
I'd better go and press my suit now, as I'm meeting my companies CEO tomorrow morning. This mornings rehearsal wasn't as fluid as I would have liked (I'd not long arrived from morning antics in the hall), but I'm certain that the real deal will go great, - even if I do have wear a tie and jacket!
I think its time to form the hall committee and delegate / share some of the load...
Earlier today, I tried to navigate the Swindon Council web site. It was hard work. I was looking for grants for a disabled shower and toilet. I was led on a bit of a wild goose chase when I phoned them and didn't get as far as I would like. Maybe my Scouting chum Heather could take this on?
I'd better go and press my suit now, as I'm meeting my companies CEO tomorrow morning. This mornings rehearsal wasn't as fluid as I would have liked (I'd not long arrived from morning antics in the hall), but I'm certain that the real deal will go great, - even if I do have wear a tie and jacket!
They flush, it runs, work really starts
I started the day by carrying a full urn of water over to the hall - intended for hot drinks. I plugged in the new mini water boiler and it took an age to get to hot drink temperature. Outside, the road was a sheet of ice, with no grip from council gritters available. The bus route had been missed. Cars and the school double decker slid along Draycott Road.
At 08:20 our intrepid band of decorators arrived. Risk assessment, safety brief and a discussion about order of works 'the batting order'. My suggestion that we eat a small bit of the elephant, at a time, met with approval.
Andrew popped by to lend and hand and took some photos prior to cleaning and decoration commencing. He also supplied additional portable lighting, as the back rooms (boiler and office) do not have windows.
Rob Hall arrived about nine o clock. He and Ashley (plumbers mate) soon got on with sorting multiple toilets and basins with cold water. It was just as well that I didn't turn the water on last night. I could have been aquatic, given we found disconnected pipes! We have a few minor drips (leaks), but at least those working in the hall can now use the toilets and that makes the experience a practical and sanitary one. I cant extol the virtues of Rob Hall plumbing enough. The man has never let me down and he does what he says he will do. Combine that with his community spirit and its great to have him on our team. Robs details can be found at: http://www.yell.com/listings/DoFindListings/3551516/Rob-Hall-Heating/Plumbers
Our intrepid band of decorators did as I suggested. They started on painting our Scout office and painting the boiler room (both white). Lots of masonry paint was used, as the walls are rough and have not been treated before in the boiler room. Aside from a wasps nest, I understand the day was uneventful.
The front wall of the building was treated to a slow and careful jet wash. We want to protect the bricks with initials on them, as families in the village have links with those who bought the bricks (a subscription was use to fund the construction of the hall). Our intention is to respect the history of the hall.
I think we had eight man days applied today and we have started to scratch the surface. The team plan to be with us on 16th February for a week, but if the weather gets bad, they might be back earlier.
Before Cubs tonight, I went across and had a look at what had been done today. I'm really chuffed we are on the way, but I am clear that our aspiration of a May function and opening of some kind is quite a big ask.
On the way home I noticed that some windows and front door wood work had had the paint removed. Maybe we can make a May function after all... (famous last words).
At 08:20 our intrepid band of decorators arrived. Risk assessment, safety brief and a discussion about order of works 'the batting order'. My suggestion that we eat a small bit of the elephant, at a time, met with approval.
Andrew popped by to lend and hand and took some photos prior to cleaning and decoration commencing. He also supplied additional portable lighting, as the back rooms (boiler and office) do not have windows.
Rob Hall arrived about nine o clock. He and Ashley (plumbers mate) soon got on with sorting multiple toilets and basins with cold water. It was just as well that I didn't turn the water on last night. I could have been aquatic, given we found disconnected pipes! We have a few minor drips (leaks), but at least those working in the hall can now use the toilets and that makes the experience a practical and sanitary one. I cant extol the virtues of Rob Hall plumbing enough. The man has never let me down and he does what he says he will do. Combine that with his community spirit and its great to have him on our team. Robs details can be found at: http://www.yell.com/listings/DoFindListings/3551516/Rob-Hall-Heating/Plumbers
Our intrepid band of decorators did as I suggested. They started on painting our Scout office and painting the boiler room (both white). Lots of masonry paint was used, as the walls are rough and have not been treated before in the boiler room. Aside from a wasps nest, I understand the day was uneventful.
The front wall of the building was treated to a slow and careful jet wash. We want to protect the bricks with initials on them, as families in the village have links with those who bought the bricks (a subscription was use to fund the construction of the hall). Our intention is to respect the history of the hall.
I think we had eight man days applied today and we have started to scratch the surface. The team plan to be with us on 16th February for a week, but if the weather gets bad, they might be back earlier.
Before Cubs tonight, I went across and had a look at what had been done today. I'm really chuffed we are on the way, but I am clear that our aspiration of a May function and opening of some kind is quite a big ask.
On the way home I noticed that some windows and front door wood work had had the paint removed. Maybe we can make a May function after all... (famous last words).
Tuesday 20 January 2009
Loos and Legal
Late this afternoon, I joined forces with the Club Hall member (David L) and met the Clubs solicitor. My comments (on the draft lease) were applied as edits to the lease agreement. David and I were in violent agreement on all points, so it was a fairly short meeting. We felt that a joint visit would put things to bed and allow us to get the lease in place.
We expect to see the final version of the lease agreement later this week. I will run the lease by Gillwell (Scout HQ) and the next step will be to sign and register the lease with the land registry.
I'm really glad that I didn't go into the legal profession, as (despite modern offices) the job looked boring and unfulfilling... I did get a faint smile from the bloke as I left, -with me suggesting it was a strange marriage, but that I was confident it would work out OK.
Our anonymous decorators are arriving at 08:20 tomorrow, so the push is on to get loos and water in play. Leo did what she swore she wouldn't and cleaned two toilets and one basin. A great job she made of it too. I poured buckets of water down the loos and all seems well.
I traced the cold water and found the stop cock. Its in the gents loos. Its jammed but I'll try again tomorrow morning and all connections to the main look OK (famous last words). No sign of my hero tonight - gosh it must be a hard life being a plumber (I might find out in the morning if the stop cock breaks).
The electric lead I put in last night worked great as I plugged in a 150 watt up lighter (IKEA's best). This allowed us to work as daylight fades and moves into an icy night.
I've just spent half an hour thinking about the plan of attack for the decorators and whilst they had a general list of stuff to do, they now have more detailed guidance on initial batting order (rooms and tasks) and colours to be applied.
Leo and I are in Project Management mode and there are lots of admin tasks that I should be doing, but I have 'work, work' to do tonight, so I'd better refocus quickly.
We expect to see the final version of the lease agreement later this week. I will run the lease by Gillwell (Scout HQ) and the next step will be to sign and register the lease with the land registry.
I'm really glad that I didn't go into the legal profession, as (despite modern offices) the job looked boring and unfulfilling... I did get a faint smile from the bloke as I left, -with me suggesting it was a strange marriage, but that I was confident it would work out OK.
Our anonymous decorators are arriving at 08:20 tomorrow, so the push is on to get loos and water in play. Leo did what she swore she wouldn't and cleaned two toilets and one basin. A great job she made of it too. I poured buckets of water down the loos and all seems well.
I traced the cold water and found the stop cock. Its in the gents loos. Its jammed but I'll try again tomorrow morning and all connections to the main look OK (famous last words). No sign of my hero tonight - gosh it must be a hard life being a plumber (I might find out in the morning if the stop cock breaks).
The electric lead I put in last night worked great as I plugged in a 150 watt up lighter (IKEA's best). This allowed us to work as daylight fades and moves into an icy night.
I've just spent half an hour thinking about the plan of attack for the decorators and whilst they had a general list of stuff to do, they now have more detailed guidance on initial batting order (rooms and tasks) and colours to be applied.
Leo and I are in Project Management mode and there are lots of admin tasks that I should be doing, but I have 'work, work' to do tonight, so I'd better refocus quickly.
Monday 19 January 2009
Internal views of the hall
A 
view of the stage, with night fever being re-enacted! Tins of paint awaiting the decorators and finally, a view of the inside of the East facing wall.
view of the stage, with night fever being re-enacted! Tins of paint awaiting the decorators and finally, a view of the inside of the East facing wall.
The Hall with first boards removed from Windows
Here is the hall after we removed boards from three of the windows. They were fitted about a year ago, after youngsters started to throw stones.
Furniture and more prep
On the advice of Olivia (Swindon Children's Scrap Store), Leo (my wife) and I visited the 'Waste to Wonder' warehouse (again in Swindon) at lunch time. We arrived with a list of furniture for the hall and departed with assurances that our needs could be met.
Here is the list of tasks that I tried to convey to decorating team when I met them on Friday afternoon. Its a lot to ask and I hope thye can do these tasks:
This evenings task is less dramatic but is required. I need water to a loo and water for work / drinks. I hope he can fit us in. Whilst I'm there I will feed a power line into the hall from the club and this should be OK for a few days - until a proper electrician can do the business.
The pressure is on. If the weather turns rough, the decoration team may be with us tomorrow morning!
Meanwhile, Leo has been out and bought more cleaning / docrating equipment, plus the mandatory biccies.
I'm out tonight, but I do need to get some admin done (mostly writing begging letters to institutions and the local planning / Councils. This project is really on the move!
Here is the list of tasks that I tried to convey to decorating team when I met them on Friday afternoon. Its a lot to ask and I hope thye can do these tasks:
- Remove boards from windows
- All windows cleaned, sanded, primed and gloss painted (internally and externally)
- External walls cleaned (jet washed)
- Jet wash rear path into building
- All external doors cleaned, sanded, primed and painted
- Internal woodwork and doors cleaned, sanded, primed and painted
- Internal ceilings painted white matt
- Internal decoration - radiators, pipes, skirting boards and walls painted (main room and all sub rooms (inc. toilets)
- Floors cleaned
- Remove brown boards from main floor
- Sand main floor and treat with low maintenance clear wood treatment
- Replace toilet seats with new items
- Replace toilet roll holders with new items
- Retain kitchen and clean up kitchen unit s & area - then decorate kitchen shell (tiles to stay in place if possible)
- Oil tank plinth area - remove weeds and tidy, repair oil tank plinth
- Clean and decorate stage area
This evenings task is less dramatic but is required. I need water to a loo and water for work / drinks. I hope he can fit us in. Whilst I'm there I will feed a power line into the hall from the club and this should be OK for a few days - until a proper electrician can do the business.
The pressure is on. If the weather turns rough, the decoration team may be with us tomorrow morning!
Meanwhile, Leo has been out and bought more cleaning / docrating equipment, plus the mandatory biccies.
I'm out tonight, but I do need to get some admin done (mostly writing begging letters to institutions and the local planning / Councils. This project is really on the move!
Sunday 18 January 2009
Sun through the windows, bleach in the air
Chiseldon sits in Wiltshire, England. We are circa one mile South of junction 15 of the M4.
With less than a week to the signing of the lease agreement (between Chiseldon Sport & Social Club and 1st Chiseldon Air Scout Group), the pressure is on the accelerate access to the hall and clear the hall of a great deal of clutter.
Lets rewind a bit and explain how we got here:
After a period of over twelve years with the hall standing empty and many in Chiseldon believing the Calley Memorial Hall was dilapidated and beyond repair, the Scout Group had a chance opportunity to see the insides of the building. Where was the massive water damage and where were the rotten floor boards? To a layman, it was very clear that the hall was sat idle and probably didn't need that much to bring it back into use. This at a time when groups in Chiseldon needed larger premises to conduct Scouting, put on plays, play bingo etc. or hold private functions.
The Scout Group currently meets in a non permanent community building that is by no means perfect. The building sweats when young people play indoor games and boils in the summer, voices ring due to the low ceilings and cramped conditions. Whilst its quite a recent build, the structure does not feel like it is fit for purpose and a desire has grown to find a more appropriate venue for Chiseldon Scouting.
Protracted discussions about the transfer of the freehold from the Sports & Social Club to a village trust and the parish council came to nothing, with the Club rightly wanting to protect an asset (the hall) they acquired some years ago. The opportunity for pragmatic progress came when the Scout group expressed an interest in taking on the lease hold of the hall, - not just for Scouting activities but (significantly) with intention of making the hall available for use by other groups and individuals in the village, on a 'not for profit' basis.
Since the initial approach by the Scout Group, Chiseldon Sports & Social Club have been excellent partners and most supportive as we move towards taking on the hall and operating it for Scouting and Chiseldon.
The lease agreement will be based on a pepper-corn rent, over a 50 year period, with protection for third party or Scout funds that are used to renovate the hall. If the Club sells the hall, there is an undertaking that we either get a new Scout Hall or get our capital back.
Our initial business plans were based on accessing Chiseldon village trust funds, but these are dire economic times and we believe we need to bring the hall back into use as cheaply as possible. We will seek some enabling funding that the Parish Council have set aside and once we have an operating hall, we might then ask others for more significant financial assistance with larger hall projects.
Based on a professional survey of the building, we have a number of routes that lead to the hall being brought into use. We could go 'big bang' and spend lots, but that does not feel right, so we are doing the job as cheaply as possible.
We know we have to put a new distribution board into the building for the electrics (a survey says much of the electrics are fine). The oil fired heating needs to be repaired and brought into service. Water needs to be connected (it was cut off a few years ago, post the burst of a pipe feeding the club).
Sometimes plans have activities that are forced out of sequence. We have that right now. A local firm has offered to come and do some cleaning and decorating for us. I cant name them, but having let the team view the hall on Friday, it was clear that we couldn't ask them to decorate if the floor was full of boxes and other rubbish.
At nine this morning, members of the Scout Group leadership team started disposing of the clutter. By late afternoon, we have a main floor that is nearly clear. One aspiration was to take down the boards covering the external windows and let some light in. Members of the Club helped us remove the boards and sunlight shone into the hall.
All of the toilets, urinals and hand basins have long since seen their contents evaporate. A strong dose of bleach and water from a Club hose pipe started the process of cleaning the ceramics and blocking foul smells from the drains.
If the weather turns bad in the next week, there is a chance that the local company offering help with the decoration, could be with us and in the hall in the coming week. We needed to be ready for them and have materials to hand (they provide man power, but we need to provide the paint, cleaning products and tools).
Yesterday (Saturday 17 Jan 2009) saw us visit the Swindon Scrap store. There we met Olivia, she listened to our project and pointed us to her paint store. We left with over 200 litres of paint and varnish, to be used on the hall. It was fantastic to visit the Scrap store with zero budget and walk away on the promise of me sending in a donation.
There is lots to do, we have the project underway and we are ready for our decorating visitors (should they appear this week). As I looked back at the hall, late this afternoon, with the boards down from three of the front windows, we have some visible progress on what is a significant project for Chiseldon Scouting and the wider community in the village.
With less than a week to the signing of the lease agreement (between Chiseldon Sport & Social Club and 1st Chiseldon Air Scout Group), the pressure is on the accelerate access to the hall and clear the hall of a great deal of clutter.
Lets rewind a bit and explain how we got here:
After a period of over twelve years with the hall standing empty and many in Chiseldon believing the Calley Memorial Hall was dilapidated and beyond repair, the Scout Group had a chance opportunity to see the insides of the building. Where was the massive water damage and where were the rotten floor boards? To a layman, it was very clear that the hall was sat idle and probably didn't need that much to bring it back into use. This at a time when groups in Chiseldon needed larger premises to conduct Scouting, put on plays, play bingo etc. or hold private functions.
The Scout Group currently meets in a non permanent community building that is by no means perfect. The building sweats when young people play indoor games and boils in the summer, voices ring due to the low ceilings and cramped conditions. Whilst its quite a recent build, the structure does not feel like it is fit for purpose and a desire has grown to find a more appropriate venue for Chiseldon Scouting.
Protracted discussions about the transfer of the freehold from the Sports & Social Club to a village trust and the parish council came to nothing, with the Club rightly wanting to protect an asset (the hall) they acquired some years ago. The opportunity for pragmatic progress came when the Scout group expressed an interest in taking on the lease hold of the hall, - not just for Scouting activities but (significantly) with intention of making the hall available for use by other groups and individuals in the village, on a 'not for profit' basis.
Since the initial approach by the Scout Group, Chiseldon Sports & Social Club have been excellent partners and most supportive as we move towards taking on the hall and operating it for Scouting and Chiseldon.
The lease agreement will be based on a pepper-corn rent, over a 50 year period, with protection for third party or Scout funds that are used to renovate the hall. If the Club sells the hall, there is an undertaking that we either get a new Scout Hall or get our capital back.
Our initial business plans were based on accessing Chiseldon village trust funds, but these are dire economic times and we believe we need to bring the hall back into use as cheaply as possible. We will seek some enabling funding that the Parish Council have set aside and once we have an operating hall, we might then ask others for more significant financial assistance with larger hall projects.
Based on a professional survey of the building, we have a number of routes that lead to the hall being brought into use. We could go 'big bang' and spend lots, but that does not feel right, so we are doing the job as cheaply as possible.
We know we have to put a new distribution board into the building for the electrics (a survey says much of the electrics are fine). The oil fired heating needs to be repaired and brought into service. Water needs to be connected (it was cut off a few years ago, post the burst of a pipe feeding the club).
Sometimes plans have activities that are forced out of sequence. We have that right now. A local firm has offered to come and do some cleaning and decorating for us. I cant name them, but having let the team view the hall on Friday, it was clear that we couldn't ask them to decorate if the floor was full of boxes and other rubbish.
At nine this morning, members of the Scout Group leadership team started disposing of the clutter. By late afternoon, we have a main floor that is nearly clear. One aspiration was to take down the boards covering the external windows and let some light in. Members of the Club helped us remove the boards and sunlight shone into the hall.
All of the toilets, urinals and hand basins have long since seen their contents evaporate. A strong dose of bleach and water from a Club hose pipe started the process of cleaning the ceramics and blocking foul smells from the drains.
If the weather turns bad in the next week, there is a chance that the local company offering help with the decoration, could be with us and in the hall in the coming week. We needed to be ready for them and have materials to hand (they provide man power, but we need to provide the paint, cleaning products and tools).
Yesterday (Saturday 17 Jan 2009) saw us visit the Swindon Scrap store. There we met Olivia, she listened to our project and pointed us to her paint store. We left with over 200 litres of paint and varnish, to be used on the hall. It was fantastic to visit the Scrap store with zero budget and walk away on the promise of me sending in a donation.
There is lots to do, we have the project underway and we are ready for our decorating visitors (should they appear this week). As I looked back at the hall, late this afternoon, with the boards down from three of the front windows, we have some visible progress on what is a significant project for Chiseldon Scouting and the wider community in the village.
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