Fire seals are now complete on the boiler room door. We now have a flag pole in the hall. The union flag is in place for our first flag break. A large portrait of Queen Elizabeth II now hangs in the hall, next to the union flag.
All lightweight kit has been moved from the recreation hall to the Calley Memorial Hall. Thanks to Jo, Andy, Tim, Leo, Jan plus H and her children. We still have a small amount of kit to remove from the garage.
The fire risk assessment was completed this afternoon and a fire practice held.
We now have heat and smoke detectors fitted, but the electrical rewire is a bigger job than the electrician thought it was... He will now finish mid next week.
The fire officer visits us tomorrow morning at 10:30. We have some minor questions and issues outstanding but I expect him to be OK with what we have done...
Monday 31 August 2009
Sunday 30 August 2009
Boiler room seals and self closer
Boiler room door seals have been fitted and a closer added during Saturday. Sunday morning saw paint we could not use returned and a 'tip run' carried out.
Monday is move Scout kit into the hall day...
Monday is move Scout kit into the hall day...
Friday 28 August 2009
Minor update
The electrical rewire should complete over this (bank holiday) weekend. We have the fire officer revisiting us on 1st September to review what we have done (he recommended a list of actions and all but one will have been carried out by the time he arrives).
The outstanding fire action item is the kitchen servery hatch. We dont have £760 plus VAT and we have asked him what DIY solutions he would accept...
The flag pole holder arrived (from ebay land) and this will need screwing to the wall - probably at the same time as we put up the large QE II portrait.
I met with a trustee (and adviser to the PC) in the hall late this afternoon. Lets see if we can finally secure some financial support from pot holders in the village. A key time is the September PC meeting. If we are not supported financially, the Scout Group will have to embark on a serious fund raising programme that will enable this project to complete.
The outstanding fire action item is the kitchen servery hatch. We dont have £760 plus VAT and we have asked him what DIY solutions he would accept...
The flag pole holder arrived (from ebay land) and this will need screwing to the wall - probably at the same time as we put up the large QE II portrait.
I met with a trustee (and adviser to the PC) in the hall late this afternoon. Lets see if we can finally secure some financial support from pot holders in the village. A key time is the September PC meeting. If we are not supported financially, the Scout Group will have to embark on a serious fund raising programme that will enable this project to complete.
Saturday 22 August 2009
Door closer fitted to kitchen door
A 'door closer' has been fitted to the kitchen door. Fire seals appear to be in contact with the frame, but I do need to apply some WD40 to the lock as the 'latch' action on the closer does not close the door all the way. I have adjusted the door to close slowly, as we don't want little fingers hurt / little people trapped between the door and the frame!
The next job to do is to trim the boiler room door, fit seals and fit the second closer.
I am in discussion with the Fire officer (he is booked to revisit us on 1st Sept 09) regarding the kitchen hatch and DIY options (professional product would cost £760 plus VAT).
The next job to do is to trim the boiler room door, fit seals and fit the second closer.
I am in discussion with the Fire officer (he is booked to revisit us on 1st Sept 09) regarding the kitchen hatch and DIY options (professional product would cost £760 plus VAT).
Friday 21 August 2009
Fire seal number one
A fire seal has been fitted to the kitchen door. It now needs a closer. The veveri and Martin Goodwin helped do the work and we managed to consume several an ale each in the process. Next door to fit a seal to is the boiler room door.
Theatre layout and tables
This morning I paid for the four storage units we picked up yesterday and obtained some glasses and a large colour photograph of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. At one time on ebay for £500, the framed and glazed image of our monarch was donated FOC (as were the glasses). The glasses are a mixture, but need to see the inside of dishwasher
before they visit the hall.Earlier today Leo and I played 'halls' and took some photographs or the hall set out in 'theatre' layout. It took us 30 minutes and provided 94 chairs. If we had enough chairs, I think that there is enough room for 120 seated!. Funny thing is that we both thought the hall looked even bigger with the blue and gold conference chairs set out.
During our session in the hall, we stowed all of the groups tables and benches away. Camping tables and benches are under the stage and light weight tables (used in almnost every meeting) are stowed in the entrance porch.
Thursday 20 August 2009
Progress
Wednesday evening (19th August 09) saw the Scouts meet with the three trustees of the Memorial Hall fund. The meeting took place in the Memorial hall. Discussions took place which focused on changing the objectives of the current charitable trust or the establishment of a new charitable trust (both with the objective of enabling funds to be released for hall works).
Today saw us select and take delivery of four low level storage cupboards (required for Rainbows and other groups to store their kit). These were sourced from a local company that takes used office furniture and recycles it at low cost to charities and local groups. A £40 donation secured the four cupboards...
A trip to Screwfix secured us two door closers and 10 metres of intumescent seal for use on kitchen and boiler room doors. These are required as part of the fire officers recommendations, so have to be fitted. A professional quote for supply and fit of the seals was £220 plus VAT. We are doing the job ourselves at under £15!
A meeting of the Scout exec committee meets in the hall this evening. We really are starting to use the hall. Bookings look good, with Rainbows, two keep fit sessions per week (all term time) and three provisional private party bookings with us.
Finally, I received the first electric bill for the hall. At over £100, I gave them a call and told them we had only used 25 units and (not 640 units) and agreed to move us to a new contract that reduces the unit cost from nearly 14 pence per unit, to just over 8 pence per unit. The first bill will be resent to me and will be suib £13 (phew!).
Today saw us select and take delivery of four low level storage cupboards (required for Rainbows and other groups to store their kit). These were sourced from a local company that takes used office furniture and recycles it at low cost to charities and local groups. A £40 donation secured the four cupboards...
A trip to Screwfix secured us two door closers and 10 metres of intumescent seal for use on kitchen and boiler room doors. These are required as part of the fire officers recommendations, so have to be fitted. A professional quote for supply and fit of the seals was £220 plus VAT. We are doing the job ourselves at under £15!
A meeting of the Scout exec committee meets in the hall this evening. We really are starting to use the hall. Bookings look good, with Rainbows, two keep fit sessions per week (all term time) and three provisional private party bookings with us.
Finally, I received the first electric bill for the hall. At over £100, I gave them a call and told them we had only used 25 units and (not 640 units) and agreed to move us to a new contract that reduces the unit cost from nearly 14 pence per unit, to just over 8 pence per unit. The first bill will be resent to me and will be suib £13 (phew!).
Sunday 16 August 2009
One week on
It is one week since the first open day. The electrician has been in, but this has moved to a slower burn activity for him.
A Ridgeway Bell article has been submitted for the next issue:
Many villagers have said that they couldnt make the first open day, so lets see how many pitch up on 6th Sept.
On the down side, we have painting (touch up) from where the electrician has removed old fittings. An upsetting development saw the cigarette bin (given to us by the club) 'removed' from the front of the hall. This was my fault, I didnt think anyone would steal something so yucky...
In the next three weeks we need to have kit moved from the 'community building' and into the Memorial Hall.
We meet with the trustees on Wednesday, so maybe the cold war is about to end... In any case, we have a potentially thriving venue that will give the village a place to meet and hold functions.
A Ridgeway Bell article has been submitted for the next issue:
The first of two 'open afternoons' took place on Sunday 9th August. About 100 villagers took a tour of the part refurbished General Calley Memorial Hall. During the afternoon, 50 cream teas were consumed with many more refreshments served. We would like to thank those of you who took the time to visit the hall and thank you for your supportive and positive words about the work we have done to date. Our next open afternoon will take place on Sunday 6th September 09.This week has seen a number of bookings confirmed, bringing regular income to a respectable 50% of plan.
The open afternoon event is believed to be the first public event held in the hall for over a decade. Visitors saw a newly decorated hall, with new stage curtains hung and main hall lights illuminating a cabaret style layout that would have been perfect for a private party or dinner dance.
The hall is slowly coming alive and we already have a number of provisional private bookings, plus regular bookings for later in the year. The hall is available for individuals and groups to book. Scouts are reducing the number of evenings we use, to allow others to have the option to book Friday evenings.
We want to thank everyone who attended the open afternoons and who has helped with the refurbishment so far for all their help and support.
Many villagers have said that they couldnt make the first open day, so lets see how many pitch up on 6th Sept.
On the down side, we have painting (touch up) from where the electrician has removed old fittings. An upsetting development saw the cigarette bin (given to us by the club) 'removed' from the front of the hall. This was my fault, I didnt think anyone would steal something so yucky...
In the next three weeks we need to have kit moved from the 'community building' and into the Memorial Hall.
We meet with the trustees on Wednesday, so maybe the cold war is about to end... In any case, we have a potentially thriving venue that will give the village a place to meet and hold functions.
Sunday 9 August 2009
Open day number 1
Serious amounts of effort have got us to today, - the first open day.
Lets see what villagers says about the trust and PC not supporting us.
Lets see what villagers says about the trust and PC not supporting us.
Friday 7 August 2009
Red light excitement - wiggly amps arrive
The electrical rewire is underway. We lost a day due to the electrician being ill, but he pitched up late this afternoon and we now have wiggly amps flowing into a box that holds the main switch, RCD's and breakers for the rest of the system. We can now expect main hall lights, power in the kitchen and exit lights to be powered up by the end of tomorrow.
This week has been all about preparing for the first open afternoon. Paint touch ups, water pipe repairs, fitting toilets and getting the place ready for an influx of Chiseldon villagers.
This afternoon I created some written info and posted it in the hall. The display tells our situation, explains that we still need cash and underlines the fact this this is a project that has yet to complete.
Our Chairman visited the hall this afternoon.
Cabaret tables are being removed from storage and are on the way to the hall as I type (better get over there and unload).
At tea time I continued the scrubbing of the gents loo floor that the Veveri started. Its not fun, its horrible, but my surfboard / body board didn't half save my legs.
This week has been all about preparing for the first open afternoon. Paint touch ups, water pipe repairs, fitting toilets and getting the place ready for an influx of Chiseldon villagers.
This afternoon I created some written info and posted it in the hall. The display tells our situation, explains that we still need cash and underlines the fact this this is a project that has yet to complete.
Our Chairman visited the hall this afternoon.
Cabaret tables are being removed from storage and are on the way to the hall as I type (better get over there and unload).
At tea time I continued the scrubbing of the gents loo floor that the Veveri started. Its not fun, its horrible, but my surfboard / body board didn't half save my legs.
Tuesday 4 August 2009
Hurried and belated update
Not much time for updates recently, - we have a hall to open!
Over a week ago saw 1000 post cards placed in Chiseldon letter boxes. They were invites to the open afternoons on 9th Aug and 6th Sept. This leaves us with a lot to do between now and 2pm on Sunday.
The rewire started late, on Sunday morning. Stripping out old wires and removal of fittings was the electricians first task. Today saw the start of cables being pulled, strung and pushed through the building. The strip lights are down from the hall ceiling and new wires hang proud, ready for work. 'Second fit' is tomorrow (Wed) and I am told i should have a certificate in my hands on Saturday morning.
Yesterday evening Leo and Akela painted areas where all light fittings had been and removed a car full of lights, tubes and stuff to the waste tip. We had originally thought we wouldnt have to paint where the lights were, but the new items are a little smaller than we expected... hence the painting.
This evening we had eight helpers in the hall, cleaning and hoovering, adding anti-trip strips to doorways and installing loo roll holders and paper towel dispensers. Thanks to Jo, Claire, Leo, Tim, Dan, Dan and the Veveri for all your help tonight.
The high point of the evening was the new stage curtains being placed on the rails. They are up temporaily until we have header tape added to them (they have big theatrical draw strongs on them and chain in the bottom of the curtains.
Plans are well underway to feed and water visitors. Tea, coffee and cream teas will be offered in exchange for donations for the works on the hall.
With cables being pulled, there is more mess than I thought but we can reasonably expect to have everything in tip top condition by Saturday at 4pm (setup deadline for the Sunday open afternoon).
Sunday saw Akela and the Veveri clean the urinals and sinks in the mens loos. Some minor rectification stopped leaks from the urtinal water traps, so at least they will work. We now have a minor water leak in the mens loos, but Mr Rob Hall (my hero) should soon be on the case to fix this.
Whilst Akela was on his hols, the Veveri had been hard at work pulling down the ceiling in the mens toilets. We had intended to leave the mens loos until we got some funding, but now realise we have to make the best of what we have...
Tomorrow night sees the leak in the mens loos fixed. During the day the main hall lights should be fitted...
What a great project this is. There is a load of positive support in the village and we can expect lots of attendees on Sunday (hope they come!!!).
Over a week ago saw 1000 post cards placed in Chiseldon letter boxes. They were invites to the open afternoons on 9th Aug and 6th Sept. This leaves us with a lot to do between now and 2pm on Sunday.
The rewire started late, on Sunday morning. Stripping out old wires and removal of fittings was the electricians first task. Today saw the start of cables being pulled, strung and pushed through the building. The strip lights are down from the hall ceiling and new wires hang proud, ready for work. 'Second fit' is tomorrow (Wed) and I am told i should have a certificate in my hands on Saturday morning.
Yesterday evening Leo and Akela painted areas where all light fittings had been and removed a car full of lights, tubes and stuff to the waste tip. We had originally thought we wouldnt have to paint where the lights were, but the new items are a little smaller than we expected... hence the painting.
This evening we had eight helpers in the hall, cleaning and hoovering, adding anti-trip strips to doorways and installing loo roll holders and paper towel dispensers. Thanks to Jo, Claire, Leo, Tim, Dan, Dan and the Veveri for all your help tonight.
The high point of the evening was the new stage curtains being placed on the rails. They are up temporaily until we have header tape added to them (they have big theatrical draw strongs on them and chain in the bottom of the curtains.
Plans are well underway to feed and water visitors. Tea, coffee and cream teas will be offered in exchange for donations for the works on the hall.
With cables being pulled, there is more mess than I thought but we can reasonably expect to have everything in tip top condition by Saturday at 4pm (setup deadline for the Sunday open afternoon).
Sunday saw Akela and the Veveri clean the urinals and sinks in the mens loos. Some minor rectification stopped leaks from the urtinal water traps, so at least they will work. We now have a minor water leak in the mens loos, but Mr Rob Hall (my hero) should soon be on the case to fix this.
Whilst Akela was on his hols, the Veveri had been hard at work pulling down the ceiling in the mens toilets. We had intended to leave the mens loos until we got some funding, but now realise we have to make the best of what we have...
Tomorrow night sees the leak in the mens loos fixed. During the day the main hall lights should be fitted...
What a great project this is. There is a load of positive support in the village and we can expect lots of attendees on Sunday (hope they come!!!).
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