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!!!).