Moving to rock solid

We now have a new plynth for the tank.  It took most of Tuesday.  Big thanks go to the Veveri, Mowgli and Akela. 

I stood on the slab this afternoon and its looking good.  we should be able to remove the wooden shuttering later in the week.

The gas cage took some coaxing back into place (over the top of wet concrete). 

Between cage and tank we now have space for storage of our BBQ's and other iron work.

Hard labour

The skip was picked up this morning.  Full of earth plus my old faithful wheelbarrow, its back broken by the strain.

Shuttering is now in position for a slab pour tomorrow.  We have the free loan of a concrete mixer and the materials have been ordered to arrive tomorrow morning.  When you dont order or lay concrete, arriving at the right amounts can be fraught (thanks to Baggy for use of his worry beads).

The stage has been cleared of kit, with the bulk of the equipment placed in racks in the loft.  This was no mean feat.  I admit that this did include a trip to the local 'civic amenity site' (the rubbish tip).

Thanks to Mowgli for his help (part repaid by taking him out to lunch).

Tomorrow will be a heavy day and given one cubic metre of concrete is 2.2 tonnes, we will have our work cut out moving 325kg of cement and three bags of balast (we need 1850kg, but I had to order more than we need), we can expect the day to be hard one.

19:40 Update:  Just been and bought another wheelbarrow.  My last one died as Mowgli dumped earth in the skip.  I feel justified getting a new one, as the old one was much loved.  RIP Ronny the wheelbarrow.

Balast down and shuttering up

We used the blocks we removed yesterday as balast and employed some gash wood the Veveri pulled from his garage as shuttering.  We have a small amount of shuttering left to put in place and then its out with the worry beads and decide which concrete to order.

Clearing and digging

I am a broken man!  Today started at 07:50 with me looking to intercept delivery and pay for a skip.  The skip was already there (I had coned off the area the evening before).  The morning saw Mowgli, the Veveri and Akela attack the mess of concrete in prep for a new tank base.

We had just stopped (Akela's wheel barrow died and after a moving ceremony was placed in the skip) when Steve G pitched up.  He worked like a trojan and Akela re-joined him.  Martin Farmer pitched up and he attacked the job viciously.  Frank joined us and by ten to six in the evening, we are ready for hard core to be placed.

We need to buy some shuttering for the sides of the hole, but progress today has been massive.  A big thank you to all who helped.

At the start of the day, Dan and Akela placed significant amounts of clobber (that had been in the Scout garage) from the stage, into the loft.

I hurt.  I am not used to this kind of hammering, but I can say that we have made significant progress towards getting the heating back on-line.

Heating and Buffs

Akela put up a new notice board in the hall.  Its a minor job but we needed somewhere to post our PRS certificate and adverts from hall users.

Yesterday evening, I was presented with a cheque for £500 in support of our work on the hall.  The cheque came from the ROAB (Buffs).  This is a lot of cash from such a small charitable group, but they can see what we have done with the hall and are keen to support us.

A skip arrives tomorrow (Saturday) to enable us to remove rubble in preparation for cleaning up the area around the oil tank.Working parties are in play from Saturday afternoon, also on Monday and Tuesday.

A revisit of the guttering estimate (forced by seeing rotten and damaged wood and moving to new gluttering and boards) has seen an increase in cost, but the work should start late next week.

Sunday, Sunday looks good to me

Sunday morning saw a sorry working party of two struggle with cleaning up the side of the hall.  It became clear that we need a mini digger and a skip...  After arriving at this understanding, we went up into the loft and adjusted the size of the racks (grinding wheel in play) and added shelves. 

The stage has started to see a reduction in the volume of kit on show and we will soon be back to seeing the stage curtains in full glory.

First aid and racking

New hall first aid kit placed in kitchen (we were using our camp kit, but since this is used on camp, we needed another one).  New cuts and burns kit, plus face mask mounted on first aid cupboard.

Loft cleaned out.  Racking placed in the loft and part assembled.

All toilets bleached and sinks and urinals treated with Dettol.

Parish council vote to support us

Whilst it is late in the day, yesterday evening saw the Parish Council make a graceful U-turn as they agreed to financially support the Memorial Hall project.  Subject to six conditions, they voted to release £5000 to be used on hall works.  Invoices need to be made out the Chiseldon Parish Council and this suggests the £5K figure is net, not gross...  The invioice is winging its way to us (it already has Chiseldon parish Council written on it!).

Next jobs are write a TOR for the hall management committee, get the guttering work booked in (already have a quote) and explore splitting the water supply (from the club) costs.

Martin Farmer is on the case with the heating and popped in again after keep fit.  Rainbows went ahead prior to keep fit, so things are OK on the cashflow front.

The best news is that our reserves are now in tact and we can get on with the job of scouting and giving local kids fun and adventure.

Heating phase 1

A day of effort from Martin Farmer has brought about cold water running through the heating system, the supply pipe unblocked and a new pump fitted.  The cracked radiator could not be repaired, so a modern radiator was supplied and fitted.  This is exactly what we intended to achieve and is a major step to getting the heating up and running.

Several water minor leaks in the kitchen were resolved by pipe replacement (the compression fittings were leaking).

The pump has been left on and I will check for leaks / paint the new pipe work during tomorrow.

Beavers and Scouts are now hall users

Beavers and Scouts met in the memorial hall last night.  Draycott Road came alive with people and vehicles.  The lights illuminating the front of the building and children making 'fun' noises in the hall caught me unawares and I (plus a number of others) realised that the hall is truly back in use and already has a life and character of its own.

Fire practices were held and the bus shelter works very well as an assembly point for all sections.

Chiseldon Sports & Social Club have loaned us some more plastic chairs, so we don't have to use the conference chairs in Scout activities.  This is just another example of how supportive the club has been.

There were no issues with the hall but we do now have to clear the stage and stow kit.

H did a fantastic job on her first evening as Scout troop leader.  She was very well prepared, had thought about issues and challenges of taking over and set out a structured and engaging stall from the off.  Well done to Heather.

First grand howl

Cubs met this evening in the Calley Memorial Hall.  We gave the Cubs a tour of our new home, discussed fire actions and half way through a parachute game, we carried out a fire practice.  Sub 30 seconds to get out and into the assembly point.

The hall gave us lots of room to move and play.  When the Cubs arrived they played indoor football.  The parachute game had enough room to move across the hall and for young people to run around the parachute...  we simply didn't have the space in the old venue.

Neil had his Scout name selected by the pack and he is now known as Ricki (tiki tivi).

One of our themes is back to basics and we reintroduced the need for inspection kits.  By the end of the evening all of the Cubs had inspection kits that they will bring each week.

The evening was finished off with some knot work and games.

As a final act of the day, I started to get invite addresses pulled together for non Scout contributors to the hall project.

Keep fit and moving out of the garage

We moved our kit out of the garage and we now have a stage full of ropes and camping kit.  It will fit in the loft, but the loft isnt ready (it will be very soon).  So as I type, we have ladies doing 'keep fit' in the hall (their second session) and they are staring at a pile of rubble (not good).

Last nights exec meeting gave agreement to move forward with the PC and trust monies.  This wasnt without debate and we wait to see what will be said at the PC meeting on 14th Sept.

Last night saw the first use of the external lights.  The stone work looks great with the light playing downwards...  exactly what I had in mind.

The exec meeting was boosted by the arrival of a further donation.  I wont say from who, but it was for £500 and as a direct and positive response to the work we (Scouts) have done to date.

2nd Open afternoon report

With my 'green field' camping permit interview taking place yesterday evening, something had to give and that was reporting on the open day. Yes, I have been recommended for my green field permit, but the interrogation was thorough and testing. I don't think the interview was unfair, because (at the end of the day) I will be approved to take young people (read other peoples children) on overnight events that need to be competently planned and executed.

The second open afternoon was a social and political success. Frankly, we were swamped by visitors, with a queue for teas and cream teas regularly stretching across the hall... The tables were full of villagers, some who hadnt seen each other in many years, - despite only living a street apart.

Positive comments and glowing praise for what we have done are evidenced by the entries in the comments book. Most entries urge the Parish Council and the Village Hall trust to financially support us.

The Veveri managed to take some photo's of the gathering (I was was so busy on both open afternoons, I simply didnt get a chance).


It was great to meet people from the village who have so many memories and ideas associated with the hall. Based on discussions with these people, I have asked the Father Roger to explore who might operate a youth dance session in the hall and I need to explore daytime dance and 'drop in' sessions for older people.

Significant attendees were Cllr Walton, Chair of the Parish Council, a number of Parish Councillors, Father Roger (and family), plus a Group from the British legion and (significantly) Mrs Pointer MBE.

We collected donations of nearly £70 and this has been handed to our Treasurer.

A sea change appears to be underway and it feels like we have the Chiseldon 'establishment' moving to back the project. There is still discussion to be had regarding conditions of supporting the project, but I feel these are no longer insurmountable. Politically things have changed so much that I agreed that a Cllr could remove one of our briefing cards. The card was not incorrect, but it did fail to acknowledge the positive movement we have seen between open days.

The clear up was carried out in record time, with tables and chairs stowed, rubbish removed by a number of the Scout Group and table cloths passed to the next victim to take home and clean / iron (thanks to Jan, Leo and now Jo). For me, this self help is at the heart of the cost effective operation of the hall and is hard to convey to those who ask why we do not plan to employ a cleaner... Speaking as one who has used a tooth brush on the urinals, - I would like to see others stepping forward to share the joy.

It is interesting that the negative debate points from naysayers has moved from 'they wont be able to open the hall' (we have), to it wont last a year (it will). More interesting is the fact that these points have never been shared with me directly. We do have a business plan and we need to make that work, plus we do have the will to move from refurbishment to effective operation. A key task is now to establish a management committee. This will report to the Scout Executive and we will offer positions on the committee to villagers / parents and Scouters. In order to benefit from experience we have offered a seat to Mrs Pointer MBE, as she has experience of operating the Church Hall. I do hope she accepts.

Our first village booking is this evening. Keep fit starts at 6:30pm.

My next hall task is to make the heating happen (to bring it to life) in the next elapsed month, so by 7th Oct, we need the heating working... watch this space.

Akela

Open Afternoon

Our second open afternoon is today (Sunday) starting at 2pm. We will post a report this evening.

Swindon Advertiser text

We are the top story on the Swindon advertiser web site and we also have a photo in the paper...

http://www.swindonadvertiser.co.uk/news/4575395.Community_gets_its_hall_back/

Community gets its hall back

2:40pm Wednesday 2nd September 2009

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A BUILDING left derelict for 15 years has been restored to the heart of a village community.

Chiseldon’s General Calley Memorial Hall on Draycott Road has lain unused since the British Legion moved out.

Now, it is set to re-open as a village hall and Scout hall after nine months of work from the 1st Chiseldon Air Scout Group, £7,000 of investment and the help of people in the village.

There will be an open afternoon this Sunday for people to inspect the new premises and find out more about the Scout group.

First Chiseldon Group Scout Leader Peter Snipe said: “We believe it will be a hub for the village and that’s what we want.”

In April the Scout group secured 99-year lease of the building at a nominal rent from the Chiseldon sports and social club.

The group has been cleaning, repairing, decorating and refurbishing the building since January, using £3,500 of its own reserves and another £3,500 received from a local anonymous donor.

However, they still hope to secure part of the £38,000 kept in a village hall trust fund.

The Scouts will operate the facility on a not-for-profit basis for the community to use.

The building will also host fitness classes and private bookings.

Originally built in 1933, the building was created with help from the people of Chiseldon who bought bricks and had their names initialled on them.

Mr Snipe said: “Their initials are still in the bricks so it’s quite emotional for it to re-open.

“There is lots of emotion and politics, but lots of support.”

Mr Snipe said local businesses had offered their services, such as carpet fitters and scaffolding companies.

Honda had also added some manpower to the project, he added.

So far the building has been completely rewired, but still needs new windows and doors, repairs to guttering and heating before the autumn.

As a tribute to the past the Scouts have installed some of the original items they found on the walls.

This was a British Legion plaque, a memorial to those who served in the First World War and a portrait of General Calley, who the building is named after.

The open afternoon starts at 2pm and anyone interested in finding out more about the project or who wants to help can contact Peter on 01793 741164.

Lights slowly come alive / Fitness sessions

The reporter from the Swindon Advertiser phoned and took our 'reopening' story. It sounds like we should make it into the paper this week.

Just to let you know that the fitness sessions start in the hall on Monday evening at 6:30pm, hence we need to stay out of the hall during that booking. I do hope villagers support this session.

The electrics are taking a little longer than I planned but we now have lights working in the kitchen, boiler room and office. An energy saving PIR floodlight now sits proudly above the right hand entrance door.

Fire satisfaction and Evening Advertiser

The Fire Officer visited this morning. I am pleased to say that he will write to me and issue a letter stating that we are 'satisfactory'. Fire certificates are no longer issued.

We discussed the kitchen servery hatch and given the fire precautions we have taken and the proviso that cooking is not left unattended, we do not need to fit a hatch. He suggested that we might want to fit some doors in the future to block light and noise (during performances).

Notionally he placed us around A3 category and possibly lower than that, so we have very low risk and good control.

Hall capacity (Number of people) relates to square metres of the main room and is also influenced by exit doors (in our case double). We are good for well over our declared maximum capacity of 120 people.

Next visitors are the Evening Advertiser photographer and reporter, who should be with us around 1pm today. They responded to an email Akela sent to the editor )text of the email is below):

After nearly a decade and a half, Chiseldon's General Calley Memorial Hall (Draycott Road) is to reopen as a village hall and Scout hall. An open afternoon will take place on the afternoon of Sunday 6th September 09 to allow villagers to see progress made to date. The first hall booking will be on the evening of 9th September 09. Fittingly, the first users of the hall will be 1st Chiseldon Air Scout Group.

The Scout Group has secured a 99 year lease at a pepper-corn rent and over the last nine months, members of the Scout Group have worked to clean, repair, decorate and refurbish the hall. To date, works have been paid for by circa £3500 of Scout Group funds and a £3500 anonymous donation. To date, no other financial support has been secured but the Scout Group would like to use some of the £38,000 held in a Chiseldon village hall fund to pay for later phases of the refurbishment works such as fitting new windows, doors and repairing guttering.

Peter Snipe (Group Scout Leader) led the work and has kept the project on a very tight budget. The Scout Group wants the Memorial Hall to once again become Chiseldons social hub and already has regular bookings being taken. Scouts are an educational charity and will operate the hall on a not for profit basis on behalf of the community and for Scouts. During the refurbishment Scout Group Leaders, parents and villagers were helped by Honda staff and local small businesses. Peter recollects: ''The two most exciting parts of the project were electrifying, - seeing mains power being laid across Draycott Road into the hall and turning the new main hall lights on after the first phase of the electrical rewire.'

The open afternoon starts at 2pm on Sunday 6th September 09. Cream teas and refreshments will be available.

Lets see if the Evening Advertiser can help release funds from the village hall trust...