Disabled ramp - work starts today

Earlier today I authorised work to start on a disabled ramp on the right door (looking from the front) of the Calley Memorial Hall.  I have consulted with the club (our land lords) and they are OK with what is proposed.  A 1.2 metre wide exit ramp will drop from a rectangular platform projecting from the doorway.  Metal rails will run around the platform and ramp.  The surface will be roughened concrete to provide grip.  Design is intended to provide ample room for double buggies, electric vehicles and wheelchairs. To reduce costs the platform and ramp will have exposed concrete sides, rather than brickwork.

Our intention is to have the disabled access complete and available for use prior to the 27/11 function.

The ramp will have a small impact on the capacity of the fire door, but given we have significant over capacity for the main exit, this isn't a practical issue.  The ramp will meet all regulations and protection will be provided for the damp proof course.

Having this work taking place, means that the right hand fire exit will be out of use for circa the next week.
 
A first today:  A home education group has used the hall.  This is another customer who had no where to meet prior to the hall being brought back into use.

Table top sale

The Table Top sale took place this afternoon.  The Scout Group made £110 from table fees and refreshment sales.  The Scout Group want to put a Christmas tree in the hall for all users and will use the money made to buy the tree.

There was lots of support from villagers and  requests to hold regular events of a similar nature.  Below are some pictures of the event:

 

 

It was a very busy afternoon and we would like to thank all those who supported us as buyers and sellers.  Special thanks go to Leo for organising the event and to Jo for helping Leo with refreshments.

Directions to Calley Memorial Hall

With more visitors to the hall, a map may be of use:

Click on the map for a bigger version.

Akela

Requests x2

Another party later today.  We are still waiting for the new radiator to be connected up (its hung on the wall) so we have two electric heaters in use.  They take the chill off and are a reasonable stop gap measure.

We need to obtain two things for the hall:

• A Christmas tree (do you have a spare one we could have?) A nine foot tree would be great
• A hoover, to suck up dirt around the hall

Contact Pete if you can help.

Update - heating / bouncy castle...

The heating  is now working but we did have a radiator leak late last week.  Martin Farmer has a new rad to fit and this should be fitted very soon.  The heating pump had to be replaced due to lots of crud being in the system.

Another childrens party took place today.  A bouncy castle was installed and it didn't fill the hall...  they had enough room for tables (both for children and adults).

I love going in the hall after childrens parties, - the warm, sweet smell of birthday cake is pervasive and makes the heart soar.

Tomorrow is remembrance Sunday.  After church parade the Rabbit and Akela will go into the hall and sort out equipment for the 'survival weekend'.

The hall is operating above income forcasts, but these were very much wet fingers (estimates).  Lets see if SBC will give us the 100% reduction on the rates on the building.  We find out in the New Year.

Heating and roof tiles

Belated Sunday update: The hall heating is now working.  Its on a timer, but there is no temperature control (that will be added when the system is drained and refilled on Wednesday).  Very important milestone.

Sunday morning arrived and a roofing specialist  resolved minor external leaks and replaced some damaged tiles.

Pipework

An pipe now runs from the tank via a 'fire valve' to the boiler.  In order to make this happen, a diamond cutter was used to place the pipe below the surface of a concrete path.  We are now OK to take a delivery (any day soon they say).

The chairman of the village hall trust just confirmed to me that they are aiming to hand over funds to a 'village hall committee' in early 2010 (monies will start moving in Dec 09). This is very good news and places the pressure on to establish the management committee with a 'majority of villagers' who are not scouters or wives of scouters, as the trustees see the conditions set out by the PC as meeting all their needs.