Well, one month in and things are feeling pretty positive today. It helps that its Friday and that its a nice day but any which way there is certainly a lot of tuneless whistling going on in our Narnia today, recognisable only to builders I think. They probably have a special book or induction ceremony before they pass out as fully fledged. 'Your brick laying is fantastic but that whistling leaves a lot to be desired.......'
Anyway, a good week. The Asbestos people have gone!!!!! Asbestosgate is over. Interestingly work went on round about the asbestos removal which surprised me but that was a bonus. The removers were typical of those people who work in dangerous situations - very professional, but masked with a 'don't care' casualness - 'I laugh in the face of danger' sort of thing. We now know far more about asbestos than we ever wanted to know but at least its sorted and we await removal of the sealed container out the front.
Heatinggate seems to be coming to its end but some fairly big decisions had to be made. The biggest was a switch away from re-using the floorboards and flooring with chipboard which is a better conductor of heat. It raises all sorts of issues but to be honest the effectiveness of the heating system is paramount so we go with what is offered as the best solution. The floorboards have some monetary value and we will look to sell as salvage.
As progress is made on the heating so it guides the team on what to do and you sense a happier sense of purpose in the place as there are specific tasks to be completed. The builders do seem to drop in more labour as and when it is required which is good and the renewal of the joists is completed (all level!) and wooden trays are laid between them to rest the heating pipes on them (the pipes are very close to the surface of the floor). The renewal of the dry-rotted joists has taken time and this was not allowed for in the schedule so we'll see where that leaves us.
Deciding where to install the workings for the platform lift (installed as and when it can be afforded)becomes rather farcical. We are offered 3 choices, 1,2 or 3 and, for Simpsons movie Afficionados, it is rather like that scene where the President is offered the chance to make the decision on what happens to Springfield but is guided all the way by the receiver of the decision - 'I choose 1' - 'higher' '4?' 'lower' '2?' 'higher' '3?' - 'as you wish Sir'.
Long story short choices 1 and 2 for the platform lift are not choices at all so 3 it is!
PULPITGATE! Goes ON!
The gentleman from the listed buildings committee came on Thursday as promised. He went out of his way to visit and for that we are grateful.
He arrived immaculately suited,tied and shiny shoed and as he wobbled over the joists I would lieing if a tiny part of me did'nt hope for a little slip! However he made it, took photos and will make his report to the committee on Monday so we wait with bated breath!
The day ends, the men all go home and we wait to see what next week brings.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Day 26 - Afternoon
A considerable amount of headscratching is going on down in the floorspace. The Old floorboards,dwarf walls and joists had 125 years to form the perfect partnership together. The fact that some of the joists have to be replaced with lovely new dead straight ones is not going down well.
If the new joists were simply laid down on the old dwarf walls then we would have a floor like a shallow roller coaster - those in buggies would get a thrill on a Sunday morning on the way out to creche but it would get a little wearing for the rest of us trying to balance chairs on the top or bottom of the curves.
Out comes the string and crucial chunks are taken out of the joists to try and balance everything up and emulate 125 years of settlement,wear,winters,movement,occasional mini earthquakes etc, etc ,etc. Good luck lads.
If the new joists were simply laid down on the old dwarf walls then we would have a floor like a shallow roller coaster - those in buggies would get a thrill on a Sunday morning on the way out to creche but it would get a little wearing for the rest of us trying to balance chairs on the top or bottom of the curves.
Out comes the string and crucial chunks are taken out of the joists to try and balance everything up and emulate 125 years of settlement,wear,winters,movement,occasional mini earthquakes etc, etc ,etc. Good luck lads.
Day 26, Monday 23rd February
Happily,Neil the foreman appears unaware that a few hundred people walked through his site yesterday. We covered our tracks well, collecting 25 bibles, 8 coffee cups, 3 umbrellas and 2 toddlers that had been left behind after the walk through and moving on 4 people patiently waiting for the service to start.
Everything cranks up in to life. The asbestos people worked Saturday (morning only- something that is being queried!) and that means they will be away from us tomorrow. Longer than they thought initially, but shorter than they then forecast it would take. It will be a relief to all to see them go.
The specialist plasterer is working away on some repairs to cornicing, team boiler are back, the electricican and his mate are carrying on with the cabling and the chippies are busy replacing some of the joists that have a little dry rot in them.
Team boiler and the electrician are all from West Midlands so they communicate happily together in an impenetrable series of tuneful grunts, with all sound coming out of the nose, nothing whatsoever coming out of the mouth.
Overall the floor joists have done very well for being 125 years old with only 7 or 8 needing replaced.
I bump in to the Building Contractors big boss in the toilet (as you do) and he says that he will be putting pen to paper this week to officially flag up a 2 week delay.
This is disappointing news but not really unexepected. Where we are now and finishing on the 27th March are not compatible situations and to be honest if its only 2 weeks we'll be happy. The delay is down to a combination of factors,including asbestos, we'll see what shakes out when the official letter is written.
HEATINGATE - ITS FINALLY,FINALLY SORTED, YES,REALLY,IT IS
The whole heating thing has been a protracted process, but finally, finally a solution appears to have been arrived at. We won't now be laying down the original floorboards (which is a shame) but instead laying down a chipboard floor instead. This will allow heat to flow more easily through the floor and in to the space. There will be 4 radiators upstairs and the cinema seats will need to be rejigged to accomodate them. The good news is that ground floor and balcony will be seperately controllable so we won't need to heat the whole space without reason. The original floorboards have value and can be sold.
All of a sudden 3 decisions pertaining to different aspects of the work need to be made very quickly and I'm grateful to Will and Rupert who are always quick to respond with thoughts and advice. 3 heads are definitely better than one.
Everything cranks up in to life. The asbestos people worked Saturday (morning only- something that is being queried!) and that means they will be away from us tomorrow. Longer than they thought initially, but shorter than they then forecast it would take. It will be a relief to all to see them go.
The specialist plasterer is working away on some repairs to cornicing, team boiler are back, the electricican and his mate are carrying on with the cabling and the chippies are busy replacing some of the joists that have a little dry rot in them.
Team boiler and the electrician are all from West Midlands so they communicate happily together in an impenetrable series of tuneful grunts, with all sound coming out of the nose, nothing whatsoever coming out of the mouth.
Overall the floor joists have done very well for being 125 years old with only 7 or 8 needing replaced.
I bump in to the Building Contractors big boss in the toilet (as you do) and he says that he will be putting pen to paper this week to officially flag up a 2 week delay.
This is disappointing news but not really unexepected. Where we are now and finishing on the 27th March are not compatible situations and to be honest if its only 2 weeks we'll be happy. The delay is down to a combination of factors,including asbestos, we'll see what shakes out when the official letter is written.
HEATINGATE - ITS FINALLY,FINALLY SORTED, YES,REALLY,IT IS
The whole heating thing has been a protracted process, but finally, finally a solution appears to have been arrived at. We won't now be laying down the original floorboards (which is a shame) but instead laying down a chipboard floor instead. This will allow heat to flow more easily through the floor and in to the space. There will be 4 radiators upstairs and the cinema seats will need to be rejigged to accomodate them. The good news is that ground floor and balcony will be seperately controllable so we won't need to heat the whole space without reason. The original floorboards have value and can be sold.
All of a sudden 3 decisions pertaining to different aspects of the work need to be made very quickly and I'm grateful to Will and Rupert who are always quick to respond with thoughts and advice. 3 heads are definitely better than one.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Day 25 - Feb 20th
Friday
A fair bit of activity this morning as everyone prepares for the traditional early finish on Friday. The Asbestos men set the pace by leaving at midday and its a steady trickle from there on in.
The asbestos men have started the removal, working inside a huge sealed bubble that they have constructed. They'll be back tomorrow (Saturday) to keep working which is great and we are grateful that Neil the foreman has agreed to be there too (the builders need a presence for insurance purposes). He is going to bring his son with him so he can visit the model railway exhibition in the Warehouse organised by Richard, so every cloud has a silver lining...........
PULPITGATE - The saga goes on
Some possibly encouraging news about the pulpit. We wrote to the Listed Buildings Committee, pleading that they re-consider their decision due to the large amount of money it might cost. Out of the blue they got in touch on Wednesday saying could one of their committee visit today, Friday. This would have been possible, but viewing the pulpit today would have necessitated entering the asbestos bubble and after leaving it the LBAC committee member would have died which in some way would negate the value of the visit!
So instead, a visit is arranged for next Thursday - please pray for a fair hearing. We are encouraged, because you don't need to visit if you are only going to say 'we are sticking to our original decision' so perhaps there is a little wriggle room.
Hopefully by Monday we can get our feet clear of the Asbestos problem and move ahead.
The heating meeting took place yesterday and a reasonable consensus appears to have been reached so progress can be made. Thank you for praying.
A fair bit of activity this morning as everyone prepares for the traditional early finish on Friday. The Asbestos men set the pace by leaving at midday and its a steady trickle from there on in.
The asbestos men have started the removal, working inside a huge sealed bubble that they have constructed. They'll be back tomorrow (Saturday) to keep working which is great and we are grateful that Neil the foreman has agreed to be there too (the builders need a presence for insurance purposes). He is going to bring his son with him so he can visit the model railway exhibition in the Warehouse organised by Richard, so every cloud has a silver lining...........
PULPITGATE - The saga goes on
Some possibly encouraging news about the pulpit. We wrote to the Listed Buildings Committee, pleading that they re-consider their decision due to the large amount of money it might cost. Out of the blue they got in touch on Wednesday saying could one of their committee visit today, Friday. This would have been possible, but viewing the pulpit today would have necessitated entering the asbestos bubble and after leaving it the LBAC committee member would have died which in some way would negate the value of the visit!
So instead, a visit is arranged for next Thursday - please pray for a fair hearing. We are encouraged, because you don't need to visit if you are only going to say 'we are sticking to our original decision' so perhaps there is a little wriggle room.
Hopefully by Monday we can get our feet clear of the Asbestos problem and move ahead.
The heating meeting took place yesterday and a reasonable consensus appears to have been reached so progress can be made. Thank you for praying.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Day 22 - Tuesday Feb 17th
Morning -
Arrive after a days holiday for half term. A hive of industry/pandemonium greets me whichever way you want to cut it.
Team boiler is out in full force as they look to complete the boiler installation this week, the electricians plod on with the cable laying, and in the car park the asbestos removal people are sorting out their shower unit. They don't do subtle when it comes to notices - 'danger of immediate death if you go near this wagon' - that sort of thing. The shower unit is parked up next to Furryfoot the Clowns (for those of you who know)taxi.Furryfoot is here to lead a 4 day training session for health professionals in the upper back hall.Obviously.
There is a significant amount of breath sucking by the asbestos people and they are coming back tomorrow threatening all sorts of extra time needed so we'll see where that goes.
Speak to Neil the site foreman and there is a significant amount of breath sucking from him as well as he worries about finishing on time.
The heating engineer and the architect are coming in tomorrow for a meeting to finally nail down the heating system design once and for all. Please pray for this as there is a great deal of pressure to reach some sort of solution, any sort of solution, and in fact we want it to be the right sort of solution as we have to work with it.
Neil approaches, wants a quick word, and in so doing ticks off another situation on the 'these situations must happen during any building project list' - he wants to have opened 'THE DOOR THAT CANNOT BE OPENED........'
.......because we do not have the key.
The very sharp eyed among you will have noticed an outside door adjacent to the entrance to the lower back hall. This is the original rear door of the church, it is locked, and we have never had a key for it. We go through the pointless but necessary ritual of checking our big box of random keys but no joy. This one will run and run.
Arrive after a days holiday for half term. A hive of industry/pandemonium greets me whichever way you want to cut it.
Team boiler is out in full force as they look to complete the boiler installation this week, the electricians plod on with the cable laying, and in the car park the asbestos removal people are sorting out their shower unit. They don't do subtle when it comes to notices - 'danger of immediate death if you go near this wagon' - that sort of thing. The shower unit is parked up next to Furryfoot the Clowns (for those of you who know)taxi.Furryfoot is here to lead a 4 day training session for health professionals in the upper back hall.Obviously.
There is a significant amount of breath sucking by the asbestos people and they are coming back tomorrow threatening all sorts of extra time needed so we'll see where that goes.
Speak to Neil the site foreman and there is a significant amount of breath sucking from him as well as he worries about finishing on time.
The heating engineer and the architect are coming in tomorrow for a meeting to finally nail down the heating system design once and for all. Please pray for this as there is a great deal of pressure to reach some sort of solution, any sort of solution, and in fact we want it to be the right sort of solution as we have to work with it.
Neil approaches, wants a quick word, and in so doing ticks off another situation on the 'these situations must happen during any building project list' - he wants to have opened 'THE DOOR THAT CANNOT BE OPENED........'
.......because we do not have the key.
The very sharp eyed among you will have noticed an outside door adjacent to the entrance to the lower back hall. This is the original rear door of the church, it is locked, and we have never had a key for it. We go through the pointless but necessary ritual of checking our big box of random keys but no joy. This one will run and run.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Day 19-Thursday 12th Feb
The big event today is the arrival of the new boiler, of which a lot is expected. In the manner of the modern boiler its quite small and the two heat engineers get cracking on getting it plumbed in.
In the meantime the cabling carries on and the builders prepare for the heating pipes to go down - whenever they arrive.......
In the meantime the cabling carries on and the builders prepare for the heating pipes to go down - whenever they arrive.......
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Day 18 February 11th
Welcome back blogfans - a couple of days off and we are raring to go again.
So, whats been happening while we have been away?
Well as of today there will be no floorboards left - all levered up,denailed, numbered and stored away in the metal box ready for putting back down again. This is half of the biggest job done.
The prospect of some interesting finds underneath the boards has disappointingly faded. Every building project of note needs to be halted by the finding of a newts nest/rare butterfly breed/burial site/site of significant historical interest but not for us it seems. At the very least WycliffeRefurbBlog hoped for a yellowing visitors slip from a Mr Palmer, asking us to 'pray for my new biscuit making venture' but it is not to be.
The team can now start laying down cabling as per Andrew Hearns instructions and I steel myself for a conversation with the boys from the black country. Its not too bad - perhaps a few weeks of Reading life has softened the accent and we are able to communicate fairly well and they understand that the cables are in the Warehouse loft. We walk down to get them and in to Wednesday toddlers. Its clear that the electricians don't 'do' toddlers - its like oil and water, and the whole situation feels like Narnia in reverse - the lads have come back out of our Wardrobe(the church), which is their reality, into their wardrobe (Wednesday toddlers),which is our reality.
Anyway we safely gather the cables (they are impressed that we have them all ready for them - thanks Andrew H), leave the Warehouse, and the men start to feel a bit more comfortable. Getting the cables to where they want them to be is challenging because there is no floor, only joists, and we are all fully laden. It feels like one of those extreme Japanese game shows - 'AV Sensei in Church', 'Banzai Cable!Historical Building' as we balance/wobble across the joists trying not to be the one to fall down.
Toddlers are here today, but the prospect of Cordon Breaching is completely snuffed out today due to a funeral taking place in the church hall and a toddler proof ring of steel being throw up to discourage any escapees from the sports hall (well,ok, a couple of room dividers count as our ring of steel, but its the thought that counts).
Had a toddler actually managed to breach the cordon it would be rather like one of those humane traps - they would have fallen between the joists but not hurt themselves as it is'nt far to fall, but they would'nt have been able to climb out so could just run up and down between the joists until discovery.
The funeral directors were with us last Friday for a large funeral in the sports hall and they brought the coffin in via the fire doors at the bottom of the sports hall. They are organising another funeral here today in the church hall and called on Monday to inform us that if it was OK they would like to enter via the same route as Friday. They would arrive at 11.45. Toddlers finish at 12 noon. You work it out. So while the overwhelming desire was to say 'Yes, you do that' and stand back and watch, pragmatism cut in and the funeral cortege squeezed in to the front of the church.
Our thanks to Toddlers who very graciously give up their buggy parking space in the hall and squeezed everyone in to the Warehouse to accomodate the funeral.
So, whats been happening while we have been away?
Well as of today there will be no floorboards left - all levered up,denailed, numbered and stored away in the metal box ready for putting back down again. This is half of the biggest job done.
The prospect of some interesting finds underneath the boards has disappointingly faded. Every building project of note needs to be halted by the finding of a newts nest/rare butterfly breed/burial site/site of significant historical interest but not for us it seems. At the very least WycliffeRefurbBlog hoped for a yellowing visitors slip from a Mr Palmer, asking us to 'pray for my new biscuit making venture' but it is not to be.
The team can now start laying down cabling as per Andrew Hearns instructions and I steel myself for a conversation with the boys from the black country. Its not too bad - perhaps a few weeks of Reading life has softened the accent and we are able to communicate fairly well and they understand that the cables are in the Warehouse loft. We walk down to get them and in to Wednesday toddlers. Its clear that the electricians don't 'do' toddlers - its like oil and water, and the whole situation feels like Narnia in reverse - the lads have come back out of our Wardrobe(the church), which is their reality, into their wardrobe (Wednesday toddlers),which is our reality.
Anyway we safely gather the cables (they are impressed that we have them all ready for them - thanks Andrew H), leave the Warehouse, and the men start to feel a bit more comfortable. Getting the cables to where they want them to be is challenging because there is no floor, only joists, and we are all fully laden. It feels like one of those extreme Japanese game shows - 'AV Sensei in Church', 'Banzai Cable!Historical Building' as we balance/wobble across the joists trying not to be the one to fall down.
Toddlers are here today, but the prospect of Cordon Breaching is completely snuffed out today due to a funeral taking place in the church hall and a toddler proof ring of steel being throw up to discourage any escapees from the sports hall (well,ok, a couple of room dividers count as our ring of steel, but its the thought that counts).
Had a toddler actually managed to breach the cordon it would be rather like one of those humane traps - they would have fallen between the joists but not hurt themselves as it is'nt far to fall, but they would'nt have been able to climb out so could just run up and down between the joists until discovery.
The funeral directors were with us last Friday for a large funeral in the sports hall and they brought the coffin in via the fire doors at the bottom of the sports hall. They are organising another funeral here today in the church hall and called on Monday to inform us that if it was OK they would like to enter via the same route as Friday. They would arrive at 11.45. Toddlers finish at 12 noon. You work it out. So while the overwhelming desire was to say 'Yes, you do that' and stand back and watch, pragmatism cut in and the funeral cortege squeezed in to the front of the church.
Our thanks to Toddlers who very graciously give up their buggy parking space in the hall and squeezed everyone in to the Warehouse to accomodate the funeral.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Day 15 - February 6th
Friday, and an early finish spurs on floorboard removal,marking and storage. Thus far, WhatLiesBeneathGate has not really developed with the only item of note found under the floor being a large rats nest, made mostly of chewed paper towels taken from the recycling bin so at least they are reusing material.
Encouragingly a man turns up in the afternoon to measure for the electric sun blinds to be sited on the windows which previously were covered by the organ. Our project is made up of innumerable small parts and its good to see small but important details like the blinds being pushed forward.
There was a large funeral (from another church) in the Warehouse sports hall today and while they wait the men from AB Walker take a look at the work and we get a chance to explain why we are doing it. Within 30 minutes of the funeral ending a game of basketball was underway in the same hall. While we don't anticipate playing basketball in the new auditorium (!) its that ability to change the use that will be so good when its all done.
A selfishly parked car keeps the builders in the car park until the funeral finishes but they take it in good part - truly they have been officially 'Wycliffed'.
The day ends.
God is good - another safe week completed.
Encouragingly a man turns up in the afternoon to measure for the electric sun blinds to be sited on the windows which previously were covered by the organ. Our project is made up of innumerable small parts and its good to see small but important details like the blinds being pushed forward.
There was a large funeral (from another church) in the Warehouse sports hall today and while they wait the men from AB Walker take a look at the work and we get a chance to explain why we are doing it. Within 30 minutes of the funeral ending a game of basketball was underway in the same hall. While we don't anticipate playing basketball in the new auditorium (!) its that ability to change the use that will be so good when its all done.
A selfishly parked car keeps the builders in the car park until the funeral finishes but they take it in good part - truly they have been officially 'Wycliffed'.
The day ends.
God is good - another safe week completed.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Day 14 - Feb 5th
Thank you to all who prayed for the site meeting - it went well, and the fact that it happened at all given the weather was a positive thing. The long and the short of it is that there is a way forward and they are getting on with lifting up the floorboards. Carefully, as they all have to go back down again in the same order as they came up.
The pulpit is causing some concern and it will have to be completely removed, to be safely reinstalled. Quite how that happens is a matter for some conjecture but rest assured cameras will be there. If the builders are to be believed its something of a surprise that the pulpit has survived this long with out crashing in through the floor. I;m sure they are right but its all put in a sort of secret builder code thats hard to understand. It looks like our victorian builders perhaps had to rush off and build a new poorhouse or somesuch (nothing like going for the cliches) and somewhat bodged the fixing in of the pulpit.
Anyhow, there is still much work to be done on the heating system but today gave a great opportunity to talk it over and check measurements etc and there is a new impetus to the work. The prayer now is that the heating system catches up with the floor coming off and momentum can be maintained. The asbestos thing has cost us 3 days thus far and will do so again but the time might yet be made up.
The other item happening today was some repairs to the glazing. This was referenced in an earlier post and we were awaiting a quote for the work. It was with some surprise that we saw the glaziers hard at it today - no quote had been received. there had been some miscommmunication at some level to the builders and you could see the big boss pale as he realised what was going on - his pale skin was nicely reflected by his fluorescent jacket. However, alls well that ends well, the glaziers, it turned out, were working to an instruction that limited their work to the amount set out in the tender so all was well and we were able to reconsider again what should be done.
The day ended with the electricicans still working away up in the roof space.
The pulpit is causing some concern and it will have to be completely removed, to be safely reinstalled. Quite how that happens is a matter for some conjecture but rest assured cameras will be there. If the builders are to be believed its something of a surprise that the pulpit has survived this long with out crashing in through the floor. I;m sure they are right but its all put in a sort of secret builder code thats hard to understand. It looks like our victorian builders perhaps had to rush off and build a new poorhouse or somesuch (nothing like going for the cliches) and somewhat bodged the fixing in of the pulpit.
Anyhow, there is still much work to be done on the heating system but today gave a great opportunity to talk it over and check measurements etc and there is a new impetus to the work. The prayer now is that the heating system catches up with the floor coming off and momentum can be maintained. The asbestos thing has cost us 3 days thus far and will do so again but the time might yet be made up.
The other item happening today was some repairs to the glazing. This was referenced in an earlier post and we were awaiting a quote for the work. It was with some surprise that we saw the glaziers hard at it today - no quote had been received. there had been some miscommmunication at some level to the builders and you could see the big boss pale as he realised what was going on - his pale skin was nicely reflected by his fluorescent jacket. However, alls well that ends well, the glaziers, it turned out, were working to an instruction that limited their work to the amount set out in the tender so all was well and we were able to reconsider again what should be done.
The day ended with the electricicans still working away up in the roof space.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Day13 - 4th Feb
Like yesterday a very quiet feel to the place. However,the floorboards have started to come up, at long last.What lies beneath.........
The electricians are working away and the glazier came today albeit briefly. There is still a lot of worry ('mithering' would be a good Northern way of describing it for those who understand these things) about the asbestos, and justified or not this is holding things up. Was able to chat briefly to Neil today and that is progress as we try to build up a relationship.
The weather is depressing things generally - for example it was toddlers today, but no serious attempt at cordon breaching were made. Come on people - we expect better.
One feature that is starting to rear is head is those traditional builder noises the buzz saw and the hammer. The crucial thing from the users (builders) point of view is not to maintain a rythmn. The listener (us) can cope of if the noise is a regular beat and start to tune it out, so random sporadic bursts of noise are the order of the day, just to keep everyone on their toes.
Neils last visit of the day brings the enquiry 'did the pulpit go in in pieces or one single piece - can I see the original plans' from this we deduce that the pulpit is definitely coming out, if only to put it back again better. As per previous requests for historical data, there is more chance of the Kennet freezing over and 20elephants dancing on it than there is of producing that plan so he goes off to think again.
We prepare for the site meeting tomorrow (please pray) and the day ends.
The electricians are working away and the glazier came today albeit briefly. There is still a lot of worry ('mithering' would be a good Northern way of describing it for those who understand these things) about the asbestos, and justified or not this is holding things up. Was able to chat briefly to Neil today and that is progress as we try to build up a relationship.
The weather is depressing things generally - for example it was toddlers today, but no serious attempt at cordon breaching were made. Come on people - we expect better.
One feature that is starting to rear is head is those traditional builder noises the buzz saw and the hammer. The crucial thing from the users (builders) point of view is not to maintain a rythmn. The listener (us) can cope of if the noise is a regular beat and start to tune it out, so random sporadic bursts of noise are the order of the day, just to keep everyone on their toes.
Neils last visit of the day brings the enquiry 'did the pulpit go in in pieces or one single piece - can I see the original plans' from this we deduce that the pulpit is definitely coming out, if only to put it back again better. As per previous requests for historical data, there is more chance of the Kennet freezing over and 20elephants dancing on it than there is of producing that plan so he goes off to think again.
We prepare for the site meeting tomorrow (please pray) and the day ends.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Day 12 - February 3rd
WycliffeRefurbBlog does'nt want to miss a day, but if a day was to be missed then this would be the one! Extremely quiet today, a couple of electricians are working on, and, perhaps, there was some small progress on the platform, but no feeling of momentum at all. The floorboards remain resolutely on the floor and this is not what is needed.
On the positive side, there is a contract meeting on Thursday at 11am. Please pray for this as we will discuss a number of key items, including the heating and....the asbestos (cue scary music), and we trust that the path forward will be clearly marked.
The day ends.
On the positive side, there is a contract meeting on Thursday at 11am. Please pray for this as we will discuss a number of key items, including the heating and....the asbestos (cue scary music), and we trust that the path forward will be clearly marked.
The day ends.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Day 11 - February 2nd
Well, a slightly difficult day for a number of reasons, but it looks like we make some progress in the end.
The weather did not help - Only one of the electricians made it and he has been working away all day on the top of the scaffolding. All Stan Randells men made it which is commendable. They work in teams so Neil has brought his own two colleagues.
I have'nt sorted out their names yet but trust that they conform to that great builder tradition of being single syllable.Tom.Neil.Joe.Baz. it would'nt do to welcome Cornelius and Sebastian (as suggested by our Treasurer).
However, the day is disrupted by a guy who has come in to price up removing the asbestos. He voices some completely unfounded concerns to me and Neil and this in turn causes a problem with what work can be done ongoing until the asbestos is removed. Its not appropriate to record all the goings on here but suffice it to say that we were well supported by JBKS (our architects and project manager) and meaningful work will start again tomorrow.
We have accepted a (large) quote for the removal of the asbestos from another contractor and this process will take 3 days during which no work can take place. Its likely to be towards the end of the month when this happens.
The day ends - a little disappointing, but this little blip with the asbestos probably had to happen and I think were over that hump now.
The prayer for this week is that the floorboards come up. That really has to happen, even tomorrow, if we are to keep any sort of momentum going.
The weather did not help - Only one of the electricians made it and he has been working away all day on the top of the scaffolding. All Stan Randells men made it which is commendable. They work in teams so Neil has brought his own two colleagues.
I have'nt sorted out their names yet but trust that they conform to that great builder tradition of being single syllable.Tom.Neil.Joe.Baz. it would'nt do to welcome Cornelius and Sebastian (as suggested by our Treasurer).
However, the day is disrupted by a guy who has come in to price up removing the asbestos. He voices some completely unfounded concerns to me and Neil and this in turn causes a problem with what work can be done ongoing until the asbestos is removed. Its not appropriate to record all the goings on here but suffice it to say that we were well supported by JBKS (our architects and project manager) and meaningful work will start again tomorrow.
We have accepted a (large) quote for the removal of the asbestos from another contractor and this process will take 3 days during which no work can take place. Its likely to be towards the end of the month when this happens.
The day ends - a little disappointing, but this little blip with the asbestos probably had to happen and I think were over that hump now.
The prayer for this week is that the floorboards come up. That really has to happen, even tomorrow, if we are to keep any sort of momentum going.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)