To see pictures of the weekly progress click this link - Friday Fotos - be aware though that, dependent on your download speed, this page could take some time due to the number of pictures.
October 6th - A bit of a damp end to this week, in fact its been a bit like that all week. First sunshine, then next minute a heavy downpour, then high winds, then sunshine again. Sometimes all in the same day! I guess Autumn is upon us. Anyway, on Friday I left work and headed to the site in torrential rain. By the time I arrived in Seasalter the sun was shining. Out came the camera for the Friday Fotos amid curses from Dave who had lost all his labour when the rain looked as though it was never going to stop. Sorry Dave, the photos show once again that the weather was fine and sunny!!
Its very frustrating at the moment as we are trying to get the final roof and blockwork finished to make the building watertight and this weather is impossible.
October 11th - Today was inspection day. We all lined up in best bib and tucker, at attention, and received the Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Ven Patrick Evans, for a tour of the site. Actually it was very relaxed and the tour was restricted mostly to the site cabin. This was due to the heavens opening as Patrick arrived in a clap of thunder. I've seen some entrances in my time but this was impressive!
Eventually after hot mugs of tea, made by Dave this time (!), we set off to look at building progress. First obstacle - a long ladder to be negotiated. For Lynda this was a very personal obstacle to overcome as she apparently hates ladders. Having got up successfully she then spent the remainder of the time worrying about climbing down!
Here the group stops to have a look at the Worship Area from somewhere up near the eaves, a very impressive view all agreed. Notice the more than a little nervous grin on Lynda's face as she contemplates the journey back to terra firma.
At the Church Council meeting in the evening Patrick is very complimentary about the project describing it not only as a tribute to the family of St Alphege Seasalter but also an inspiration to other churches in the diocese.
October 13th - The Worship Area roof received its final top today as a little pyramid of steel was welded to the square. This has given the whole roof some stability, the Structural Engineer was happy with his calculations but the guys working up there say it's a lot more steady now, so better safe than sorry.
We are on target to have the roof water tight by the end of the month and most of the scaffolding out. It will be nice to walk around inside the building again, I've almost forgotten what the kitchen looks like! In the meantime we are busy setting out the electrics - sockets, switches, hearing loop, fire alarm etc all have to have their locations agreed.
October 19th - Wow !! The scaffolding has been taken out from the Concourse area and suddenly it looks huge. And there is the possibility of more storage space behind one of the end walls of the Worship Area. A quick call and an email later and a meeting is arranged for tomorrow afternoon with Steve and Lynda.
October 20th -
Everyone agrees it looks better than we envisaged. This view is taken from the Concourse looking towards the Worship Area. The entrance doors to the Worship Area will be to the right of the red post, with a glass screen to the left. Above the doors, and stretching through the length of the hall is the loft space that no-one had noticed on the drawings. Instructions have been placed with the contractor to strengthen the floor and board out the walls. A perfect store for all those things only needed once in a while.
Turning round, this view looks up the Concourse towards the main entrance. There are still some roof trusses to add but most of the open area at the end will be a glass screen and double entrance doors.
There is going to be plenty of space above the meeting room doors to hang pictures or banners so perhaps it's time to dust down the sewing machines and work up some new designs.
So how did Lynda cope with another visit to the higher levels?
Not a trace of nervousness, not in front of the camera anyway. Up and down ladders as though she had been doing it all her life. Perhaps it was because Vicky was with us and in need of some encouragement!
Mind you the view from the roof of the Worship Area was worth the struggle up. We were able to spot the tower of the Old Church, see the Thanet Way and pinpoint the Mariners View Estate. Well, that bit was only exciting for me it's true.
This picture was taken from the roof looking down into the Abbot House Nursery garden. This has become a nice enclosed area with a safe feel to it and once landscaped will be a valuable asset for the nursery. I'm not sure whether Vanessa wants to retain the fencing!
October 31st - the month finishes with the roof all felted and the building substantially watertight, except of course when the rain is blowing horizontally in through the window spaces! The roof tiles have all been delivered and the tilers have begun setting out. At the monthly site meeting discussion has turned from construction details to the fitting out - doors, light fittings, floor coverings and the colour scheme. Needless to say all matters pertaining to colour are deferred to Lynda; we quickly accepted that men have no taste or style in such things.
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