During the summer recess full advantage was taken to refit and refurbish many areas of the Lodge.  The enhancements provide Fire Safety compliance, fitting of 30 minute fire safety doors for the Temple, new boiler and associated pipework and cupboards, a review of the Lodge archive and repositioning of the archive storage, redecoration of the affected areas a complete overhaul including a valued Inventory and the main project a newly installed lift which now affords the Lodge to be registered as having full disability access.

The Lodge owes a great deal of thanks to the sponsors who have declined any formal recognition for their generosity; all the contractors who carried out various aspects of the work and of course the Building Chairman Douggie Towells and Roger Biss.  The latter two have worked throughout the summer recess to ensure that when the Lodge opens for Masonic business on 17^th September there is a clean, compliant and redecorated building of which we can all be justifiably proud.  There have also been of course volunteers who have given their time and offered their services. I will not name them on the grounds that I may miss someone and I do not wish to cause any upset.  They know who they are and they are all thanked for their efforts.  I am though reminded of the words of Winston Churchill (plagiarism excused) when he implied “never has so much been owed to so few by so many”

You will see from the photographs taken during the various stages of the renovations that the volume of work was quite high and to have it completed and working in such a short space of time is a truly commendable effort.  The lift/lodge will be officially opened on the 12th September 2018 at 17:30 then we will concentrate on the preparation for and the successful Installation of our Master Elect Bro Chris Crump.

The lift opening will be conducted by the Worshipful Master and this will be his penultimate duty prior to handing over to his successor. When he assumed the chair of King Solomon on 5^th October 2016 I doubt if he even slightly envisaged the events that would take place during his time in Office.  We should be proud of what has been done on all our behalf’s, make full use of the facilities provided and better still “bring a friend” so they can see what can be achieved.  We now start planning for the next stage.

 

Work Timetable follows:-.

   Work Started                25^th June

Empty Storage Room/Prepare Walls/Surfaces for Lift Installation     25^th June

Plumber – Remove old boiler/pipework                                                   28^th – 29^th June.

Electrician                                                                                                     2^nd July

Carpenter/Plasterers                                                                                   2^nd July

Clear Archive Cupboard/Sort                                                                     2nd August

Lift Installation Started                                                                                6^th August

New carpet fitted upstairs & in the Dinning room                              10th August

Plumber – Install new boiler/pipework                                                     13^th – 15^th August

Lift Installation Commissioned                                                                              14^th August

Reposition Archive Cupboard                                                                   17^th August

Renovate and Renovate Jewel Board                                                      2^nd August – 24^th August

Painting                                                                                                         19th to 22nd August

Clean Up                                                                                                       24^th to 29^th August

Electrician –Emergency lighting.                                                              27^th August

Carpenters Fit Fire Doors/Box In new boiler                                           27^th – 29^th August

Work by Contractors Completed                                                               29^th August

Lodge Deep Clean  Blitz-it/Aspens                                                          5^th September

Bar Cleaning/Glasses washed.                                                                 6^th September

Lodge Work Completed                                                                              10^th September

Lift Official Opening                                                                                    12^th September

Private Party                                                                                                 16^th September

Standing Committee/LOI                                                                            17^th September

Chapter                                                                                                          18^th September

Final Rehearsal                                                                                            1^st October

Prepare/lay-up dining for Installation                                                       2^nd October

Installation                                                                                                    3^rd October