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 17th 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 5th 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 25th June
Empty Storage Room/Prepare Walls/Surfaces for Lift Installation 25th June
Plumber – Remove old boiler/pipework 28th – 29th June.
Electrician 2nd July
Carpenter/Plasterers 2nd July
Clear Archive Cupboard/Sort 2nd August
Lift Installation Started 6th August
New carpet fitted upstairs & in the Dinning room 10th August
Plumber – Install new boiler/pipework 13th – 15th August
Lift Installation Commissioned 14th August
Reposition Archive Cupboard 17th August
Renovate and Renovate Jewel Board 2nd August – 24th August
Painting 19th to 22nd August
Clean Up 24th to 29th August
Electrician –Emergency lighting. 27th August
Carpenters Fit Fire Doors/Box In new boiler 27th – 29th August
Work by Contractors Completed 29th August
Lodge Deep Clean Blitz-it/Aspens 5th September
Bar Cleaning/Glasses washed. 6th September
Lodge Work Completed 10th September
Lift Official Opening 12th September
Private Party 16th September
Standing Committee/LOI 17th September
Chapter 18th September
Final Rehearsal 1st October
Prepare/lay-up dining for Installation 2nd October
Installation 3rd October