9 July 2003

While work continues at the cutting site at school, the concrete base is being prepared at the boathouse site on Wilsham Road.		Norman (striped t-shirt) runs over the plans with Steve Lawrence (pony tail). All is calm.

		The longboat moored at the site is home to the site security guy.

That afternoon the timberframers had a much needed break. Talk about a busman’s holiday! They went to visit the famous Coxwell Great Barn, near Faringdon. This ancient building is testament to the strength and durability of timberframe constructions. The building belongs to the National Trust and is open most days to visitors. Go and have a look!

Later, at the cutting site the initial preparations for the raising begin. Steve Russell goes through the calculations for the load bearing of the ropes and pulleys.




The chap in the check shirt, chisel in hand, is Michael Langford. He is a professional carver. from the USA. Watch him carve those names in the beams – talented stuff!


Each day visitors turn up to view the proceedings. They are all overwhelmed by the magnitude of the project and the skills of the workforce. This is certainly a unique project and everyone is fascinated to learn how the big wooden jigsaw will fit together.