Lifeline
- a regular column from
our Hon. Sec., Tim Large
During July and early August much work was done at the
Belfry. Greater detail appears in the
Hut Engineers report. Following the
setting up of a sub-committee to look into possible Belfry improvements,
myself, Nigel Taylor and John Dukes were able to take a close look at the
problems and sought advice of one or two experts. Originally I had looked at the possibillity
of putting stairs up into the loft and converting it into the bunkroom with the
installation of a dormer window. This
would free the present bunkroom for other facilities. On consulting the experts, this would cost
about £1,200 alone. By the time the
downstairs conversions had been accounted for the sum would be at least £2,000.
Our ideas eventually congealed into one and a revised plan emerged. That is to confine all alterations to the
present ground floor. The main
considerations appear to be:-
1. Provision of a background heating system to warm
the whole building thus preventing damp and the subsequent deterioration of the
internal fabric of the building.
2. Improvement of the showers, changing area and
toilet facilities.
With the rising cost of fuel, wood is now available to us
from various sources at a cheaper cost. The installation of a wood burning stove providing hot water, radiators
and a hob for cooking. This would
achieve several purlposes at once. Our
electricity costs would be greatly reduced particularly during the peak winter
period of greater caving activity. Our
bottled gas costs would be slightly reduced as some of the present gas burners
could be dispensed with in the winter. Present costs of this would be about £800, with members doing the work.
Regarding the improvement of facilities; at present
- The
changing area is too small.
- Showers
take up too much room. Womens
shower rarely used.
- Toilets
unsatisfactory.
- Womens
bunkroom rarely used.
- Only
the womens room has a wash-basin with hot and cold water.
- Showers
are in the centre of the building.
By re-organising the Belfry, excluding the living room these
points could be rectified. This would
cost about £300, with members doing the work.
Using a scheme like this we could complete our objectives
for the price that originally only the loft conversion would be achieved. Thus we could bring our facilities up to more
acceptable standards and thereby continue to attract a steady influx of new
members and guests.
Last month the B.B. published various proposals regarding
the subscriptions. Incorporated in many
of the options was an allocation for Belfry improvements. In most cases only £175 would be raised each
year. This was based on £1 per
head. This money could be spent as it
came in and the necessary materials to do the work purchased and slowly
accumulated over several years allowing the work to progress in phases.
At the lost committee meeting the sub for 1979/1980 was fixed at £7.50. This has to go before the AGM for ratification. This figure includes the £1 towards Belfry improvements. Ideally more money per year would help the work progress quicker. Obviously other fund raising schemes will be necessary to obtain additional monies. I hope you will all consider these ideas carelfully and bring constructive ideas to the AGM.
New member:
962 Christine Anne Stewart,
Address change:
Phil (the Miner) Ford,