The Belfry Improvements
by Tim Large
At the last AGM members asked for the latest information
regarding the improvements following publication in the BB prior to that
meeting of plans which had been put forward for Planning Permission
approval. Over the last few years I have
attempted to keep members informed via the BB of the latest position. To dispel any uncertainty I have set out in
the following lines the history of the developments,
At the 1979 AGM a members resolution by Roy Bennett and Dave
Irwin proposed the setting up of a Belfry Improvement Fund as it was felt the
Belfry needed bringing up to date. This
was passed by the meeting. The Committee subsequently set about organising
various fund raising schemes and a Lottery Licence was obtained from Mendip
District Council. The Hut Fees were
raised (Members from 30p - 50p Guests from 50p - £1) the extra increase being
devoted to the fund. Also at the AGM the
subscription was raised from £5 to £8, in its calculation every aspect of the
clubs expenditure was analysed, it included £1 per member for the fund. These amounts have been transferred to the
fund every year since.
At the 1980 AGM progress on the fund raising was detailed by
the Treasurer. The Hut Engineer in his
report detailed the developments regarding the plans. A planning meeting had been held on 16th May
1980 attended by 14 members. At that
meeting various ideas were discussed along with sketch plans by individuals of
what would be desirable. The meeting
recommended that an architect be consulted for the best advice and to draw up
suitable plans for submitting to the planning authorities. The report was
approved by the AGM.
During the following year discussions were held with John
Gwyther of Priddy a professional architect. Several 'on site' meetings took
place. Nigel Taylor and myself also
visited Mendip District Council Planning Department in
Final plans were submitted to the Committee on 6th August
1982. These were approved and it was
decided to submit them for the relevant permission with Mendip District
Council. At present these plans are still
being considered and several queries are still being ironed out. The estimated cost of the project is £12,000
with work being done by builders. It has
been necessary to work on builders costs as it is proposed to apply for grants
from the Sports Council etc. Any grants
given will be based on such estimates.
Much thought went into the final plans the considerations
were:-
1. The
Library is only a box room and does not give ideal storage for books.
2. The
Kitchen facilities are not ideally sited in the main room.
3. The
Showers and Chancing Room are not ideally sited or adequate. Also there design should make for easy
maintenance and maximum hygiene.
4. There
are no drying facilities.
In the new proposals as publicised in the BB:-
- The
Library is a room which can be used as a proper Library with space for
tables and chairs, it will have adequate and proper storage space for
books, maps etc. Ventilation will
be much improved providing for a better environment for the books etc.
- It
was felt that a self contained kitchen would improve hygiene and release
much space in the main room for lockers etc.
- The
Showers and Changing Rooms both male and female will be better sited for
ventilation and provide more room. The main changing room will incorporate a dirty area entering the
Belfry via the present womens room external door. Once caving kit has been removed members
can go to a cleaner changing area which will include washbasins, toilet
and showers. A similar system will
exist in the womens changing area as can be seen on the plan. Ventilation will be aided by extractor
fans and floor to ceiling tiling and better drains are to be provided so
that the area can be hosed down and kept to the necessary hygienic
standards.
- The
provision of a drying room leading off the main changing area was decided
to be of utmost importance. Ventilation will be provided by an extractor fan ducted to the
outside wall. Heating could be
provided by under floor electric elements linked to the off peak
meter. This system is used at the
Bradford Pothole Club and works very well.
- The
new female bunkroom will still only cater for 6. The space on the plan is at present
shown to be flexible, but once a suitable size has been decided on the
room a stud wall partition will be erected and any space left will be used
for storage for the time being. The
vacant space will give us room to expand should the need arise. One possibility for the vacant space
would be an extension to the Library.
So the overall intention of the proposals is to improve the
clubs facilities based on more or less the sane usage as at present. But should usage increase at some time in the
future then we will have the space to expand into and facilities designed a
higher throughput of people. Of great
importance is that the design incorporates features that ensure easy
maintenance and a higher degree of sanitation. Those few left at the end of the weekend can much more easily clear up
after everyone elses mess!!!
For those of you interested a larger scale plan as presented
to the Mendip District Council is on display at The Belfry.