The COMMUNITY -Tristan PROJECT 2006

In June 2006, DWO agreed to become involved, in conjunction with Weymouth Rowing Club with a community project whereby, a building, which is to house a safety boat and rowing gig, was to be completed by the end of November 2006. The aim of both the Tristan Project is that as many people as possible should be encouraged to enjoy the benefits of rowing the magnificent Cornish Pilot Gigs. They encourage all to have a go, especially the young, disabled or disadvantaged. The Tristan Project remains to fund anyone with particular needs who might wish to try rowing, and it has been a registered charity since Dec 2004.

I started the project by approaching local suppliers and sub contractors asking for support and the results were phenomenal. Practically over night, our very extensive list of materials were either donated or cash given to enable us to purchase any extra’s that may have been needed. Obviously, without the support and generosity of these companies, the project would not have been able to go ahead and for that, I would like to send my sincere thanks and gratitude.

THE CHALLENGE

To build a structure of 12 x 5 and joins an existing building of approximately the same size. The double doors in the west end of the existing shed will be removed, one being used in the new western elevation and one in the new north elevation. The construction is of 4 inch dense concrete blocks, with up to three courses of ordinary engineering brick around the top to bring it to a height at which, when a 4 by 2 timber wall plate is added, the roof plate line will match the existing shed. The walls are to be clad with ‘feather edge’ tanalised board nailed to two by one vertical battens fixed to the concrete block walls at approximately 400 mm centres.

The roof is to be supported by 4 No steel trusses welded from four by two box section steel, with the west end gable constructed in timber in the same way as the original shed. Purlins will be fixed to steel welded flanges on the trusses. 18 mm plywood will then cover the roof, followed by roofing felt, and corrugated sheeting. In the north wall, in addition to a door there are to be two windows, unglazed, to match the existing ones.

We had all agreed that we could possibly complete the above over a series of weekends starting mid October and the workforce would be volunteers from DWO and WRC, but just to complicate things, there are two sharp right angle bends on the access way along the harbour side making the access to the site very difficult indeed. We were also constrained by the bridge at Nelsons Warf, which has a weight limit of 4 tonnes.

Week 1

The work started on 21 October 2006, with the DWO team, Lorenzo and Angelo Ferrari, Kevin Davis and Martin Hill. I was there of course mopping brows, making coffee and collecting fish and chips. We were also joined by members of the men’s rowing section who did a grand job carrying blocks and moving materials. Whilst this was going on, the DWO team started the block laying, thankfully the weather was fine and so by 6.30pm on that same evening and 350 blocks later the shell of the building was up, and it stayed up during the horrific storms of the following day!

Week 2

On 28th October, part the roof was put on. The first thing to go up was the steel roof trusses, thanks to Paul Abo Hathaway from Vehicle Maintenance for his contribution. Then followed the remainder of the timber construction, but a disaster happened when the hilti gun refused to work which put a spanner in the works as time was of the essence. I dashed off to get another but there were no worries as Mitchell Hire came to the rescue and donated a gun and Lorenzo was once gain a happy man..

The predicted rain did not happen, and so the works went well and progress was swift. Around 13.00hrs we noticed a trawler towing an old oil drum (or so we thought) into the harbour. Very soon afterwards, the police, coastguard and navy arrived, and the whole of Weymouth harbour area and all surrounding roads were cordoned off. It appeared that the “old oil drum” was in fact a torpedo, brought in by the skipper of the trawler because he believed it to be a hazard for other boats In doing so, he saved the boats of the English Channel but brought Weymouth to a complete standstill! So, we are on the Nothe, no-one is allowed to come in or go out and the bomb disposal unit (the only one in the SW) was tending to a call in Wales.

By 5.30 it was starting to get dark, with no let up in sight, we needed to call the Cavalry who arrived at 6.30 to whisk some of the boys away. This left Kevin and Martin who, showed initiative, by carrying on with the building by using the car headlights, completing the front elevation. Above and beyond the call of duty I would say. We finally got home at 9.30pm very weary but with a great satisfaction of a good job done.

Week 3

The finishing touches to the building were to secure the doors and windows and complete the timber cladding and to put onduline sheeting onto the roof. As the guys were tied up on Saturday of this week we arranged for some tower lights to be taken down and the guys worked until  late on Friday evening. We were joined by Tom this week (who had been on his hols) and between the five of them the job was successfully completed.

And there we have it; a completed boat shed in two and a half days, which will now enable the club to house the safety boat and pilot gig and to enhance the quality of rowing provided to the very people that the Tristan Project was set up to help. The young, the disadvantaged and the disabled. On completion, the works were officially opened by Mr Martin and heartfelt thanks were expressed by Heddon Johnson, Chairman of WRC. Being part of the project was a very satisfying experience and our team were fine ambassadors for Dorset Works Organisation and all we stand for.

The workmanship and spirit of all volunteers was phenomenal and I, for one was very proud to be a part of it. A huge thank you to you all.

Jan