Getting ready for a new Season

Wednesday 26th February 2020

The group of volunteers that attended must have wished they had stayed in bed. It was chucking it down , but the six or so hardy volunteers that had turned up soon found jobs to do mainly underneath the canopy.

The old saying of  " how many volunteers does it take to change a light bulb " Now we know Four plus the one taking the picture. 

The lamp bulbs were changed for some of a higher wattage , its a bit dim on the platform at the end of the season as the days start to close in, so lets go for something a bit brighter.

All plugged in and tested we will have to wait till later in the year to see if they are any brighter !

Hiding also under the canopy were Mike and Ian , who were painting the stairs woodwork and the waste bin tops. Elsewhere inside the other Mike was applying Caulk  around the window frames in the restaurant. Pat below was trying out and wearing a fetching little number on his head , it was supposed to stop rain going down your neck . If any body on P Way would like one ask Pat not me !

Wednesday , more Volunteers weather cold but bright. Main mission shift the platform furniture from under the Canopy back to the platform !

Brian , Peter and Clive have the necessary equipment , there goes Peter and Brian with one of the benches.

A case of to me to you .

Not just the benches but the picnic tables and waste bins !

Mike had sourced a spare lamp ( eventually meant for platform 2 ) from one of the containers and with Ian's help fitted it back on the lamp post.

Clive gave the shed front and sides another coat of preservative.

Whilst Mike having finished white lining Platform 1 on Friday moved over to Platform 2.

Funny next time I saw him he was edging the window frames in the Restaurant. ( Busy boy )

A bit of a mystery !

Between the two bridges a pile of old crockery has been dumped. A lot of broken GWR cups, saucers and plates, no attempt to hide them and a pile of white bits and pieces did stand out on the dark ground.

What makes it more intriguing is the fact there had been an attempt to stick the pieces back together !

Some of you might have noticed the camera is out of action , be patient its being worked on , I will have it back asap .

A we were sorry to hear of the passing away of Ron Dobson , who worked at Broadway between 2013 and 2018 our condolences to his family and friends .

Stormy Weather

Monday 17th February

Denis the Menace caused some damage as it passed over Broadway. One lamp top and fence were knocked over.

Ian was putting final touches to the gas cupboard doors.

He then joined Keith to start the removal of the fallen fence.


Peter and Dave were assembling the new cupboard which was to be installed in the store room.

Wednesday 19th February

Wednesday saw a change in the weather , not for the better.

An aborted trip to Toddington to fit the Gas Meter doors saw Peter , Brian and Dave return to fit the doors to cupboard in the stores room.

Elsewhere on the drive Chris and Dave were collecting Tree Debris, again !

On Monday Keith and Ian had removed the broken fence and on Wednesday Ian  sorted what was good and the bad headed to the fire.

 

Clive and Ian moved on to painting the Bric a Brac`s front and doors. it was easier to remove the door to paint the surround but not that easy to put them back .

Because of the steady rain most volunteers had drifted away by mid afternoon,.

Clive and Ian finished off up the shed , whilst Dave in the dryness of the workshop constructed a bespoke stand for the mini fridge .

Back up it goes !

Wednesday 5th February 2020.

Compared to last weeks thin on the ground group of volunteers , Monday and Wednesday saw the numbers virtually double each day ( was it something I said ? )

Seven on Monday , weather okay ish.


First job Keith , Mike and Ian lets have a meeting.

To discuss moving alot,  repeat alot of metal work for the new spear fencing construction over to where its needed .

First get a sack truck , then load it up , not too much mind as each spear weighs a ton !

Then find a burly volunteer to shift it.

Ian obliged with the shifting, the ramp didn't get any easier after the umpteenth trip. An hour or so of hard graft saw everything stored away now its up to Peter K to put it all together.

Peter Q and Dave carried on with the refurbishment of the Toddington Gas meter Frame and doors.

Meanwhile the Mike was giving the platform edge a good cleaning , later joined by Keith on platform 2.

Weather looked to stay dry so the other Mike started applying a fresh coat of white paint.

Wednesday Weather was good getting warmer ?

Time to brush up !

One of those posed photos of volunteers sweeping and collecting debris on the platform !

Clive gave the Top fence another coating of Preservative.

Peter Q and Brian cleared more Debris and the had a bonfire. Pat was also clearing vegetation down by the Springfield lane bridge. 

Dave gave the door frame its first coat of top coat , and the doors a coat of undercoat.

Mike popped back from Toddington to carry on with white lining on platform 1.

Due to next weeks cleaning of the Tea room and Kitchen , the Running in board which had been refurbished in there was  ready to be put back up.

and so on Monday , when enough bodies were available to lift it into place, back it went .