Author Archives: kingstonrrsecretary

Easter break

The Kitchen

Given the progress Phil and his team are making with the works at the Reading Room I think they deserve a nice Easter break. Oh it looks like Phil has started it already!

The volunteer workforce has been amazing – we can’t thank you enough for all your help and the hours that you have put in to get us this far. We knew Kingston was a special place and this project is highlighting how special everyone who lives in it is. But we still need your help.

– Next week – the part of the hall not affected by the works needs a good tidy up and clean. So if you have any spare time pop down from Tuesday onwards.

– week commencing 28th April we can start painting as the plaster will be dry. Don’t get too excited or creative it’s all going to be white! Because we are working in smallish spaces we need teams of three people at a time. So if you have some time let me know when and how much (kingstonrrsecretary@gmail.com) I’ll work out a schedule. We can’t do anything on 1st May because of the election.

The new kitchen has been ordered so once we have finished painting we can start the installation.

And what about the chairs I hear you ask … more soon!!!

New kitchen window
Storage space
Clean me!

Starting the works

Its a lovely sunny day in Kingston but the peace of the village was shattered by the sound of work coming from the Reading Room as Phil and his team of volunteers (thank you to everyone who came along and helped) started the process of improving the Reading Room. Socks from the pub was on hand to help out by hoovering up any bits of the delicious flapjacks that Vanessa had made up to keep our energy up! And Joan was flawless as our coffee and tea maker. Kitchen cupboards were emptied and the units taken off the walls. Who knew that there was a fireplace in the kitchen area behind the units? And who is the artist of this lovely mural?

We are very grateful to everyone who has volunteered to help out.

Watch this space for further updates on the works.

Beach scene

UPDATE FROM THE OPEN FORUM – AND WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

Many thanks to the 26 people who attended our open forum. This was an opportunity to study the plans in some depth . There were three possibilities, and Phil had even mocked up one of the plans so viewers could walk round, get a feel of the proposed layout and tell us what they thought….. and they did!

Post it notes were provided for comments to be made, you took advantage of them, and every one has been considered and incorporated into the design where practicable. The good news is that there was complete agreement. Everyone voted for option one.

A further, less formal session, was held in the Dolphin on 17th Jan, when Phil , Jenny and Juliet were available so that anyone who was unable to attend the forum, but had further comments or ideas which they wished to be considered, could have their views taken into account.

So, full steam ahead!
If you are in a group that uses the RR, and has a representative on the RR committee they will have discussed the details with you. Those not represented have been contacted.

Here’s the plan.
Monday 3rd March work starts and will continue for approximately 15 weeks (although some space will be available as work progresses. Phil will keep us updated).

The PCC have kindly agreed that groups can use the church for the usual activities where practicable

Weekend of 22nd/23rd Feb
The grand downstairs clear out!
If you have anything stored downstairs please come along, claim your stuff and help us tidy This is so kitchen equipment etc can be moved into this space. Please let us know if you can’t be there but have equipment stored…we don’t want it to end up in the skip.

3rd March
The grand kitchen clear-out
Please can we have volunteers from the groups who use the kitchen to help us move their equipment downstairs Also if you have any space to store chairs that would be a great help. Please contact Juliet (kingstonrrsecretary@gmail.com)

Funding
We have applied for funding to cover the cost of the building materials etc, and new, light, stackable chairs BUT we’re going ahead whatever the result of the bids.

Thanks to all those who have come up with some great ideas for fundraising….and of course donations are always welcome. The Auction of Promises will be held a little later in the year when we know exactly what further finance we need

Volunteers
Many thanks to all you wonderful folk who have volunteered your skills and enthusiasm so far. The bids we have made assume that the main work will be carried out by our volunteers. We need labourers, but also people with technical skills; builders, electricians, plumbers, plasterers etc . Any time you can spare would be really helpful. Contact Phil who is our coordinator phil.a46@yahoo.com

THANK YOU
To everyone for your enthusiasm and support. Most of all, a huge thank you to Phil Anderson, superstar, who has done a huge amount of work, drawing up plans, working out costings, mocking up a kitchen and more. Phil…we are all hugely grateful!