If you remember altern-8...

Perhaps I spoke too soon last time.

There was a rush of new volunteers (Gary, Akani) but the few people who have been trained to do what they do - in particular Sten who had just completed a plumbing course and Pat who's been taking care of most of the carpentry- are away on unavoidable holidays next week. Even your humble narrator will be away next week. This is at a crucial stage in the refurb when we need to sort out the more difficult plumbing tasks and the electrics.


Now Chris has the skills to do these - but that would mean he couldn't deal with the volunteers at the same time - so the plan is to get Johnny (the maintenance man) in for two days both do the work on the boilers and certify them (as he is CORGI registered to work with gas appliances).

Obviously the only other alternative would be to shut down the refurb to volunteers while Chris did the work and then have Johnny certify it but while this would get it done it would be less than ideal in terms of keeping the refurb a project of Phoenix's members. One problem Chris faces is never knowing what volunteers he's got coming in on which day and what skills they will have (and therefore what level of supervision/ help they will require) - it makes it difficult for him to timetable and complete the tasks that only he can do - if there is a lesson to be learnt from this refurb it is that this side of things must be better organised.

If you wish to come down please get in touch with Chris or the Office first and lets try to plan this further ahead than on a day by day basis.

We have only a few weeks left to complete the project and we need to get No.10 let pronto. Thanks to all those who have shown up this week - Keep the good things going in my abscence.

Back Soon. Paul.