Wednesday 2nd March 2022

Worklist:

Review cottages progress.

Dismantle new boards and store in rack.

Setup exhibition layout completely as trial for Eastleigh.

A full house again.

Stephen had been working on the two end cottages. As he struggled to work out how to fit the stonework sheets to the 'design', it dawned on him that his approach was totally back-to-front. The window and door openings had to fit in with the stone coursing, not the other way around! A redesign looked on the cards. Fortunately, the main sash windows fitted perfectly with the coursing and the small window and door opening sizes were yet to be determined. The stone sheet was roughly cut out and the openings traced through from the polyboard shell. All apertures were increased in size to allow the features some leeway in their positioning. The lintel holes were cut out and plasticard pieces inserted to replace them. The first main window cill was cut-out and replaced likewise, but it immediately became obvious that cills could be planted onto the stonework face. Door sizes were determined and units with reveals made up for all 5 cottages. Likewise, 5 small window units were made. The job then was to glue all of the elements in place. Door cills were also added to complete the facades. Steps can be made on the footpath to reduce the step heights.

Card roof substructures had been made up and now received some slates made from the same laser-cut strips used for the main building on Worton Court.

The new cottages were placed into position and approved! NB: an extra layer of 5mm polyboard was added to the chimney stacks. Whilst the actual size had been accurately calculated for the brickwork stacks, the thicker units just looked right. The gable wall end had its stonework added.

The 'new' boards were dismantled and placed in their rack for the first time with scenery/buildings, and just fitted. Shelf adjustment is still possible, if required.

Setup the exhibition boards:  Firstly, the trestles had their nuts and washers replaced with the new 3D printed knobs. Adjustment was so simple - setting up the trestles in a new venue is always a chore, but it should be much quicker now.

The boards were then assembled, the power, loom and control panel fitted and connected. Lights and features such as signals, the generator engine and its sound unit were tested. Then Laurence got some stock out and had a test run while Stephen brushed and hoovered everything. Meanwhile, Geoff scoured the loft and spare bedroom for other components such as back-scenes, lighting poles, LED power supplies, the 10-way extension lead, the valence and signs, etc. One or two items were elusive, but everything was eventually located and fitted. Where there was doubts about positions or handing of items, new labels were made and fitted. We found one rail joint that occasionally misbehaved and will be dealt with next week. We were generally amazed at how well it all behaved.

Chris Holmes will join Stephen and Geoff next week to go through everything. No doubt a full running session will ensue to test everyone's stock!