Wednesday 24th July 2024

Geoff continued to paint some figures, then painted the trough.

Stephen painted the fencing, then glued clumps of long grass to the base of the fence pots.

Discussion then took place about what material (that we had to hand) would be most suitable to represent water in the trough. In the end, Geoff mixed something up and using a small syringe (without a needle) slowly injected a layer into the trough. Initial thoughts were that it looked like water apart from the anticipated meniscus around the edges which was larger than we hoped for. We will try some thinner material over the top, next week.

The subject of the final photo may, or may not have appeared before. It's a TV aerial made from fine wire/rod to a design by one of Stephen's old drinking mates. However, Geoff was equally aware of what each of the elements 'received' and even what transmitter in the Cottesmore area that the pictures would have been broadcast from! It is vulnerable, but has a steel 'fixing plate' base and snaps onto a magnet buried in the chimney stack allowing it to be stored safely.

3D printable ponies for the field are still being researched.

Wednesday 17th July 2024

Worklist:

New field fencing.

Water trough and figure painting.

Stephen continued installing the fencing around the new field. It was decided to switch from 2 to 3 rails, which then required some thinner strips of wood. Some pre-scored obeche of the right pitch was found, which was easily cut down.

While Stephen finished the fencing, Geoff finished painting the water trough and cut it into the paper-mache hillside. The stile was a nice detail to research and make. (Maybe a vertical pole is required?)

The area around the trough will be made very muddy and grass/foliage will be applied to the base of the fence. We both like the idea of a pony in the field although a few sheep would work too. Geoff will see what he can find to 3D print.

Lunchtime was spent going through a selection of photographs to send up to the November show publicity team. Hopefully Worton Court will make the final presentation.

Wednesday 10th July 2024

Worklist:

General maintenance: painting chips, scrapes, etc. tidying foliage, regluing figures etc.

Geoff satisfied a long-standing urge to cover the floor areas of the gas plant building with coke and ashes. Deciding on the correct colours and size of material took quite a while, but the task was finished quite quickly. Attention moved to the motorised bucket assembly to lift coke up to the top loading platform. We knew that a replacement chain was required, and one was sourced and fitted. After a discussion, we recalled that a control box used to hang down from the electric motor, which disappeared long ago, and needs replacing.

Wednesday 3rd July 2024

Worklist:

Lighting system modifications and new storage 'tubes'.

Christine had produced 3 tubes of fabric with Velcro flaps to store each of the lighting strips. Covers should have been made years ago as being stored at high level in the front workshop has not conducive for keeping the led strips and reflective surfaces clean and free from damage. They fitted well.

Whilst in our hands, we decided to remove the black sticky tape end caps and fit the middle rigid joiner made for the Wilton show, but never fitted. A job well done. There are two end caps around somewhere, which might be fitted in due course....