Next Stage

Tuesday was our volunteer gardener day. It was foggy, and a bit miserable, but Tanya and I kept warm by collecting up all the non-hardy potted plants and protecting them from the oncoming winter in the greenhouse. Assuming they make it through the winter, we’ll propagate new plants in the spring. Nigel’s also been busy, felling a group of scruffy sycamores we have permission to ‘drop’ up on the paddock. Tanya and I tidied up after him, making a new ‘dead hedge’, habitat piles and log piles. Mabel, Tanya’s Labrador looked on with bemusement, and disappointment, that her immediate desire for biscuits were being ignored.

Mabel, on the look out for biscuits

Away from the gardens, and up on the roof, we’ve had an expert team of scaffolders working to take down the enormous roofing spans that have protected Betley Court for over a year now. A few folk from Betley have mentioned to me that they’ve watched them with their hearts in their mouths, as they work, clipping on, clipping off, way up high. Each piece of scaffold is carefully handed down, and loaded neatly onto a lorry to be taken away. Gradually the new roof is being revealed. A group of walkers paused for a look earlier this week, observing our scaffolders at work, and pointing out areas of interest. It’s a gradual reveal rather than a dramatic one, but I’m pleased to see the white scaffold wrap that has shrouded the Court disappear, piece-by-piece.

Looking a little ragedy at the front, but gradually, the temporary scaffold roof is coming down.

Some of the scaffold team, high up on the roof

The plan is to take the scaffolding down to the line of the guttering. Then our main contractors, Midlands Conservation Ltd, will complete the installation of the guttering. Now that the protective temporary roof is being dismantled, its really important to get the rainwater system to be up and running as soon as possible.

Part of the rainwater system

Then, as far as the ‘external envelope’ is concerned, HP Windows are gradually replacing windows where old ones were burnt away. Down at Betley Court Farm, in one of the workshops, Phillip Bailey continues to restore windows that can be salvaged. We have the huge door from the old courts at Oldham to install at the front. Lots of little actions ticked off one-by-one. Our first planning application for the interior has been approved, so we’re beginning to get quotes for the first four flats. It feels as if it’s all coming together!

All best wishes

Ladybird Su