The never ending story of the upkeep of Risca Male Choir headquarters PART 2
The next phase was to have the scaffolding moved to the front of the building. This allowed us to repair and paint the front first floor windows and their sandstone surrounds. A big moment for the volunteers was painting the plinth framing the RMC name and reattaching some of the letters. Giving the old clock a well-deserved face lift was also a moment of great emotion as we remembered all the choristers who are sadly no longer with us.
Alan was also able to ‘make good’ a small area at the very top of the building which might have given us a problem in the future.
When the scaffolding was eventually moved to the left hand side of the building, the volunteers were able to repair and paint the last of the first floor windows. While on the top lift another area of the roof was discovered that was in urgent need of repair.
The committee made the wise decision to replicate the work that was done on the leaking section of the roof, on the car park side of the building, rather than risk it developing a problem in the future.
These repairs have been completed by the builder while the scaffolding was in place, maximizing the use of the scaffolding. More missing slates were replaced, along with the gutters and downpipes and the capping of the fascias and soffits.
While the work on the building was continuing, a small team of volunteers, including Chris Davies, Wyn Cable, Lyndon Price and Keith Jefferson commenced clearing the area to the left and rear of the building revealing a hidden patio area and tarmac. The fence to the left hand side was then treated, completely transforming this area, which should make it much easier to maintain.
One of the last jobs before the initial Lockdown, was to rub down and paint the railings and gates at the front of the building. The final task, of giving the Fleur De Lis on the top of the railings a lovely coat of gold paint, was left to our local residents, Trevor Baker and Alan Davis, so that our Headquarters now stands proud in its surroundings.
Many thanks to the following members for all their hard work on this mammoth job during the last few months:
Mike Sullivan who organized the builder and scaffolders (an amazing feat of perseverance and endurance!), Alan Davis, Kevin Lovett, Chris Davies, Wyn Cable, Trevor Baker, Keith Jefferson, Lyndon Price, Phil Black, Paul Phillips, Ian Meredith, Cliff James, Howard Morgan and (our very own Master Baker) John Watkins.
Written by:
Kevin Lovett, Mike Sullivan & Alan Davis.
