Progress on the issue of invitations to building contractors to tender for the construction phase of the new village hall continues as the Project completes of several tasks in the pre-construction phase. The work on the ‘back’ or eastern boundary wall is going well but is technically complex and therefore following detailed specifications drawn up by the Project’s structural engineer.

Electricity supply

When last we wrote, there was reference to the ongoing work to bring electricity and water services to the new village hall site. The ability to get services onto the site was never in doubt, but as liaison with Electricity North West (ENW) developed, so too did concern about the high costs they were quoting for the work. Part of the problem was that the early discussions were relatively remote i.e. email correspondence with a desk-based unit that had a fixed view of where the route should be and a book-based price for the work. The Project Team then worked exceptionally hard to identify suitable alternative routes and to consider different ways by which the ‘on the ground’ work could be delivered. This led to very positive discussion with local representatives of ENW during which all possible options were explored and a significantly more cost-effective solution identified which has now been agreed. The Project thanks ENW for working with it on achieving this outcome. A quote for water supply has also been accepted. In the meantime, the sale of surplus stone from the site continues, generating an important income stream for the Project.