Week 1/21: 8th January 2021

It seems that pantomime season is still alive and well amongst our Weekday Warriors as Tony Cross is definitely 'behind you'. Sadly no Aladdin's Lamp but plenty of interesting finds as our very own Charming Princes continue digging, levelling and much more besides. Despite the new lockdown the volunteers continue to work with the professionals bringing the reality of The Swan kitchen another step closer.

If you would like to join the cast please get in touch with Ian Birch who would be delighted to hear from you.

Week 2/21: 15th January 2021

You need to use some imagination to spot the potential in this photo as The Swan continues its transition from an ugly duckling. The Weekday Warriors continue hard at work despite weather and Covid restrictions. The box beams have arrived on site and are scheduled to be installed as this email reaches your inbox.

The column radiators have also been delivered ready for installation in the Coach House in the coming weeks. By the time we are able to reopen this should provide a warm and comfortable space to enjoy tasty food from our own kitchen (fingers crossed).

Our stunning new kitchen windows are built and ready for delivery to site. It has been agreed that they will not be installed until the external brickwork around the windows is safe and complete. With grateful thanks to Roy and his team at Windsor Joinery for their fabulous work.

Week 3/21: 22nd January 2021

Another group of workers undaunted by storms have been continuing their vital work at The Swan. The new kitchen windows made by Windsor Joinery have now been received at the pub for installation when the brickwork has been refurbished.

The work on preparing the kitchen has continued regardless of the weather. Tony and Steve can be seen emerging from what is referred to by some as the room of doom! Step by step our new kitchen is getting ever closer. If you would like to join the Weekday Warriors please get in touch with Ian Birch.

Week 4/21: 29th January 2021

To let you see the current state of play, here are shots of the backrooms and corridor that the Weekday Warriors have been prepping ready for the main contractors to come in and do the final polishing work. As you can see, the renovation of The Kitchen and supporting rooms is a substantial and costly piece of work.

And here is The Kitchen - we must admit it has a little work to get it ready for serving food in The Spring (assuming we can re-open and no further Covid delays). As you can see, the chimney has recently been completely removed and also the floor taken right back. A lot of work for the Weekday Warriors.

The Weekday Warriors have also been preparing the walls to take the new steel joists that will go in (and allow removal of the Acrows). All this work is being done with in consultation with the contractors and our busilding expert.

We offer a very big thank you to Patricia Webber who has generously donated her late husband's retirement present, a cement mixer. With all the work still required at The Swan this will be invaluable for a long time to come and will be put to very good use. All at The Swan, but especially the Weekday Warriors, are very grateful

The Weekday Warriors welcomed a new member of the team this week, significantly reducing their average age. Not Tony or Trevor, but the 26 year old wheelbarrow rescued from a neighbouring skip. Trevor assures us that he did ask permission.