February 2025

The project is highly visible now and the roofing felt and battens are currently being installed. By the time The Hoot is distributed, the installation of the roof tiles should be complete, weather permitting. Once the roof is complete, the scaffolding comes down and the doors and windows will be installed. Then we can get to the fitting out stage which is unaffected by the weather.

Many thanks to Pete Wilson from Hawkstreet for the regular flow of images from his drone!

Construction workers on scaffolding installing roof trusses on a brick building under construction.

The rain and cold weather has slightly delayed the project by affecting the completion of the brickwork. To be realistic and to manage the overall construction effectively, the building programme has been adjusted, with the end date theoretically now in early July. However, once the building is watertight, there is likely to be the opportunity to have different trades working at the same time and this increases the possibility of catching up on some of the time lost. We all still have the target of June Carnival in mind and the whole team is focused on achieving that, particularly as Rigg will have other follow-on projects in new locations to move their team on to.

Once the scaffolding comes down and the area is clear, we will have access to the area outside the front door where we need to excavate the hole for the time capsule. As soon as we have a more accurate idea of a date, we will organize a small event to bury it. Due to the constraints of health and safety for visitors on a live building site, and the space available in the target location, the event will have to be much more restricted. It will need to be a smaller event but there will be plenty of photographs!

And finally, we now have up-to-date renderings from the architects to share with you.

Render of an interior hallway with wooden doorways, white walls, and a dark blue feature wall at the end. Several people, including children and adults, are walking or standing, engaging in conversation or passing through. The ceiling has modern recessed lighting, and the floor is light brown, with a dark carpeted area in the foreground. The logo of Oxford Architects is in the top right corner.

The entrance foyer with the doors to the two hall spaces at the far end, and into the café on the left. The first of the two “Buy a Brick” panels is on the wall beyond the door into the café.

Interior of a modern café or restaurant with orange chairs and light wood tables, patrons seated and enjoying food and drinks, large window with outdoor view, artwork of a teapot on the wall, and a counter where a staff member takes orders, with a blue accent wall and ceiling lights.

The new Café/Bar area, looking out towards the Millennium Field with the bar counter to the right.

Interior of a spacious event hall with wooden flooring, white walls, and large windows. Several people are mingling, and tables display decorative items.

The main hall looking south towards the Millennium Field with the movable divider fully open. You can just see the serving hatches to the kitchen and bar in the left hand wall