Once we started erecting panels work on completing the remain parts of our kit had to be stepped up.  Whenever the weather got too bad to work outside we nipped inside to build more panels.

In the picture on the right the RVU are in full swing, power cables dropped from the ceiling help them work faster.

Now the roof of the hall is suspended on three solid plywood beams. These had been stored in the hall.

Each one took six people to lift and carry out to the building site. The original plan had been to hire a crane at vast expense to lift these colossal pieces of wood into position. After all this is how the original hall was built.

But the modern RVU are a hardy bunch, raised with traditional scouting values and skills. We had a better (more fun) plan.

A traditional block and tackle would be used. First we would tie a pulley high up in the large oak tree adjacent to the building site. We would run our best rope through this pulley and tie it tightly with a round turn and two half hitches as high as possible to a suitable tree on the other side of the building site. An old sac was used to protect the tree.

A small telephone wire ran above the red cross hut and this would snap under the weight of the rope so in the picture on the right, Jon Goodwin and Dave Gardener protect it whilst the round turn and two half hitches is secured.

Finally the other end of the rope was fixed to the tow bar of Allen Mathews Range rover and he drove across the church car park with the gearbox in low ratio mode.

This obstructed a bride and groom on only one amusing occasion but they didn't seem to mind.  In fact most of the congregation were more interested in our antics than the wedding photo's.

In the picture on the left, Tony and Andy Jones, after realising it was actually going to work are out of shot, pulling on the block and tackle ropes. The RVU are studying the lower end and moving the beam like a sea-saw.

Jeremy and Mark are on the roof of the Venture room sliding the first end of the beam into position.  Whilst Mark and Jem held the first end, the block and tackle would be used to raise the second end onto its pillar.

Next Andy L would climb up the wall panels with a drill and a large bolt to secure the roof beam to the wall panels.

As can be seen from these pictures all health and safety and scout association safety Rules were obeyed and everyone is wearing the correct protective equipment. i.e. sun cream!