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No 36: March 2013

Published by Rothay House, Mayfield Road, Eastrea.

Eastrea Village News New Centre Making Progress SPRINGTIME SNOW covers the building site for the Eastrea Centre in March. Weather has caused repeated delays, but at last our new village hall is emerging in its final form. It is now proposed that work should be finished by 31 May. The committee is considering a formal opening ceremony in mid-July and Tina Arnold, one of the trustees, has proposed that a village fayre should be held to mark the event. There are many talented residents in Eastrea and an art show is one of the ideas being considered.

COMMITTEE MONITORS THE WORK

ROUTINE INSPECTION visits are made by members of Eastrea Village Hall Trust to review progress and sometimes to recommend modifications. While the bricklayers stopped work for a tea-break, this group was conducted around the site by our project manager. They included (above, L-R) Amelia-Rose Daniels with her mother Mrs Tracie Daniels who is a co-opted committee member with experience of training staff to work with children, Cameron Graham and our project manager Mr Steve Boddington (in the yellow, highvisibility jacket), Nathan Cardy and — hidden behind Nathan — trustee Mrs Noreen Smith, with Mrs Sue Taylor who returned to Eastrea after living in France and has re-joined the committee. Cameron, Nathan and Amelia-Rose (with Cameron’s sister Charlotte) have been appointed trainee committee members. There are now seven young representatives who work with the Trust and advise on activities for teenagers. People with interests in our future, or with new ideas we should consider, are encouraged to attend a committee meeting. The next one is at the Nag’s Head on Tuesday 16 April at 7.30 pm. Or ring us on 350 888.

No 36: March 2013

A REMINDER OF OUR ANCIENT HERITAGE BUFF BRICKS glowing in seasonal sunlight are a similar colour to those used in Eastrea since ancient times.

The roof panels are made with a sandwich of high-density foam that will insulate both against sound and heat.

Our contractors say that the walls and floor should last for many centuries, and the roof should require no major attention for fifty years.

Change at the Storers THE VILLAGE CHARITY now has a new person in the chair. The Storers (also known as the Herds and Bulls Grass Fund) was originally set up back in the sixteenth century to provide stores for the village — and fodder for the animals — during the winter months when Eastrea was isolated by water. The Trust now exists to provide grants for the benefit of villagers, and organises several schemes, including the regular Easter luncheon for pensioners and the annual Student Bursary Scheme for residents who are planning to study at college or university.

In February, Mr Russell Wright of 28 Thornham Way was appointed to chair the Trust. The other trustees are now Councillor Dee Laws of Whittlesey, Mrs Pam Potts from Eldernell and Councillor Ralph Butcher from Coates. The committee agree that they need to appoint trustees resident in Eastrea and those who are willing to be nominated should send their details to the above address.

Contact by telephone: 350888

WINTER WEATHER in 2013 has set records for severe building conditions. Prolonged frost and heavy rain have already combined to throw our building schedule into chaos. The lengthy period of temperatures that remained below freezing prevented the concrete work proceeding for several weeks in January. Then heavy rain led to parts of the site being flooded (above, left) and the mud was soon so deep that one of the builder’s vehicles became repeatedly bogged down and needed to have a JCB to haul it out.

Now, in late March, the building team have been facing snow. Yet in spite of the delays, the exterior walls are close to being completed so major construction work on the hall will soon be done. Now that the brickwork is in place, the interior blockwork can be erected.

The dark, gloomy corner (above, right) into which concrete is currently being poured will become our light and airy changing rooms.

Email: mail@eastrea.net