| This is a record of the work involved in the construction of our new Toilet Block. The Centre's grateful thanks go to the volunteers who spent many hundreds of hours on this project and the generosity of our supporters in providing the required funding Following some minor earlier work, construction of our new Toilet Block has commenced in earnest. Some original detail on the plans are HERE Note that the Appeal mentioned has now closed. |
| 12 February 2022. Thanks to the generosity of members and supporters we will shortly be able start the construction of the replacement toilet block.
Permission has been given by South Somerset Distrct Council and Network Rail (our landlords). This photo doesn't look much, but is of a sample wall and slate, built to satisfy the Council that the materials/finish do not adversely affect the setting of the Transfer Shed (Visitor Centre) which is a Listed Building. We now have to undertake some site clearance and move a container before we can inform Building Control that we are ready to start. |
| 26 April 2022 The bricks, the colour having been approved, have now arrived and stored on a Conflat. |
| 22 May 2022 Clearing away debris from the edge of the cliff face ready for a container to be moved away from the ground needed for the toilet block. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| 14 August 2022 Fence removed in readiness for container to be moved out of the way. |
| 13 March 2023 Building area marked out. |
| 14 March 2023 Footings being excavated - no hidden treasures! |
| 17 March 2023 Footings for outside walls concreted. |
| 21 March 2023 Drains being laid |
| 20 March 2023 Some brickwork next in line. |
| 4 April 2023 |
| Footings and foundations complete. |
| 5 June 2023 Interior blockwork going up. |
| 6 June 2023 (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| Insulation blocks attached. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| 11 June 2023 Progress with brickwork. |
| Entrance Lane side |
| 15 June 2023 Roof trusses have arrived. Making progress! |
| 27 June 2023 Most of brickwork now complete and many roof trusses now in place. (Photo courtesy Peter Chapman) |
| 29 June 2023 Trusses over toilet area in place. (Photo courtesy Peter Chapman) |
| 30 June 2023 Smaller trusses over store area in place! |
| Coming together. |
| 5 November 2023 Installation of additional insulation blocks and preparation for fixing of fascia boards. |
| 12 November 2023 Raising of scaffolding to improve access for felt, batten and slating. |
| Some fascia now fixed. |
| 25 November 2023 A generous donation of Insulation material by D. Interiors, Bristol - thanks guys!. (Photo courtesy Dean Knights) |
| Safely arrived on site. (Photo courtesy John Boon) |
| 26 November 2023 Felt and battened with slating started. |
| Lane side. |
| 23 January 2024 Slating over the main part of the new Toilet Block is now complete. A small number of slates and the ridge to be finished on the store room area. |
| 28 January 2024 Roof is now complete! Onto the internal works, drains and more... |
| 30 January 2024 A sewerage pump is required as the Septic Tank level is unfavourable. The cylinder is seen in its hole and being surrounded by concrete (with the inside containing a slightly larger amount of water to maintain its shape). |
| 18 February 2024 Digging a trench for the sewerage pipe from the pump towards the Septic Tank (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| 18 February 2024 |
| 25 February 2024 Sewerage pipe (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| Floor insulation going down. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| Pipe and pump connected. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| 28 February 2024 Membrane above floor insulation in preparation for screeding. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| 28 February 2024 (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| 28 February 2024 Floor screeding begins. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| 05 March 2024 Trench to the Septic Tank complete and awaiting a final connection in the future. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| No Entry - Floor screed drying!. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| A look inside. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| 07 April 2024 Toilet Block - internal works continue and Dagger Boards being added. |
| 06 June 2024 Security door for the Storeroom has arrived. Frame in course of being installed. |
| 23 July 2024 Security door for the Storeroom now fixed and locked. Internal works including Ceiling and Roof Insulation, Electrical works together with painting both inside and outside are in progress. |
| 15 September 2024 More painting. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| 17 December 2024 Work is now concentrating on the fitting out. Here Martin is brushing up on his tiling skills. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| Whilst others are engaged in Plumbing and Electrical work. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| At the Blackmore Vale Community Rail Partnership awards, the Volunteer work was recognised with a well deserved certificate which John is holding. (Picture courtesy Caroline Rowland-BVCRP) |
| Two certificates. |
| 2 February 2025 Forming the walkway. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| 9 February 2025 Installing the cubicles. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| Tiling above the washbasins. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| Whacking the scalpings forming the base for concreting. |
| Martin 'nibbling'. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| It fits. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| 25 February 2025 Concreting the outside walkway. Dumper brings the concrete from the Mixer. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| Levelling the concrete. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| Too much here. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| More levelling. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
| A well earned rest before the final finish is applied to give a better grip during wet weather. (Photo courtesy Brian Haigh) |
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