Towpaths have long since provided people with a series of healthy active travel routes to a variety of destinations; this particular section providing links to Drayton Manor Theme Park & Millfield Primary School.

Unfortunately, users were regularly getting muddy on their travels.

Despite having a fabulous team of willing and able-bodied volunteers to undertake the work, the main obstacle to helping was one of money.

Thank you Alan Parson, Andrew Jones, Ann Scott, Anne Wilson, Carl Sargent, Clive Taylor, Colin Ryder, Fred McNeil, Jeff Steele, Mike Rowe, Paul Robinson, Peter Gibbs, Richard Webb, Ronald Gillett, Tim Martin.

Prior to replacing the concrete floor, we seriously considered renovating and reusing the parquet flooring blocks. Upon removal, it became clear that the cost of such an undertaking was prohibitive.

Sadly, because of their condition (a thick bitumin coating and widespread splintering), none of this had any commercial value. We have kept fifty pieces which we are planning to sell as souvenirs.

Although 60+ years had passed since eyes had seen what lay beneath, and those present were keen to see what secrets it would reveal, we are happy to say that nothing sinister was found – unlike the movie.

It’s been a long time since these lights shone on someone treading the boards. Who knows, perhaps on someone who is now famous.

Now that it’s gone, we’re all looking forward to the next stage of the refurbishment (pun definitely intended). The plan is to have a portable stage that can be erected when required; creating more space in the hall when not needed.

It was quite exciting to watch them break through the old concrete base.  Although the Council had undertaken an earlier survey to assess the condition of the floor, it was reassuring to know for certain that the right action was being taken.

Sulphate-bearing hardcore from colliery spoil and other industrial by-products, was included in the construction of hundreds of thousand of properties between 1945-1970; causing immense damage to the overlaying concrete.

In order to break up the concrete more effectively, and thereby speed up the process, it was decided to dig a trench along the length of the floor.

As much as the Council would love to provide local residents with a fabulous swimming pool, we’re sorry to say that it’s not on the agenda. They are in the process of building one in Lichfield however.

It looks like Cllr John Hill is getting in touch with his inner child. Sorry John, we won’t be getting you one for Christmas. Not unless we can find him a second-hand Dinky Toy version.

Without use of the digger, the project would undoubtedly have taken many more weeks to complete. There are some jobs, however, that need to be undertaken with more of a hands-on approach.

It was fascinating to find the remains of this old newspaper buried in the ash beneath the old concrete flooor. The newspaper being the Evening Despatch (dated Saturday – December 21st 1957).

Because everyone has been working exceptionally hard since the project started, it’s hardly surpring that such great progress is being made.

Not much more to be removed before we can start building the ground up to the required level with hardcore.

Could this be the last of the material from the old floor waiting to be hauled away..? Fingers crossed.

Ooops… Having been inspected by a member of the Building Regulations Team, it looks like we’re going to have to dig much deeper

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