The 'wow' factor

The Famous Green Man - Ewell

One large job finished, another starts

Long before the Denbies job had come up, I had been called by BA to carry out some work at their social club near Heathrow. I'd presented a few options and hadn't heard anything until half way through work at Denbies. We'd beaten off the competition and had another massive undertaking...

BA wanted outside areas to socialise in, but which would be able to withstand the battering of a wind that raced across 50 acres of sports fields. On first inspection there didn't seem to be anything to install to, so it'd need a strong self-supporting steel frame, bolted to the ground. Not for the feint of heart. We excavated some of the patio slabs and found that they were laid over soil, not really conducive for supporting a 200kg frame work. We made the decision to lay 2'x2' cubic concrete pads under the patio and to replace the patio, to make it as neat as possible.

Three of us worked tirelessly for a week putting in the foundations and on the face of it you'd not know we'd even been there after we'd finished. The next stage was to install the frame, and that was my biggest fear. The frame needed to be level on all sides, but the patio was uneven. I'd surveyed the scene using a laser level but was still nervous. If we hadn't replaced the paving slabs at exactly the same height as before then the legs of the frame would be incorrect and the whole thing could look like a dog's dinner. There was no chance of adjusting it afterwards. Yikes!

Another 2 weeks on site and we'd finished erecting the frames and had the awnings operational. The heaters and lighting bars were installed and it was a relief to have completed the job on time and without too much hassle. One godsend was that we were able to access the flat roof, had we not been able to get up there it would've been infinitely more difficult.

We've worked for BA Clubs since and it's always a pleasure. They've always been most accomodating and hospitable

The Thorpes and their wind problem

I've known the Thorpes for years, they're a lovely couple. I'm sure Mrs Thorpe wont mind me saying that she is a very focused person who knows exactly what she wants. That's far better than dealing with someone who's fuzzy and doesn't have a clue.

Let's start by saying, The Thorpes do like their outdoor entertaining. We had installed awnings at their previous home in the 90s and when they moved they designed a glass and steel pergola to allow for our FEMA screens. We installed two awnings inside the frame, just for ambience, and then installed the screens a couple of years later.

They look lovely although I'm not sure if Mrs Thorpe would go down this route if she could turn back time

2008 - Denbies

I could hardly believe the start of the year. I had an innocuous phone call from someone who wanted to put awnings in a vineyard in Surrey. I had visions of cottage industry and a pretty barn with a trailing vine and it made me feel romantic. What I was to find was far removed from a 'cottage' industry!

I have to confess that I hadn't heard of Denbies and the huge wine estate on the outskirts of Dorking before. I'd seen the building as I'd driven past, it's hard not to, but had presumed it was a private residence. The initial meeting was great, I answered all questions asked of me and you can't do much more than that. Money didn't need to be discussed, they knew exactly what they needed and I knew I would be quoting along with a few others. I can't say what swung the order my way, could've been my willingness to leave colours and charts for their perusal, could've been price (although I know I wasn't the cheapest) and it could've been that we were prepared to be patient. Who knows.

This was to be, and still is, my largest job. Ben and I spent a total of 20 days on site, with my dad coming on 10 occasions too, 30 man days in total. The job went smoothly although slowly. Planning the bracketry was key to success, and carried a huge financial cost to me if incorrect. The awnings were not to be attached to the stunning arched walls but the fascias had guttering all around the perimeter, it needed something special. Luckily we got it right. 50 heavy steel brackets had to be manoeuvred in to place and bolted to the roof rafters. Then the heavy timber cladding had to be bolted on to the brackets, the soffits replaced and then finally we could install the awnings. I've not used this method of installation since, but I have the knowledge now and wouldn't hesitate to use it again.

There were four awning in total, 2 of which were 17m long and the other 2 10m long. We had to try to get them to meet as close as possible in the four corners of an internal courtyard. So much could go wrong! I'm patting myself on the bag furiously here as the job went without a single glitch, except perhaps sore backs shared by Ben and myself. The result was stunning, I'm really proud of my achievement and just wish that I could tempt all potential customers to take a trip down there and see the scale of the work. Go there anyway, the lunches are great and the Surrey Gold is a lovely tipple.

Green Cuisine

Last job of 2007, The Woodman

And what a contrast to the previous job in Whetstone!

Lori and Vikki of The Woodman pub had contacted me in the summer as they were compiling an application to the local council for planning consent. They struck me straight away as focused, professional and with a clear idea on where their business was going. I spent some time working through the plans and worked out the correct bracketry to hang a 4m awning with lights and heaters. They knew what this sort of product would cost, and that's knowledge that is invaluable to me. I know I'm competitive and happily pitch myself against my competitors.

The planning was accepted and we were given the go ahead, beating 2 other quotes. My only concern was that I was having nose surgery a week before the proposed installation date, and I was supposed to spend 2 weeks resting after. Oh well, that's not going to happen!

The awning was delivered and installed on time, the colour scheme was perfect and I got paid straight away, faith truly restored. Thanks to everyone concerned. I wish them the very best of luck for the World Cup in 2010, let's hope England go all the way as it'll be great for the business. I'll be bussing over there for a few games in the summer