Welwyn Garden Alarm’s engineer Dylan was on site this week as promised, addressing the intruder alarm. They have kindly donated a new system which has both extended the coverage and reduced the likelihood of false activations. Many thanks to the boss Peter Goodchild for getting in touch!

Bill from Gareth White Electrical has begun to get to grips with the control hardware for the boilers which will ensure they run as efficiently and economically as possible. This is another one of those little projects which, whilst vital to the operation, is completely invisible! We know what you’ve done Bill!

We got going on some things which aren’t so inconspicuous this week too. The paint brushes were out again during a mini volunteer day on Wednesday 29th, where the railings and bollards outside were refreshed. Once the new sign is installed – kindly donated by Stephen Newby of GPEX – we remove the window grilles and clean the frames, the place will look a whole lot better.

Inside, other jobs were tackled on another one of the hottest days. The internal doors, hinge guards and hardware were cleaned ready to paint the doors and the limescale on the shower walls was attacked, ready for the new shower heads. A sterling effort by Roseanne Bantick, Anna Dussek, Diane Tuck, Ted and Carol Waller and Jo and Ben Willis. Another tin of elbow grease used up! Huge thanks to you all. Ted even managed to unstick the letterbox! Sorry there are no photos of this. We were too busy! (Or did I just forget?)

Some good news to share is that we have secured a donation from Crown Paints through the Wickes Community Programme. This will enable us to redecorate the reception and foyer, finally banishing those depressing grey walls! We intend to have volunteer sessions on both Wednesday and Thursday 5th/6th August, between 10am and 2.30pm. So if you are free for an hour or so, do pop down with a roller, a brush or a dust sheet, maybe some filler and together we can make a real difference to the entrance! 

It should be quite busy that week too as the pool lighting upgrades are due to start with the scaffolding being relocated outside to inside. All this before the tilers return after their break and yes, those big pumps are installed in the plant room!