To view the diary entries, just scroll down the page.
Week one - 16 January 2008 "I have been a Conservation Surveyor at Historic Royal Palaces for the past 8 years and, as the Project Manager for the White Tower conservation project, it is my responsibility to ensure the project runs smoothly, on time, to the specification and within budget. I am part of a project team of whom you will get to know as the project develops.
The conservation of the White Tower is a once in a lifetime opportunity and we have a very exciting project ahead of us that will be keeping us busy for the next 3 years. The project team is in place and surveys and specifications are complete. The contractor is on site and the compound and scaffold are currently being erected. The next phase in the White Tower’s 1000 year history is in our hands – literally. Cripes – what a responsibility!"
Week two - 23 January 2008
"Site set up is progressing well, beginning to look like a proper building site now. Scaffold is creeping up slowly although slight issue with the scaffolders turning up and wanting to practice inserting scaffold fixings. This involves the drilling of holes into mortar joints which the scaffold is then fixed back into. We do have approval for this in controlled and agreed areas but I was not happy about a 1,000 year building being used to practice on! Suffice to say I said no.
The Hung Quartered and Drawn competition has now closed. This competition was launched to find a drawing inspired by the history of the White Tower. The winning design will be displayed on the scaffold sheeting. We have had initial sift of the entries, some really exciting entries and some quite gory and scary ones too! The final judging panel decide on the winner in March – watch this space!"
"Site set up is progressing well, beginning to look like a proper building site now. Scaffold is creeping up slowly although slight issue with the scaffolders turning up and wanting to practice inserting scaffold fixings. This involves the drilling of holes into mortar joints which the scaffold is then fixed back into. We do have approval for this in controlled and agreed areas but I was not happy about a 1,000 year building being used to practice on! Suffice to say I said no.
Week three - 30 January 2008
"A call for a ‘photograph of your face’ I keep being asked. ‘People want to see who you are’. But my argument is that the White Tower is so much more photogenic and you never know - I may be able to capture on film that Coca Cola moment with a scaffolder or stone mason instead! Maybe not, so you may get to see me next week. That will either make you read again or not!
Despite a horrendous journey into work and one of my children being sick, it has been a productive week here at the Tower. The plan of action with the scaffolders is that each individual fixing will be inspected and agreed on a case-by-case basis before any drilling takes place.
The staircase is starting to go up, too. I have never had a staircase on one of my scaffolds before so it feels a little luxurious! All this is preparation for not only the cleaning work but also will offer an easy and safe way for school pupils, students or other interested parties to climb the outside of the White Tower for a close up view of work in progress".
