Flying Landing Takes Off

Another day of much activity.  Star builder Andrew Jackson has worked his socks off today digging and laying the concrete and steel foundations of the final flight of the epic staircase, readying the site for Settle Coal's Brian Thornton and his Hiab crane to lift the dangerously heavy and awkward lower landing into place:

Over the years Brian and his cranes have lifted just about every heavy extra component of the water tower including among other things, the Wendy House, the coal truck, the navvy hut rafters,  the water cranes, the heavy steels of the tower and most recently the walls of Terminal 2.  Today, besides the landing, he hoisted the steel support for our former footbridge, now the support for the top of the final flight of stairs and the handrails.  We are truly grateful to Brian and to the incredible institution that is Settle Coal.

As for Andrew, what a find he has been.  Skilled, knowledgeable and strong as an ox he seems to tackle anything in the building line with the utmost good humour and goodwill.  He has just set up in business on his own after all the COVID complications were compounded by redundancy when Hopleys went into administration.  We wish him well.  He deserves to succeed.  He has agreed to be our builder of first resort in the future, which is very comforting.  His number is 07814 048190.