ASHLEY COULTER & DANIEL CHARLTON
DIARY BLOG – MAY 2007
Ashley
1st Week
Holiday
7 – 11 May
Had our first key skills exam in literacy. Both passed so it was a good day at college.
More pre-paint repairs on the Wallington Estate. Fixed a door frame at Harwood gate, was very enjoyable as I got to practice scribing. More filling and sanding as usual so not very exciting.
Had my first day working on my own, was great! Spent part of the morning at the office with Nev Kirby taking for photos for a presentation, but the rest of the day I was at Harwood gate again. Used lead for the first time which was surprisingly really easy to use. Busy day which was good.
14 – 18 May
Restored a gate and replaced the ironmongery, was great to have a challenge and do a reasonably big job.
Had our second exam at college this time it was numeracy, both passed again so another good day!
Back to work but this time we were at Souter Lighthouse. Had an excellent day. Got the chance to replace a pane of glass which had been smashed on the fog horn house. Was a pretty difficult job to do as the window was so old but really enjoyed getting stuck in, even if it was raining.
Next day was spent mostly in the workshop preparing the wood which was to be used for the next property at Wallington. Was a slow and long day with not a lot to do, but learnt how to sharpen chisels which was a bonus. More pre-paint repairs for the rest of the week.
21 – 25 May
Really bad week, I was ill most of the week and spent my time filling and sanding pre-paint repairs. Did get to splice some linings which was something new.
28 May – 1 June
A new farm at Wallington, began their pre-paint repairs this time we were at Dyke Head Farm. Was great weather which is always a bonus. Fixed door braces and fitted some new. Was good to have another big job.
Had one day at Gibside, the residents cottage there needed their windows repairing was good to see how a sash window works and fits together. Also changed a lock at a property in Scots’ Gap. Not a lot for me to do but was interesting to watch.
Daniel
7 - 11 May
This week started off well as it was a bank holiday and then got even better as I passed a Key Skills exam at college the next day. For the rest of the week I worked down at Wallington Gardens on the greenhouse repairing the sash windows, this job was awkward but it allowed me to learn how to put a pane of glass in.
14 - 18 May
All this week I worked on the same job as we found more work to do. The majority of my work this week was just sanding and filling which I understand has to be done in some cases but I find it boring as I feel like I’m not learning a great deal when I’m doing it regular.
21 - 25 May
This week I travelled down to Burton-on-Trent with some of the lads from work for a training day. This was an enjoyable trip and I also enjoyed the trip to the JCB Factory on the Tuesday.
On Wednesday I went to Holy Jesus Hospital to repair a window which was quite badly broken.
On Friday I went to Gibside where we replaced some rotten timbers underneath the walkway leading to the shop. This was a good job to learn from.
28 May – 1 June
I didn’t go back to work until Wednesday this week as I had a couple of days holiday. Then for the rest of the week I worked at Greenleighton Farm on the Wallington Estate, repairing the farm buildings. We spent most of the time making new batton doors for one of the buildings which I quite enjoyed.
Overall it wasn’t a bad month.
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