For several years we have been actively looking for a suitable new clubroom because our Milnsbridge home was threatened by redevelopment, but nothing practical and affordable was found until the end of 2019 when the former Bath Mill, a textile factory was found in nearby Lockwood, much nearer Huddersfield town centre. By January 2020 terms were agreed and a lease signed.Work at Bath Mill by the landlord included removing partitions in the former offices space we were taking over, a new heating system and fixing major roof leaks. Then HRM members could start clubroom preparation - painting walls, installing new more efficient LED lighting, building a new kitchen and toilets, and fitting out the new Lounge area. As work gradually progressed at Bath Mill, back at Milnsbridge the club’s layouts were dismantled, crated up and made ready for the move. The contents of the extensive Library were boxed. The move was planned for April and by mid-March we had hired a local professional mover with two medium size vans and some accompanying 'muscle' to aid us. Then BANG ! The first Covid lockdown happened. All our moving related work stopped!!! Nothing at either clubroom could continue. We were in limbo. Nothing much occurred for over three months. When the lockdown was eased, painting and other main preparation works at Bath Mill were eventually completed. The 'big move' finally took place on Friday 14th August. Two vans plus five hired-in ’big lads’, supported by our club members were fully employed in transporting six full van loads of layouts etc After all the months of frustration, there was a sigh of relief. HRM had actually moved, only three extra months later than originally projected, but we were in! Prior to the move, a scale floor plan of the new premises had been drawn up to show which layouts went where in the clubrooms. Upon arrival the different crated layouts were left stacked in their allocated spaces within the premises to be assembled later. Great efforts have been made to make the new clubrooms as Covid compliant as possible. Only a limited number of member only visits have taken place. Some layouts have been worked upon and are in various stages of being erected back to normal. The second National Lockdown will end soon and we hope that the post-lockdown regulations will allow us to return as soon as sensible to more normal club activity in our new clubrooms. We look forward to the day when 2020, and ‘Covid’ are perhaps but a distant memory, and we can welcome both existing and new members to enjoy our new facilities in Central Huddersfield. Here are some pictures of work over the past three months: Above: Moorbrook (7mm) being tested before buildings etc are reinstated
Below: Top row (L-R) Crated layouts placed for reassembly; 4mm layouts; the 16mm room: Bottom row (L-R) The new Kitchen, lounge and library
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