Society News
Publications Storage and Distibution Facility, Coventry
Problems relating to the Publications Store had been circulating for some time and in the latter part of 2006 the Management Committee undertook to survey the situation.
David Pick together with Mike Robertson were detailed with the task
of reporting on the site and the physical condition of the two
Portacabins in use. The report was completed in February 2007 and
recommended re-location to another site and the replacement of one of the cabins.
Approval of the report by both the Publications Committee and
Management Committee was received in April.
In the meantime a suitable site for re-location had been found at a
Garden Centre near Coventry. On the 31st May the better of the two portacabins was
removed from Suburban Electric Railway Association premises and
transferred to its new location. Prior to the
move a track panel some thirty feet in length had been removed to
allow the hi-ab crane lorry access to the portacabin. On moving day
we were indebted to the David Stanley Transport driver for some very
skilful manoeuvring to release the cabin from its position and placing it at the Garden Centre. Mike, Peter Davies
and myself were on hand throughout the day, which was not as
physical as it might have been, as by the expert direction of the
crane driver we were able to position the parcels of books so that
they could be moved in situ. As can be appreciated this saved a lot of effort!
Two weeks before the first part of the move was undertaken an order
for new Portacabin had been placed with Bantree Building Ltd. to
supply a cabin to the same design as the existing one, except of the
opposite hand so that they could be matched together. Whilst the
build was taking place, Mike redesigned the interior shelving and
visited Wilden in Bedfordshire to see his new design implemented.
The new Portacabin was finally delivered on the 25th July and craned
into place alongside the other one. All
that now remained was to transfer the remaining books left in the
old cabin at Rowley Road to the new one. Mike accomplished this
single handed over a couple of months without having to a hire transport!
The two cabins were coupled to mains electricity during early
September so that we have both heat and light at the new location (a
facility that we did not have at the old one) and Mike was able to
ensconce himself in his new Storage and Distribution Centre, all
this and with a very nice southwest aspect too!
The saga was finally completed on the 7th October when the keys to the old portacabin left at Rowley Road were officially handed over to the SERA as an appreciation for the help and hospitality they had given the Society over a number of years.
Collections from the Store can only
be made by prior arrangement via the Society Book Sales Manager Peter Davies.
October 2007