Church News
The things we do for football!
Some of you may have noticed the new blind for the west window. Many of you will not know the story behind it…
When it was decided to show the World Cup in church there were concerns that on a bright summer evening the sun would make the screen unwatchable. Initial suggestions that a professionally fitted blind would cost around £3000 were unacceptable, so we set about trying to come up with a cheaper solution.
The first suggestion was to run ropes over the speakers on either side of the window and use the ropes to pull up a large sheet. So the first challenge was to get the ropes over the speakers, so Dave Ross and I set about working out how to achieve it.
Attempt 1: We spent an enjoyable Saturday afternoon using helium balloons to position cotton over the speakers with the intention of using the cotton to pull string and then string to pull a rope over the speakers. During this attempt the cotton broke and one of the helium balloons escaped to the apex. This was retrieved by putting double sided sellotape on the other balloon and catching the escaped balloon.
Attempt 2: (suggested by David Day) We attached string to a rubber ball with the intention of throwing the ball over the speakers with the string attached. After what seemed at eternity we successfully got the ball to the top of the speakers where it bounced around and ended up dangling in front of the speakers - stuck. Attempting to pull it down, the string broke and the ball remained on full view. (Observant members of the congregation may have noticed it)
Attempt 3: It was decided the only way to get rope over the speakers was with a long enough ladder. Investigations on the web found that one could be rented for a reasonable price from Jewsons. Kate Ross volunteered to go up the ladder to position the rope. This attempt was vetoed by the office (H&S grounds), The church coordinator (H&S grounds) and Dave Ross (I can’t think why he objected!) Back to the drawing board…..
The next option was to find a cheap external supplier with his own ladder to position the rope for us. After some consideration it occurred to me that Digital Vision (The suppliers of the TV aerial) would have long enough ladders. They agreed to help out….
They suggested fitting pulleys to the wall to allow the sheet to be pulled up easily, so pulleys and rope were purchased. Digital Vision duly arrived with long ladders and successfully secured the pulleys and then fed the rope through them (While at church they also cleaned out all the guttering!)
The next suggestion was to use a bar connected between the two ropes so that the sheet would hang straighter. So…. Where would we find a light enough bar that would not bend? Time to visit B&Q.
After some time searching around B&Q it seemed that a lightweight bar would prove quite expensive (Over £50) and that wood would be too heavy. Discussions with a wonderfully helpful member of staff at B&Q led me to an electrical wholesaler on Belmont industrial estate where I purchased a galvanised steel conduit pole for less than £20.
Next issues …. The window covering – could we have full blackout material (no - too heavy and too expensive), where would buy the material in time and what colour should it be and who would sew it up? Time to visit the market…..
The first market stall only had cream blackout material. The second had a part roll of red material that I thought would be suitable, so I got a sample for approval (I am colour blind) and I was told it was actually quite a good match to the chairs.
Next who to sew the curtains?….. To the rescue came Ann English who “volunteered” to sew the panels together. She also advised how much material was needed (23m), so it was back to the market. Did they have enough material and if not, could they get any more (No – they could not get anymore was the answer). Initial estimates by the stall owner was that there was around 20m left on the roll, but having persuaded him that I wasn’t interested unless he had 23m he reluctantly unrolled it and measured. The result 23.5m (Someone was smiling on us!)
So, armed with all material, Ann set to work, while I enrolled the help of Derek English to fit the final bits and pieces together (More pulleys and cleat hook, plus fixing the pole to the cables). Finally all was ready and on Sunday 30th May, Dave and I assembled the final pieces (with a little help from Susan who had no confidence in any of this working!). With some nervousness I hoisted the blind – Success!!
And the cost of this little adventure ……….. a lot of fun, a lot of help from Dave, Ann and Derek, a lot of help from bemused shop assistants and a total outlay of £197.
One final challenge is to locate a latchable winding winch (Much like a hose reel but metal and smaller) to mount on the wall to make lifting and lowering of the blind easier. (I have tried all over including Shipping chandlers in Gateshead, Newcastle and South Shields without success). If you have any ideas, please call……
Post Script: About 60 people turned up to watch the first England match against the USA, and the blind made a big difference to the quality of the picture. What a shame it didn’t help the England team to victory!