Suffolk College Refectory
The Men's Shed has been helping with a large project involving the renovation of the student refectory at the Suffolk College Annex in Harrison Lane.
In the college's bid to build links with the Halesworth Community, Sherry Storer from the college paid us a visit hoping the Men's Shed could be involved with their students, possibly providing work experience for some of them. Following a reciprocating visit by us, a request was made by Sherry for help in the renovation of the students' recreation area by making a counter where students could be served their food and drinks and also constructing a seating area under the windows.
Keen to establish links we agreed to help and were given a brief to work to. This emphasised using reclaimed timber and to use scaffolding for the building of the window seating.
By the beginning of August, we were ready to begin and a few of us set about installing scaffolding to make a raised top for students to sit at to eat, with views over the playing fields. A design for the counter was drawn up and work began on making the frame. We were able to make use of the college's workshops, which helped us a great deal. The college had obtained a number of reclaimed scaffolding boards, destined to become the tops of both the scaffolding already erected and the serving counter.
The end of August and the beginning of a new term saw all the work completed and a big thank you from Sherry and her colleagues.
It is hoped further collaboration with the college will be forthcoming.
This is what the refectory looked like before the work started.
In this photo you can see the scaffolding we used to build the raised seating area. The accompanying stools will be purchased by the college.
Scrapped and sanded, the boards with splits and knots intentionally left in for character were then matched up.
Part view of raised seating, showing also added vinyl imagery of Suffolk's rich heritage on the wall.
Here you can see the finished top, finished with several coats of hard-wearing gloss varnish.
To the left is a photo of the finished serving counter. The inner frame was constructed using basic halving and lap joints, bolted together to allow it to be disassembled so it can be moved easily: something we had to do in order to get the 2 metre long structure upstairs to the refectory!
The boards were finished by staining and finally adding several coats of durable varnish. (see opposite)Â
The outer faces of the counter were clad in timber from recycled pallets, which were again sanded and finished with coloured varnish.
The whole unit is fitted with castors to enable staff to move it about.
The student's social area now finally refurbished, our work can be seen in this video, installed and ready for use.