Little Chapel contractors given preview before it opens to public
THE Little Chapel is set to open to the public for the summer next week, but contractors who have been working on the site were given a special preview yesterday.
The charity project has seen a lot of local businesses keen to help, with many offering their services pro bono or at cost.
The Little Chapel Foundation patrons Canon Michael Hore and Bailiff Sir Richard Collas both attended yesterday’s special event to open the chapel and to see what work had been done.
Foundation chairman John Silvester said they were glad to be reopening the chapel.
‘It’s been a very busy winter,’ he said.
‘So many companies have wanted to be involved. We have now finished the roof and made the building safe.
‘We dug right down to the lower levels. We have now stopped it slipping and it is stable.’
He said that while it had gone well there was still a lot to do and a lot of fundraising that needs to take place.
Geoffrey Simon, from C A Duquemin, has been working on the site for more than two years and said it was great to see the chapel looking in such good condition.
‘I think this is the best job I have had,’ he said.
‘It is very satisfying when all the people come and they are overwhelmed by the chapel.
‘It is so gratifying to see something like this.’
AFM worked with Geomarine to get power into the chapel for the first time.
There are now lights inside and plans for external lighting going forward.
Martyn Pipet, from AFM, said they had got special LED lighting from CI Lighting and Collingwood Lighting to ensure the electrics could cope with the damp conditions.
‘This project fitted with what we do,’ he said.
‘This is a local, iconic building and that was something we wanted to get involved in.’
G4S have been involved by fitting CCTV, to ensure the site is kept safe.
While yesterday’s event was for companies involved in the work, a public event is being held on Easter Sunday.
An Easter egg hunt starts at 2.30pm and there will also be a string quartet performing.
