My First Week on Site

Arriving at the site of Daneby Studio (only meters from a second site called Silver birch) I was instantly struck by the view. An inspiring sight for artists working in what will eventually become a one-story house and recording studio.

Daneby Studio prior to demolition.

After I received a site induction and completed the necessary documentation i was introduced to the team working on this project. My first job on site was to strim and clear the long grass and brambles before being shown how to mix concrete and shovel it into the cavity surrounding the perimeter of the building. Having been a student all year, this was the first real physical exercise I had got since working in a factory last summer and so I was soon feeling the burn. This gradually dissipated over the course of the week which saw me strim an entire field, use a chainsaw for the first time and begin to see a real building taking shape. My ‘in at the deep end’ experience of labour was made significantly more uncomfortable by the tropical weather we were experiencing in Tunbridge Wells.

A tasty breakfast cheese burger complete with a fried egg

Brought up in Birmingham and at university in Manchester, it is safe to say the sun has not featured a great deal in my life outside of trips abroad. I was burned by Tuesday and almost cooked by Wednesday when I finally decided to put on some sun cream, a novelty in for me in England.

One more thing that must be mentioned are the spectacular site meals cooked on a barbecue which was being installed on my first day. Burgers, bacon sandwiches, pasta and chicken have all been grilled to perfection by our project manager Ash who seem to me to have missed his true calling as a chef. A great first week will, I’m sure, lead to a great summer and I’m excited to see what it has in store.