THE WET weather pre-Christmas has affected the progress on the Narberth OTTERS new Snack Bar, but the plucky band of volunteers and some suppliers have rallied around in between the storms to do some of the essential work, prior to making the building fully weathertight.
In November Committee Man Macphee, chief recruiter of volunteer labour , press ganged the club Chairman Robert Lewis in to service. Rob used to be a class act wearing No 14 playing on the wing for the Otters. On this occasion Mac had him flying around the inside of the building fitting the insulation inside the walls of the timber frame. He was ably assisted by block layer Trevor Thomas alias “Tomcat” who on this occasion swapped his trowel for a saw and knife to cut the lightweight insulation panels. Kevin Pyne , all 6’4” of him, was useful in fitting the pieces in the top of the wall !
Bacon Butties and coffees were frequently sourced from the Spar minimarket by Architect Ken Morgan to keep the team replenished on cold and damp winters days. Ken commented: “I had the initial idea for transforming the way Burgers and snacks were made in a tiny hut. So I came up with the idea of creating a new purpose-built structure. I feel that supplying the volunteer who are helping in this objectives, and who give up their time so willingly, deserve a warm snack and a hot drink in such poor weather conditions” . The Chairman Rob Lewis is intending that the RFC will lay on a supper and alcoholic beverages for all sponsors, volunteers and financial donors when the project is finished. That will also include members of the local press who have given magnificent support in publicising the project.
During December Celtic Scaffold Solutions very kindly turned up to provide a scaffold around the perimeter of the building to give the volunteers safe access to work at height on the new roof. Proprietor Luke Morgan has donated his time and equipment entirely free of charge. The Rugby club is extremely grateful and proud of his sponsorship. This allowed Mac and John Evans alias “Jinko” to fit the heavy Roof Joists and the sloping fillet pieces, known in the trade as firring pieces using a nail gun supplied by builder Dorian Phillips. The timber joists were very kindly donated by Agricultural Buildings supplier John Morris.
Unfortunately, or to use the term favoured by the Prime Minister in these Covid times, – Alas, the plywood roof deck and weather-proof rubber membrane cannot be fitted until some dry weather arrives. It is hoped that won’t be too long coming.
In the meantime to finish off just before the Christmas Break, Mr Gareth Edwards of Whitland, proprietor of GNE windows and double glazing, turned up with his colleague Sid to fix all the external windows and door. Macphee said: “where would we be without the extreme generosity of such sponsors. Two windows were supplied by Merry Bros; The large corner window frames and glazing were supplied by GNE Windows and The external door and Frame were paid for by Committeeman and Youth Coach Mr Bill Ridge who was also an outstanding former player for the Otters”.
The Narberth RFC would welcome any further offers of financial help, materials donations or voluntary labour in order to move the project forward into the internal fitting out stage. It is hoped that by the Spring the building will be close to a finish ready for the start of a new Rugby Season. Let’s hope this works out.
