Skillway News 2010
Full Steam Ahead! - March
The 'wet steam engine' (below) is constructed from mild steel and brass and all parts are manufactured by the students at the bench and on the lathe. When built it can be 'run' or rotated by steam from a remote boiler or, as we do in the workshop, compressed air. The air is released into the top of the brass cylinder and pushes the brass piston/connecting rod assembly down, thus starting the rotation and turning the crank shaft, flywheel and output pulley.
The slate monograms are the completion of the Carving in Stone course. All students will have designed their own monogram, transposed it over to the piece of slate and carved it under the watchful eye of tutor Jim Honeywood. Having documented their progress over the term, all the students have a portfolio to present for accreditation.
Reg Whattingham - March
We are very sad indeed to learn of the recent death of Reg Whattingham. Reg was a popular member of staff who worked for several years at the Skillway Workshops as one of our volunteer skilled craftsmen before taking final retirement in 2006. We send our deepest condolences to all members of his family.They Just Can't Get Enough! - March
Lunch break on a sunny day should be a moment for enjoying a well-earned rest, tucking into sandwiches and relaxing in quiet contemplation; but not a bit of it for some students at Skillway! Forget rest, sandwiches and contemplation and get out the spanners, oil and grease for there is just enough time to strip down a mini motorbike and get it going again before returning to work. And if stuck? There's always a tutor about who can give some good advice!
Hindhead Tunnel Visit - January
A small group of students and staff had the opportunity of visiting both the north and southbound sites of the Hindhead Tunnel still under construction on Thursday 21st January. Without being permitted to walk freely around the sites nor pass through the tunnels, Balfour Beatty provided us with a minibus and our own tour guide which gave us easy access to the tunnel entrances and other 'working' areas concerned with the huge £371 million construction project. Ahead of schedule and below budget, the notorious A3 Hindhead bottleneck will be resloved and completed in good time for the 2012 Olympic Games and provide free-flowing traffice for those heading for the south coast, and ease the daily congestion for commuters and other travellers.
Upon departing Hindhead, a minor detour saw the group visiting a 'historic race car and engine build shop' outside Thursley Village. This small business specialises in the restoration of 50's, 60's and 70's race and sports cars to race-day competition standard.
Workshop Facelift Complete - January
By the start of term it was good to find the plastic sheeting and scaffolding, erected for badly needed renovation of the roof, had been removed upon completion of the project. The necessary work carried out by our Landlords - the Joint Burial Council - had been ongoing for several months. We are most grateful to the JBC for their help in the maintenance of our workshops.
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