Today saw the completion of the job of erecting the steel framework inside the bootmaker's shop. Phil directed proceedings because he fabricated all the steelwork, and was the only one who knew how it all went together. Phil was assisted by Peter G. and Paul Howe.
The eastern roof support beam had to be raised, southern wall had to be lifted a little way as well so that the steel supporting beams could be worked into place. At the finish of the day, all the nuts and bolts were tightened, and the proof of Phil's design and fabrication skills shone. The southern wall needs to be raised a further 100mm so that the purlins can be fitted. Now that the building has been wrenched into shape, the door will need to be "squared up" so that it fits once again in to its new (old) rectangular doorway.
2 May 2011
Phil and Peter picked up the steel from Korvest Ltd., the Galvanisers, and delivered it to the Bootmaker's site.
20 April 2011
Second load of fabricated steel beams went off to be galvanised today.
17 April 2011
AHC Mayor Bill Spragg and Councillor Jan-Claire WisdomToday we held an open day at the Mylor Bootmaker’s Cottage as part of Heritage Week.Our indefatigable Janet arrayed many of the more interesting objects unearthed during “the Big Dig”, in two glass topped cabinets, and printed project information sheets for the interest of our visitors. Always hyper-organised, Janet also provided tables for the displays, trestle tables for the afternoon tea offerings, a table for the gas stove, kettles, billies and water for the tea, plus many other bits and pieces too numerous to mention. Susan and Jane presided over the afternoon tea and cakes, and with the perfect weather we eagerly awaited our guests. In the course of the afternoon, about thirty people visited the Mylor Bootmaker’s cottage, taking their time, absorbing all that we had to tell about the restoration project.
We were pleasantly surprised to receive a visit from Adelaide Hills Council Mayor, Mr. Bill Spragg and his wife Erica, and Councillor Jan-Claire Wisdom. They spent a good deal of time inspecting the cottage and the artefacts and discussing our future plans for the site.
Scott Rickards, a major supporter of our workMr Scott Rickards, a staunch supporter and donor to our cause paid a visit as well. Scott is a descendant of the Lapidge family that lived here in early Mylor. Scott brought with him a very interesting early photograph of the northern approach to Mylor - possibly taken in the 1890s. (We scanned it of course.)
Mrs Gloria Kimber, another of our visitors, spoke of her "soft spot" for Mylor; in 1943 she and her husband, Hugh, honeymooned at Mrs Mellor's house on River Road Mylor. With the recent "Courier" newspaper publicity about our work, she decided that it was about time for another visit.
All of our visitors expressed great enthusiasm for our project and wished us well.
So now we are geared up to do it all again for History Month on Sunday May 22nd, in conjunction with a Mylor History Group display at the Hall with the theme – ‘Then and Now’- historical and current photos of Mylor buildings.
14 April 2011 Our Phil - well what a talent! He has singlehandedly completed construction of all the steel members that make up the internal support framework for the cottage. The first lot goes for hot-dip galvanising on Monday, and the final lot goes on Wednesday. Another milestone reached.
15 March 2011 
The first cuts of the steel have been made! Phil has tack-welded the base-plate and top-plate to the first column support (intended for the North-west corner) and will then check to see how it all fits before proceeding further.
14 March 2011
Today, Phil Davill and Peter Goldsmith did the extensive (and intensive) measuring for the steel frame. To describe it as an exacting job is understating it somewhat - but measure it all up, they did. Peter and Phil also explored the building's construction closely and were able to decide how various construction processes, regarding the erection of the steel frame will need to be done. Janet Davill took the opportunity to photograph the exposed under-side of the roof, properly bag and label the remains of the battens and nails and to make some not-to-scale sketch plans of some of the exposed arrangement of corner timbers. Phil is now armed with a bevy of measurements and hopes to make 'the first cut' of the steel tomorrow.
