by Recently Falkus Joinery and sister company Jerram Falkus Construction (JFC) celebrated the Cannock Mill Housing Association topping out ceremony. This age-old construction tradition is used to mark important milestones and to signify the nearing completion of the project. For this occasion, the team and the soon to be residents gathered to celebrate that the full height of the building had been reached, but also to mark the completion of the roof.
The day began with a full tour of the site followed by an uplifting speech by JFC’s Managing Director, Jon Jerram and a member of the housing committee Anne Thorn, as well as the traditional ceremony and celebrations.
THE HISTORY
Although there are no concrete (excuse the pun) sources, and no two topping out ceremonies are the same, the tradition is believed to date back to the Scandinavian dark ages, and is thought to bring good luck. Being a sucker for tradition together we marked the occasion by placing a yew tree at the highest point of the new building in a bid to appease the tree-dwelling spirits of their displaced ancestors, and by flying a flag.
THE CANNOCK MILLERS SURPRISE
Since the first drawings were sketched back in late October 2017, the work has progressed at a rapid rate and the soon to be residents, or fondly self-titled ‘Cannock Millers’, were so thrilled with the results that they surprised the team and everyone involved with homemade cakes and a very special and humorous self-written song.
THE JOINERY
Falkus Joinery was thrilled to be a part of the Cannock Mill project and are working hard to complete the stairs, windows, external doors, glazed screen and kitchens.
Although there is still a lot of work to be done we’re looking forward to Summer 2018 so that we can return and view the completed work and catch up with the residents to find out how they are settling in. Let’s just hope that we’ve done enough to appease the spirits!
