Terrific response to the RoofTile signing at Bridge Cottage
Uckfield residents turned out in force on the 4th July to take the opportunity to be part of Uckfield’s heritage and leave their mark on one of the actual roof tiles that will be going back onto the roof of Bridge Cottage.
“It was a brilliant response from the community who value the building and are looking forward to its Heritage Centre role.” said Mick Harker, the Chair of the Bridge Cottage committee. “People of all ages turned up including families of several generations who all wanted to leave their mark on the building during its restoration.”
“Most people just wrote their name and the date but others left me very artistic messages, sometimes to remember relatives who, in the past had lived in the building. Among the more novel marks were thumb prints and the outline of a baby’s foot – a real variety of messages for future generations to find.
“In all over 500 tiles were signed – a great achievement indicating the affection people have for this wonderful building.””
This was a unique, one-off opportunity to actually sign a tile as they are due to start re-tiling the roof in the next couple of weeks. It’s a big roof with approximately 17,000 tiles!
There is still an opportunity to Sponsor a Tile although, unfortunately the opportunity to sign them has now passed. Monies raised by this campaign will be used to help fund much needed fixtures and fittings inside the restored property.
The Bridge Cottage team will be at Uckfield’s Big Day with a double pitch this year to celebrate the Battle of Waterloo. With people dressed in the style of the time and a working Field Hospital, it should be a great place to visit although watch out you don’t become an ‘amputation case’!
Although we won’t be looking for field surgeons, members of the project team will also be on hand to tell people about the range of volunteering opportunities the refurbished Heritage Centre can offer.
The refurbishment work is scheduled for completion at the end of the year.
More details about the project can be found on our website www.bridgecottageuckfield.co.uk.