Orchid

We'd all given up hope with this orchid, and then...

Ted and Ros invited Alex, Katy and their son Jasper together with Cherry, Ben and Mark to plant trees on their farm Gib Tor on the North Staffordshire Moors. Weather was glorious - here we all are having a wine break.

We managed to plant 250 trees comprising ash, willow and oak.

Jasper supervising

Dig those trees pits!

Delivering willows - the all terrain toddler

Discussing the merits of Ninky Nonk

Progress at Fitzwilliam College

The reader tower


view from the library to the east wing of the 1959 Denys Lasdun College masterplan

'Topping Out' Ceremony at Fitz

Last Friday, 17th April, saw the new Library at Fitzwilliam College reach it's highest point. The event was celebrated with a traditional 'Topping Out' ceremony. Ted and Lucy witnessed the top brick of the circular reading tower being laid by the Master of the College.

An apprentice builder lays the mortar.

The ceremony was attended by Fellows and staff from the College, representatives from the main contractor Kier Marriott.

The Master of the College laying the final brick.

Some champagne is added to the mortar.

Ted applauding the presentation of the silver trowels given to the Master and the Bursar of the College.

Ted exploring the reader tower.

Please sponsor me!

To all readers of the Edward Cullinan Architects blog...


On May the 17th, I will be taking part in the Etape Caledonia, which is an 81 mile bike race up in bonnie Scotland. I'm raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, so please visit my Justgiving Page if you would like to sponsor me.

I have done a couple of similarly ill-advised events before, but nothing quite this distance. There's a Munro or two to negotiate over the distance of the course, which should be no problem, as I'm training in equally mountainous Essex (gulp!).

Easter Eggs Hatch

Success on the site of Brampton Manor School. Proud Mrs Duck shows off her new brood.

Lunch was delicious

Friday Lunch

Every Friday, with the odd exception, we take it in turns to make lunch for the office. Today Robin treated us with home-made houmous along with the usual bread, cheese and salads etc.