What's on the workbench!

[McColm]

Friday 11th July 2025


Day 5

Deliberation Day and guess who was nominated as the Foreman, yes it's me. Only spent forty minutes in the deliberating room then told to go home and come back on Monday. Some of the jurors are suggesting that we deliberate until Wednesday before giving an answer. There's several questions that need to answered before the verdict is given. So in theory Monday and Tuesday would be used to settle things.

31°C in Woolwich Southeast London more Thamesmead end than Woolwich Arsenal although due to the new building works there's a new waterfeature in the square, a series of mini-fountains, a new toilet block and stone benches.

[McColm]

Monday 14th July 2025

Day 6th

After five and a half hours a verdict of guilty on both counts by the jury that I was on finally agreed with me as the day had started with two guilty votes and ten not guilty votes by lunchtime this had changed to eight votes guilty and four on the fence. After afternoon tea the vote had changed to ten guilty and two undecided which was enough for the first count to be accepted and the second count was a total of twelve in a agreement.
The court had changed and this one was much bigger, I was asked questions by the clerk to which I replied. The smug look on the defence barrister soon changed when the guilty verdicts were read out .
I'm not due in until 10:30am tomorrow, I don't think that any new cases were heard today as a new batch of jury service people were kept hanging around the reception area.

[McColm]

Tuesday 15th July 2025

Day 7

Sent home after lunch as I wasn't selected for any of the three new trials. Two are supposed to start on Wednesday a short one ending on Friday and the other sometime next week.

I had the idea of what if the Royal Navy and the Royal Air Force had chosen the Sikorsky S-61R and built it underlicence by Westland for the troop transporter instead of the HC.4 Commando.
We know that the Starfix model kit isn't the best model but it does come with the Pelican conversion set which I found on eBay. The Revell Jolly Green Giant was a bit of a bargain and will be transformed into the Pelican.
The Airfix Sea King starter set will be the donor kit, as for the Airfix Sea Stallion a change of decals and paint scheme.

[McColm]

Wednesday 16th July 2025

Day 8

I got selected from 30 jurors at 4pm today, the court is located on the far side of the wing. Loads of steps and the chance of getting lost through labyrinth of corridors. They have a huge waiting room which has a kitchen, toilets and plenty of jigsaw puzzles, toys plus reading material.



Thursday 17th July 2025

Day 9

Stop,start, stop again went on throughout the day. I think that I was only in the court for about 40 minutes in total. This was only supposed to be a short trial but I can see it being carried over into next week.

[McColm]

Saturday 19th July 2025

Loads of parcels arrived today, the Amodel 1/72 White Knight & Space Ship One with a bit of bodging will look very similar to the Composite Model once one of the 1/288 Space Shuttles replaces the load and the command capsule is removed.
I bought both of the Academy 1/288 Space Shuttle kits; the Space Shuttle & NASA Transport, Space Shuttle & Booster Rockets.
I also bought the Revell 1/144 Discovery Space Shuttle, I'm not too sure whether I will be using this kit for the GB build which starts in August.
 The 1/72 helicopter kits were meant as a distraction for my jury service which enters it's third week, I'm really enjoying it. Justice of the Peace and Magistrates in the UK don't get paid for this nor do they need to have studied law but can claim expenses such as travel and food. They receive training and are required to spend 13 days each year carrying out their duties. Some companies pay for their days off but it's not compulsory. Something worth considering 🤔.
Next week I turn 59 years old. The pain seems to have gone since I left hospital back in June 2021,I suppose all those stairs in the Crown Court in Woolwich is making me get fit again. Yes there is a lot of waiting around, I'm on my third book of the Harry Potter series. I should be back at work by Wednesday that's if I don't get called back.
I have enough builds to be getting on with, paint and decals will need researching.

[McColm]

Monday 21st July 2025

After 11 days of jury service, it's all over. Finished today at 3pm. There was a local camera crew waiting outside Woolwich Crown Court when I was exiting the building.  Don't know what that's all about but my bus was on time.
The jury lounge was packed with the next lot of volunteers.
Just heard a clap of thunder and a light drizzle of rain, I've checked the roster for this week and found two shifts for next week. So I have asked payroll if I can claim for a couple of weeks holiday as the two days aren't sufficient to cover next month's rent.

Back to the workbench, the Westland Pelican has had its first coat of yellow Revell enamel paint it's semi-matt. I'm adding parts from the Airfix Sea King HAR.3 but not too much as the Pelican is an early example.
The Airfix HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant will be getting the Airwaves Westland Sea King HAS/AEW.2 conversion set. Most of the parts should fit although the radome will be relocated.

[NARSES2]

The jury lounge was packed with the next lot of volunteers.

I don't think you volunteer, rather a case of being volunteered.

[McColm]

The jury lounge was packed with the next lot of volunteers.

I don't think you volunteer, rather a case of being volunteered.

Chosen at random if you pay your council tax.

[McColm]

Wednesday 23rd July 2025

I'm working on my birthday at 15 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf. It's a training day at the reception as I'm back next week covering two days. The rest of the week is fully booked at sites near Liverpool Street Station and in Hackney. Fortunately they are night shifts with the following Tuesday as a rest day when I switch over to the day shifts then back to nights up until the 4th August.
I still haven't worked out a direct route as I seem to get lost coming out of the Canary Wharf Jubilee Line exit, Heron Quays and South Quays are closer but that means changing onto the DLR.
I will probably find a quicker way back to Canary Wharf station this evening.
I'd like to say thanks for all those who have sent their birthday wishes, it's really appreciated.

[NARSES2]

The jury lounge was packed with the next lot of volunteers.

I don't think you volunteer, rather a case of being volunteered.

Chosen at random if you pay your council tax.

Umm no. Chosen from those on the Electoral Roll and under 70 years old

[McColm]

Saturday 26th July 2025

I went back to work on Wednesday at Westferry Circus Canary Wharf. It was a training day at the busy reception, mostly people asking me for directions and there was a demonstration outside one of the hotels in the afternoon. It seems that I  am very popular for the next few weeks.
'I've got Monday off so I'll be putting a claim in for my expenses for the jury service, should work out at around £600 give or take so definitely getting a new bed door mat and possibly a runner for the hall. A few DIY projects around my flat and whatever is leftover will be put towards the Christmas Fund.

I have an idea for the Airfix Fairey Rotodyne, to use the wings from a Grumman E-2C Hawkeye or those off the Lockheed S-3 Viking. Could have been a contender for C.O.D.
Got to finish off the started builds and find the Hellfire missiles.

[kerick]

Finishing the half finished stuff will finish you off in a hurry!

[McColm]

Finishing the half finished stuff will finish you off in a hurry!

The price of model paints has increased over the years, looking for alternative rattle cans. Even using a hairy brush can take 3 or 4 coats to obtain a decent finish. Although I'm in the process of using my pile of enamel paints in experimental colour schemes.

[McColm]

Thursday 31st July 2025

Back to nights after two days coverage of the reception desk at Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf in London.
August looks very busy with work as the holiday season has started, I'm back to the 22 days paid holiday leave which for me is from the 1st of June to the 31st of May.

Reminder to self put in the claim for jury service expenses

It appears that the trend is to convert offices into residential flats, two sites that I have worked on are in the process of this. Although it's nothing new the Borough of Ealing has been doing this for years.

[McColm]

Monday 4th August 2025

Back to work on Thursday night and Friday night with the weekend off as I am working the following Monday on the day shift at another site.
I'm back to what I consider to be normal although I can still feel the pin prick on my finger where the ambulance crew took a blood sample and the vein in my elbow where the nurse struggled to get two viles of blood has a lovely bruise, it is clearing up but seems to be getting bigger.
So it's ironing and paperwork for the next few days, I'm pleased on how my progress on the Space GB is going. Three started builds until my expenses get paid and then I can buy some turbofan engines for the Space Ferry and a new bed. An iron and a ironing board. Got to put some money aside for Christmas.