Dursley News - November 2007
 

November 2007 has been a significant one for Dursley as work finally began on the £28M rebuild of Rednock School after a long time in the making. The current school first opened as Dursley Grammar in 1921 when it was situated in the old Rednock House. Piecemeal development over the intervening years resulted in a very mixed bag of buildings, many of which have not been particularly suitable for educational use in more recent years. The first sod has now been cut and demolition has begun on the old music block so the next 20 months should be an exciting time as the new futuristic buildings take shape on the current playing fields. The school is due to open in September 2009 at which time most of the old buildings should finally disappear.

Elsewhere, work continues apace with the May Lane construction work, on the old Coop bakery site next to the library as it does at the town's other numerous building works.

 
  Picture Gallery (Click on picture for larger view)
    First sod cut at the new Rednock School
At long last the ceremony to mark the first sod to be cut on the site of the new £28M Rednock School has taken place in front of the 1400 pupils, staff, councillors and governors. The new building should be ready for September 2009. Pictured here, Cllr Joan Nash and Chairman of Governors David Martin celebrate in style.
(November 5th 2007 - copyright Dursley Gazette)		  
    Rednock School new build begins
A few days later and more obvious signs of work are visible as the turf and top-soil from the playing field were stripped off prior to commencement of site levelling work.
(November 10th 2007 - copyright Andrew Barton)		  
    The tennis Court disappears
At the other end of the Rednock site, near the junction of Kingshill Road and Kingshill Lane, the first of the old tennis courts has been ripped up. This area will be used to build the town's new fire station.
(November 10th 2007 - copyright Andrew Barton)		  
   

Music Block demolition
The old Rednock music block alongside Kingshill Lane has now seen the arrival of heavy machinery as demolition work commences.
(November 17th 2007 - copyright Andrew Barton)

  
   

Last rites for the Music Block
Many of the window frames and internal fittings have gone on the music block as the bull-dozer waits to start its real work.
(November 17th 2007 - copyright Andrew Barton)

  
   

Music Block going...
Much of the eastern end of the building has now been pulled down as the machines begin their trail of destruction.
(November 24th 2007 - copyright Andrew Barton)

  
    May Lane foundations
On the site of the old Coop bakery in May Lane, foundations have now been laid in preparation for the new houses.
(November 4th 2007 - copyright Andrew Barton)		  
    British Legion collection
The British Legion volunteers collecting for Remembrance Day were accompanied this year by an armoured car and a military Landrover alongside their stand in Parsonage Street.
(November 10th 2007 - copyright Andrew Barton)		  
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