Here it is after just being put up for the first time:
The central pole is mounted with a handle at the bottom and a block arrangement at the top so the canopy can be furled around the pole by turning the handle. This is the setup at the top, as designed by Alan:
The guy ropes are all attached to old bike inner tubes. These are stretchy, so they're easier to get around the pegs and poles than a non-stretchy guy rope, and it also means that they won't damage our mushroom logs or tree branches.
A wonderful design job from Alan! Many thanks to A & B Textiles and Sailmakers in Gillingham who made the canvas canopy to Alan's spec, and to Shaun Packham in Bermondsey who provided the pole.
I'm now positively looking forward to the next rainy open day so we can show it off... so come along on Sunday 6th October, 13:30-15:30, to see it in action and help us tidy up a bit for autumn.
