Big Log

We've set up a variety of learning experiences in the past... everything from recreating a business journey in a physical journey to completing community based projects.

One of these community based projects was based out at the beautiful Falls of Clyde, New Lanark where there's a big Natural Scotland Conservation project.

We met with the Ranger who ran the centre and he had been trying to build a Badger Watch platform for many years.  We agreed that we'd pay for the materials and provide the people (we had a group of 15 available for 8 hours) if he'd give technical guidance and make sure the materials we needed were available.

The group included people from all over Europe and the Middle East.  They flew in to Glasgow the day before the event, were briefed in the evening and had come up with the plan to build the Badger Watch in the following 12 hours... you get the picture.

The Ranger from the Conservation Trust was as good as his word and there was exactly the right amount of raw materials to build the platform.

The platform turned out to be quite a construction - a walkway, 6 feet wide, built in the shape of a 'T'.  8 feet high at the furthest end to give an unobstructed view of the badger sett.  With a hundred or so planks of wood, 20 supporting poles, chicken wire for grip and lots more it was quite an effort to get everything shipped up to the site.

Anyway, the team built the Badger Watch platform... it was a terrific effort, really hard work.  But it was one of those days when everything came together.  Team spirit was excellent, everyone had a role and there was a growing sense of achievement as the platform arose out of the hillside...

Right up until the very last moment.

The 'topping out' ceremony was actually the fixing of the last plank to the almost complete structure.

But OMG, we were one board short.  All eyes turned to the park Ranger who was scratching his head.

'I know we had the right number of planks... I ordered them myself.'

It was then we heard an industrious sawing sound.

Almost as one, all heads swivelled towards a Dutch guy who was busy cutting through a plank... the LAST plank.

'What are you doing?'  Shouted one of the ladies on the course.

'Errr...' said the Dutch fella nervously.  'Errr... I'm making a bench out of this spare plank I found.'  He swallowed a lump that had just appeared in his throat.

Bedlam broke out.  'You idiot!  That was the last plank we needed to complete the project... we were about to have our photos taken and everything.'

More shouting and now the group was beginning to advance menacingly towards the guy who was backing up towards the edge of the platform.

Seeing what was about to happen the Ranger stepped forwards.  'Don't worry, I can get another plank tomorrow and come back...'

Slowly the group calmed down and their Dutch colleague realised he wasn't going to get lynched after all...

But it was close.