Demolition Award entries exceed expectations

Last Friday saw the closing date for the inaugural Demolition Awards, to be held as part of the first Demolition Summit in Amsterdam in November, although D&Ri will continue to accept entries received over the course of the next few days. A flurry of entries was received over the course of last week, with the response far exceeding initial expectations.

D&Ri editor Lindsay Gale said:

There is always a degree of uncertainty as to whether sufficient companies will be interested in making submissions for a new Awards event, with the event itself being very much an unknown quantity. And then there is the current difficult economic climate. While I was nevertheless confident that the event would be a success, the number of entries that have come from contractors from around the world has been truly gratifying and greatly exceeded our initial expectations.

Lindsay continued:

It is not just the number of entries that has been impressive, but also the highly complex and challenging nature of many of the specific projects that are now in the running for the awards. The entries clearly demonstrate the challenges that face the industry – technical, legislative and environmental – and the skills and capabilities contractors are displaying to overcome these challenges. I do not envy the judging panel. Selecting winners from among these entries is one challenge I would not relish.

The judges will come together, including our very own John Woodward, to select the shortlists for each individual Award category in early September, with the resulting shortlists being posted to The Demolition Summit website immediately after, as well as being published in the next issue of D&RI.

The large number of entries is fantastic news to hear, but unfortunately that will make my job of helping choose the shortlist that much more difficult. Still, I like a challenge and am really looking forward to the Demolition Summit.

Supposedly a true story…

A blind lady was flying, on a hot sunny day, from Seattle to San Francisco when the plane was unexpectedly diverted to Sacremento.

The flight attendants explained that there would be a 40 minute delay and if passengers wanted to get off to stretch their legs then they were free to do so.

Everyone, except the blind lady, left the plane and the blind lady and her guide dog sat quietly on their own near the front of the plane waiting for the passengers to reboard in 40 minutes.

The pilot left the cockpit and on recognising the lady as a regular passenger said: “Kathy, we are in Sacremento for 40 minutes and it is a really sunny day outside. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?”

Kathy replied: ”No thanks, but maybe Buddy would like to stretch his legs”.

Picture this…

All the passengers at the gate area came to a sudden standstill as they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane wearing dark glasses accompanied by a guide dog.

The rush to change planes and even change airlines was unbelievable.

Remember:- Things aren’t always what they appear.

Some buildings are stronger than they look

You can imagine the guys who had spent the time dismantling one side of that building standing there ready to watch it crumble. Then the shock on their faces as instead of collapsing to rubble the building just kept on rolling.

Thanks to Demolition News for the link.

Here's another classic some of you may remember from London 1985:

Chimney blowdown open to the public

Following lots of requests we have decided to list all explosive demolitions that we are involved in on the website to enable people to come and view them on the day.

AR Demolition are to carry out explosive demolition of 2 chimneys at Timken Bearings, Desford Lane, Kirby Muxloe on Sunday 27 September 2009 at 11.00am.

A public viewing area will be installed off Desford Lane and refreshments will be available on the day. Should you wish to view the blast please be at the viewing area no later than 10.30am.

Local radio and TV stations will be in attendance, as will demolitionnews.com

Please knock down my school with all the teachers in it

Thanks to Demolition News for finding this...