A put up and pull down job

Men from Scaffolding Great Britain, the Mitcham-based firm, did one of their quickest ever jobs when they set up and dismantled equipment for the opening ceremony of the new M4 motorway extension in December.

They had two days to put up a VIP stand and three hours to take it down when the opening ceremony was over.

The equipment was supplied by the Showex Division of SGB, and included a 62-seater VIP stand, red carpet, ceremonial tape, public address system, flag poles and toilet facilities.

The ceremony, on December 20, was for the official opening of the last 50-mile section of the M4 connecting London to South Wales.

The package deal was supplied under contract to the five main contractors engaged in the construction of the new motorway.

Installation work began at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, December 20 and was finished in time for the opening at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, December 22.

As soon as the opening was over the Showex division had three hours to clear the site. This was completed in only two hours.

Source: Mitcham News & Mercury 21st January, 1972 page 22