The Foreman

Humphrey Littelton's love of tenders

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:13:55 +0000

With all of this po-faced talk about bid-rigging over the past couple of weeks, I see it as my duty to provide you with the lighter perspective. So I thought I would furnish you with a tendering-themed joke by the late Humphrey Littelton, presenter of Radio 4's I'm Sorry I Haven't a Clue, and "purveyor of blue chip filth to Middle England"....

Celebrity chef takes on Olympic Games...and wins

Thu, 15 May 2008 15:11:06 +0000

As those living in the world of celebrities often find, no one gets between a diva and their day job.

Its official...this industry is full of SHIFT

Thu, 15 May 2008 14:58:18 +0000

Working in the construction industry, I love a good acronym. EPCs, PVs, BREEAM, NHBC, NVQ...bring it on.

How to avoid Wembley-style stadium disasters - by lawyers

Thu, 08 May 2008 10:05:43 +0000

They've been called bottom feeders and ambulance chasers, but who knew lawyers were also masters of surprise? Not me.

Abramovich, Holloway White Allom and football rivalries

Thu, 08 May 2008 10:02:09 +0000

When news broke last week that moneybags Abramovich had bought a pad in west London for £80m and was planning to transform it into a £150m palace I immediately thought that Holloway White Allom (HWA) would be a shoo-in for the job. But it seems that I'm jumping the gun.

UK and US relations sour at the Olympics

Thu, 08 May 2008 09:57:17 +0000

News has reached me of a breakdown in Anglo-American relations at Olympic delivery partner CLM. Word from my man inside is that the Brits at Laing O'Rourke and Mace are getting fed up with the largesse of their stateside partners from CH2M Hill.

No to the white stuff

Thu, 01 May 2008 16:42:52 +0000

Hot off the press from the Highways Term and Maintenance Association (HTMA) is news that it is calling for a "a blanket ban approach on the misuse of alcohol and drugs within the highways maintenance industry".

Considerate Constructors Awards produce inspiration

Thu, 01 May 2008 16:32:34 +0000

Getting one up on the competition is always nice.

Sustainability? It's the beer talking

Thu, 01 May 2008 16:28:32 +0000

Like beer? Then save energy. Or so goes the analogy by Jacobs sustainability guru Tim Rogers.

Architect Eric Parry's lock-in

Thu, 01 May 2008 15:59:29 +0000

About a year ago, CJ ran a big feature on the £36m restoration of St Martin-in-the-Fields in London, by Costain and Stonewest.

Mad Dave's digger madness

Thu, 01 May 2008 10:06:13 +0000

I present 'Mad Dave'. Construction's answer to the Darwin Awards. In these videos you can see where the self-styled Mad Dave gets his name from, as he lies down and lets a digger run over him, before backflipping into a pile of insulation.

And you wonder why the HSE worries about housebuilders and refurb contractors. Idiot.

The 5 most expensive houses in Britain

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:25:05 +0000

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has announed plans to build what will be the most expensive house in Britain, which when completed will be worth a cool £150m.

Which got me thinking - what are the current top 5 most expensive houses in Britain?

Well, according to a 2007 survey by Forbes, they are as follows.

Builder's revenge on client who wouldn't pay - VIDEO

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 15:19:39 +0000

You may have seen the headlines this week involving builder Nigel Gray's way of getting revenge on a client who wouldn't pay a £22,000 bill.

How bricklayers get distracted - VIDEO

Thu, 17 Apr 2008 10:27:47 +0000

I always thought bricklayers were hard-working lads, but it seems they sometimes get distracted on site too.

There are some tools that are best not used in this trade...

Truck accidentally demolishes chimney - VIDEO

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:18:30 +0000

If the wrecking ball isn't to hand, demolition contractors might fancy using this method of knocking stuff down.

Unconventional but effective - though I imagine there was a hell of a lot of mess to clean up afterwards...