The Sheldonian was built in 1664-68 for the University of Oxford, based on a design by Sir Christopher Wren. It is acknowledged as significantly important in terms of the classical influence it had upon other Oxford buildings, and as well as being a functional space for the University, it's also used for music recitals and other events and is available for private hires.
Cover It Up's Elliot Stennett says, "It's a great tribute to the skills and dexterity of our crew to be asked back for the third year to help prepare this very special building for the conference section of the event. It takes a good deal of patience and a real respect for your working environment to accomplish successfully."
The U-shaped building's main windows circle the top - or third - level of the venue's main hall seating sections. In order for the projections in the presentation area below to be optimised, these windows required careful blacking out.
The windows measure approximately 2.5m high by 2m wide, but because it is an historic building, they all vary slightly. The blackout cloths - all made from white dimout material - were cut to size and mounted on auto-poles with rubber feet. The drapes were then fitted to the contours of the windows with battening strips.
The Cover It Up team also clad all the wood used in the hanging operation with material as well, so all surfaces were soft. It took a three- person crew about four hours to complete the task on site.
Cover It Up also undertook a similar blackout operation needing care and attention for the Black Ball - in aid of the Keep A Child Alive charity - at St John's Church in Smith Square, London SW1. This involved 20 windows the largest of which is arched and about 7m high and 8m wide, and Cover It Up dispatched a team of eight for the event.
(Jim Evans)
