Astley Hire Ltd goes Stella

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Astley Hire supplied a Nifty HR15N Height Rider Access machine and operator to UCLan (The University of Central Lancashire) to help install a giant screen so fantastic images of the sun could be projected to the public in great detail. The Cherry Picker and operator were on site during the whole project to ensure it went smoothly. For 4 days during May, passers-by were able to see spectacular close-up images of the Sun projected onto one of UCLan’s giant solar trackers; images that are equivalent to ten times the quality of high definition television and which are being continuously beamed to UCLan by NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO). The event showcased a double first for the University: UCLan is the only UK institution to be collaborating closely with NASA and its international partners to investigate, store, manage and ultimately share the images with the European scientific and academic community. UCLan was also the first UK University to install solar trackers during 2009 that rotate and follow the motion of the Sun.
	Tripping the light fantastic on this unique event, the Sunbeam Digital Projection Project, was digital artist Chris Meigh-Andrews, Professor of Electronic and Digital Art at UCLan and the University’s Reader in Solar Physics at the Jeremiah Horrocks Institute, Dr Robert Walsh. Professor Meigh-Andrews commented: “The solar image projection will bring together a number of my interests and concerns as an artist as much of my art work features the harnessing of renewable energy systems - both within the gallery and at outdoor locations.
Michael Dorricott, of Astley Hire, a local independent hire company, was really enthusiastic about the project. Not only did he supply the perfect type of Access equipment for this unusual application, he offered his time as the access equipment operator as well. In such a public space safety was a paramount concern. Astley hire is also IPAF Powered Access Training centre and their personnel are amongst the most highly qualified professionals in the country. Normally the Access equipment is supplied without an operator however they made a very welcome exception to support this fascinating event.

Michael enjoyed being part of such unusual event: “Astley Hire was approached by Chris Meigh-Andrews who was following up a recommendation from one of the University suppliers that uses our hire services. It was established that some sort of MEWP would be required for the planned project. Once the equipment needed for the job had been identified, supplying the equipment would not be a problem. However during the discussions about the equipment, the importance of training for any operator of a MEWP was stressed to Chris. Due to budget and time constraints this was going to put the project in jeopardy.

During the discussions with Chris I had become very excited by the project so I offered my services as an operator of the MEWP. It was very much a team effort by all and it was a pleasure to be involved and very satisfying when it went so well.”
Professor Meigh-Andrews added “It was relief to find a local supplier with ability and enthusiasm to help make the event such a success. They gave us all the support we needed to make the working at height aspects of the event safe. Their knowledge and practical advice was invaluable. Thanks to Astley Hire we could concentrate on the technical and artistic details of the show “

Astley Hire provides a number of Hire Services via its dedicated divisions. In Addition to Powered Access, Scaffold Towers and the associated IPAF and PASMA Training, they supply Heating and Cooling equipment and a wide range of tools to companies across the North West from their depot in Leigh, Lancashire. For more information please visit www.astleyhire.co.uk or call 0500 608822.

The Sunbeam project is funded by the Contemporary Arts Development Group at UCLan.

Images Courtesy of UClan.

To get in touch with the Access Team, email access@astleyhire.co.uk or call 0500 608822 extn. 605

For more about Astley Hire Access Platforms visit www.hireaccessplatforms.co.uk.

The Cherry Picker Hire range includes: JLG Toucan 10E, Genie Z-30/20N RJ , JLG 300AJP, Nifty HR12, JLG 400AJP, Nifty HR15, JLG M450AJ, Genie Z-45/25, JLG M600JP

The Scissor Lift Hire Range includes: Genie GR-15 Runabout, JLG 1230ES, Genie GR-20 Runabout, Genie GS-2032, JLG 2030ES, JLG 1930ES, Genie GS-1930, Genie GS-2632, Genie GS-2646, Genie GS-2668 RT, JLG 3246ES, Genie GS-3246

 

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